Research products is research method that aims to create interactive artefacts that can be deployed for long-term engagement and product to a high, mass-production-esque, quality finish. Although examples have existed for many years, Will Odom and colleagues summarised and coin the term in their seminal 2016 paper:
From Research Prototype to Research Product.
An important element of research products is that they do not necessarily need be to focused on use, solving problems, or commerciality. Instead, they concentrate on asking and exploring carefully crafted research questions.
Limitations
Currently, this repository is built from a combination of found projects and papers that cite the Research Products paper and have clear evidence of a “sophisticated” artefact that can be deployed long term. Ideally, this would expand to digital research products, but that will require a wider search and analysis.
Research Product Collection:
ADIO
Audiobook, Data physicalization, Digital possession, Physical interaction
Algal Relay Computer
Temporality, More-than-Human Design, Critical Design, Micro-Algae, Hardware
Botanical Printer
Speculative Design; Agency; Object-Oriented Ontology; Plantness
Capra
Personal History, Personal Data, Hiking, Research through Design
Chronoscope
Digital Photos; Metadata; Temporality; Interaction Design
Curly Thoughts Tote Bag
Serger; Overlocker; Serging; E-Textiles; Sensors; Sewing; Garment Making; Embroidery; Weaving; Hybrid Crafts; Wearables; Interactive Interiors
Datacatcher
Research through Design; Location-Based Systems; Big Data; Batch Production; Batch Deployment
DayClo
Self-Reflection; Everyday Object; Personal Informatics; Daily Schedule; Analog Clock; Tangible Interaction
DeformTable
Shape Change, Designer-Researcher Approach, Materiality, Temporality, Research through Design
Drift Table
Ethnography/Ethnographic Studies, Industrial Design, Interaction Design, Multidisciplinary Design /Interdisciplinary Design, Product Design
EmotionFrame
Interactive Self-Journaling; Interaction/Industrial Design
Energy Babble
Research through Design; Environmental HCI; Ludic Design; STS; Energy Communities
Flipme
Online Learning; Interpersonal Communication; Tangible Interface; Peer Learning
Genframe
Generative AI, Image Generation, AI Art, AI-Generated Painting, Interactive Art
Indoor Weather Stations
Research through Design; Environmental HCI; Ludic Design; Ubiquitous Computing; Sensing
Interactive Stained Glass
Tangible Interfaces; Glass, DIY Making; Prototyping; Materiality
Lumino
Mood Self-Tracking, Colored Light, Physical Interaction, Self-Refection, Home, Interactive Lamp
Morse Things
Things; Material Speculation; Internet of Things; Postphenomenology
Morvaz
Interior Design; Interactive Spaces; Art; Architecture.
Muredder
Ephemeral Interface; Music; Physicality; Materialization
Nukabot
Fermented Food, Microbes, More than Human, Care, Affective Relationship
Obscura
Olly
Olo
Ovum
Peace Furniture
Interactive Furniture; Dual-Identity; Shape-Changing Interfaces; Colour-Change; Calm Technology; Ubiquitous; Human-Building Interaction
Peekaboo
PhotoClock
Digital Photos, Slow Technology, Interaction Design, Clock Time, Memories
Prayer Companion
Sensorstation
SlideSense Cardigan
Sewing; E-Sewing; Sewing Machine; Sensors; E-Textile; Hybrid Craft
Slow Game
Stubbi
Table-non-table
The Life of a Small Town
Data Physicalization; Traces; Data Sculpture; Knitting; Knitting Machines; Textile; Fibre Arts; Fiber Arts; Artwork
Tilting Bowl
TransTexture Lamp
Tunee
Turner Boxes
ViBreathe
Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve
Machine Knitting; Textile Fabrication; Computational Fabrication; Data Physicalization; Digital Fabrication