•• Abstract ••

Our interactions with physical objects usually produce sound; this sound is tightly connected with our actions and the character of the objects with which we interact.

This thesis is concerned with designing the same quality into mobile devices: interactions in which you ‘do things with your hands’ and get sound of both informative and expressive value.

In three explorations into this relationship between hands, ears and mobile devices, audio-tactile interactions were designed for activities as diverse as text entry, sharing music between devices and composing the ring on a mobile phone.

These designs explore the qualities of audio-tactility and test the idea that interactions of a functional nature can be situated on the border between task, instrument and game.