Lee is a postdoctoral fellow with the iStudio. Before joining the lab, she did her PhD at the Creative Interactions Lab at Carleton University, where her thesis focused on e-textiles, hybrid craft, and textile personal fabrication. In her research she develops DIY toolkits so individuals can design and create interactive soft technologies to suit their own needs. She also loves running community e-textile workshops at art galleries and makerspaces, and creating interactive participatory artworks.
Publications
Lee Jones, Greta Grip, GHY Cheung, Sara Nabil
“It's Being Unmade!”: Reflections on the Unraveling and (de)fabrication of Machine-Knit Textile Tapestries Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the Nineteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, Association for Computing Machinery, Bordeaux, France, 2025, ISBN: 9798400711978.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3689050.3704948,
title = {“It's Being Unmade!”: Reflections on the Unraveling and (de)fabrication of Machine-Knit Textile Tapestries},
author = {Lee Jones and Greta Grip and GHY Cheung and Sara Nabil},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3689050.3704948
https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/Its-Being-Unmade.pdf},
doi = {10.1145/3689050.3704948},
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year = {2025},
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booktitle = {Proceedings of the Nineteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
address = {Bordeaux, France},
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abstract = {This paper explores how people experience public displays that take apart machine-crafted items, as a design resource. We use the affordance of knitting as an ephemeral fabrication method (that can be gradually pulled apart and unraveled) as a way of understanding how individuals feel about unraveling crafted textiles in public. We designed machine-knit panels as tapestries, and developed an interactive yarn winder that unravels those panels as individuals pass them. This resulted in a textile-based artwork series Unraveling (2022-2023), and we present two iterative public installations, and results from a user study. Our study findings highlight users’ empathy toward others and mindful interaction: being aware that defabricating a piece is finite. Insights also revealed tensions between admiring playful sustainable practices and feeling guilty of destruction.},
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This paper explores how people experience public displays that take apart machine-crafted items, as a design resource. We use the affordance of knitting as an ephemeral fabrication method (that can be gradually pulled apart and unraveled) as a way of understanding how individuals feel about unraveling crafted textiles in public. We designed machine-knit panels as tapestries, and developed an interactive yarn winder that unravels those panels as individuals pass them. This resulted in a textile-based artwork series Unraveling (2022-2023), and we present two iterative public installations, and results from a user study. Our study findings highlight users’ empathy toward others and mindful interaction: being aware that defabricating a piece is finite. Insights also revealed tensions between admiring playful sustainable practices and feeling guilty of destruction.
Lee Jones, Molly Stewart, Sydney Alana Shereck, Joelle Lintag, Dallas Doherty, Bianca Bucchino, Sara Nabil
Interactive Bobbin Lace: Metal Thread History, Interviews with Lacemakers, and Material Explorations with E-textiles Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the Nineteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, Association for Computing Machinery, Bordeaux, France, 2025, ISBN: 9798400711978.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3689050.3704957,
title = {Interactive Bobbin Lace: Metal Thread History, Interviews with Lacemakers, and Material Explorations with E-textiles},
author = {Lee Jones and Molly Stewart and Sydney Alana Shereck and Joelle Lintag and Dallas Doherty and Bianca Bucchino and Sara Nabil},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3689050.3704957
https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/Interactive-Bobbin-Lace.pdf
https://youtu.be/Hy-i0mOamr4},
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year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
urldate = {2025-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the Nineteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
address = {Bordeaux, France},
series = {TEI '25},
abstract = {Hybrid crafts are increasingly repurposing the metal materials used in hand crafts for their conductive and interactive affordances. In this paper, we look to the history of metal threads and their use in the fine craft of bobbin lace to explore tensions and opportunities for leveraging bobbin lace techniques with e-textile crafting. First, we contribute an overview of the history of metal thread use in bobbin lace practices. Second, we provide insights on contemporary bobbin lace culture from individual interviews with 17 bobbin lacemakers. Third, to better understand how to integrate e-textiles with bobbin lace practices, we engaged in a Research-through-Design process of creating e-textile bobbin lace patterns and samples alongside two group feedback sessions with members of a bobbin lace guild. Together, these three contributions provide an introduction of the affordances and constraints of bobbin lace as a unique fabrication method for e-textile hand crafts.},
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Hybrid crafts are increasingly repurposing the metal materials used in hand crafts for their conductive and interactive affordances. In this paper, we look to the history of metal threads and their use in the fine craft of bobbin lace to explore tensions and opportunities for leveraging bobbin lace techniques with e-textile crafting. First, we contribute an overview of the history of metal thread use in bobbin lace practices. Second, we provide insights on contemporary bobbin lace culture from individual interviews with 17 bobbin lacemakers. Third, to better understand how to integrate e-textiles with bobbin lace practices, we engaged in a Research-through-Design process of creating e-textile bobbin lace patterns and samples alongside two group feedback sessions with members of a bobbin lace guild. Together, these three contributions provide an introduction of the affordances and constraints of bobbin lace as a unique fabrication method for e-textile hand crafts.
