Sensory Design
AimsThe Sensory Design Group would aim to design, develop, and distribute (where applicable), a range of experiential, sensory and educational technologies.
The demand for sensory environments in special schools, hospitals, residential homes and training centres is increasing. It could indeed be argued that all environments induce sensory responses, however it is the synergistic triggering of different senses that enables such environments to maximise their influence. There are a number of organisations undertaking research in the creation of sensory landscapes, for example the Sensory Trust, the Touch Trust and the Dyscovery Centre, however, little has been achieved in utilising the inherent flexibility of digital media to engender individualised sensory experiences. There are many sensations that are not formalised within the five senses, for example, gravity, temperature, change, space and enclosure. As digital environments become more sophisticated the potential to mediate these sensations will afford enormous scope for research, development and enterprise.
Successful design must be based on finding flexible, collaborative and imaginative approaches to facilitate mutual, participatory methods for research and development.
The Sensory Design Group has created sensory software, ReacTickles that maximises on the sensory qualities of colour, shape, movement, contrast and pattern. Developing collaboratively with autistic children enabled the designers to study the unique characteristics of the key target group so that the interaction supports their sensory requirements and focuses on performance and improvisation rather than the traditional operational modes of computing.
The Sensory Design Group has been awarded a number of external research grants including:
2007: Content 360/National Film Board of Canada: Project Title: "ReacTickles® Mobile 2006: ESRC/TRLP Small Awards Fund -joint bid with Edinburgh, Sussex and Dundee Universities 2006: NESTA: Learning Programme Award: Project Title:: ReacTickles® Creativity Box 2004: NESTA: Learning Programme Award: Project Title: Reactive Colours
Fostering a participatory, cross-disciplinary engagement in the design research process fits well into WIRAD's Research and Enterprise principles of ownership, engagement and inclusiveness. The Sensory Design Research Group represent: a source of knowledge development and expertise a source of expertise for the public, private and voluntary sectors a source of entrepreneurship and enterprise the potential for long term partnerships between industry, professionals and the community
The design partners seek to build on their reputation for design research that affords mutuality by investigating further possibilities for collaborative with marginalised user groups and those who support them to identify sensory need and to extend this collaboration via electronic networks and social media. Organisations who have already indicated an interest in a mutual beneficial method of design and development are:
Autism Cymru, Wales, UK ACER: Birmingham School of Education: Web Autism, Birmingham, UK UK Advisory Unit for Special Educational Needs, London, UK ICT support for Learning in Scotland, Aberdeen & Edinburgh, Scotland, UK Touch Trust, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, UK Smart Technologies, UK and Worldwide TagLearning
In addition to establishing links with potential interested parties the research group will also seek to work closely with other research organisations having a positive reputation for successful participatory design, to disseminate our research widely at conferences and to publish in associated peer-reviewed journals.
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