Ludic interface
A ludic interface is an inherently "playful" type of computer interface. This field of human–computer interaction research and design draws on concepts introduced by Dutch historian and cultural theorist Johan Huizinga in the book Homo Ludens.
Huizinga's work is considered an important contribution to the development of game studies.
The various tools and concepts associated with ludic interface development differ from mainstream technological systems that employ human computer interfacing and interaction. Ludic interfaces tend to be more playful, are user-generated and user-driven, flexible, low-cost and cooperative. Such interfaces are often experimental and draw upon methods and knowledge from video game design, interactive media, modding cultures, media conversion, and social networking. The goal of ludic interface design is to create interfacing technology that offers ease of use and is inherently playful.
Core concept
At its core, "ludic interfaces" is a subcategory of interfaces in general. The notion is not restricted to electronics or human–computer interaction, even if the terminology was developed in respect to digital technology. Various authors suggest to use the term "ludic interfaces" for non-digital phenomena, e.g. architectural facades, skins, wearable computers, media art. "Ludic Interfaces" is also a Masters programme development on a European level. It is the title of a European collaboration in creating a network of academic institutions and of world leading media centres to investigate, design and test publicly shared digital content. The programme development is a joint project by the University of Potsdam, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Universität für künstlerische und industrielle Gestaltung in Linz, and by the University of Salford in Greater Manchester.History
Ludic interface design was first defined in 2002 by William Gaver, in "Designing for Homo Ludens", expanded in a later article in 2009.The term was revisited in 2008 by International Symposium on Electronic Art) curators Gunalan Nadarajan and Vladimir Todorović to describe a panel section of ISEA2008 in Singapore. The term was introduced with the aim of counterbalancing the tendency of "infantilization of play" and stressing the "complicities between technology and pleasure".
In the same year a group of game artists and scholars at Leuphana University in Lueneburg started lecturing and writing about the theory of ludic interfaces and applied for a European grant to develop a Masters programme in Ludic Interfaces. The application was successful and the development has successfully been completed in 2013.
The notion of "ludic interfaces" has also historical roots in artistic practice and analysis of interfaces, the notion of "playfulness" as a design and arts strategy, or the "Ludic Society" arts organisation.