Short answer
Embrace the computational and connective aspects of technology as tangible design materials to unlock new forms of expression and interaction.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Borås Academic Digital Archive (University of Borås) (2010)
- Method
- Conceptual framework development and material exploration.
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Treating computers as a malleable material, rather than just a functional tool, unlocks new expressive possibilities in design. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2010 study published in Borås Academic Digital Archive (University of Borås). Using Conceptual framework development and material exploration., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Embrace the computational and connective aspects of technology as tangible design materials to unlock new forms of expression and interaction.
Computers as Expressive Materials: A New Design Paradigm
Treating computers as a malleable material, rather than just a functional tool, unlocks new expressive possibilities in design.
Borås Academic Digital Archive (University of Borås) · 2010
Key Findings
- 01Computers can be understood and utilized as a material for design, possessing inherent expressive potential.
- 02Properties like computed causality and connectability can be physically embodied through computational composites.
- 03This material-centric approach opens new avenues for designing interactive and computational artifacts.
Application
Design takeaway
Embrace the computational and connective aspects of technology as tangible design materials to unlock new forms of expression and interaction.
How to apply
When designing interactive products, consider how the underlying computation and connectivity can be made manifest in the physical form and behavior of the object.
Project actions
- 01Explore how the 'intelligence' or 'connectedness' of a device can be a visible or tangible part of its design.
- 02Consider creating prototypes that physically demonstrate computational processes or data flows.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Novel conceptualization of technology as a design material.
- +Exploration of abstract properties through physical manifestation.
Limitations
The concept is abstract and may be challenging to fully realize in a simple design project without significant technical resources.
Reliability & validity
The research is primarily conceptual and exploratory, making traditional measures of reliability and validity less applicable. Its validity lies in its theoretical contribution and potential to inspire new design approaches.
Think critically
To what extent can abstract computational properties truly be considered 'materials' in the same way as physical substances, and what are the practical implications for manufacturing and user experience?
Design Principles
"Design with computation as a material, leveraging its inherent properties for expressive outcomes."
This perspective shift encourages designers to explore the inherent properties of computation and connectivity as design elements. By materializing these abstract concepts, designers can create novel interactive objects and environments that go beyond traditional user interfaces.
What This Means for Your Design
Think of computers not just as tools, but as a kind of 'stuff' you can shape and express yourself with, like clay or metal, but with digital capabilities.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this research when exploring novel materials or when justifying the use of technology as a core design element in your project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research proposes treating computers as a design material, moving beyond their functional role to explore their expressive potential. By understanding properties like computed causality and connectability as tangible attributes, designers can develop novel computational objects and architectures, as exemplified by the creation of computational composites that physically embody these characteristics.
Source
Borås Academic Digital Archive (University of Borås)
A Material Strategy : Exploring Material Properties of Computers
journal · 2010
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about computers as expressive materials: a new design paradigm?
- Embrace the computational and connective aspects of technology as tangible design materials to unlock new forms of expression and interaction. Evidence: Borås Academic Digital Archive (University of Borås) (2010).
- Why does "Computers as Expressive Materials: A New Design Paradigm" matter for design?
- This perspective shift encourages designers to explore the inherent properties of computation and connectivity as design elements. By materializing these abstract concepts, designers can create novel interactive objects and environments that go beyond traditional user interfaces.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Embrace the computational and connective aspects of technology as tangible design materials to unlock new forms of expression and interaction.
- What were the main findings?
- Computers can be understood and utilized as a material for design, possessing inherent expressive potential.. Properties like computed causality and connectability can be physically embodied through computational composites.. This material-centric approach opens new avenues for designing interactive and computational artifacts.
- What research method was used?
- Conceptual framework development and material exploration..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2010 journal from Borås Academic Digital Archive (University of Borås).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing interactive products, consider how the underlying computation and connectivity can be made manifest in the physical form and behavior of the object.
- What are the limitations?
- The proposed material strategy is in its early stages of development, and practical applications are yet to be fully explored.