The Communal Loom: Integrating Tangible Interaction and Participatory Data Collection for Assessing Well-Being

TL;DR

The paper introduces the Communal Loom, a tangible artifact that integrates participatory data collection with embodied collaboration to enhance well-being assessment and art therapy practices.

Contribution

It presents a novel tangible interaction tool that combines data collection and artistic expression for health and well-being evaluation.

Findings

Successful design and implementation of the Communal Loom

Enhanced participant engagement in data collection and therapy

Potential for holistic assessment through embodied collaboration

Abstract

For most health or well-being interventions, the process of evaluation is distinct from the activity itself, both in terms of who is involved, and how the actual data is collected and analyzed. Tangible interaction affords the opportunity to combine direct and embodied collaboration with a holistic approach to data collection and evaluation. We demonstrate this potential by describing our experiences designing and using the Communal Loom, an artifact for art therapy that translates quantitative data to collectively woven artifacts.