LYDSPOR: An Urban Sound Experience Weaving Together Past and Present Through Vibrating Bodies

Document Title

LYDSPOR: AN URBAN SOUND EXPERIENCE WEAVING TOGETHER PAST AND PRESENT THROUGH VIBRATING BODIES

Document Information

• Thematic Areas: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Soma Design, Affective Interaction Design, Sonic Interaction Design, Cultural Heritage Dissemination
• Keywords: Sonic Interaction Design, Soma Design, Affective Interaction Design, Cultural Heritage, Design Methods, Site-Specificity, Urban Space, Public Space

Research Background and Issues

• Identified Problems or Challenges: Current interaction design often focuses on human-centered experiences, neglecting multi-body (various forms of bodies) and human-nonhuman relationships. Additionally, how to disseminate traditional cultural heritage through multisensory interaction in specific sites remains an unresolved design challenge.
• Importance of the Problem: Disseminating cultural heritage requires consideration from multiple dimensions, including human and nonhuman entities, sensory experiences, and emotional connections. This is crucial for enhancing the public's connection to sites, history, and local culture.
• Research Motivation and Related Work: This study is based on soma design and affective design methods, combined with sonic interaction technology, aiming to explore the integration of multi-body, multisensory, and historical-contemporary elements. Related works include soma design research using "the body as a design material," design explorations of "sound-enhanced historical spaces," and practices using technology to enhance cultural experiences (e.g., interactive design in museums).

Solution

• Proposed Solution and Methods:

  • Developed a sound experience project, "LYDSPOR," integrating two physical installations and an app-based soundwalk, connecting the historical narratives of Helsingør, Denmark, with contemporary experiences through sound and vibration.
  • Adopted a comprehensive approach combining Soma Design, Affective Interaction Design, and Sonic Interaction Design.

• Innovative Aspects:

  • Proposed a "multi-body" design method, incorporating nonhuman entities (e.g., plants, building materials, sounds) into the design process, contrasting traditional human-centered design approaches.
  • Applied acoustic technologies (e.g., sound wave transducers) to connect the human body with material spaces through vibration.
  • Designed a nonlinear, sound-driven method for disseminating historical and cultural narratives, differing from traditional linear storytelling.

• Implementation Steps and Key Technologies:

  1. Site Research and Sensitization Workshops: Activities such as guided breathing, physical contact, and immersive site experiences familiarized designers with the physical location and its associated historical narratives.
  2. Sound and Material Exploration: Methods like tactile vibration and audio mixing were used to test emotional and somatic responses to materials and sounds in different contexts.
  3. Prototype Design:
     • Developed two installations ("Sanden" and "Karmeliterhuset") and an app-based soundwalk path (integrating iBeacon positioning technology).
     • Designed soundscapes, including historical narratives, background noise, and human-nonhuman interaction sound effects.
  4. In-depth Testing and Optimization: Immersive experience tests with participants (e.g., body mapping, in-depth interviews) were conducted to refine design details and technologies based on feedback.

Research Outcomes

• Specific Results:

  • Designed and implemented the LYDSPOR project, successfully creating an urban space for experiencing historical cultural narratives through sound and vibration.
  • Demonstrated how sound enhancement technologies can extend users' bodily perception and emotional connection to historical narratives.
  • Provided a new interaction design methodology that incorporates nonhuman entities and affective interaction into the design framework.

• Advantages Over Existing Solutions:

  • In cultural heritage dissemination, it broke away from traditional linear storytelling and human-centered design paradigms.
  • Emphasized enhancing users' bodily experiences, emotional engagement, and connection to sites through sound vibrations.

• Experimental or Evaluation Results:

  • Insights from testing with 12 participants include:
    • LYDSPOR connected historical events with modern urban soundscapes, enhancing participants' re-perception of space.
    • Vibrational interactions triggered participants' bodily awareness and emotional responses to themselves and their environment.
    • The inclusion of nonhuman entities (e.g., plants, soil, materials) introduced unexpected playfulness and multisensory experiences.
  • Despite some participants feeling "lost" or struggling to understand specific historical narratives, the design largely fostered new emotional reflections and relationship building.

• Limitations and Future Directions:

  • Limitations: Some participants could not fully grasp the intended historical narratives; the design integration of certain nonhuman elements failed to evoke strong cognitive and emotional connections.
  • Future Directions:
    • Further exploration of more effective ways to design experiences that "co-create with nonhumans."
    • Enhance the emotional engagement of nonhuman elements through richer materials and technological interventions.
    • Integrate soma design with more diverse cultural contexts to advance the applicability of historical dissemination in broader social settings.