Figure 3. Exploring molecular strain in
Senspectra.
will eventually result in displays that
are not just volumetric, but that flexibly alter their 3D shape.
Together, the three developments
mentioned here allow for a new category of computers that feature displays
of almost any form: curved, spherical,
flexible, actuated, or arbitrary. E-Ink
displays will first find widespread use
in e-books, mobile appliances, and
advertising. With cost coming down, a
logical next step would be curved or
flexible displays on products like bottles, boxes, furniture, sportswear, and
toys. How will users interact with such
oddly shaped displays? What will their
user interfaces look like? One thing is
clear: they will look very different from
the ones we use today. Rather than
relying on planar GUIs, they will feature more organic user interfaces.
Defining Organic User Interfaces.
“An Organic User Interface is a com- Figure 4.
puter interface that uses a non-planar Some possible
interactive shapes
display as a primary means of output, for paper
as well as input. When flexible, OUIs computers: (a)
have the ability to become the data on Organizing window sheets in
display through deformation, either a stack; (b) Leaf-
via manipulation or actuation. Their ing through
window sheets;
fluid physics-based graphics are shaped (c) Folding
through multi-touch and bi-manual window sheets
gestures.” OUIs aim to support a into three- dimensional
number of design goals that transcend content.
traditional usability. Their learnability,
for example, is governed by the clarity of their affordances, and by their ability to adapt these to new contexts of use. With their emphasis on flexibility and
user satisfaction, OUIs inspire users to be creative
rather than merely productive. OUIs also promote
well-being through diversity of posture and ergonomic
fit. Although OUIs should be designed for sustainable
use, they need not necessarily be made out of organic
materials for their interface to still be considered
organic. In 1989, British architect David Pearson formulated it as follows [ 4]:
“Let the design:
be inspired by nature and be sustainable, healthy,
conserving, and diverse;
unfold, like an organism, from the seed within;
exist in the ‘continuous present’ and ‘begin again
and again’;
follow the flows and be flexible and adaptable;
satisfy social, physical, and spiritual needs;
‘grow out of the site’ and be unique;
celebrate the spirit of youth, play and surprise;
express the rhythm of music and the power of dance.”
These words inspired the following three principles
for OUI design.