Lee Jones, Greta Grip, Erin Kennedy, Sara Nabil
A Year of Interaction Around Town: Gathering Traces with an Interactive Knitting Machine and Community Stitch Markers Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 2024 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference, pp. 1116–1133, Association for Computing Machinery, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2024, ISBN: 9798400705830.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3643834.3660736,
title = {A Year of Interaction Around Town: Gathering Traces with an Interactive Knitting Machine and Community Stitch Markers},
author = {Lee Jones and Greta Grip and Erin Kennedy and Sara Nabil},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3643834.3660736
https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/05/dis24d-sub1757-cam-i15.pdf},
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year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
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booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2024 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference},
pages = {1116–1133},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
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abstract = {Devices for digital fabrication are becoming increasingly smaller and more portable, enabling digital fabrication research to move into new environments. In this exploratory research-through-design project, we aimed to physicalize data on-the-go using a portable digital fabrication device, and gathered community annotations and traces of the journey the machine went on with "stitch markers". We describe the development of The Life of a Small Town, a portable knitting machine that was adapted to knit rows of stitches in response to sensor data. The machine travelled throughout a small town and "popped up" at local art events to sense and physicalize social gatherings held by an arts organization over the period of one year. Individuals participating in events could also decorate their own "stitch markers" to annotate and pin to the data. In this paper we discuss the insights from an analysis of the stitch markers and traces of the year-long journey.},
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Devices for digital fabrication are becoming increasingly smaller and more portable, enabling digital fabrication research to move into new environments. In this exploratory research-through-design project, we aimed to physicalize data on-the-go using a portable digital fabrication device, and gathered community annotations and traces of the journey the machine went on with "stitch markers". We describe the development of The Life of a Small Town, a portable knitting machine that was adapted to knit rows of stitches in response to sensor data. The machine travelled throughout a small town and "popped up" at local art events to sense and physicalize social gatherings held by an arts organization over the period of one year. Individuals participating in events could also decorate their own "stitch markers" to annotate and pin to the data. In this paper we discuss the insights from an analysis of the stitch markers and traces of the year-long journey.
Lee Jones, Ahmed Awad, Marion Koelle, Sara Nabil
Hand Spinning E-textile Yarns: Understanding the Craft Practices of Hand Spinners and Workshop Explorations with E-textile Fibers and Materials Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 2024 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference, pp. 1–19, Association for Computing Machinery, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2024, ISBN: 9798400705830.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3643834.3660717,
title = {Hand Spinning E-textile Yarns: Understanding the Craft Practices of Hand Spinners and Workshop Explorations with E-textile Fibers and Materials},
author = {Lee Jones and Ahmed Awad and Marion Koelle and Sara Nabil},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3643834.3660717
https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/05/dis24c-sub6449-cam-i15.pdf},
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abstract = {The ‘material turn’ in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is increasingly drawing attention to the computational affordances of materials and how we can craft with them. In this paper, we explore opportunities for combining the maker cultures of hand spinning with e-textile crafting. In our first study, we interviewed 32 hand spinners on their practices to better understand their motivations for spinning their own yarns and the techniques they use to do so. In our second study, we conducted workshops with 6 spinners at a local spinning guild, where participants worked with the conductive fibers and spun e-textile yarns. After the workshops, we conducted follow-up interviews with each participant to understand the opportunities and tensions of hand spinning e-textile yarns. Our findings show how spinners can blend local materials with conductive ones to develop their own custom interactive textiles, and the mismatch between how these fibers are sold and what information spinners require to inform their design decisions. Through these results, we hope to empower makers and inspire the design community to develop tools to support these DIY practices.},
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The ‘material turn’ in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is increasingly drawing attention to the computational affordances of materials and how we can craft with them. In this paper, we explore opportunities for combining the maker cultures of hand spinning with e-textile crafting. In our first study, we interviewed 32 hand spinners on their practices to better understand their motivations for spinning their own yarns and the techniques they use to do so. In our second study, we conducted workshops with 6 spinners at a local spinning guild, where participants worked with the conductive fibers and spun e-textile yarns. After the workshops, we conducted follow-up interviews with each participant to understand the opportunities and tensions of hand spinning e-textile yarns. Our findings show how spinners can blend local materials with conductive ones to develop their own custom interactive textiles, and the mismatch between how these fibers are sold and what information spinners require to inform their design decisions. Through these results, we hope to empower makers and inspire the design community to develop tools to support these DIY practices.
Lee Jones, Greta Grip, Boris Kourtoukov, Varvara Guljajeva, Mar Canet Sola, Sara Nabil
Knitting Interactive Spaces: Fabricating Data Physicalizations of Local Community Visitors with Circular Knitting Machines Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the Eighteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, Association for Computing Machinery, Cork, Ireland, 2024, ISBN: 9798400704024.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3623509.3633359,
title = {Knitting Interactive Spaces: Fabricating Data Physicalizations of Local Community Visitors with Circular Knitting Machines},
author = {Lee Jones and Greta Grip and Boris Kourtoukov and Varvara Guljajeva and Mar Canet Sola and Sara Nabil},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3623509.3633359
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abstract = {Innovations in digital fabrication technologies are increasingly enabling artists and designers to create data physicalizations in real time. In this paper, we discuss how we adapted a circular knitting machine to physicalize visitors at a local art gallery during the pandemic recovery year. To evaluate this year-long installation, we conducted design critiques with 15 individuals including those who worked in the building and lived alongside it for a year, as well as subject matter experts. We then iteratively worked with 11 of those individuals to gain insights for re-deploying the visualization for interpretation. Overall, this paper contributes long-term reflections and recommendations for using digital fabrication for real-time data physicalizations.},
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Innovations in digital fabrication technologies are increasingly enabling artists and designers to create data physicalizations in real time. In this paper, we discuss how we adapted a circular knitting machine to physicalize visitors at a local art gallery during the pandemic recovery year. To evaluate this year-long installation, we conducted design critiques with 15 individuals including those who worked in the building and lived alongside it for a year, as well as subject matter experts. We then iteratively worked with 11 of those individuals to gain insights for re-deploying the visualization for interpretation. Overall, this paper contributes long-term reflections and recommendations for using digital fabrication for real-time data physicalizations.
