Investigating the Effect of Operation Mode and Manifestation on Physicalizations of Dynamic Processes

TL;DR

This study explores how physical and manual representations of dynamic processes enhance engagement and understanding, highlighting the importance of interaction and multimodal cues in effective communication.

Contribution

It systematically investigates the impact of manifestation and operation modes on physicalizations of dynamic processes, providing empirical evidence on their effects.

Findings

Physical and manual modes increase audience engagement.

Subjective understanding improves through non-visual cues like haptics.

Interaction increases task load but enhances communication effectiveness.

Abstract

We conducted a study to systematically investigate the communication of complex dynamic processes along a two-dimensional design space, where the axes represent a representation's manifestation (physical or virtual) and operation (manual or automatic). We exemplify the design space on a model embodying cardiovascular pathologies, represented by a mechanism where a liquid is pumped into a draining vessel, with complications illustrated through modifications to the model. The results of a mixed-methods lab study with 28 participants show that both physical manifestation and manual operation have a strong positive impact on the audience's engagement. The study does not show a measurable knowledge increase with respect to cardiovascular pathologies using manually operated physical representations. However, subjectively, participants report a better understanding of the process-mainly through non-visual cues like haptics, but also auditory cues. The study also indicates an increased task load when interacting with the process, which, however, seems to play a minor role for the participants. Overall, the study shows a clear potential of physicalization for the communication of complex dynamic processes, which only fully unfold if observers have to chance to interact with the process.