Malmö
An exchange at Malmö University with two intensive interaction design courses.
01
Malmö
I went on an exchange to Malmö, Sweden. During my time there, I had the opportunity to participate in two intensive interaction design courses. This experience not only exposed me to new perspectives on design but also allowed me to refine my skills in a dynamic and collaborative international environment.
In this section, I'll provide an overview of the courses I undertook, the insights I gained, and how this exchange has influenced my approach to design.
Courses taken
02
Interaction Design:
Interactivity
The objectives
Interactivity refers to the ability of a user to communicate with and control a digital interface or system. In other words, interactivity is what enables users to engage with digital products, such as apps, websites, and software, by clicking, tapping, swiping, typing, or performing other actions that trigger a response from the system.
It is crucial to ensure that the product is easy to use, efficient, and enjoyable for the user. Therefore, it's highly advantageous to have this ability to analyze and influence the interaction aesthetic. When an interaction designer has a heightened awareness of interactivity, they are able to think beyond the product's intended audience and function, and also focus on the overall experience and sensation of interacting with it.
Jumping rope-inspired
interaction
As an example of the benefits of a designer's heightened awareness of interactivity, consider our jumping rope-inspired interaction. Jumping rope involves synchronization, which in this case is related to timing. Through experimentation with the bodily perception of these motions, we developed the final interaction showcased in the video below.
This interaction involves a circular motion, where two users utilize the screen to find the same rhythm and synchronize their movements. When they achieve synchronization, two squares move towards the centre of the screen and merge into one purple square.
The final sketch: two users finding the same rhythm
03
Tangible and
Embodied Interaction
Course objectives
Tangible and Embodied Interaction (TEI) is a type of interaction that aims to go beyond the traditional graphical user interface paradigm by creating experiences that engage our physical bodies and our abilities to comprehend and act in the real world.
As a research area, TEI drives the development of innovative interaction technologies and methods that future designers will need to understand and anticipate in order to create effective designs.
We chose the topic Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), which led to the creation of “Breathing Flower”.
theBREATHING FLOWER
The “Breathing Flower” project addresses the issue of sleep problems among university students through a design-focused approach. The project follows the Design Thinking framework called double diamond, with scientific research and surveys guiding the process. The result is an IoT and AI system comprising a nightstand device, a breathing companion, an AI assistant, and a computer application.
The breathing companion, Breathing Flower, monitors a user's breathing and guides them through breathing exercises. Its design is a glanceable version with light, which can be used before bed even in a dark environment. Through sensors, AI technology learns the user's breathing patterns and mirrors them by moving the petals of the flower in and out. Breathing exercises can also be performed together with the user.
The Breathing Flower with the nightstand hologram
To promote good sleep hygiene and create a comfortable sleep environment, a humidifier with a soothing scent has been incorporated into the device.
Building the nightstand hologram
First hologram prototype
This project represents a promising initial step towards a comprehensive system to assist university students in maintaining healthy sleep habits.
04
Malmö Memories
Half a year in Sweden gave me more than two courses: friendships I still talk to almost daily, endless fika moments (coffee, cookies, repeat), and weekend trips whenever the budget allowed. Living abroad on my own pushed me to grow, personally and professionally, and I came back more confident in my own choices as a designer.
