Kategorie: Uncategorized

Sebastian Cox (an award winning bespoke fine furniture designer) said: ‘People are drawn to tactility because they are seeking something “real”. We spend so much of our time in the digital world – something natural brings us closer to reality.’

In the design process, every graphic designer aims to showcase the best aspects of their work to the audience. Achieving a powerful tactile perception and impactful visual presentation is crucial for creating outstanding graphic design. Therefore, the current challenge for graphic designers is how to effectively integrate tactile perception into their designs to leave a lasting impression on viewers. Tactile perception in graphic design refers to viewers gaining additional information about a work through diverse tactile sensations created by various material surfaces and textures. In the process of graphic design, designers distinguish their creations by employing different techniques or materials on the same surface.

Tactile sense in graphic design manifests in two forms, with the first being the result of varying textures in different materials, such as smooth, soft, rough, and hard surfaces. Graphic designers leverage these material textures to establish a connection and appeal to viewers, enhancing the overall allure of their designs. The second form of tactile sense innovation in graphic design builds upon the first by not only considering the material used but also designing texture elements on packaging to imitate and evoke specific feelings. This innovative approach allows for immediate recognition of graphic designs through the tactile sense, particularly in packaging, enabling consumers to quickly identify and understand the nature of a product. By integrating tactile sense and vision in this way, graphic designers can effectively establish a strong identity and recognition relationship with consumers, enhancing the overall impact and communication of their designs (Wang & Li, 2014).

Tactile design, also known as haptic design, involves creating designs that not only appeal visually but also engage the sense of touch. Incorporating tactile elements in graphic design can be important for several reasons:

1. Enhanced User Experience: Tactile elements can enhance the overall user experience by providing a multi-sensory interaction. When people can feel and touch a design, it creates a more memorable and immersive experience.
   
2. Accessibility: Tactile design can improve accessibility for individuals with visual impairments. By incorporating textures, embossing, or other tactile elements, designers can communicate information in a way that goes beyond visual cues, making the content more accessible to a wider audience.
   
3. Brand Differentiation: In a visually saturated world, tactile design can help a brand stand out. Incorporating unique textures or finishes in print materials, packaging, or digital interfaces can make a brand more memorable and distinctive.
   
4. Communication of Information: Tactile elements can be used to communicate information effectively. For example, in packaging design, the texture of a product’s packaging can convey information about its contents, quality, or brand identity.
   
5. Emotional Connection: Touch is a powerful sense that can evoke emotions and create a deeper connection between the user and the design. The tactile qualities of a product or design can influence how users perceive and relate to it emotionally.
   
6. Engagement: Tactile design encourages physical interaction. Whether it’s through interactive print materials or textured surfaces, the act of touching and feeling can engage the audience more actively with the design.
   
7. Storytelling: Tactile elements can be used to tell a story or convey a message. By carefully selecting materials and textures, designers can evoke certain feelings or communicate specific themes.
   
8. Memorability: Designs that engage multiple senses tend to be more memorable. Tactile elements can create a lasting impression on users, making the design more likely to be remembered over time.
   
9. Cross-Modal Perception: Engaging multiple senses simultaneously, such as combining visual and tactile stimuli, can enhance the overall perception of a design. This cross-modal approach can create a more holistic and impactful experience.

In summary, tactile design is important in graphic design because it adds depth to the user experience, improves accessibility, differentiates brands, communicates effectively, creates emotional connections, encourages engagement, contributes to storytelling, enhances memorability, and utilizes cross-modal perception for a more comprehensive impact.

Ilse Crawford (a British interior and furniture designer) : The more digital our lives become, the more we crave the physical. It’s about balance. We are moving towards more tactile materials that engage the senses.’

It’s no surprise that Thomas Widdershoven, creative director of Design Academy Eindhoven, described tactility as „a political statement, a social statement, a human statement“. Tactility may appear counter-intuitive in the digital age, but it has never been more vital – in terms of design, it is the strongest expression of our humanity we can produce (Treggiden, 2015).

