2025 Workshop on Design for Tactile and Embodied Learning
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On February 24-26, 2025, leaders from across disciplines and the world will gather at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia to accelerate research on the design of tactile and embodied learning experiences. The aim of the workshop is to foster the development of inclusive design solutions focused on tactile and embodied learning—learning through touch, movement, and multi-modal/sensory products and experiences.
Fostering the development of inclusive design solutions focused on tactile and embodied learning—learning through touch, movement, and multi-modal/sensory products and experiences.
Reception at the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking
Join us for an exciting reception featuring an invited talk [TBD] and hands-on activities, including the art of making paper. Explore the tactile nature of papermaking while celebrating the intersection of craft, design, and accessibility.
The event will officially launch the GT chapter of the Tactile Media Alliance, bringing together experts to work on improving learning through touch and movement by sharing ideas and creating new solutions.
Exhibition Launch: Step into My Story, by Ann Cunningham
This exhibition showcases Ann Cunningham’s innovative approach to making children’s stories accessible through tactile and sensory-rich experiences. Visitors will engage with interactive installations that bring stories to life through touch, offering a deeper understanding of inclusive storytelling for all children.
Workshop
During the three-day workshop, we’ll delve into five interconnected themes that explore how physical interactions, material properties, and inclusive design thinking can enhance both physical and digital environments and lead to innovation in teaching and learning.
We will share our experiences and best practices learned from engaged in the design of accessible, multi-modal or inclusive products, services, and experiences.
1. Tactile and Embodied Learning Practices
We’ll explore how tactile and embodied experiences—such as somaesthetic observation, physical manipulation of materials, gesture-based learning, or bodily movement—can inform design practices and outcomes for both physical and digital spaces.
2. Material Affordances in Tactile and Embodied Interactions
We’ll explore the properties of materials—such as texture, flexibility, and durability—and how these characteristics shape user interaction. They will examine how material affordances influence user engagement and how they can be leveraged in the design of responsive, inclusive environments and products.
3. Syntax vs. Semantics in Tactile and Embodied Interaction
We’ll explore how the structure (syntax) of tactile or auditory-tactile designs affect the meaning (semantics) that users derive from these experiences, and how can we encourage innovation in tactile design across different domains. and contexts
4. Integrating Multimodal Design Thinking from Ideation to Production
We’ll focus on the integration of multimodal approaches throughout the entire design process, from ideation to production. They will discuss and demonstrate a range of design thinking techniques and data collection strategies that incorporate multiple sensory inputs (visual, tactile, auditory) to create inclusive, responsive, and engaging products, environments, and experiences
5. Training with Multimodal Data for Physical to Digital to Physical Interactions
We’ll explore how data gathered during multimodal design processes can inform new product, interaction, or environment design, while examining how multimodal interactions can be embedded into objects or workflows to enhance the design of technical systems that are responsive to diverse user needs.
Intended Outcomes
This workshop focuses on advancing tactile and embodied learning in design to create inclusive, human-centered solutions. By building a shared knowledgebase, defining grand challenges, and nurturing cross-disciplinary networks, participants will collaboratively drive innovation in responsive products and environments
Build a Shared Knowledgebase.
The workshop will establish a shared knowledgebase, with participants contributing to a collection of design prototypes that integrate tactile and embodied learning principles. These prototypes will emphasize material affordances and user interaction, supported by adaptable frameworks utilizing advanced technologies. This resource will provide practical, inclusive solutions for future design projects.
Define Grand Challenges.
The workshop will collectively identify grand challenges in designing and researching multimodal products and environments. Participants will collaborate to draft a white paper outlining these challenges and proposing innovative, human-centered solutions. This document will focus on enhancing accessibility and inclusion, providing a roadmap for future research and design advancements.
Nurture Network for Innovation.
The workshop will connect leaders from diverse disciplines, industries, and cultures to form new networks focused on tactile and embodied learning. Through the establishment of the Tactile Media Alliance, these networks will enable ongoing collaboration, fostering inclusive solutions and continuous innovation through partnerships, shared research, and resources for future projects.