As my project is likely to become a digital product, I’ve decided to research how it can be implemented. The key is to link emotional weight and a tangible item to a digital narrative story, creating a sensory bridge that feels emotional and memorable for the user. This will give the user a sense of ownership and control, which outweighs the manufacturing difficulty.

What are tangible user interfaces (TUIs), and how do they enhance UX?

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So what is a tangible user interface?

A tangible user interface is a system that allows users to interact with it. It is digital information through physical touch using objects or the environment.

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Validating the future

I’m not trying to change the world’s landscape or reinvent the wheel. Instead, I want to take a step back and make things feel more human and real again. I want the experience to be therapeutic, not like the stress a smartphone can cause with its all-in-one ecosystem. The target audience for a tangible user interface could include exhibitions, education, or a unique memory experience for the user.

As technology grows every year, thinking about the future of what this project could become makes the development, research, and ideation behind it so much more exciting.

Multi-sensory Engagement

Here are the primary multi-sensory touchpoints that tangible user interfaces offer:

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Touch: Texture, weight, and familiarity of real-world objects.

Audio: Digital content triggered by touch and sound.

Visual: Could potentially use face recognition.

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Tangible User Interface could be more sustainable

Website link to The World Counts

The World Counts

• According to the article “What are tangible user interfaces (TUIs), and how do they enhance UX?” 50 million metric tons—roughly 300 blue whales and 1,000 laptops per second—is the amount of toxic electronic waste thrown away every year.
• While technology has helped bridge gaps in communication, management, and more over the last few years, it has also created its own problems. One of them is its electronic embodiment, which contributes to e-waste.
• A more sustainable and optimal experience from technology can be achieved by decreasing the craze for new types of products and instead focusing on experience-driven, modular, digitally embodied products.

Reducing Cognitive Load & Embodied Cognition

“A Tangible User Interface (TUI) reduces cognitive load and improves usability.” The article explains that a tangible object can embody cognition, making it easier for users to grasp how the underlying technology works.

This is a compelling argument for choosing a TUI over a standard app, particularly for your target audience: people using it as a memory aid (dementia support). By designing the interaction around the simple, familiar act of placing an object, you sidestep the substantial cognitive load of navigating menus, logging in, or swiping through a GUI. The physical object itself naturally suggests its function, making the system more approachable and intuitive.