Winnow

The course was about the design research process of the design of Winnow; an interactive material. Within the HCI community, more attention is focused on interactive materials as new interfaces. The design research process includes a material, shape and interaction explorations after which they were combined into a fully experiential prototype.

Winnow is made is made from the materials satin and vlieseline S520. These materials are heat pressed or ironed together in order to given them a sturdy shape. As a person walks past, Winnow will measure the distance of a person that is in front of the system. As long as the sensor does not detect anyone in a proximity of 150 cm, the texture sways horizontally. To create novelty for the voyeuristic experience and to attract people the movement occasionally speeds up. When a person comes within the 150 cm range of Winnow, the frequency of the swaying movement will increase as the user comes closer. Within arm length the movement will stop and the loops will return to the upright, 90 degree position. This provides users the freedom of interaction to fully experience the material. After a certain amount of interaction time, Winnow will perform a sudden fast shake urging the user to go away and leave it alone. When the user leaves, it will return to the initial undisturbed swaying movement