Week 7: Semester Project Progression and Preparation for Week 9 Presentation

An Analysis of Universal Design and Interaction Design

After visiting LifeTec, it became paramount to consider Universal Design in the overall design and application of Interaction Design. This became obvious to myself when I looked into gestural design. Much like most design work, if some people become excluded by the application of gestural design, the design is inherently flawed. However, at the same time, gestural design, as opposed to traditional product design, I believe this concept is quite difficult. This is because gestural design, from what I understand, is heavily rooted in a specific context. This is so the specific gestures have meaning are work within the context.

An Example of Universal Design and Interaction Design Working Together....
From what little knowledge of interaction and universal design I have as an undergraduate, I believe that the two would best work together when there is as little physical interaction as possible. This would allow for less needed consideration of physical ergonomics as opposed to a heavy physical interaction product. Also, another option is to try to reduce the amount of physical movement involved in the interaction, however, this also produces it owns potienital problems. For example, if a gestural interaction becomes so small and minute to accommodate a physical disability, it could be easily misinterpreted or unintensionally used by everyone. The gesture could also lose its meaning within the context.

I Believe When you lose this physical barrier, the interaction has the potienital to become universal.

This is think is demonstrated in the concept above. Although the Interaction is relatively innocuous, the user only needs to physically move around the space. No fine motor skills or fine manipulation of objects is required, the person only needs to view and move. The user also recieves instand feedback




And An Example of it not.... 
I'm finding it difficult to find a failed experiment of interaction and universal design. As I have already mentioned many times, I think the blending of the two is quite difficult and will only work in a specific context with specific users.


Interaction Design and Universal Design: Accommodating a Mental Disability 
After Thinking and Researching for information on the topic, I've found it difficult to find resources of the application of interaction design and mental disabilities. Potientially, I think that enhanced physical interaction would be beneficial as people with mental disabilities may be able to psychically modify interactive devices as opposed to relying on a mental model