Demonstrating Generation Y Interactions

Building demonstrations was a research activity followed understanding Generation Y. This research aimed to understand how to map interaction quality (instant, expressive, and playful) in order to develop new tools and applications that support office work. The hypothesis and expectations were the proper demonstration of interaction quality can positively influence and guide the development of Generation Y interactions. The criteria for evaluating a successful demonstration was how well they represented the interaction quality and could affect future ways of working.

30 students at Beijing University of Technology were involved in December 2010. Instant, expressive, and playful were selected as the key interaction quality to demonstrate, because they were the top-3 prioritized ones listed in our research and found to be the most understandable ones by the students. Each student group focused on at least one interaction quality, created a specific scenario in office work context, and explored how this quality can stimulate new ways of working. The demonstration aimed to develop experiential and inspirational interfaces. Below are some examples: 

FLY 2 U

The Fly 2 U is a physical interface that assists office workers to find and communicate with their colleagues. User A blows air to the device to activate it, points it towards user B to light and vibrate his/her corresponding device immediately. User B gets notified and may walk to user A to have a chat without interrupting other colleagues.

SNOW TREE

The SnowTree is an interactive tool that can make the office work to a quantified standard. According to the frequency of user’s typing and clicks on their keyboard, a number of flakes will be generated and kept remained on the “tree” to indicate workload.

iContainer

The iContainer aims to help Generation Y form good habit of organizing stuff (i.e. stationary) on desks in office. For example, when bringing a key towards the box, the corresponding container will light. When putting the key in a wrong container, a fault sound will be played.

TIMER

The Timer is an interface that represents the countdown metaphor. It helps office workers input a to do list, set time to countdown, and get notified. Swiping, scrolling, and rubbing are the expressive actions in this demonstration.

iTree

Leaves on the tree will fall down to indicate an incoming event.

iFinder

LED lights point the directions to find the missing objects (e.g., stationary) in office.

iCushion

Depression relieving.

Time Planner
Setting time/events by scrolling wheels.