Digital Kick in the Shin: On-body communication tools for couples trapped in face-to-face group conversations
James Clawson, Nirmal Patel, Thad E. Starner · 2010
In this paper we explore ensembles of on-body devices designed to support private, intimate, communication in public settings. We introduce a mobile system design concept entitled “Digital Kick in the Shin ” (Digikits) that enables individuals in an intimate relationship to subtlety send alerts to their partner with the intent of prompting action in a face-to-face conversation. We present a brief survey of intimate technology design literature and conclude with several conceptual designs that explore a range of different input and output configurations in this space.