A Basic Form Language for Shape-Changing Interfaces

In this paper we propose a basic form language for shape-changing forms that work independently of materials and contexts of use. This form language is meant to inform design practice and therefore it is essential that it is easily graspable and available. Instead of relying on post analyses and abstract concepts, the basic form language we propose has the potential to become a vernacular that is relevant for practitioners. We derive at the language through looking towards adjacent fields of architecture and industrial design as well as through our own practice. We qualify the relevancy of the language in three ways: through using it in practice both as generative for our designs, as means to communicate with external collaborators, and finally we demonstrate its analytical power through analyzing three shape-changing interfaces made by others.