Artefact: A UML-based framework for model-driven development of interactive surface prototypes

While interactive surface prototypes may be highly application-specific, existing prototypes hint at common, recurring design considerations. Given the rapid accumulation of near-identical prototypes, there is a need to promote design reuse. In this context, existing research prototypes motivate abstracting generic structures, architectural views, and descriptions to inform future designs. This paper proposes Artefact: a UML-based framework for model-driven development of interactive surface prototypes. We define flexible base models using existing research prototypes: initial hardware and middleware abstractions to support developers in the early design stages. For validation, we use the proposed framework to capture existing research prototypes. We then conduct an interview study to learn expert perceptions towards the captured model representations. Our initial findings highlight three significant benefits: (1) an accessible graphical syntax with unambiguous model representation, (2) a system for capturing arbitrary technical specifications, and (3) flexible model representation with consistent notation. While we can not draw any absolute conclusions, initial results suggest benefits in the model-driven approach.