Sources:

1. Treggiden, K. (2015). Tactile design: Why we like things a little rough around the edges. The Spaces. https://thespaces.com/tactile-design-why-we-like-things-a-little-rough-around-the-edges/
2. Wang, Q., & Li, H. (2014). Analysis on tactile field in current graphic vision design. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Science and Social Research. https://doi.org/10.2991/icssr-14.2014.235

Da die Generation Z etwa ein Drittel der globalen Bevölkerung ausmacht, ist eine gründliche Zielgruppenanalyse unerlässlich. Daher werde ich mich in meinen nächsten Blogeinträgen mit diesem Thema beschäftigen.

Die Herausforderungen, mit denen die Generation Z konfrontiert ist, sind vielfältig und prägen ihren Alltag in einer sich ständig verändernden Welt. Der technologische Fortschritt ist allgegenwärtig und beeinflusst nicht nur die Art und Weise, wie sie miteinander kommunizieren, sondern auch ihre beruflichen Perspektiven. In einer Zeit der Arbeitsplatzunsicherheit und Wirtschaftskrisen steht die Generation Z vor der Herausforderung, sich ständig anzupassen und ihre Fähigkeiten weiterzuentwickeln, um in einer dynamischen Arbeitswelt bestehen zu können.

Die globalen Flüchtlingskrisen, sowie Kriege werfen ethische und humanitäre Fragen auf, die die Generation Z nicht nur als passive Beobachter betrachtet. Vielmehr engagieren sich viele aktiv in sozialen Bewegungen und setzen sich für eine solidarische und empathische Welt ein. Die Umweltkatastrophen, die durch den fortschreitenden Klimawandel verursacht werden, haben diese Generation für Umweltthemen sensibilisiert. Viele setzen sich leidenschaftlich für diese Themen ein, um die Zukunft unseres Planeten zu sichern.

Die COVID-19-Pandemie hat die Generation Z auf einzigartige Weise beeinflusst. Neben den direkten Auswirkungen auf ihre Bildung und ihre sozialen Interaktionen hat sich die Pandemie auch auf ihre psychische Gesundheit ausgewirkt.

Gleichzeitig macht sich die steigende Inflation in vielen Lebensbereichen bemerkbar und beeinflusst die finanzielle Stabilität vieler junger Menschen. Dies schärft ihr Bewusstsein für wirtschaftliche Zusammenhänge und politische Entscheidungen, da sie sich zunehmend mit den Auswirkungen dieser Entwicklungen auf ihre eigenen Lebensumstände auseinandersetzen.

Trotz dieser komplexen Herausforderungen zeigt die Generation Z eine bemerkenswerte Anpassungsfähigkeit und Engagement. Die Nutzung von Smartphones geht über die reine Unterhaltung hinaus und dient als Plattform, um Meinungen zu äußern und sich an gesellschaftlichen Diskussionen zu beteiligen. Auf diese Weise trägt die Generation Z aktiv dazu bei, ihre Perspektiven in die öffentliche Debatte einzubringen und die Welt, in der sie lebt, mitzugestalten.

Quellen

Schmitt, Linda (2022): Zielgruppenanalyse Gen Z: Worauf kommt es ihnen an? In: https://www.sortlist.de/blog/zielgruppenanaylse-gen-z/ (zuletzt aufgerufen am 29.12.2023)

Abb.: House of Yas (2021): Die Gen Z macht ein Drittel der globalen Population aus. In: https://houseofyas.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Ok-Zoomer_HoY-Studie-2021-3.pdf?utm_campaign=HoY Studie 2021&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=126739521&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9ZFeHV5_3ROxsK6Bk1AyXzUC43oD3uGrJrfoZLqe-mWfixHiqzNOTUuPlndIi—BksblEPKInXUkrjIjCN0IvHZg67gO3qdrxNAiScXGtq8niHWs&utm_content=126739521&utm_source=hs_automation (zuletzt aufgerufen am 29.12.2023)

Nachdem ich bei meiner Recherche zu meinem eigentlich gewählten Thema nicht die erhofften Resultate erhalten habe, habe ich entschlossen mein Thema ein wenig ändern. Zwar werde ich bei Branding bleiben, möchte jedoch darüber recherchieren, wie man eine erfolgreiche Brand für die Zielgruppe Generation Z gestaltet und welche Medien und Strategien hier wichtig sind im Vergleich zu Marken, welche eine ältere Zielgruppe ansprechen sollen. Hierbei möchte ich Brands die die Generation Z erfolgreich ansprechen unter die Lupe nehmen und eine Analyse durchführen. Was machen sie richtig, was kann man aus ihren Fehler lernen?

