April 2–7 | Portland, Oregon, USA | Frank Vetere, Martin R. Gibbs, Jesper Kjeldskov, Steve Howard, Florian ‘Floyd’ Mueller, Sonja Pedell, Karen Mecoles, Marcus Bunyan
This paper explores the design of technologies to support strong-tie relationships and intimate acts. The authors use cultural probes, contextual interviews, and ethnographic techniques to understand how interactive technologies are used within intimate relationships. They identify themes related to intimacy, such as self-disclosure, trust, commitment, emotional expression, reciprocity, and physical interaction. Based on these findings, they develop design ideas and prototypes, including the "Secret Touch" device for tactile communication and the "Hug Over a Distance" prototype for remote hugging. The paper highlights the importance of understanding current practices and user needs to design effective intimate technologies.This paper explores the design of technologies to support strong-tie relationships and intimate acts. The authors use cultural probes, contextual interviews, and ethnographic techniques to understand how interactive technologies are used within intimate relationships. They identify themes related to intimacy, such as self-disclosure, trust, commitment, emotional expression, reciprocity, and physical interaction. Based on these findings, they develop design ideas and prototypes, including the "Secret Touch" device for tactile communication and the "Hug Over a Distance" prototype for remote hugging. The paper highlights the importance of understanding current practices and user needs to design effective intimate technologies.