From Sketches to Proof of Concept
Proof of Concept as Interview Probe
EquiPressure Pants
Creator of wearable idea and original proof of concept design. Further refinement of physical prototype by Brendan Matkin. "Expert review" interviews with real riders to understand their "embodied riding experience" and EquiPressure pant prototype.
Goal
EquiPressure Pants are a proof of concept prototype for horseback riders aimed at helping riders better understand the connection between their 'perception' of self and their actual physical body positioning and application of pressure, as well as communicate more clearly during training through objective metrics for pressure application.
Motivation + Problem Space
Motivated by my interest in tangible/embodied interaction and personal knowledge of horseback riding and training, the EquiPressure pant project explores ideas at the root of embodiment. The embodiment problem, in horse riding, posits that we know through doing - through our senses, our feel, our muscle memory - but that we must also know HOW to do better. Self-reflection on one's physical ability to do is crucial to being able to do differently, but there is often confusion, especially from novice riders in what "correct" actually feels like.
Publications/Presentations
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Jillian L. Warren, Brendan B. Matkin, and Alissa N. Antle. 2016. "Present-at-Body Self-Awareness in Equestrians: Exploring Embodied 'Feel' through Tactile Wearables". In Proceedings of the TEI '16: Tenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction (TEI '16). ACM, Eindhoven, NL, 603-608. DOI=0.1145/2839462.2856551