Wer zählt zur Generation Z?

Zur Generation Z zählen alle Menschen, welche zwischen 1996 und 2010 (nach anderen Definitionen 1997 bis 2012) geboren sind. Sie sind die erste Generation, welche “Digital Natives” genannt wird. Dies bedeutet, dass sie von klein auf immer mit neuer Technik aufgewachsen sind. So sind sie technikaffiner als viele Generationen vor ihnen. Der Umgang mit Smartphone, Tablet, Computer und Co. wurde ihnen von klein auf beigebracht, wodurch sie sich sehr stark unterscheiden. Auch wenn Millenials wahrscheinlich die selben Kompetenzen auf diesem Gebiet aufweisen können, wuchsen sie als letzte Generation ohne oder nur mit den Anfängen der neuen Medien auf.

Prioritäten der Generation Z

1. Flexibilität Die Generation Z setzt auf Flexibilität in der Arbeitswelt. Der Wunsch nach einem ausgewogenen Verhältnis zwischen Berufs- und Privatleben steht im Fokus. Teilzeitarbeit und Remote-Arbeitsmöglichkeiten sind nicht nur Optionen, sondern werden als essenziell betrachtet. Diese Flexibilität ermöglicht es, persönliche und berufliche Interessen zu vereinen.
   
2. Transparentes Feedback Die Generation Z erwartet klare und häufige Rückmeldungen zu ihrer Leistung. Ein transparentes Feedbacksystem ist für sie nicht nur ein Instrument der Leistungsbeurteilung, sondern ein Weg, ihre persönliche Entwicklung voranzutreiben.
   
3. Mentale Gesundheit Die Generation Z zeigt ein gesteigertes Bewusstsein für mentale Gesundheit. Arbeitgeber:innen sollten nicht nur die physischen, sondern auch die psychischen Bedürfnisse ihrer Mitarbeiter:innen berücksichtigen. Individuelle Lösungen, flexible Arbeitszeiten und eine unterstützende Arbeitsumgebung sind Schlüsselelemente, um das Wohlbefinden der Gen Z im Arbeitsalltag zu fördern.
   
4. Nachhaltigkeit Nachhaltigkeit ist für die Generation Z kein Schlagwort, sondern ein zentraler Wert. Die „Generation Fridays for Future“ bringt ihre Umwelt- und Ressourcenbewusstheit auch in die Arbeitswelt ein.

Quelle:

Schönfellner, Sabine (2023): Generation Z – So ticken die Jobeinsteiger. In: Stepstone, https://www.stepstone.at/e-recruiting/blog/generation-z/#definition-generation-z-wer-ist-die-generation-z-0f5dcbd7-78b2-4eb2-89d0-3b072cb60f05(zuletzt aufgerufen am 27.12.2023)

P.s.: Da ich meine Masterarbeit auch auf deutsch schreiben möchte spar’ ich mir das übersetzen in zwei Sprachen ab jetzt. Ich hoffe, das ist okay! 😊

In the world of graphic design, shapes play a crucial role in conveying messages and emotions. There are two basic categories, called geometric and organic shapes, each with their own unique characteristics and meanings. In this blog post, we explore the difference between these shapes and how they are interpreted in graphic design.

While geometric shapes can be drawn with a ruler or compass, organic shapes give the impression of having been drawn by hand. For this reason, they appear natural and human.

A brief introduction to the meaning of different shapes in graphic design

Geometric shapes

Geometric shapes, such as circles, squares and triangles, are precise, symmetrical and follow clear mathematical rules. They convey a sense of structure, order and rationality. In graphic design, geometric shapes are often used to emphasise professionalism, clarity and efficiency.

Square and rectangle: Strength, security, reliability, discipline, order, symmetry

Triangle: Movement, balance, risk, stability, dynamism, energy

Circle, oval, ellipse: Unity, integration, wholeness, completion, trust, harmony, flexibility

Organic shapes

In contrast, organic shapes are free-flowing, curved and irregular. They reflect the diversity of nature and can create an artistic, lively atmosphere. Organic shapes are often abstract and open up space for individual interpretation.

