Guidelines to Design Playful Multi-Device Environments Based on Tangible Interaction

Ubiquitous computing involves computers and technology that blend seamlessly into day to day living. In this way, the real and digital worlds have joined, offering interaction mechanisms which are more natural and tangible. However, the diversity of end-users has increased, that is, end-users have a wide range of skills, knowledge, disabilities, literacy, and so on. The first challenge is how the designer distributes the interfaces/information around the environment without overwhelming the user. The second is how to motivate and guide the user around the MDE (Multi-Device Environment) without distracting attention away from the task or the main objective. Taking into account that Tangible Interaction is more familiar and easier to learn for users without prior technology experience, we have developed and evaluated four prototypes. They are based on MDE games and Distributed and Tangible User Interfaces. Interfaces are distributed on devices and objects which offer tangible interaction with the user (with smart objects). After assessing the prototypes, 8 guidelines have been proposed based on the lessons learned. The aim is to provide a guide to design and to investigate Multi-Device Environments based on tangible interaction. 8 guidelines have been detailed in order to contribute to the design of the three interrelated elements: 1. real/space/interface distribution; 2. multi-user/collaborative tasks; 3. motivation/engagement interaction.