Nub is a design concept for a tangible messaging system for people working in office environments. It integrates a change in activity into the typical pattern of office work, enhancing the way the office team interacts and shares information – encouraging them to look beyond their screens and at each other.
There will be three types of forms involved in the message system: animal, vegetable and mineral. These Will represent three types of messages: fun, general and urgent, respectively.
To use the system, you will first need to install the corresponding software on to your computer. How all of the pieces in the system work together will be explained to you during the installation process.
RFID tags embedded in the spongy message forms, together with an RFID mat connected to your computer, will allow each physical message form to communicate with a virtual representation (or icon) on screen.
Moving a message form over the mat will also move its corresponding icon. Lifting a message form above the mat will increase the size of its icon. Finally, clearing a message form from the proximity of the mat will cause its icon to disappear on screen.
To encode a message, you first choose either the fun, general or urgent form, by lifting and squeezing the corresponding object above the mat.
A message window will then pop up on your computer screen. You can again rest your message form on the mat while you type your message and include any attachments.
To save your message, once again lift and then squeeze the message form. You are now ready to toss, kick or carry your message form to its intended recipient.
When the recipient squeezes the message form again in the proximity of their own RFID mat, this will prompt a window with the full message to display on their own computer.
Your physical message history will be stored in the software.
Just for fun, a musical not is assigned to each computer the software is installed on. As your personal set of forms travels throughout your workplace, the software will record where they go in sequence.
The "busyness scale" built in to the software will summarize the amount of messages you sent and received throughout the day. This scale will determine the tempo, or rhythm, of your day.
When you shut down your computer, you will hear this summary of the rhythm of your day. Just like a school bell, this melody will signal the end of work and time for more play!
Technical illustration of how the system works.
