Cairn : A Tangible Apparatus for Situated Data Collection, Visualization and Analysis

In this pictorial, we present the design process and the functioning of Cairn : a tangible apparatus that enables data collection, visualization and analysis. Designed within a community of practice of a French FabLab, Cairn aims at understanding the variety of practices within FabLabs. Cairn explores tangible alternatives to questionnaires and other traditional evaluation techniques, and stressed the aesthetic and affective dimensions to create an engaging experience. It invites Fablab visitors to reflect on their practices by materializing their activities using small colored wooden-tiles. Interacting individually with Cairn, people contribute to create a collaborative and meaningful sculpture, upon which they can reflect collectively. We discuss the opportunities that this prototype opens for future situated HCI research.