Title: On intuitive use, physicality and tangible user interfaces

Authors: Johann H. Israel, Jorn Hurtienne, Anna E. Pohlmeyer, Carsten Mohs, Martin C. Kindsmuller, Anja Naumann

Addresses: Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology, Pascalstrasse 8–9, Berlin 10587, Germany. ' Human–Machine Systems, TU Berlin, Franklinstr. 28–29, Berlin 10587, Germany. ' GRK Prometei, Center of Human–Machine Systems, TU Berlin, Franklinstr. 28–29, Berlin 10587, Germany. ' HFC Human-Factors Consult GmbH, Kopenicker Steet 325, Berlin 12555, Germany. ' Institute for Multimedia and Interactive Systems, University of Lubeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Lubeck 23538, Germany. ' Deutsche Telekom Laboratories, TU Berlin, Ernst-Reuter-Platz, 7, Berlin 10587, Germany

Abstract: |Intuitive to use| is so often assigned to tangible user interfaces (TUIs) and physical interaction, for example, in conference lectures, informal communication and in scientific publications, that it seems obvious that physicality evokes intuitive use. However, on closer inspection the topic becomes less obvious. It appears that the use of the term intuitive are diverse and a common definition is still missing; this is true in general for the field HCI but it is particularly true for the fields physicality and tangible interaction. This paper provides a definition of intuitive use and reviews formerly separated ideas on physicality, and tangible user interfaces and intuitive use that were partly included in past publications. We also investigate further aspects which enable or facilitate intuitive use, namely image schemas and familiarity. As interaction has an impact on the overall product experience, we also discuss whether intuitive use influences the users| aesthetic judgements of such products.

Keywords: aesthetics; dynamic world model; familiarity; image schemas; intuitive use; physicality; TUIs; tangible user interfaces; art; technology; human–computer interaction; HCI; physical interaction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJART.2009.029240

International Journal of Arts and Technology, 2009 Vol.2 No.4, pp.348 - 366

Published online: 11 Nov 2009 *

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