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Sketching User Experiences: Getting the Design Right and the Right Design Bill Buxton. Morgan Kaufmann, ©2007. ISBN: 0-1237-4037-1.

In this book, Bill Buxton talks about the role that sketching plays in the design process. He gives a number of good examples from hand sketches to digital sketches. Then he launches into a discussion of what a sketch of an interactive experience is, and gives a number of good examples of interactive sketches and sketching methods. It’s an excellent read for anyone who makes interactive things.

Technorati Tags: design, interfaces, networked objects, networks, pcomp, philosophy, physical computing, sketching, toys, wearables

…at least, my favorite examples of physical computing.

Durrell Bishop’s Marble Answering Machine - A really nice example of using tangible elements not only as memory tokens, but as physical interface. This image has been quoted in many different papers on the web, but curiously, I couldn’t find a link to Durrell’s own version of it. This one comes from a link on Sriam Subramaniam’s homepage, but I think they may have gotten it from Rachel Abrams’ paper.

Toshio Iwai’sPiano - As Image Media - The interaction is quite simple, and even traditional, in computer interface terms (a trackball), but the effect is beautiful.

Tad Hirsch’s TripWire - I love the fact that it’s relevant to the city it was designed for, and attempts to address real political issues in that town with just the right level of seriousness and humor.

Maywa Denki’s BitMan - The behavior seems entirely natural when you play with it, as the little man moves from one side to the next as you rotate the object. The quality of the animation, despite the low resolution, is what makes it work so well for me. They pack so much character into very few bits. Scott McCloud would be proud of them.

Matthew Falla has made a number if interesting electronic product and exhibit designs.

Thanks to Crispin Jones for the link.

Technorati Tags: design, electronics, pcomp, physical computing

Nabaztag is a networked toy rabbit. It talks in response to email messages, it wiggles its ears, and it lights up. Similar to Mark Argo’s mobjects idea. The nifty thing: they’re a product, and they’re less than $100.
Thanks to Alexander Grunsteidl and Doria Fan for the link.

Technorati Tags: networked objects, networks, pcomp, physical computing, puppy, toys

Bob Blick’s Projects - a few interesting projects, like a propeller clock, prayer engine, a few motor driving circuits, and more.

Technorati Tags: art, electronics, pcomp, physical computing, toys

Natalie’s done a number of interesting projects on changing the politics of information. Her work covers biotech, environmental issues, robotics, and more.

My particular favorites:
Feral robotic dogs. I don’t even particularly like robots, but I love the way this project visualizes invisible information (concentrations of toxins on a given site) using a technology that has been domesticated from military and industrial use into a child’s toy.

Howstuffismade. This assignment, given to her design students, has grown into an excellent source of information on how various products are made, including chemical, material, labor, and political issues involved. An excellent resource for designers, who should know the effects of manufacturing their products.

A KQED Spark interview with Natalie, thanks to Andrew Milmoe for the link

Technorati Tags: art, design, environment, open source, pcomp, physical computing, robotics, sensors

Kelly Heaton did some interesting physical pixel projects at the MIT Media Lab.

Technorati Tags: art, electronics, pcomp, physical computing, toys