Focus Areas
The Interactive Institute combines expertise in art, design and technology in research projects and strategic initiatives. Our focus research areas are:
New media
New media is a commonly used term when addressing emerging digital and communication technologies today. Within the context of new media we focus on for instance visualization, software/hardware solutions for real-time editing and real-time composition of full motion video, expertise in video production for responsive media and the development of new products and consumer-oriented mobile and ubiquitous services ranging from entertainment and socialization to work and society.
Related research studios:
Mobility
C-Studio
Game
Sonic Studio
Design
Whether a matter of sound design or smart materials, social innovation or extreme use situations, our design research is based on the idea that the development of new technology must rest not only on functional concerns, but in a curiousity and responsibility for its full aesthetic and social potential. Using both exploratory artistic research and more traditional methods, our research aims to push the boundaries of design in terms of material practices as well as theoretical and methodological foundations within areas such as interaction and service design, as well as user studies and design anthropology. Some project examples are: IT+Textiles, STATIC!, Aware, Audio Games Design and Sound Design for Information,.
Related research studios:
Design Research Unit
Interactive Institute Umeå
Energy Design
C-Studio
Sonic studio
Sustainability
Few, if any, areas of human enterprise will remain uninfluenced by the challenge of sustainable development. Design is no exception. Since 2004, the Interactive Institute has initiated a series of research projects exploring how design and new technologies can be employed to increase people’s awareness of their everyday use of energy. Our first design research program focused on energy was STATIC!, which lead to several new projects (e.g. Aware, Switch!, Forms of Sustainability, Clockwise, Energy Coach) and exhibitions (e.g. Visual Voltage) in the area of energy and sustainable design. It also inspired a new funding program at the Swedish Energy Agency called Energy, IT and Design. Today, the Interactive Institute’s sustainability research has gained many awards and lots of attention on an international level.
Related research studios:
Energy Design
Design Research Unit
C-Studio
Games
We investigate theory, design and technology practices of novel game forms, with a specific focus in games that take place in the real world. We also develop new mobile and ubiquitous services in areas such as pervasive games, social, emotional and bodily communication and new mobile media.
Project examples:
IPerG, Together Anywhere Together Anytime, Power Explorer, AGRIPA, II City, Beowulf
Related research studios:
Game
Mobility
Energy Design
Sonic studio