Prototyping Playful Touch with a Sound-Mediating Table

Paper in proceeding, 2024

Playfulness and ambiguity are design intentions with a growing interest in Human-Computer Interaction. This demo describes an interactive table prototype using bare-skin touch between two users to control a soundscape supported by light. It builds on previous work in playful interactions and delivers an ambiguous connection between the modes of interaction and actuation. The prototype invites users to collaboratively interpret and experiment in order to make meaning of their touch, exploring each other's skin. We conducted a preliminary study with 13 couples and report on their impressions. This abstract outlines the design process of the interactive musical table prototype, highlighting its potential to inspire creativity and spark curiosity in a design audience.