“Vague Pure Affection” from Thought-Forms (1901) by Annie Besant and Charles Leadbeater, illustrating the theosophical belief that emotions and thoughts create visible auras.
What Can Interaction Design Learn from Contemporary Art?
When we talk about interactions, it might feel like we’re discussing something abstract or even immaterial. But from the earliest days of computing, interactions have always involved something tangible—think of the mice and keyboards we use to navigate digital spaces.
This blend of physical and digital is key to interaction design. It bridges the physical world we live in with the digital world we engage with. And with advancements like IoT and 3D printing, these lines are getting blurrier—and more exciting—than ever.
As the title suggests, in The Materiality of Interaction, Mikael Wiberg explores the tangible aspects of interaction design. He discusses how the materials we choose can profoundly impact user experience, encouraging designers to think critically about their selections. This book is essential for anyone looking to create more meaningful interactions.
This is why researchers like Mikael Wiberg call for a “material turn” in interaction design. Instead of focusing on digital representations like icons and desktops, they emphasize the materiality of interactions themselves. This shift unlocks new ways to enrich user experiences by acknowledging the physical and sensory aspects of interactions.
For a while now, I’ve been exploring how contemporary art can inspire interaction design. Contemporary art, rooted in avant-garde experimentation, has a lot to teach us about working with materials. Artists like Kandinsky and Cézanne were pioneers in exploring materiality and sensory experiences—insights that can be incredibly valuable for interaction designers.
Take site-specific installations, for example. These pieces are designed with a deep understanding of their physical surroundings, creating a unique dialogue with the space they inhabit. Artists often run prototypes, conduct tests, and collaborate with local experts to ensure their work fits its surroundings.
Olafur Eliasson installation at ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, showcasing immersive light and color experiences that engage viewers with their surroundings. Photo by Julia Taubitz.
Unfortunately, interaction design often lacks this kind of contextual awareness. Many digital products feel disconnected from the physical spaces where they’re used, often pulling too much of our attention into the screen and away from the world around us.
When we design digital products, we rarely think about the specific contexts they’ll be used in. Sure, we assume someone might use an app in their bedroom, but how much do we consider the details of that space—its lighting, temperature, noise, or even what other devices are in play? These are crucial elements of users’ material experiences, and they’re often overlooked.
By adopting a site-specific mindset, we can design more meaningful experiences—ones that not only fit into users’ lives but also manage their attention in a more mindful way.
