research-article

Understanding physical activity through 3D printed material artifacts

Authors:

Rohit Ashok Khot,

Larissa Hjorth,

Florian 'Floyd' MuellerAuthors Info & Claims

CHI '14: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

Pages 3835 - 3844

https://doi.org/10.1145/2556288.2557144

Published: 26 April 2014 Publication History

Abstract

In this paper, we advocate a novel approach of representing physical activity in the form of material artifacts. By designing such material representations, we aim to understand what these artifacts might offer in terms of reflecting upon physical activity. For example, what types of affect do material artifacts, representing ones' physical activity create for the user' In order to advance this understanding, we designed a system called SweatAtoms that transforms the physical activity data based on heart rate into 3D printed material artifacts. We conducted an 'in the wild study' by deploying our system in six households where participants were experiencing five different material representations of their physical activity for a period of two weeks each. We found that the material artifacts made participants more conscious about their involvement in physical activity and illustrated different levels of engagement with the artifacts. Along with reporting the gained insights from the deployments, we offer reflections on designing material representations for physical activity. We hope that our work will inspire designers to consider new possibilities afforded by digital fabrication to support user's experience with physical activity by utilizing interactive technologies at our disposal.

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Cited By

Saini AVs SMontoya MOverdevest NPatibanda RElvitigala Dvan den Hoven EMueller F(2025)Inflated Exertion: Designing a Bodily Extension that Embodies Physical ActivityProceedings of the Nineteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction10.1145/3689050.3706069(1-7)Online publication date: 4-Mar-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3689050.3706069
Yu JAyobi AMarshall PO'Kane A(2025)Creatively Supporting Mental Wellbeing: A Tangible Toolkit to Scaffold Self-Tracking through Mindful ColouringProceedings of the Nineteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction10.1145/3689050.3704944(1-17)Online publication date: 4-Mar-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3689050.3704944
Daneshzand FPerin CGrewal NLosev TCarpendale S(2025)Designing with Data: Supporting Design Processes in Physicalization ConstructionProceedings of the Nineteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction10.1145/3689050.3704943(1-16)Online publication date: 4-Mar-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3689050.3704943
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Index Terms

Understanding physical activity through 3D printed material artifacts
1. Human-centered computing

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cover image ACM Conferences

CHI '14: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

April 2014

4206 pages

ISBN:9781450324731

DOI:10.1145/2556288

General Chairs:
Matt Jones
Swansea University, Wales, UK
,
Philippe Palanque
Université Paul Sabatier, France
,
Program Chairs:
Albrecht Schmidt
University of Stuttgart, Germany
,
Tovi Grossman
Autodesk Research, Canada

Copyright © 2014 ACM.

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Published: 26 April 2014

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Cited By

Saini AVs SMontoya MOverdevest NPatibanda RElvitigala Dvan den Hoven EMueller F(2025)Inflated Exertion: Designing a Bodily Extension that Embodies Physical ActivityProceedings of the Nineteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction10.1145/3689050.3706069(1-7)Online publication date: 4-Mar-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3689050.3706069
Yu JAyobi AMarshall PO'Kane A(2025)Creatively Supporting Mental Wellbeing: A Tangible Toolkit to Scaffold Self-Tracking through Mindful ColouringProceedings of the Nineteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction10.1145/3689050.3704944(1-17)Online publication date: 4-Mar-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3689050.3704944
Daneshzand FPerin CGrewal NLosev TCarpendale S(2025)Designing with Data: Supporting Design Processes in Physicalization ConstructionProceedings of the Nineteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction10.1145/3689050.3704943(1-16)Online publication date: 4-Mar-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3689050.3704943
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Bang TAlaoui STyse GSchwartz EBevilacqua F(2024)A Retrospective Autoethnography Documenting Dance Learning Through Data PhysicalisationsProceedings of the 2024 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference10.1145/3643834.3661607(2357-2373)Online publication date: 1-Jul-2024
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Cooper CBuur J(2024)Exploring bike-commuter habits through data physicalisation engagementBehaviour & Information Technology10.1080/0144929X.2024.239643343:14(3340-3355)Online publication date: 3-Oct-2024
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Kaijage DLee B(2024)Multiphysics Simulation of Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP) 3D Printing TechnologyInternational Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology10.1007/s40684-024-00673-112:2(541-552)Online publication date: 24-Nov-2024
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Guo MHu JVos S(2024)TIDAL: exploring the potential of data physicalization-based interactive environment on runners' motivationJournal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing10.1007/s12652-024-04762-615:4(2425-2438)Online publication date: 12-Mar-2024
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