''I don't want to break it'': An Exploration of Perceived Fragility in Shape-Changing Interfaces
In CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. 2026. to appear.
Eva Mackamul, Tom Maillard, Noé Marceaul, Yelli Coulibaly, Julien Pansiot, Laurence Boissieux, Dominique Vaufreydaz, Anne Roudaut, Céline Coutrix
Abstract
Shape-Changing Interfaces (SCIs) dynamically alter their form, an inherent characteristic that introduces fragility into their design. As a result, users' perceptions of an interface's fragility or its potential to move or break may influence their interaction, however the extent of this effect is unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a qualitative study (N = 18) using video stimuli showcasing 20 existing SCIs. Through thematic analysis, we identified key factors impacting perceived fragility and formalized these into a framework. We then conducted a second study (N = 36) for which we fabricated SCIs that varied across selected fragility-related dimensions. We recorded user interactions and compared how the selected dimensions shaped manipulation of the objects and how they were considered by users. Together, these studies provide a structured foundational understanding of perceived fragility in SCIs and offer insights to enhance perceived robustness and inform future SCI development.