Thesis Topic Study of Finger

An object’s design is an extension of the body. It extends our ability. It lets us experience what we had never experienced before. Just like the railroad which opened up the west to a new world, a new object can open up an uncharted territory, lets people mad and mesmerized. Or like the telephone and the television are the extension of ear and voice or the extension of touch (McLuhan, 1964.), and make it possible to break the boundary of time and space (Dant,1999). Digital technology is a common portal leading us walk into another new world, and our finger walks us in.

Finger gestures in Human-computer interactions (HCI) is the main subject of my thesis. Some very attractive characteristics make fingers and their gestures become my exploratory medium. It is easy for people to control gesture, it is private, it is emotional, it is also real, since touch confirms whether an object is real. Comparing finger gestures to other human-computers interactions is more internal. People don’t need to speak out loud for certain functions, they can use subtle gestures to interact with computers secretly and privately. Currently lots of online companies have made efforts to enhance the intimacy between user and the computer. I am interested in exploring possible interactions people can have with their fingers and the computer and data network.

In my previous project “ Sensory Extension”, I boldly imagined that one day Sensory Extension chips would be created and there will be an opportunity letting us experience all feelings via touch and also to exchange our sensory memories through these chips. And based on this speculative scenario, I have designed a series of gesture and interactions with devices, networks and people. The sensory experiences are transformed into sensory data which translates between the cloud, Internet devices, sensory organs and our fingers. Thus, we are not only capable of feeling more but also able to save and share our personal moments with others. For sensing different “feelings,” Sensory Extension chips will be implanted in our finger tips and we’ll be able to receive and emit olfactory, gustatory, tactile, visual, and acoustic impressions. With several simple gestural instructions and the help of devices, people will be able to experience a unique dining experience — or share it via social media.

For future exploration, I will conduct a series of research on finger movements and their connection with function(note, finger movement are either on devices or any moment in daily life). At the same time, I will create prototypes that interact with the user to receive different rational or emotional responses. And I will also conduct research on current existing digital products involved in finger movement making comparisons, and mapping the users’ experience with each device.

Study of finger:

Facts from previous explorations:

1. our sense of touch is not as sensitive as we expected // our experiment participants can hardly tell whether their fingers are soaked in liquid or not.

2. Tactile and visual experiences become related to shapes of objects, as smell and taste experiences will be connected. The hearing sensation is isolated from other sensory experiences.

3. Through a balanced collaboration between senses, we can amplify our sensory capabilities.

//+ social net work?

＋multi devices ecology of things

research on how people use their devices

photo organizer...

#userexperience #finger #embodied #gesture #thesistopic #idea