(Archief) Haptic Aesthetics

What is "Haptic Aesthetics"

Haptic Aesthetics is an intuitive design approach that connects visual and non-visual worlds through the sense of touch. It explores the potential for a multi-sensory perspective through design while creating a common ground for understanding and dignity, without categorising people. Boey’s Haptic of Cooking and Dogger’s The Emotion-whisperer feature products that are designed for the visually impaired. As Haptics of Cooking aids in the preparation of food, and The Emotion-whisperer stimulates communication, together they raise the quality of life for blind and low sighted people. Their design processes were based upon user-expert research that analysed the unique desires and demands of the visually impaired, and how these constraints compel them to use materials and shapes in new and innovative ways. Physical sensation, rather than visual perception, became the design guideline.

Haptics of Cooking by Boey Wang

Haptics of Cooking is a series of kitchen tools designed through the experience of touch. This process is an intuitive approach to improve the independence of the visually impaired. From the perspective of sight, these tools might seem less functionable. But as they are designed with sensation-inclusive guidelines, visual perception is no longer prioritised.

The monopoly of vision is questioned through its absence in the design process, emphasising that "seeing" is not only visual. It introduces a new understanding of functionality and aesthetics through the haptic sense.

The Emotion-whisperer by Simon Dogger

A raised eyebrow, a cautious smile, a daring glance; facial expressions reveal a lot about someone’s feelings. But what if you cannot see them? The Emotion-whisperer is a subtle tool that can prompt the visually impaired with the body language cues that they otherwise miss out on.

The Emotion-whisperer features eyewear with a built-in camera that sends images of your conversation partner to a facial expression recognition app. The images are analysed and translated into a sensory signal, conveying body language - such as uncertainty, eye-contact, and head-nodding - as a range of different vibrations through a small device in the palm of your hand. You can actually feel someone smile.