The focus of this project was to define meaningful metaphors between interactions with a physical object and online digital services. We took dropbox as a case example for this project. Dropbox offers cloud storage and file synchronization to its client. The exploration was done by studying the features and usage of the web portal and then associating it with possible interactions with the physical object, which in our experiment was an actual box container. We designed a physical box to store data physically and digitally simultaneously. The box also has provisions to share this data with public or private groups. The project outcome is a functional prototype capable of executing basic functionalities of the web service by providing simple and intuitive interactions with the box. The project paper has been selected to be presented in the APChi Conference 2013. You can read and download the full paper here
Dropbox for real : Concept Diagram
(clockwise, from top) – Smoothening of base to hold glass plate being done in the workshop, Two cardboard boxes being joined to attain sufficient height, LED’s being installed and tested for providing feedback, final code and testing done via laptop connected to the box.
Schematic diagram of prototype
Dropbox for Real : Use cases ( Bank dropboxes, Administrative dropboxes, Public Dropboxes etc)
Dropbox for real could be used to instantaneously digitialize the physical information dropped and simplifying the flow of information over a network.
Poster presentation of the concept at APChi 2013.
