Expressing Intent: An Exploration of Rich Interactions

In this paper, we describe Expressing Intent - our initial exploration of rich interactions between human actors and three connected objects -- (1) a bookshelf that learns about taste, (2) a radio that determines mood, and (3) a window that augments visual reality. These objects interpret and express 'intent' in a multitude of ways within the context of a shared office space. Objects with intent, or animistic qualities, can evoke diverse reactions from human actors, depending on how they are designed. To investigate the effects of multiple human and non-human actors interacting with self-interest in mind, we deliberately designed each object with distinct needs and values that complement human behavior when placed in a shared office space. The resultant system of interactions involves cascading relations between object-object, human-object and object-human. Further, after our initial prototype, we discover prime areas in interaction design that warrant further exploration. Specifically, the implications of incorporating animism in object design, objects with needs and values independent of their users, and the implications of designing connected heterogeneous ecosystems (i.e. distinct but cooperative objects) vs. homogenous ecosystems (i.e. uniform and cooperative objects).