Lee Jones, Alaa Nousir, Renee (Xinyu) Chen, Anne Liu, Meara Donovan, Eliza Wallace, Sara Nabil
Making From Home: Reflections on Crafting Tangible Interfaces for Stay-at-home Living Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the Seventeenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, Association for Computing Machinery, Warsaw, Poland, 2023, ISBN: 9781450399777.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3569009.3572744,
title = {Making From Home: Reflections on Crafting Tangible Interfaces for Stay-at-home Living},
author = {Lee Jones and Alaa Nousir and Renee (Xinyu) Chen and Anne Liu and Meara Donovan and Eliza Wallace and Sara Nabil},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3569009.3572744
https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/01/tei23-19-1.pdf},
doi = {10.1145/3569009.3572744},
isbn = {9781450399777},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the Seventeenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
address = {Warsaw, Poland},
series = {TEI '23},
abstract = {Pandemic lockdowns created new barriers for HCI researchers, but also provided new opportunities for deeper engagement and reflection in our home environments. Five participants were introduced with a design brief on self-isolation and engaged 12 of their friends and family in the design process of in-the-isolated-wild deployments. By analysing the design process, we found that –while ‘making from home’– our participants noticed the subtlety of the interactions and materials, the processes of remembrance embedded in craft, the use of imperfection and metaphor in homeware, and how ambient presence can provide emotional support. We then conducted a follow-up study on the benefits and limitations of using a crafting approach while ‘making from home’ and discuss the tensions that novices experience while designing TUIs in such an environment. Our results expand the literature by highlighting the benefits, limitations, and trade-offs of user-led design, DIY user empowerment, and harnessing the power of craft.},
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Pandemic lockdowns created new barriers for HCI researchers, but also provided new opportunities for deeper engagement and reflection in our home environments. Five participants were introduced with a design brief on self-isolation and engaged 12 of their friends and family in the design process of in-the-isolated-wild deployments. By analysing the design process, we found that –while ‘making from home’– our participants noticed the subtlety of the interactions and materials, the processes of remembrance embedded in craft, the use of imperfection and metaphor in homeware, and how ambient presence can provide emotional support. We then conducted a follow-up study on the benefits and limitations of using a crafting approach while ‘making from home’ and discuss the tensions that novices experience while designing TUIs in such an environment. Our results expand the literature by highlighting the benefits, limitations, and trade-offs of user-led design, DIY user empowerment, and harnessing the power of craft.
Daniel Gagnon-King, Lee Jones, Sara Nabil
Interactive Stained-Glass: Exploring a new design space of traditional hybrid crafts for novel fabrication methods Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the Seventeenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, Association for Computing Machinery, Warsaw, Poland, 2023, ISBN: 9781450399777.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3569009.3572796,
title = {Interactive Stained-Glass: Exploring a new design space of traditional hybrid crafts for novel fabrication methods},
author = {Daniel Gagnon-King and Lee Jones and Sara Nabil},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3569009.3572796
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abstract = {Stained-glass is a craft with a wealth of opportunities that blends seamlessly into our everyday environments. Despite sharing similar tools and materials with other types of hybrid crafting, authentic stained glass is underexplored in HCI. We introduce stained-glass to TUI researchers, explain the fabrication process thoroughly (using the traditional methods of both copper foil and lead came), and explore its potential as a conductive substrate for interactivity. We contribute fabrication techniques to support various circuit connection traces, light diffusion methods, interactivities, and aesthetic qualities. We also introduce three potential applications as proof of method validity in different contexts. We follow this with a discussion on experiential outcomes and the importance of creative practices in the development of interactive artefacts.},
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Stained-glass is a craft with a wealth of opportunities that blends seamlessly into our everyday environments. Despite sharing similar tools and materials with other types of hybrid crafting, authentic stained glass is underexplored in HCI. We introduce stained-glass to TUI researchers, explain the fabrication process thoroughly (using the traditional methods of both copper foil and lead came), and explore its potential as a conductive substrate for interactivity. We contribute fabrication techniques to support various circuit connection traces, light diffusion methods, interactivities, and aesthetic qualities. We also introduce three potential applications as proof of method validity in different contexts. We follow this with a discussion on experiential outcomes and the importance of creative practices in the development of interactive artefacts.
