As new computational technologies and methods become available, the nature of the interaction between users and computers also changes. The transition from command lines to “windows, icons, menus, pointer” (WIMP) interfaces made computers much more accessible, and the incorporation of touch-based interaction into mobile devices fueled the wide use of smartphones and tablets. Such transitions often are accompanied by novel ways for users to interact with computers. Initially, it may be unclear which methods are becoming widely accepted and which ones will fall by the wayside.

The “blended interaction” framework is based on the process of blending, or conceptual integration, from the embodied cognition community. In this process, complex concepts are integrated or blended from less complex ones, ultimately relying on concepts grounded in practical action and everyday experience. A core tenet in the framework is the consideration of cognitive resources for learning novel concepts. Interaction methods that appear natural or intuitive do so because they require fewer cognitive resources and can be integrated smoothly into the existing interaction universe of the user. One common challenge here is the blending of concepts based on the non-digital part of the world with those acquired from experiences with digital devices. Another one is the tradeoff between expressive user interfaces that reveal much of the underlying functionality of the device to the user, and easy-to-learn interfaces more amenable to inexperienced users.

As an example of using the blended interaction framework, the authors discuss design, implementation, and user experience aspects of AffinityTable, which integrates physical items like sticky notes with a large touch-based display built into a table.

This framework is not intended as a recipe or guideline for interaction design, but more as an evaluation method for design ideas. Designers still have to come up with good designs for user interaction, but an assessment of these ideas that includes consideration of blended interaction may reveal or amplify design tradeoffs to be resolved.

For me, the blended interaction framework indeed appeared “natural” and “intuitive,” reinforcing ideas and concepts already in my interaction universe, and adding a few new ones in a consistent manner.