The Communal Loom: Integrating Tangible Interaction and Participatory Data Collection for Assessing Well-Being

Abstract: For most health or well-being interventions, the process of evaluation is distinct from the activity itself, both in terms of who is involved, and how the actual data is collected and analyzed. Tangible interaction affords the opportunity to combine direct and embodied collaboration with a holistic approach to data collection and evaluation. We demonstrate this potential by describing our experiences designing and using the Communal Loom, an artifact for art therapy that translates quantitative data to collectively woven artifacts.