Lee Jones, Alaa Nousir, Tom Everrett, Sara Nabil
Libraries of Things: Understanding the Challenges of Sharing Tangible Collections and the Opportunities for HCI Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Association for Computing Machinery, Hamburg, Germany, 2023, ISBN: 9781450394215.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3544548.3581094,
title = {Libraries of Things: Understanding the Challenges of Sharing Tangible Collections and the Opportunities for HCI},
author = {Lee Jones and Alaa Nousir and Tom Everrett and Sara Nabil},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3544548.3581094
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booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems},
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abstract = {“Libraries of Things” are tangible collections of borrowable objects. There are many benefits to Libraries of Things such as making objects and skill-building accessible, reducing waste through the sharing of items, and saving costs associated with purchasing rarely-used items. We introduce the first HCI study of Library of Things by interviewing 23 librarians who run a variety of collections such as handheld tools, gear, and musical instruments – within public institutions and more grass-roots efforts in the private sector. In our findings, we discuss the challenges these collections experience in changing behavioural patterns from buying to borrowing, helping individuals ‘try new things’, iterating to find sharable items, training staff, and manual intervention throughout the borrowing cycle. We present 5 opportunities for HCI research to support interactive skill-sharing, self-borrowing, maintenance recognition and cataloguing ‘things’, organizing non-uniform inventories, and creating public-awareness. Further in-the-wild studies should also consider the tensions between the values of these organizations and low-cost convenient usage.},
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“Libraries of Things” are tangible collections of borrowable objects. There are many benefits to Libraries of Things such as making objects and skill-building accessible, reducing waste through the sharing of items, and saving costs associated with purchasing rarely-used items. We introduce the first HCI study of Library of Things by interviewing 23 librarians who run a variety of collections such as handheld tools, gear, and musical instruments – within public institutions and more grass-roots efforts in the private sector. In our findings, we discuss the challenges these collections experience in changing behavioural patterns from buying to borrowing, helping individuals ‘try new things’, iterating to find sharable items, training staff, and manual intervention throughout the borrowing cycle. We present 5 opportunities for HCI research to support interactive skill-sharing, self-borrowing, maintenance recognition and cataloguing ‘things’, organizing non-uniform inventories, and creating public-awareness. Further in-the-wild studies should also consider the tensions between the values of these organizations and low-cost convenient usage.
Lee Jones, Alaa Nousir, Tom Everrett, Sara Nabil
Tangible, Public, and Miniature Creative Exchanges: What HCI and Design Researchers Can Learn From the Free Little Art Gallery Movement Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 15th Conference on Creativity and Cognition, pp. 413–428, Association for Computing Machinery, Virtual Event, USA, 2023, ISBN: 9798400701801.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3591196.3593433,
title = {Tangible, Public, and Miniature Creative Exchanges: What HCI and Design Researchers Can Learn From the Free Little Art Gallery Movement},
author = {Lee Jones and Alaa Nousir and Tom Everrett and Sara Nabil},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3591196.3593433
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publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
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series = {C&C '23},
abstract = {HCI researchers are continually exploring new ways of engaging the public in participatory design and bringing creative making research activities to new audiences. In this paper, we interviewed individuals who independently began public and DIY installations for sharing miniature art among their neighbours. During the COVID-19 pandemic, participatory miniature art exchanges, commonly known as Free Little Art Galleries (FLAGs), organically spread in response to lockdowns and institutional constraints. In this qualitative study, we interviewed 20 FLAG ‘curators’ to understand the implications involved in setting up and maintaining these long-term deployments. From the analysis of these interviews, we provide 5 practical recommendations on supporting these types of deployments, and discuss how HCI researchers can expand upon these DIY participatory practices to bring creative ideation activities on the future of technology to broader audiences.},
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HCI researchers are continually exploring new ways of engaging the public in participatory design and bringing creative making research activities to new audiences. In this paper, we interviewed individuals who independently began public and DIY installations for sharing miniature art among their neighbours. During the COVID-19 pandemic, participatory miniature art exchanges, commonly known as Free Little Art Galleries (FLAGs), organically spread in response to lockdowns and institutional constraints. In this qualitative study, we interviewed 20 FLAG ‘curators’ to understand the implications involved in setting up and maintaining these long-term deployments. From the analysis of these interviews, we provide 5 practical recommendations on supporting these types of deployments, and discuss how HCI researchers can expand upon these DIY participatory practices to bring creative ideation activities on the future of technology to broader audiences.
Lee Jones, Greta Grip, Sara Nabil
Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve: Using Digital Knitting Machines to Craft Wearable Biodata Portraits Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 2023 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference, pp. 547–563, Association for Computing Machinery, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, 2023, ISBN: 9781450398930.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3563657.3596007,
title = {Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve: Using Digital Knitting Machines to Craft Wearable Biodata Portraits},
author = {Lee Jones and Greta Grip and Sara Nabil},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3563657.3596007
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abstract = {Biofeedback sensors that measure body signals, such as heart rate, are often used for bodily awareness and behavioural change. In contrast, for this project, we wanted to use body sensor data as an artistic resource to craft wearable textile portraits as mementos of a moment in time. During the pandemic, we conducted a user study to design knitted biodata portraits. We met up individually with 20 participants to measure their heart rate, and translated that data into digitally-designed aesthetic patterns for machine knitting. Using a hacked knitting machine, we fabricated these patterns to create 20 personalized wearable shrugs to enable individuals to “wear their heart on their sleeve”. Two years later, when it was safe to do so, we conducted 2 studio workshops with participants, followed by 10 individual interviews. Our qualitative study insights reveal how individuals felt about seeing their own biodata, and the biodata of others, as aesthetic machine-knitted wearables with perceived precious value and attachment.},
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Biofeedback sensors that measure body signals, such as heart rate, are often used for bodily awareness and behavioural change. In contrast, for this project, we wanted to use body sensor data as an artistic resource to craft wearable textile portraits as mementos of a moment in time. During the pandemic, we conducted a user study to design knitted biodata portraits. We met up individually with 20 participants to measure their heart rate, and translated that data into digitally-designed aesthetic patterns for machine knitting. Using a hacked knitting machine, we fabricated these patterns to create 20 personalized wearable shrugs to enable individuals to “wear their heart on their sleeve”. Two years later, when it was safe to do so, we conducted 2 studio workshops with participants, followed by 10 individual interviews. Our qualitative study insights reveal how individuals felt about seeing their own biodata, and the biodata of others, as aesthetic machine-knitted wearables with perceived precious value and attachment.