Shapes inspired by nature: Originality, authenticity, freshness, ecology

Organic abstract shapes: Calmness, approachability, naturality, creativity

The choice between geometric and organic shapes in graphic design depends on the intended message and the desired visual impression. Companies that want to emphasise stability and professionalism may lean towards geometric shapes, while creative and artistic industries may prefer the versatility of organic shapes.

Sources

https://254-online.com/shape-visual-element-graphic-design/#:~:text=Organic

https://www.exovia.de/journal/geometrische-aesthetik-im-webdesign-die-kraft-der-formen-fuer-visuelle-wirkung/#:~:text=In

https://www.creatopy.com/blog/circle-design/#:~:text=From

https://www.whiteriverdesign.com/meaning-shapes-design/#:~:text=Natural%2FOrganic

https://de.wix.com/blog/beitrag/logo-formen

In the last few blogs, we learned a lot about scientific background on touch. To finish that chapter, I will once again list the main ‘tasks’ of the tactile system:

→ touch to communicate emotions – Touch can be used to convey specific emotions such as anger, fear, and contempt. Touch is also used to convey more complicated social messages such as trust, receptivity, affection and nurture, reliance, and affiliation.

→ touch to elicit emotions – It is reasonable to believe that tactile stimulation of various physical locations can trigger a wide range of emotions.

→ touch as a behaviour modulator – Touch has the potential to influence people’s opinions toward people, places, or services, as well as their predisposition to form attachments and (pro-)social activities.

In the following chapters of this blog I would like to learn more about cultural aspect of touch. Since touch is a big part of our social life, I wonder how touch differentiates in cultures. Examining how touch is viewed in different cultures reveals a diverse range of social norms. In some cultures, touch is embraced as a natural and integral part of daily communication, fostering a sense of closeness and connection among individuals. In contrast, other societies may exhibit a more reserved approach to touch, where personal space and boundaries are highly valued.

Every day, we experience social touch in various ways, like greetings (handshakes, hugs, kisses), intimate communication (holding hands, cuddling, back scratching), and corrections (punishment, a pat on the backside). The impact of social touch can be seen in different aspects, from our body’s responses to how we behave in social situations. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a tactile person, touch is embedded in the social structure of our lives (Halton,2021).

According to ethnographic descriptions, civilizations differ in the amount to which they value physical touch and its appropriateness in various types of social relationships. Different cultures have varying norms for social behavior, including attitudes towards affectionate touch. Nonverbal behaviors are influenced by cultural scripts, and these norms can shape both attitudes and actual behavior. For example, Latino cultures are believed to encourage open expressions of affection, leading to more positive attitudes about affectionate touch among their members. In contrast, mainstream American culture may promote less affectionate touch, resulting in potentially less positive attitudes among its members. Cultural background plays a significant role in shaping people’s views on physical affection (Burleson et al., 2018).

Everyday life observations suggest that humans use similar types of interpersonal touch behavior all over the world to express their affection. However, there were some intriguing differences in the level of intimate touch between the nations. For instance, only around 2% of participants in Italy, Estonia, Romania, Spain, and Mexico said they had not touched their partner at all in the week before the research, compared to almost 16% in the United States, over 20% in Uganda, and 43% in China! Couples in the Czech Republic and Italy, for instance, touch each other more frequently than couples in the United States. Compared to pairs in English, French, or Dutch, those in Greek and Italian had a greater touch predominance. Couples of Latino origin are more likely than Asian couples to engage in affective touch, and Mexican Americans are more likely than European Americans to report feeling comfortable using affective touch in public. It is suggested that cultures can be categorized as high-contact or low-contact based on these observations (Sorokowska et al., 2021).

