Tactile Music Player Interface
Purpose
Transform the UI interface into a tangible experience that embodies music player properties
Keyword
Tangible interaction, Sensory experiences, Multi-modal haptic interfaces
While our sense of touch is increasingly confined to touchpads and screens, our tactile experiences have become monotonous. We often rely on these convenient controls to navigate our environments, such as when we relax at home with music. However, as we gradually lose the satisfaction that comes from physical touch, it’s crucial to recognize the essential role it plays in our daily lives.
Throughout history, philosophers, writers, and artists have seen touch as a powerful sense, capable of revealing truths that our eyes may miss. While vision is commonly linked to knowledge, touch evokes emotions in a distinct way. For instance, we often describe unfriendly individuals as "cold." These tactile experiences not only inspire us but also enhance our cognitive development.
Ubiquitous music player UI:
The music interface is designed using shapes to enhance user-friendly comprehension of each function, removing barriers related to cultural or language differences. However, we can only grasp these functions visually. To broaden the concept of traditional buttons, I created a synesthetic music interface that enables users to recognize all functions through both visual cues and tactile stimuli.
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1. Tangible user interfaceKeep the legacy of icon features in the pattern:
The music icons intuitively represent each function. Changing globally used visual icons that have been in use for a long time has the possibility of causing the biggest cognitive conflict. Therefore, I conducted research to develop tactile patterns that maintain the character of a universal interface while eliciting an intuitive and sophisticated response, allowing users to utilize products without the need for learning.
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*Initial sketching*
The music interface is designed using shapes to enhance user-friendly comprehension of each function, removing barriers related to cultural or language differences. However, we can only grasp these functions visually. To broaden the concept of traditional buttons, I created a synesthetic music interface that enables users to recognize all functions through both visual cues and tactile stimuli.
The music icons intuitively represent each function. Changing globally used visual icons that have been in use for a long time has the possibility of causing the biggest cognitive conflict. Therefore, I conducted research to develop tactile patterns that maintain the character of a universal interface while eliciting an intuitive and sophisticated response, allowing users to utilize products without the need for learning.
2. Haptic feedbackEnhance haptic interaction by
pressing and pushing:
Unlike the uniform surface of a laptop trackpad, our fingers can detect functional information through tactile patterns. By applying varied haptic stimuli, such as lateral motion and pressure, users can engage actively with a tactile interface. This multisensory experience enhances overall enjoyment of the product.
Let’s suppose the symbols represent BTS songs: ( ︎ ) for “Butter,” ( ︎ ) for “Boys with LUV,” and ( ︎ ) for “Dynamite.” Imagine you're listening to ( ︎ ) while seated on a sofa. If someone suddenly asks for something, you press the pause button, disrupting the flow of ( ︎ ). This interruption creates a tangible sensation when you press, but pressing play again restores the flow, imparting a sense of lightness.
Unlike the uniform surface of a laptop trackpad, our fingers can detect functional information through tactile patterns. By applying varied haptic stimuli, such as lateral motion and pressure, users can engage actively with a tactile interface. This multisensory experience enhances overall enjoyment of the product.
Let’s suppose the symbols represent BTS songs: ( ︎ ) for “Butter,” ( ︎ ) for “Boys with LUV,” and ( ︎ ) for “Dynamite.” Imagine you're listening to ( ︎ ) while seated on a sofa. If someone suddenly asks for something, you press the pause button, disrupting the flow of ( ︎ ). This interruption creates a tangible sensation when you press, but pressing play again restores the flow, imparting a sense of lightness.
- Play/Pause Button: This maintains a continuous stream, allowing for repeated connections and disconnections.
- Play Next/Previous Button: This shifts to a completely different stream, creating a distinct tactile feeling, like slide friction at your fingertips.
- Volume Control: If outdoor noise distracts you, adjusting the volume while maintaining the flow of ( ︎ ) provides a seamless tactile experience.
3. Intuitive Sense of Tactile: Finding the Optimal Height of Embossed Patterns
In addition to creating tactile patterns, I explored the instinctual aspects of touch, focusing on spontaneous responses. The height of the embossed pattern is crucial for perceiving haptic stimulation. For instance, when the embossing is too shallow (around 0.3mm to 0.8mm), it becomes difficult to distinguish between resistance and softness. Through hands-on experiments, I collected data indicating that an optimal height for this pattern exceeds 1mm.
In addition to creating tactile patterns, I explored the instinctual aspects of touch, focusing on spontaneous responses. The height of the embossed pattern is crucial for perceiving haptic stimulation. For instance, when the embossing is too shallow (around 0.3mm to 0.8mm), it becomes difficult to distinguish between resistance and softness. Through hands-on experiments, I collected data indicating that an optimal height for this pattern exceeds 1mm.
