Abstract

Designing Intimate Interaction.


In this study we have looked at how virtual interaction has evolved to meet the needs of human intimacy, through social networking websites, instant messaging and online gaming, but the physicality behind this virtual interaction has not adapted to meet this new sense of human-computer intimacy.

We have found research that states clearly that we have become far more intimate with the virtual world, yet our interaction with this has remained very disconnected; we use objects that are disembodied from ourselves, which we have no emotional connection with. In order for this virtual intimacy to be translated into our physical objects, we must create objects that are embodied by ourselves.

We propose that because our intimacies in the virtual world have increased because of sites that allow embodiments of ourselves, that are personalised to our needs and wants, that we can increase intimacy with objects by having the objects personalised to our needs and wants.

We will address the reason why this is important and what relevance this has to humanity and designers today. Additionally we will explain why this an important for future design.