Home // International Journal On Advances in Intelligent Systems, volume 7, numbers 3 and 4, 2014 // View article

Ecologies of Spaces for Enjoyable Interactions

Authors:
Alma Leora Culén
Rune B. Rosseland

Keywords: interactive installations; play; public space interaction; user experience; Kinect; ecology

Abstract:
In this paper, interplay of diverse factors related to the space where public interactions take place is discussed. The technology itself, the physical space, activities and social interactions around them are all important for the user experience, particularly so when enjoyable interactions are in focus. We call this plethora of factors and relations between them the ecology of an interactive space. Concepts such as visual immediacy, impetus and impedance, related to exhibits access and entry points are introduced in order to discuss engagement with installations, but also the space and social interactions. We illustrate this using the installation for enjoyment that we designed, implemented and subsequently evaluated in three public settings. Drawing on our findings from the experience with the exhibit, as well as conceptual and practical research related to interactive exhibits, we conclude that the concept of ecologies of spaces is useful for deeper understanding and design of public interactions.

Pages: 361 to 373

Copyright: Copyright (c) to authors, 2014. Used with permission.

Publication date: December 30, 2014

Published in: journal

ISSN: 1942-2679