Expanding on Wabi Sabi as a Design Resource in HCI
The material foundations of computer systems and interactive technology is a topic that gained an increased interest within the HCI community during the last years. In this paper we discuss this topic through the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi, a philosophy that embraces three basic realities of the material world: 'nothing lasts' 'nothing is finished' and 'nothing is perfect' We use these concepts to reflect on four unique interactive artefacts, which all in different ways embrace aspects of Wabi Sabi, in terms of their design gestalt, materiality, but also in terms of use practices. Further, we use our analysis to articulate three high level principles that may help addressing the long term realities faced in physical interaction design, and for the design of interactive systems in general.
CHI