In human–computer interaction, an organic user interface (OUI) is a user interface with interaction techniques that use the physical shape and position of a device to control it. Organic interfaces may have displays in forms other than a flat sheet, may actively or passively change shape via analog physical inputs,[1] and are characterized by their ability to use the display as an input device. OUIs are intended to be operated through direct manipulation of the device with natural gestures, rather than through a point-and-click interaction.
Organic User Interfaces were first introduced in a special issue of the Communications of the ACM in 2008. The first International Workshop on Organic User Interfaces took place at CHI 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The second workshop took place at TEI 2011 in Madeira, Portugal.
Holman and Vertegaal present three design principles for OUIs:[2]
Input Equals Output: In the GUI there is a clear division of input and output. The mouse and keyboard input actions from the user. Based on those actions, output is generated graphically on the screen. A key feature of OUI is that a piece of Organic light-emitting diode paper, or any potentially non-planar object for that matter, is meant to input actions from the user and also output them onto the same object.
Function Equals Form: The form of an object clearly determines its ability to be used as an input. The statement Function Equals Form emphasizes this dependency on one another. Holman and Vertegaal argue that these two are in fact inseparable and that it is a mistake to try to deny this in any way.
Form Follows Flow: This principle states that it is of utmost necessity for OUIs to negotiate user actions based on context. e.g. the ubiquitous 'clamshell' phone, where incoming calls alter the phone's function when opening the phone during an incoming call.
PaperPhone [3] is an example of an OUI. It features a flexible e-ink electrophoretic display and an array of 5 bend sensors that allow for user input. Other examples of OUIs include Microsoft Surface, Sphere,[4][5] DisplayObjects, and Gummi.[6]
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