The design question for this experiment was how interaction with the table and the objects enables the make-up practice and also enhances the connection with the environment (table and objects) and decreases the sense of self by inducing wonder or awe. The latter are manifestations of self-transcendent experiences [1].
The layout of the table was explored earlier. This post describes the actual interaction with the objects and the exploration of estranging elements [2] which may enhance surprising engagement and intimacy with the objects. The position of the cables towards the person provides a sense of intimacy and logic [a]. An outline around the objects has a calming effect because everything seems in its proper place [b].
Touching the objects should spark some wonder. The first attempt was to use a “magic wand” [c]. Touching connected objects with the wand would start a sound sample and cause surprise. The Bare Conductive Touch Board [3] was used to play pre-recorded samples. Objects are connected with conductive yarn to the board when the wire is touched by a hand or a conductive object the appropriate file plays.
But there was no logic in introducing an extra object like a wand. By making the beauty products conductive the actor can simply use their hands. Conductive tape was applied to the products in a closed circuit [d]. This way the tape can transport the touch via conductive yarn to the Touch Board. Fleece fabric isolates the tape from the yarn. The connection is made when some downward pressure is applied and the space between the tape and yarn is reduced.
When applying face paint water is needed and the paint stains the hands which is very uncomfortable. So a bowl of water and a napkin were added to the prototype [e]. Transparent plastic was placed under the wet parts to prevent staining.
The final prototype supports the practical use of all the objects and adds an element of wonder and engagement when the beauty products are touched.
References
[1] Yaden, D. B., Haidt, J., Hood, R. W., Jr., Vago, D. R., & Newberg, A. B. 2017. The Varieties of Self-Transcendent Experience. Review of General Psychology. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/gpr0000102
[2] Danielle Wilde, Anna Vallgårda, and Oscar Tomico. 2017. Embodied Design Ideation Methods: Analysing the Power of Estrangement. In Proceedings of the 2017 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’17). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 5158–5170. https://doi.org/10.1145/3025453.3025873
[3] Bare Conductive. 2025. Touch Board. https://www.bareconductive.com/collections/touch-board Retrieved: 12-2-2025
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