Weaving Fire into Form – Aspirations for Tangible and Embodied Interaction

This book investigates multiple facets of the emerging discipline of Tangible, Embodied, and Embedded Interaction (TEI). This is a story of atoms and bits. We explore the interweaving of the physical and digital, toward understanding some of their wildly varying hybrid forms and behaviors. Spanning conceptual, philosophical, cognitive, design, and technical aspects of interaction, this book charts both history and aspirations for the future of TEI. We examine and celebrate diverse trailblazing works, and provide wide-ranging conceptual and pragmatic tools toward weaving the animating fires of computation and technology into evocative tangible forms. We also chart a path forward for TEI engagement with broader societal and sustainability challenges that will profoundly (re)shape our children’s and grandchildren’s futures. We invite you all to join this quest.

Brygg Ullmer is Professor and Chair of the Human-Centered Computing (HCC) Division within the School of Computing at Clemson University, where he also leads the Tangible Visualization group. His research interests include tangible interfaces, computational genomics (and more broadly, interactive computational STEAM), visualization, and rapid physical and electronic prototyping. He also has a strong interest in computationally mediated art, craft, and design, rooted in the traditions and material expressions of specific regions and cultures. Ullmer hosted and co-chaired the inaugural ACM TEI 2007 conference; conference co-chair of TEI 2016; and is a steering committee member. Ullmer received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the MIT Media Laboratory, and a B.S. in computer engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Orit Shaer is Professor of Computer Science at Wellesley College. She directs the Wellesley College Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Lab. Her research focuses on novel HCI for the future of work and learning. Dr Shaer is a Senior Member of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), and a recipient of several NSF and industry awards including the prestigious NSF CAREER Award, Agilent Technologies Research Award, and Google App Engine Education Award. At Wellesley she was awarded the Pinanski Prize for Excellent Teaching. Dr Shaer is a steering committee member of the ACM conference on Tangible Embedded and Embodied Interaction (TEI) and served as Program Chair in 2010, 2017, and most recently in 2020. Dr Shaer received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Tufts University in computer science.

Ali Mazalek is Canada Research Chair in Digital Media and Innovation and Professor in the RTA School of Media at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), where she directs the Synaesthetic Media Lab. Her research investigates how tangible and embodied media can support and enhance creative practices and processes, supporting new forms of expression and new ways of thinking and learning. She is an Affiliate Scientist at the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, and is a member of the Ryerson Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST). She was a member of the inaugural cohort of the Royal Society of Canada's College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. Mazalek is a steering committee member of the ACM TEI conference, and served as a Chair from 2013-2016. She was a Program Chair for the TEI conference in 2008 and 2015. Mazalek received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the MIT Media Lab and a Hon.B.Sc. in computer science and mathematics from the University of Toronto.