Since there’s limited research on what influences affectionate touch, especially in terms of cultural factors, we can concentrate on the most well-supported variables. These include (a) cultural aspects like temperature, regional parasite stress, regional conservatism, collectivism, and regional religiosity, and (b) individual factors such as gender, age, personal history with parasites, individual conservatism, individual religiosity, and preferred social distance. To make this blog shorter and not so boring, I will write about some aspects that i found really interesting. The research showed that temperature, e.g. pleasant weather and a warmer climate encourage more frequent social interactions, build trust among people, and make it easier to form social connections. Past research indicates that women tend to use touch more in social interactions, supporting the idea that women typically have broader and denser social networks compared to men. Studies suggest that couples in highly religious countries are less prone to touching each other compared to couples in less religious countries. These findings suggest that religiosity is negatively related to affective touch. These are the aspects that I found the most interesting, if anyone is interested in more, it would be good to look at the research from Sorokowska and others.

Sources:

1. Heatley Tejada, A., Dunbar, R.I.M. & Montero, M. Physical Contact and Loneliness: Being Touched Reduces Perceptions of Loneliness. Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology 6, 292–306 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40750-020-00138-0
2. Halton, M. (2021, March 22). Humans are made to be touched – so what happens when we aren’t? ideas.ted.com. https://ideas.ted.com/we-are-made-to-be-touched-so-what-happens-when-we-arent/
3. Burleson, M. H., Roberts, N. A., Coon, D. W., & Soto, J. A. (2018). Perceived cultural acceptability and comfort with affectionate touch. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 026540751775000. doi:10.1177/0265407517750005
4. Sorokowska, A., Saluja, S., Sorokowski, P., Frąckowiak, T., Karwowski, M., Aavik, T., … Anjum, A. (2021). Affective Interpersonal Touch in Close Relationships: A Cross-Cultural Perspective. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 014616722098837. doi:10.1177/0146167220988373

The world of education has seen a transformation like never before, thanks in no small part to the advent of technology. Among the many technologies that have made a significant impact, Virtual Reality (VR), particularly the Oculus VR, stands out. Oculus, a brand of Facebook Technologies, has redefined the landscape of educational gaming, making learning more immersive, engaging and fun.

Virtual Reality and Education

Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world. The applications of VR can range from entertainment and gaming to education. The educational sector has recognized the potential of VR for enhancing student engagement and improving learning outcomes.

Educational games, often dubbed as ’serious games‘, have been around for a while. By integrating game mechanics and educational content, these games aim to teach or train their players on certain topics. With VR, these games have taken a leap into a new dimension, where the learner is placed directly inside the learning experience, rather than merely observing from the outside.

Oculus: A New Dimension in Educational Games

Oculus, with its powerful VR headsets like the Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest, has been at the forefront of this VR revolution in education. Oculus offers an immersive 3D environment that significantly enhances the learning experience. Here’s how:

Engaging and Immersive Learning

With Oculus VR, students are no longer passive recipients of information. Instead, they become active participants in their education. Whether it’s exploring the human anatomy in biology, walking on the surface of Mars in a science lesson, or visiting historic monuments in a history class, VR makes education an immersive experience. This active learning approach has been shown to improve knowledge retention and understanding.

Safe Learning Environment

VR provides a safe and controlled environment where students can learn and make mistakes without any real-world consequences. This is particularly beneficial in training scenarios that involve potentially dangerous situations, such as chemistry experiments, medical procedures, or heavy machinery operations.

Accessibility

Virtual field trips with Oculus VR can bring the world into the classroom. This can be a game-changer for schools that lack the resources for real-world field trips, enabling students to explore museums, historical sites, and even different planets, all from their classroom.

Educational Games on Oculus

Several educational games and apps have been developed specifically for Oculus devices. For example, ‚Mission:ISS‘ allows players to explore the International Space Station, ‚The Body VR‘ lets students travel through the bloodstream to learn about the human body, and ‚HistoryMaker VR‘ enables students to step into the shoes of historical figures and deliver famous speeches.

These games not only make learning enjoyable but also cater to different learning styles. Visual learners benefit from the rich 3D environments, while kinesthetic learners benefit from the physical interactions with the virtual world.

Conclusion

The potential of Oculus in educational games is vast. By providing a fully immersive, interactive, and engaging learning experience, Oculus VR has the potential to revolutionize how education is delivered and received. As the technology continues to evolve and become more accessible, it will be exciting to see how Oculus VR will continue to shape the future of educational gaming.

