MUVA: A MUltimodal Visceral Design Ambient Device

This paper presents MUVA (MUltimodal Visceral design Ambient device), a prototype for a storytelling light- and sound-based ambient device. The aim of this device is to encourage social interaction and expand the emotional closeness in families with children where at least one parent has an irregular work schedule. MUVA differs from the other ambient devices, because it is targeted to children, and it adopts a visceral design approach in order to be appealing to its users. It is a raindrop-shaped lamp, which features audio playing, while its light color is affected by the audio playing. MUVA can be used by parents to store pre-recorded audio of themselves telling stories, which their children can listen to when they are away. In order to investigate if MUVA is appealing to its users and if it creates feelings of closeness between parents and children when the first are absent, we conducted interviews and observations of children and an online survey study with parents. Our preliminary evaluation failed to provide solid evidence on the development of feelings of closeness. However, the majority of children participating in our test found the record function of the product enjoyable, while the majority of parents thought MUVA would be a fun communication method. Finally, our evaluation indicated that both parents and children would prefer another shape and design.