Pouya M Khorsandi, Lee Jones, Vandad Davoodnia, Timothy J Lampen, Aliya Conrad, Ali Etemad, Sara Nabil
FabriCar: Enriching the User Experience of In-Car Media Interactions with Ubiquitous Vehicle Interiors using E-textile Sensors Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 2023 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference, pp. 1438–1456, Association for Computing Machinery, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, 2023, ISBN: 9781450398930.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3563657.3595988,
title = {FabriCar: Enriching the User Experience of In-Car Media Interactions with Ubiquitous Vehicle Interiors using E-textile Sensors},
author = {Pouya M Khorsandi and Lee Jones and Vandad Davoodnia and Timothy J Lampen and Aliya Conrad and Ali Etemad and Sara Nabil},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3563657.3595988
https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/06/dis23a-sub8279-cam-i15-1.pdf
https://youtu.be/LPbPBgvgHTQ},
doi = {10.1145/3563657.3595988},
isbn = {9781450398930},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2023 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference},
pages = {1438–1456},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
address = {Pittsburgh, PA, USA},
series = {DIS '23},
abstract = {This work explores e-textiles in the design space of Human-Vehicle Interaction (HVI) and compares distraction levels between e-textile and screen-based interactions during driving tasks. We developed three prototypes (in the steering wheel, headrest cover, and seat-belt pad) to support tactile interactions (tap, press, and swipe) with car interior elements for non-driving applications (such as media control). Our designs used digital embroidery to achieve aesthetic design qualities and wireless connection. In a deployment study with 16 participants, we collected quantitative and qualitative data through video recording, field observations, and user interviews. The study repeated all scenarios using screen-based interaction for comparison. Our findings present insights into fabric-based sensors including fewer collisions and a 302.7% decrease in eye distraction. These findings suggest new design opportunities, such as retrofitting existing vehicles, designing ideation toolkits for diverse users, devising an e-textile Fitts’ Law for reachability, and expanding vehicle interaction research within the HCI community.},
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This work explores e-textiles in the design space of Human-Vehicle Interaction (HVI) and compares distraction levels between e-textile and screen-based interactions during driving tasks. We developed three prototypes (in the steering wheel, headrest cover, and seat-belt pad) to support tactile interactions (tap, press, and swipe) with car interior elements for non-driving applications (such as media control). Our designs used digital embroidery to achieve aesthetic design qualities and wireless connection. In a deployment study with 16 participants, we collected quantitative and qualitative data through video recording, field observations, and user interviews. The study repeated all scenarios using screen-based interaction for comparison. Our findings present insights into fabric-based sensors including fewer collisions and a 302.7% decrease in eye distraction. These findings suggest new design opportunities, such as retrofitting existing vehicles, designing ideation toolkits for diverse users, devising an e-textile Fitts’ Law for reachability, and expanding vehicle interaction research within the HCI community.
Lee Jones, Sara Nabil
Goldwork Embroidery: Interviews with Practitioners on Working with Metal Threads and Opportunities for E-textile Hybrid Crafts Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the 14th Conference on Creativity and Cognition, pp. 364–379, Association for Computing Machinery, Venice, Italy, 2022, ISBN: 9781450393270.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3527927.3532809,
title = {Goldwork Embroidery: Interviews with Practitioners on Working with Metal Threads and Opportunities for E-textile Hybrid Crafts},
author = {Lee Jones and Sara Nabil},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3527927.3532809
https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/01/3527927.3532809.pdf},
doi = {10.1145/3527927.3532809},
isbn = {9781450393270},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
urldate = {2022-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 14th Conference on Creativity and Cognition},
pages = {364–379},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
address = {Venice, Italy},
series = {C&C '22},
abstract = {Within the emerging field of e-textiles, goldwork embroidery (also known as metalwork) which uses metal threads and materials is an underexplored area, despite being a centuries-old practice in traditional crafts of different cultures. In this paper, we explore the material culture of textile goldwork to better understand how e-textile researchers can leverage their material properties, palette, and practices. First, we provide a historical background of English goldwork to give HCI researchers context on this craft field including technological and cultural influences. Then, we interview 13 contemporary goldwork practitioners on their creative practice to better understand the tools, techniques, and skills they employ. Our study findings show how goldwork practitioners deal with the unique constraints of metal threads and materials, and how these materials need to be handled differently than regular non-metal threads and fibers. This paper contributes an analysis of goldwork practices for HCI audiences with suggestions on how we can leverage these practices for the future of e-textile hybrid crafts.},
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Within the emerging field of e-textiles, goldwork embroidery (also known as metalwork) which uses metal threads and materials is an underexplored area, despite being a centuries-old practice in traditional crafts of different cultures. In this paper, we explore the material culture of textile goldwork to better understand how e-textile researchers can leverage their material properties, palette, and practices. First, we provide a historical background of English goldwork to give HCI researchers context on this craft field including technological and cultural influences. Then, we interview 13 contemporary goldwork practitioners on their creative practice to better understand the tools, techniques, and skills they employ. Our study findings show how goldwork practitioners deal with the unique constraints of metal threads and materials, and how these materials need to be handled differently than regular non-metal threads and fibers. This paper contributes an analysis of goldwork practices for HCI audiences with suggestions on how we can leverage these practices for the future of e-textile hybrid crafts.
Alaa Nousir, Renee (Xinyu) Chen, Anne Liu, Meara Donovan, Eliza Wallace, Lee Jones, Sara Nabil
COVIDware: Designing Interactive Everyday Things as Tangible Homeware for Social Isolation Journal Article
In: Interaction Design & Architecture(s) Journal (IxD&A), vol. 54, iss. 9, pp. 209–240, 2022.