According to Gottlieb(1971), touch emerges as the earliest developed sense in human embryos, playing a crucial role in the early social development of mammals and contributing to their overall health during growth (Harlow and Zimmermann,1959). Touch is of the initial forms of communication between newborns and parents. Non-verbal communication includes facial expressions, prosody, gesture, and touch (Argyle 1975) of which touch is the primary modality for conveying intimate emotions. This underscores the significance of touch as a fundamental aspect of human interaction, essential for expressing and understanding emotional states.

Being emotionally and socially receptive to touch is so physiologically fundamental to us that C tactile afferents¹ can be found on practically every inch of our skin, with the exception of our palms and soles. In her TEDxGöteborg talk, Wasling highlights that specific nerves in our bodies exhibit heightened sensitivity to mild touch, gentle movement, and temperatures around 32 degrees Celsius. Essentially, humans are programmed to be most responsive to a light caress from another person. Our skin houses a network of specialized nerve fibers that not only detect but also emotionally respond to the touch of others. This responsiveness plays a crucial role in reinforcing our relationships, connections with others, and even our sense of self by creating a tangible link between physical touch and emotional experiences.

The importance of touch became more clear during the pandemic. „Touch is something we associate with emotional closeness, and we associate the absence of it with emotional distance,“ says New York-based psychologist Guy Winch PhD. We may not realize it, but there were literally thousands of little moments of touch throughout the day in pre-pandemic existence.” According to Winch, it might be quite challenging for people who have been living without that connection for a long period. “There’s something that feels very distancing and cold about not having any kind of option for an embrace, and that can leave long lasting scars”. Hugs are a really significant and emotionally nourishing sort of touch, explains Winch. The warmth of a genuine hug not only symbolizes security and safety but also fosters a profound sense of connection, enveloping individuals in a comforting embrace that transcends words, cultivating an immediate bond built on trust and intimacy. Furthermore, the benefits of touch are not just emotional and social, but also physical; it can relieve pain and tension, as well as provide us with a general sense of well-being (Halson,2021). Physical gestures of warmth and care, including touch, play a crucial role in fostering human social bonds and promoting psychological well-being (Field, 2010). There is evidence suggesting that touch, emotional depth or relationship quality, and loneliness are interconnected. Loneliness is related to poor relationship quality, particularly within the core of the social network, and those relationships, deep emotional ties, seem to rely heavily on physical contact and tactile ways of displaying affection (Tejada et al., 2020).

According to Van Erp and colleagues (2015), we are on the verge of a second transition: adding social or affective touch to ICT systems (touch for social communication). They believe that modern communication technology do not allow people to convey their feelings through touch, and that as a result, they may lack a compelling experience of social presence.

Sources:

1. Halton, M. (2021, March 22). Humans are made to be touched – so what happens when we aren’t? ideas.ted.com. https://ideas.ted.com/we-are-made-to-be-touched-so-what-happens-when-we-arent/
2. Field, T. (2010). Touch for socioemotional and physical well-being: A review. Developmental Review, 30(4), 367–383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2011.01.001.
3. Heatley Tejada, A., Dunbar, R.I.M. & Montero, M. Physical Contact and Loneliness: Being Touched Reduces Perceptions of Loneliness. Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology 6, 292–306 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40750-020-00138-0
4. Gottlieb, G. 1971. Ontogenesis of sensory function in birds and mammals. In The Biopsychology of Development, Edited by E. Tobach, L.R. Aronson, and E. Shaw, 67–128. New York, NY: Academic Press.
5. Harlow, H.F., and Zimmermann, R.R. 1959. Affectional responses in the infant monkey; orphaned baby monkeys develop a strong and persistent attachment to inanimate surrogate mothers. Science 130: 421–32. doi:10.1126/science.130.3373.421
6. Argyle, M. 1975. Bodily Communication. 2nd ed. London, UK: Methuen.
7. van Erp, J. B. F., & Toet, A. (2015, May 8). Social touch in human–computer interaction. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdigh.2015.00002/full#B4

1. C tactile afferents are nerve receptors in mammalian skin that generally respond to nonpainful stimulation such as light touch ↩︎

Aristotle classified touch, along with vision, hearing, smell, and taste, as one of the five main senses. The tactile system is the first sense to emerge in the womb and stands as the largest sensory system within the human body.

