Fabric-Circle-Slider: Prototype Exploring the Interaction Aesthetic of Contextual Integration

Traditionally designers have explored the aesthetics of interaction through the relationship between the product form and the activity people use it for. However, in the increasing complexity of interconnected and multi-activity devices in the home, aesthetics have been sacrificed in a move to increase usability. In this paper we present an emerging theory that interaction designs that take a contextual integration approach can draw interaction aesthetics from the context instead of the activity in order to address the increased complexity. In addition, we present a conceptual interaction widget, called the fabric-circleslider that draws its interaction aesthetic from a lounge chair—the context of use—and supports interaction with many devices.