@article{nousir2022covidware,
title = {COVIDware: Designing Interactive Everyday Things as Tangible Homeware for Social Isolation},
author = {Alaa Nousir and Renee (Xinyu) Chen and Anne Liu and Meara Donovan and Eliza Wallace and Lee Jones and Sara Nabil},
url = {https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/06/54_9.pdf},
doi = {10.55612/s-5002-054-009},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
urldate = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Interaction Design & Architecture(s) Journal (IxD&A)},
volume = {54},
issue = {9},
pages = {209–240},
abstract = {This paper describes our collaborative journey of creating everyday interactive artefacts to help us think, reflect, and live through self-isolation.
Through a co-design approach, we designed interactive homeware objects (that we collectively refer to as ‘COVIDware’) to address the challenges of isolation
during the pandemic. Five artefacts were developed by self-isolated designers as interactive art installations. We discuss how each creator reflected on her design
concept, process, and encounter through concepts of critical making, speculation, and engagement via in-the-isolated-wild deployments. By empowering early
researchers/enthusiasts to design ‘with’ smart-materials, and off-the-shelf items, we reflect on how these homey interfaces can enhance people’s wellbeing beyond
screen-based interactions. Despite not collaborating in the making process, our findings from the designer’s making process show how all the designed artefacts
shared attributes of biophilic design, imperfection, and unconventional interactions with the overarching goal of promoting wellbeing, and meaningful connection with nature, self, and others.},
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This paper describes our collaborative journey of creating everyday interactive artefacts to help us think, reflect, and live through self-isolation.
Through a co-design approach, we designed interactive homeware objects (that we collectively refer to as ‘COVIDware’) to address the challenges of isolation
during the pandemic. Five artefacts were developed by self-isolated designers as interactive art installations. We discuss how each creator reflected on her design
concept, process, and encounter through concepts of critical making, speculation, and engagement via in-the-isolated-wild deployments. By empowering early
researchers/enthusiasts to design ‘with’ smart-materials, and off-the-shelf items, we reflect on how these homey interfaces can enhance people’s wellbeing beyond
screen-based interactions. Despite not collaborating in the making process, our findings from the designer’s making process show how all the designed artefacts
shared attributes of biophilic design, imperfection, and unconventional interactions with the overarching goal of promoting wellbeing, and meaningful connection with nature, self, and others.
Through a co-design approach, we designed interactive homeware objects (that we collectively refer to as ‘COVIDware’) to address the challenges of isolation
during the pandemic. Five artefacts were developed by self-isolated designers as interactive art installations. We discuss how each creator reflected on her design
concept, process, and encounter through concepts of critical making, speculation, and engagement via in-the-isolated-wild deployments. By empowering early
researchers/enthusiasts to design ‘with’ smart-materials, and off-the-shelf items, we reflect on how these homey interfaces can enhance people’s wellbeing beyond
screen-based interactions. Despite not collaborating in the making process, our findings from the designer’s making process show how all the designed artefacts
shared attributes of biophilic design, imperfection, and unconventional interactions with the overarching goal of promoting wellbeing, and meaningful connection with nature, self, and others.
Sara Nabil, Lee Jones, Audrey Girouard
Soft Speakers: Digital Embroidering of DIY Customizable Fabric Actuators Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, Association for Computing Machinery, Salzburg, Austria, 2021, ISBN: 9781450382137.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3430524.3440630,
title = {Soft Speakers: Digital Embroidering of DIY Customizable Fabric Actuators},
author = {Sara Nabil and Lee Jones and Audrey Girouard},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3430524.3440630
https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2021/02/3430524.3440630-compressed.pdf
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urldate = {2021-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
address = {Salzburg, Austria},
series = {TEI '21},
abstract = {We introduce Soft Speakers, a systematic approach for designing custom fabric actuators that can be used as audio speakers and vibro-haptic actuators. Digitally-embroidered with e-textiles, we implement Soft Speakers as tactile, malleable and aesthetic designs to be part of wearables, soft furnishing and fabric objects. We present a rapid technique for the DIY fabrication of audio feedback into soft interfaces. We also discuss and evaluate 7 factors for their parametric design in additive and constructive methods. To demonstrate the feasibility of our approach and the breadth of new designs that it enables, we developed 5 prototypes: 3 wearables, a piece of furniture and a soft toy. Studying Soft Speakers with maker-users expanded the design space, empowering users and supporting inclusive design. Our study includes insights on user experience of real-world interactive applications for remote communication, e-learning, entertainment, navigation and gaming, enabled by Soft Speakers’ customizable and scalable form factor.},
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We introduce Soft Speakers, a systematic approach for designing custom fabric actuators that can be used as audio speakers and vibro-haptic actuators. Digitally-embroidered with e-textiles, we implement Soft Speakers as tactile, malleable and aesthetic designs to be part of wearables, soft furnishing and fabric objects. We present a rapid technique for the DIY fabrication of audio feedback into soft interfaces. We also discuss and evaluate 7 factors for their parametric design in additive and constructive methods. To demonstrate the feasibility of our approach and the breadth of new designs that it enables, we developed 5 prototypes: 3 wearables, a piece of furniture and a soft toy. Studying Soft Speakers with maker-users expanded the design space, empowering users and supporting inclusive design. Our study includes insights on user experience of real-world interactive applications for remote communication, e-learning, entertainment, navigation and gaming, enabled by Soft Speakers’ customizable and scalable form factor.