From the very start of our lives, the sense of touch plays a significant role in how we experience the world. It helps us connect with our surroundings and people around us. As babies start exploring, the things they feel with their hands and bodies are crucial for learning how to move, express emotions, and think. Different tactile sensations range from light touch to deep pressure, to pain and temperature, traction, and the variety of tactile qualities of objects around us. Because there is a relationship between the tactile system and our emotional centers in the brain, we relate many tactile experiences as pleasurable or not pleasurable based on past experiences and expectations. This is also because, in infancy, tactile experiences are the dominant form of communication between the infant and caregivers (Hill, 2021). So, the sense of touch isn’t just about feeling things – it’s a big part of how we learn and connect with the world.

Tactile sense is one of the essential components of our sensory systems that each of us possesses. We can have either an active or passive touch sense. Active touch refers to what is ordinarily called touching. This ought to be distinguished from passive touch, or being touched (Gibson, 1962). According to Gibson, active touch is defined by deliberate movement and leads to objective knowledge about surfaces in the external environment, whereas passive touch, in which the observer is not free to move, promotes subjective experiences and inattention to the object. Voluntary movement enables the perceiver to identify the invariants in stimulus that specifies shapes and occurrences (Observations on active touch,1962). Active touch is often described as yielding „better-quality“ information than passive touch. However, some authors have argued that passive-guided movements generate superior percepts due to a reduction in demands on the haptic sensory system (Van Doorn, Dubaj, et. al., 2012).

Through our touch sense, we are able to perceive the surface of various objects, animal life, etc. in our daily lives. However, while we are touching other things, other things are also touching us. Therefore, tactile sense is mutual. (Wang & Li, 2014). Like all senses, the sense of touch allows us to gather information about the people and things in the world around us. What sets touch apart is its intimacy, as it requires direct contact with skin, the sensory organ of tactile sensation (Jenkins & Lumpkin, 2017).

The significance of tactile awareness in design has grown increasingly important in our technologically driven environment. As we go to online platforms, designers must remember that consumers are human beings with senses. Beyond the visual and auditory aspects prevalent in digital design, tactile elements play a pivotal role in establishing a profound connection between users and the design. The incorporation of tactile elements, whether physical or simulated in digital interfaces, enhances the overall user experience and fosters deeper connectivity with clients. As the digital landscape evolves, the integration of tactile elements becomes a strategic imperative, creating a more immersive and authentic user experience in our increasingly digitalized world.

Sources:

1. Hill, J. (2021). What is the tactile system?. Harkla. Retrieved from https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/tactile-system
2. Wang, Q., & Li, H. (2014). Analysis on tactile field in current graphic vision design. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Science and Social Research. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.2991/icssr-14.2014.235
3. Jenkins, B. A., & Lumpkin, E. A. (2017, November 15). Developing a sense of touch. Development (Cambridge, England). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5719243/
4. Van Doorn, G. H., Dubaj, V., Wuillemin, D. B., Richardson, B. L., & Symmons, M. A. (2012). Cognitive load can explain differences in active and passive touch. Haptics: Perception, Devices, Mobility, and Communication, 91–102. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31401-8_9
5. Gibson, J. J. (1962). Observations on active touch. Psychological Review, 69(6), 477–491. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0046962

Francisco Sylla, November 2023

My journey into the captivating realm of sound and music technology began in my early years when I set out to learn to play the guitar and engage in various musical projects. Music, for me, has always held a profound and unbreakable connection, a universal language that transcends the boundaries of language and culture. The ability of music to convey an extensive array of emotions has been a constant source of amazement. It’s a medium that speaks to the soul, making it resonate in ways that words alone can’t achieve.

These initial experiences unveiled the vast and captivating world of sound technology. I began to take an interest in recording and mixing instruments, which made Garage Band a good friend of mine at the time. This gradual convergence of my interests and experiences eventually fueled my desire to pursue higher education in this field.

In 2018, I successfully earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Technology from Lisbon’s Music School, which equipped me with the skills required for creating immersive sound experiences. This program covered a wide range of topics, including recording techniques, audio mixing, acoustics, electronics, and more. My final projects include the development of a distortion pedal, more particularly, a fuzz one, as well as a sound redesign for Nadja Andrasev’s animated short-film, “The Sound of Licking”. Those were both very fun to do, with the first one delving into the electronic engineering side of audio and the latter one particularly capturing my interest due to its creative nature.

