by maximilian.panholzer -

COSMIC: AI music generation

COSMIC, described in a 2021 NIME publication, is a music tool that
brings the concept of AI-assisted creativity into the field of
music, much like ChatGPT does for text. It's designed to make music
composition more accessible, including those who may not have a lot
of knowledge around creating music. By using natural language
processing, COSMIC understands user inputs and converts them into
music in a generative way.

The tool's functionality is similar to that of ChatGPT in several
ways. Both are powered by AI to interpret human input and generate
creative output, though COSMIC solely focuses on music. This
parallel raises important considerations about the future of
creative professions. As AI technologies like COSMIC and ChatGPT
become more advanced, they could potentially change traditional
roles in their respective fields.

One key aspect of COSMIC is its potential to create a new type of
musician — one who can use AI to bring unique ideas to life without
needing to master instruments or composition theory. This could lead
to more innovative and diverse musical creations, since individuals
from various backgrounds could contribute their unique view and
creativity to music.

However, the rise of AI tools in creative industries also opens up
discussions about the authenticity of art. When an AI contributes
significantly to the process, it may challenge our traditional views
on authorship and creativity. Are the final products really human
creations, or are they collaborations between humans and machines?
And if it's a collaboration, how should we credit each contributor's
role?

Despite these points, the integration of AI like COSMIC in music
creation also sounds exciting. It gives a glimpse into a future
where anyone with an idea can explore music creation, potentially
leading to a richer, more varied musical landscape. Also, it might
inspire similar innovations in other creative fields.
by maximilian.panholzer -

Advanced Micro Interactions

Micro-interactions are small but important elements in digital products that improve the user experience. They provide immediate feedback and guide users through actions or system states, adding a touch of finesse to the design. These interactions are becoming more popular in UX design, especially with mobile and smart devices, as they make products more intuitive and user-friendly.

A micro-interaction happens when a user interacts with a digital product, serving a specific purpose. It usually occurs when a user triggers an action and receives a response. For example, on social media platforms, the ‚like‘ button may change color or animate when clicked.

The core of micro-interactions is the trigger-feedback pair. The trigger can be a user action or a change in the system’s state, and the feedback is a targeted response communicated through small, contextual changes in the visual design. These changes can be as simple as a button changing color or more complex animated interactions.

Micro-interactions will continue to be an important focus of UX research in 2023, aiming to improve the interaction between humans and computers beyond just emotional design and good-looking UI. They play a significant role in the later stages of UI decisions and rely on an understanding of user behaviors and preferences.

Exploring advanced micro-interactions could lead to a fascinating area of study. I could examine how these small design elements affect user engagement and satisfaction on digital platforms. It would be interesting to see how we can make micro-interactions more accessible and inclusive. By conducting user-focused evaluations, I could gain insights into how micro-interactions impact user behavior and the overall user experience. There is potential for further research in creating a framework or guidelines for designing micro-interactions that not only improve usability but also follow inclusive design principles.

(Central) Questions

  • How do micro-interactions influence user behavior and satisfaction?
  • What are the best practices in designing micro-interactions across various platforms?
    • Especially visually
  • How can emerging technologies enhance micro-interactions?
    • Example: How can AI work with individualization
  • What are the accessibility considerations in micro-interaction design?

Micro Interaction Examples

Some examples of micro-interactions:

  • Button hover effects: When users hover over a button, it changes color or displays a subtle animation.
  • Form validation: Providing real-time feedback to users when they fill out a form incorrectly.
  • Loading spinners: Displaying a spinner animation to indicate that a process is in progress.
  • Notifications: Showing a small notification to alert users about new messages or updates.
  • Progress bars: Visualizing the progress of a task or process with a loading bar.

Upcoming Research Phase

  • Conducting comparative analyses of micro-interactions across diverse platforms.
  • Looking at industry professionals’ work to understand current challenges and emerging trends.
  • Engaging with the design community and peers for feedback and insights on preliminary findings.

Personal Motivation

I enjoy working on the detailed aspects of projects, and being active in web & app design, I have realized that micro-interactions give my projects that extra professional look. I want to dive deeper into how they work, how they are used, and especially how they affect the design of a webpage/app as a whole