Lee Jones, Miriam Sturdee, Sara Nabil, Audrey Girouard
Punch-Sketching E-textiles: Exploring Punch Needle as a Technique for Sustainable, Accessible, and Iterative Physical Prototyping with E-textiles Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, Association for Computing Machinery, Salzburg, Austria, 2021, ISBN: 9781450382137.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3430524.3440640,
title = {Punch-Sketching E-textiles: Exploring Punch Needle as a Technique for Sustainable, Accessible, and Iterative Physical Prototyping with E-textiles},
author = {Lee Jones and Miriam Sturdee and Sara Nabil and Audrey Girouard},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3430524.3440640
https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2021/02/3430524.3440640.pdf
https://youtu.be/Ho93SHV_72k},
doi = {10.1145/3430524.3440640},
isbn = {9781450382137},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
urldate = {2021-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
address = {Salzburg, Austria},
series = {TEI '21},
abstract = {Tangible toolkits enable individuals to explore concepts through combining components together and taking them apart. The strength and limitation of many e-textile toolkits is that threads hold them in place, and once put together they need destructive methods to take them apart. In this paper, we propose Punch-Sketching e-textiles, a drawing technique that uses a punch needle to iteratively prototype soft circuits. The benefits of this approach is sustainability and reusability where users can easily pull out circuits without damaging the materials or creating waste, while also testing out concepts using the actual threads that will be used in the final prototype. To validate our technique, we ran three studies comparing sewing and punching e-textiles through: 1) Understanding the process with two fiber artists; 2) Exploring the potential with four beginner users; and 3) Utilizing our methods further with 10 occupational therapists. Insights from these three studies include when and how to use each method, toolkit recommendations, considerations for iterative physical prototyping, sustainability, and accessibility.},
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Tangible toolkits enable individuals to explore concepts through combining components together and taking them apart. The strength and limitation of many e-textile toolkits is that threads hold them in place, and once put together they need destructive methods to take them apart. In this paper, we propose Punch-Sketching e-textiles, a drawing technique that uses a punch needle to iteratively prototype soft circuits. The benefits of this approach is sustainability and reusability where users can easily pull out circuits without damaging the materials or creating waste, while also testing out concepts using the actual threads that will be used in the final prototype. To validate our technique, we ran three studies comparing sewing and punching e-textiles through: 1) Understanding the process with two fiber artists; 2) Exploring the potential with four beginner users; and 3) Utilizing our methods further with 10 occupational therapists. Insights from these three studies include when and how to use each method, toolkit recommendations, considerations for iterative physical prototyping, sustainability, and accessibility.
Lee Jones, Sara Nabil, Audrey Girouard
Wearable Crazy Eights: Wearable Ideation Methods for Encouraging Divergent Design Concepts Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, Association for Computing Machinery, Salzburg, Austria, 2021, ISBN: 9781450382137.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3430524.3442464,
title = {Wearable Crazy Eights: Wearable Ideation Methods for Encouraging Divergent Design Concepts},
author = {Lee Jones and Sara Nabil and Audrey Girouard},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3430524.3442464
https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2021/02/3430524.3442464.pdf},
doi = {10.1145/3430524.3442464},
isbn = {9781450382137},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
urldate = {2021-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
address = {Salzburg, Austria},
series = {TEI '21},
abstract = {Participatory design with wearable users entails engaging people in the design process from the early ideation phases. However, user-generated wearable concepts are often limited by the narrow design space of commercially available wearables. This paper presents an ideation scaffolding method we developed for eliciting wearable concepts, called Wearable Crazy Eights, where participants used an ideation deck and sketched up to 8 concepts in 8 minutes. Herein, we discuss the artifacts produced from our ideation method in a study with 46 participants comparing 3 groups. By comparing the 3 groups we were able to parse the effects of each activity on the resulting ideas. Our contribution is a replicable and customizable ideation method for encouraging outside-the-box thinking in wearable studies.},
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Participatory design with wearable users entails engaging people in the design process from the early ideation phases. However, user-generated wearable concepts are often limited by the narrow design space of commercially available wearables. This paper presents an ideation scaffolding method we developed for eliciting wearable concepts, called Wearable Crazy Eights, where participants used an ideation deck and sketched up to 8 concepts in 8 minutes. Herein, we discuss the artifacts produced from our ideation method in a study with 46 participants comparing 3 groups. By comparing the 3 groups we were able to parse the effects of each activity on the resulting ideas. Our contribution is a replicable and customizable ideation method for encouraging outside-the-box thinking in wearable studies.
