Ludic interface

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Ludic Interfaces is the name for a new discipline and for an innovative type of interfaces. Ludic interfaces are playful interfaces. The notion of "homo ludens", introduced by Dutch anthropologist Jan Huizinga, is the conceptual backbone of the tools the discipline is looking at. The tools and concepts applied with the concept of ludic interfaces differ from traditional technological systems as they are playful, user-generated and user-driven, flexible, low-cost and cooperative. Ludic interfaces share methods and knowledge from computer games, artistic experiment, interactive media, media conversion, social networks and modding cultures and result in tools that offer an ease of use and playfulness to cope with a society in change.

Core concept

At their core, "ludic interfaces" is a subcategory of interfaces in general. The notion is not restricted to electronics or HCI, even if the terminology was developed in respect to digital technology. Various authors suggest to use the term "ludic interfaces" for non-digital phenomena, e.g. architectural facades, skins, wearable computers. "Ludic Interfaces" is also a Masters programme development on a European level. It is the title of a European collaboration in creating a network of Academic Institutions and of world leading Media Centres to investigate, design and test publicly shared digital content. The programme development is a joint project by the University of Potsdam, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Universität für künstlerische und industrielle Gestaltung in Linz, and by the University of Salford.

History

The term was introduced in 2008 by ISEA curators Gunalan Nadarajan and Vladimir Todorović to describe a panel section of ISEA2008 in Singapore. The term was introduced as opposing towards the notion of "infantilization of play" and stressing the "complicities between technology and pleasure".

The notion has also historical roots in artistic practice and analysis of interfaces (cf. Christa Sommerer, Laurent Mignonneau)^[1] or the "Ludic Society" arts organisation.

References

^ Sommerer, Lakhmi, Mignonneau, Christa, Jain, Laurent (2008). The Art and Science of Interface and Interaction Design. Springer Verlag. ISBN ISBN: 978-3-540-79869-9. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Resources

An introduction to the field appropriate for general audiences is a publication to be issued in summer of 2010 by furtherfield, London.

Notable conferences in the field include:

External links

Homepage of the European Masters Development

[1] Sommerer, Lakhmi, Mignonneau, Christa, Jain, Laurent (2008). The Art and Science of Interface and Interaction Design. Springer Verlag. ISBN ISBN: 978-3-540-79869-9. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

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