In the virtual world, changing properties of objects such as their color, size or shape is one of the main means of communication. Objects are hidden or revealed when needed, or undergo changes in color or size to communicate importance. Bringing these features to real-world physical objects, i.e. equipping them with dynamic appearance, can be challenging to achieve. In this talk, I will present techniques to bridge the gap between the virtual and physical world, from conventional WIMP devices such as displays to existing physical objects. The techniques are part of a three level model that describes how physical artifacts and interfaces can be appropriated to allow for dynamic appearance: (1) dynamic objects, (2) augmented objects, and (3) augmented surroundings. I will detail instantiations of each level, for example transparency-controlled physical objects that change their perceived shape without mechanically-moving parts, transparency-controlled displays that allow users to have awareness of the environment behind the display while retaining privacy, and a technique to alter the perception of existing physical objects by modifying their surrounding space.

David is a PhD candidate in human–computer interaction at TU Berlin, working with Prof. Marc Alexa in the Computer Graphics group.