Amanda McLeod, Sara Nabil, Lee Jones, Audrey Girouard
SMAller aid: exploring shape-changing assistive wearables for people with mobility impairment Proceedings Article
In: Adjunct Proceedings of the 2020 ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing and Proceedings of the 2020 ACM International Symposium on Wearable Computers, pp. 86–89, Association for Computing Machinery, Virtual Event, Mexico, 2020, ISBN: 9781450380768.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3410530.3414418,
title = {SMAller aid: exploring shape-changing assistive wearables for people with mobility impairment},
author = {Amanda McLeod and Sara Nabil and Lee Jones and Audrey Girouard},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3410530.3414418
https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/11/3410530.3414418.pdf},
doi = {10.1145/3410530.3414418},
isbn = {9781450380768},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
urldate = {2020-01-01},
booktitle = {Adjunct Proceedings of the 2020 ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing and Proceedings of the 2020 ACM International Symposium on Wearable Computers},
pages = {86–89},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
address = {Virtual Event, Mexico},
series = {UbiComp/ISWC '20 Adjunct},
abstract = {Individuals with mobility impairments often discuss the challenges associated with donning and doffing shirts (i.e. putting them on and taking them off). Limited previous work has tackled this issue, but the comfort and aesthetic integrity of the shirt is often forgotten. In this paper, we co-designed an adaptive shirt with individuals with mobility impairments and personal support workers. With the insights from these discussions, we developed an augmented top that transforms wide sizes (for the easy donning and doffing) into their preferred fit. The study resulted in the design of SMAller Aid, which uses Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) springs to retract to a smaller size. The shirt adapts to their needs while retaining its aesthetic integrity to empower them with independence and no required assistance.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
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}
Individuals with mobility impairments often discuss the challenges associated with donning and doffing shirts (i.e. putting them on and taking them off). Limited previous work has tackled this issue, but the comfort and aesthetic integrity of the shirt is often forgotten. In this paper, we co-designed an adaptive shirt with individuals with mobility impairments and personal support workers. With the insights from these discussions, we developed an augmented top that transforms wide sizes (for the easy donning and doffing) into their preferred fit. The study resulted in the design of SMAller Aid, which uses Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) springs to retract to a smaller size. The shirt adapts to their needs while retaining its aesthetic integrity to empower them with independence and no required assistance.
Lee Jones, Sara Nabil, Amanda McLeod, Audrey Girouard
Wearable Bits: Scaffolding Creativity with a Prototyping Toolkit for Wearable E-textiles Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the Fourteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, pp. 165–177, Association for Computing Machinery, Sydney NSW, Australia, 2020, ISBN: 9781450361071.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3374920.3374954,
title = {Wearable Bits: Scaffolding Creativity with a Prototyping Toolkit for Wearable E-textiles},
author = {Lee Jones and Sara Nabil and Amanda McLeod and Audrey Girouard},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3374920.3374954
https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/11/3374920.3374954.pdf},
doi = {10.1145/3374920.3374954},
isbn = {9781450361071},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
urldate = {2020-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the Fourteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction},
pages = {165–177},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
address = {Sydney NSW, Australia},
series = {TEI '20},
abstract = {Smart garment and wearable e-textile prototypes are difficult to co-design because of the variety of expertise needed (garment design, sewing skills, hardware prototyping, and software programming). To help with this, we developed a toolkit for prototyping wearable e-textiles, named Wearable Bits, which enables co-design with non-expert users without demanding sewing, hardware or software skills. We developed a low-fidelity and medium-fidelity experience prototype of the toolkit and ran a series of workshops where non-expert users designed their own e-textile wearables using Wearable Bits. In this paper, we discuss the ideas they developed, their construction techniques, the roles individuals took on while building, and suggestions for future toolkits.},
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Smart garment and wearable e-textile prototypes are difficult to co-design because of the variety of expertise needed (garment design, sewing skills, hardware prototyping, and software programming). To help with this, we developed a toolkit for prototyping wearable e-textiles, named Wearable Bits, which enables co-design with non-expert users without demanding sewing, hardware or software skills. We developed a low-fidelity and medium-fidelity experience prototype of the toolkit and ran a series of workshops where non-expert users designed their own e-textile wearables using Wearable Bits. In this paper, we discuss the ideas they developed, their construction techniques, the roles individuals took on while building, and suggestions for future toolkits.
Lee Jones, Sara Nabil, Audrey Girouard
Swatch-bits: Prototyping E-textiles with Modular Swatches Proceedings Article
In: Proceedings of the Fourteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, pp. 893–897, Association for Computing Machinery, Sydney NSW, Australia, 2020, ISBN: 9781450361071.
@inproceedings{10.1145/3374920.3374971,
title = {Swatch-bits: Prototyping E-textiles with Modular Swatches},
author = {Lee Jones and Sara Nabil and Audrey Girouard},
url = {https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/3374920.3374971
https://labs.cs.queensu.ca/istudio/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2020/11/3374920.3374971.pdf},
doi = {10.1145/3374920.3374971},
isbn = {9781450361071},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
urldate = {2020-01-01},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the Fourteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction},
pages = {893–897},
publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
address = {Sydney NSW, Australia},
series = {TEI '20},
abstract = {The creation of e-textile swatches is a common practice for documenting material experiments, sharing techniques with other practitioners, and for concept ideation. The Creative Interactions Lab has developed a system that turns e-textile swatches into easily connectable "bits" so that swatches can move between being an ideation tool into a prototyping tool(kit). The benefit of this approach is that experimental swatches and ideas for their use can be easily tested in context. In this studio, participants will be invited to bring their own swatches and/or prototypes, will learn how to create modular e-textile swatch-bits, and then we will spend the afternoon making prototypes and will engage in hands-on activities with the modular swatches. The goal of the studio will be to share e-textile prototyping techniques, and to discuss the potential for modular swatches to be incorporated into e-textile prototyping processes.},
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}
The creation of e-textile swatches is a common practice for documenting material experiments, sharing techniques with other practitioners, and for concept ideation. The Creative Interactions Lab has developed a system that turns e-textile swatches into easily connectable "bits" so that swatches can move between being an ideation tool into a prototyping tool(kit). The benefit of this approach is that experimental swatches and ideas for their use can be easily tested in context. In this studio, participants will be invited to bring their own swatches and/or prototypes, will learn how to create modular e-textile swatch-bits, and then we will spend the afternoon making prototypes and will engage in hands-on activities with the modular swatches. The goal of the studio will be to share e-textile prototyping techniques, and to discuss the potential for modular swatches to be incorporated into e-textile prototyping processes.