Interaction in creative tasks

Abstract

The design of tools for creative activities affects the creative processes and output of users. In this paper we consider how an understanding of creative interaction can inform the design of support tools in a creative domain, and where creative needs cross domain boundaries. Using observations of musical composers we analyse the theoretical approaches to understanding creativity and their use to HCI. Cycles of ideation and evaluation are suggested as atomic elements of creative interactions, with the representation of ideas a central activity for individual and collaborating composers. A model of collaborative composition was developed, along with an analysis of the representational types used in the domain. This led to the design and evaluation of a prototype Sonic Sketchpad for musical idea representation.

Understanding productive, structural and longitudinal interactions in the design of tools for creative activities

“…We observed two separate groups of experienced musicians composing (10 people in total), resulting in 6 hours of material [6]. We also observed 2 groups of 4 participants performing a filmmaking task.…”

“…This section describes the methods used. More thorough descriptions of these methods and our application of them can be found in [4,5,6].…”

“…Turkle states that "the computer's chameleonlike quality, the fact that when you program it, it becomes your creature, makes it an ideal medium for the construction of a wide variety of private worlds" [29]. The nature of the tools used in productive interaction is one factor that determines the scope of outcomes that can be produced, and -particularly in complex interactive systemsdetermines the processes that are likely to be followed [6]. A system that provides low-level building blocks can reduce deterministic limitations, intentionally leaving the system loose and open to appropriation [20].…”

“…Creativity is commonly defined as a process resulting in outcomes that hold some form of both novelty and value [6]. Interaction in this context is the interplay between human processes and external artefacts, leading to these outcomes.…”

Aesthetic Heuristics in Ubimus

“…Both persuasion and framing demand the active participation of the agents involved in the activity to manipulate the subjective value of the creative products. Third, enactive activities -i.e., activities that have direct impact on the creative products -are usually used to measure the effectiveness of creative performance (Coughlan & Johnson 2006;Runco 2004). This may be misleading.…”