MEANINGFUL INTERACTIONS IN A TECHNOLOGY LADEN WORLD In this talk we will first explore what meaningful interactions might mean, and some examples of how this ideal has been reached when working with new technologies. ABOUT ANTHONY Anthony is an interactive/experience artist with an undergraduate degree in Interactive Multimedia and Design and a MASc of Human-Computer Interaction at Carleton University, with a focus on reality-based interfaces. His passions lie in exploring and experimenting with new technology mediums to create meaningful and experiential participant interactions.

1. MEANINGFUL INTERACTIONS
IN A TECHNOLOGY LADEN
WORLD
Anthony Scavarelli, interactive experience artist

2. “We shape our tools and
thereafter our tools shape us.”
- Marshall McLuhan, author of
‘Understanding Media’

3. Meaningful [1]
- having a clear meaning
- expressing an emotion or idea
without words
- having real importance or value
Interaction [1]
- mutual or reciprocal action or influence
[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com/

4. Meaningful [1]
- visibility of system status [2]
- match between system and real world [2]
- reality-based interactions (RBI)? [3]
- an affective dimension [4]
Interaction [1]
- mutual or reciprocal action or influence
[2] Nielson, Jakob. “10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design”
[3] Jacob et al. “Reality-based interaction: a framework for post-WIMP interfaces ”
[4] Beale and Creed. “Affective interaction: How emotional agents affect users”

5. “The most important thing
about a technology is how it
changes people.”
- Jaron Lanier, author of
‘You are Not a Gadget’

6. The Philosopher’s Cube [5]
• ask people what traits of humanity
mean via an alien cube
[5] http://portfolio.anthony-scavarelli.com/portfolio/the-
philosopher-cube/

7. Medusae [6]
• by changing one’s perspective to
that of a more ego-centric view
we obscure our vision.
[6] http://portfolio.anthony-
scavarelli.com/portfolio/medusae/

8. Paths [8]
• engage businesspeople passing
through the space across three
dimensions
• energy
• collaboration
• mentorship
[8] http://portfolio.anthony-scavarelli.com/portfolio/invest-
ottawa-light-installation-paths/

9. User Experience [9]
• fostering collaboration through
terrible user experience
[9] (see it at Canada’s first official Makerfaire 2015
here in Ottawa!)

10. Good Night Lamp [10]
• connecting you to your loved ones
through a connected on/off switch.
[10] http://goodnightlamp.com

11. Cave aux Bulles [11]
• blowing bubbles (surprise)
[11] https://vimeo.com/72070576

12. Eyewriter [12]
• Homemade eye-tracking to help a
paralyzed graffiti artist draw again
[12] http://www.eyewriter.org

13. 21 Swings [13]
• swing with others to create music
[13] https://vimeo.com/40980676

14. Zygote Balls [14]
• throwing a ball to change colour
[14] https://vimeo.com/2177723

15. Keep Talking and No
One Explodes [15]
• In VR hold and defuse a bomb while
your non-VR collaborators hold the
instructions
[15] http://www.keeptalkinggame.com

16. “Rule of thumb: if you think
something is clever and
sophisticated beware - it is
probably self-indulgence.”
- Donald A. Norman, author of
‘The Design of Everyday Things’

17. So what is Meaningful Interaction?

18. Is it important?
Is it worth it?

19. How does this relate to IOT?

20. “My favourite tools are the ones
that help connect things. Not a bad
life goal as well.”
- Zach Lieberman, co-creator of
OpenFrameworks