How can the design of your own tools empower your role as a designer?
Making your own tools is more complicated in the age of computational design. Since it is impossible to live without computers and software, the communication between humans and computers is crucial. This communication is defined as the term ‘Human Computer Interaction’. This concept comes from a personal desire for tactile interfaces, that would make creating digital patterns more tactile,
intuitive, interactive and fun.
This toolbar gives you the opportunity to make your own tangible tools. Electronic devices are known as hard, stiff and cold. The most common interface we know and use, is the computer mouse. The physical gestures that the mouse offers are limited. The material and the design will not allow more body movement other then tapping the finger.
What would happen if the material changed into soft, flexible and pleasan? And how would a digital pattern respond to a hug instead of a mouse click? Giving the interface human strength will open a gate to many possibilities. With this toolbar you will experience the different steps that were made to make your own tool. From cutting by hand, till
understanding the programming language of a computer. As a maker you have to be critical in your own tools. This project is a step to understanding your own practice and adding playfulness to it.