Later on I gained practical experience by working on diverse projects, including mobile games, films, and live sound engineering. One of the projects that stands out as a testament to my sound design work is the Mobeybou project, which involves creating mobile storytelling apps for children. Mobeybou focuses on using technology to nurture multiliteracies, collaboration skills, and intercultural sensitivity in children. As a team member, my role involved infusing these mobile storytelling apps with sounds and music that would transport young learners to various parts of the world.

The challenge of representing different cultures through sound and music was both enriching and demanding. It required me to delve into the musical traditions of various regions, comprehend the cultural nuances, and create soundscapes that were not only

engaging but also educational. For instance, in the „Mobeybou in Cape Verde“ app, I had the opportunity to explore the vibrant and rhythmic sounds of Cape Verdean music, aiming to make the experience as authentic as possible for children. Similarly, in „Mobeybou in Brazil”, I crafted a sonic journey through the rich and diverse musical heritage of Brazil.

Furthermore, I co-founded Producteur Collectif, a film production collective dedicated to bringing creative visions to life. Within this collective, I handle the sound aspects, both on set and in post-production. Our journey began in 2020 when a friend, João Lages, and I decided to pursue our shared interest in filmmaking. Over the years, our team has expanded to support various areas such as writing, production design, and overall assistance. Our latest films include „Sons do Vale“ (Sounds of the Valley), which won at the Segredos de um Vale Festival, „Isto não é um Debate“ (This is not a Debate), presented at Braga’s Festival Política and „Cativeiro“ (Captivity), with support from Zet Gallery.

Through my coursework and hands-on projects, I had the opportunity to explore various techniques and tools used in sound design. I learned to create sound effects, manipulate audio to match the mood of a scene, and experiment with synthesizers to produce unique sounds. It was during this time that I realized the profound impact of sound on the emotional resonance of visual media.

My particular fascination lies in sound design for visual media, and I aspire to further improve my skills in this area, encompassing sound synthesis, advanced post-production, and surround sound. These skills can be applied to various fields, such as film, games, or artistic installations. In the realm of film, understanding surround sound systems has become increasingly relevant as they have become very common formats. When it comes to gaming, I am enthusiastic about exploring dynamic ways of implementing music and sound that can adapt seamlessly to the ever-evolving gameplay, enhancing the overall user experience. I’m also passionate about creating music and hope to apply these skills to music production. In terms of music projects, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with groups like Compasso Quat, which I joined in 2012. This project focused on experimenting with various instruments and reinterpreting early recordings of Giacometti and traditional Portuguese chants. I also had the opportunity to play in different ensembles and more recently, I participated in an electronic orchestra project called ODE, which involved sonic exploration using electronic devices.

As I delve deeper into the world of sound technology, I am continually fascinated by its ability to shape and enhance various aspects of our lives. Sound is an essential part of our human experience, capable of evoking emotions, transporting us to different places, and adding depth to our everyday encounters. The ability to manipulate and harness the power

of sound is not only an art but also a science. This is what initially drew me into the world of sound technology, and it’s what continues to inspire me to explore and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Currently, my professional journey is evolving as I engage in concrete projects developed by close friends. One particularly exciting project is an unnamed video game in an advanced stage of development. I’m interested in composing and producing the game’s musical soundtrack, having an opportunity to explore dynamic implementation techniques. With these techniques, I hope to transform linear compositions into music that adapts dynamically to gameplay, ensuring that the emotion and intensity of the music adjust to specific actions or situations in the game. Wwise, a widely-used program for implementing sound and music in video games, would be a valuable tool for this type of implementation.

Aside from the implementation aspect, the core of this potential research project lies in carefully crafting the music composition and production. This involves creating music for various game elements such as the menu, fight and exploration scenes, and more. I plan to utilize virtual instruments, manipulate sounds, and potentially incorporate live-recorded instruments if they align with the project’s objectives. Exploring different time measures and tempos could also be a key element of the project, serving as a tool to convey a wide range of feelings within the game’s environment.