PhD ThesisOrganic User Interfaces (OUIs) are flexible, actuated, digital interfaces characterized by being
aesthetically pleasing, physically manipulated and ubiquitously embedded within real-world
environments. I postulate that OUIs have specific qualities that offer great potential to realize the
vision of smart spaces and ubiquitous computing environments. This thesis makes the case for
embedding OUI interaction into architectural spaces, interior elements and decorative artefacts
using smart materials – a concept I term ‘OUI Interiors’. Through this thesis, I investigate: 1)
What interactive materials and making techniques can be used to design and build OUIs? 2)
What OUI decorative artefacts and interior elements can we create? and 3) What can we learn
for design by situating OUI interiors? These key research questions form the basis of this PhD
and guide all stages of inquiry, analysis, and reporting.
Grounded by the state-of-the-art of Interactive Interiors in both research and practice, I
developed new techniques of seamlessly embedding smart materials into interior finishing
materials via research through design exploration (in the form of a Swatchbook). I also prototyped
a number of interactive decorative objects that change shape and colour as a form of organicactuation,
in response to seamless soft-sensing (presented in a Product Catalogue). These
inspirational artefacts include table-runners, wall-art, pattern-changing wall-tiles, furry-throw,
vase, cushion and matching painting, rug, objets d’art and tasselled curtain. Moreover, my
situated studies of how people interact idiosyncratically with interactive decorative objects
provide insights and reflections on the overall material experience. Through multi-disciplinary
collaboration, I have also put these materials in the hands of designers to realize the potentials
and limitations of such a paradigm and design three interactive spaces. The results of my research
are materialized in a tangible outcome (a Manifesto) exploring design opportunities of OUI
Interior Design, and critically considering new aesthetic possibilities
