Conducting Remote Design Research on Embodied, Collaborative Museum Exhibits

Research activities in interaction design and HCI were widely altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many studies shifting online as health concerns inhibited in-person research. Tangible and collaborative activities are often used in informal learning spaces and child-computer interaction, but they are neither designed for nor easily adapted to online formats. In this case study, I present findings and reflections on my experience adapting an in-situ study of embodied, collaborative museum exhibits to a remote user study during COVID-19. I identify several considerations and notes of inspiration for researchers working on similar projects, which I hope can aid in furthering iterative design research on embodied and/or collaborative activities both during the ongoing pandemic and in other current and future contexts that require remote research or interactions. The reflections I present in this case study additionally play a role in documenting the ongoing history of interaction design as researchers adapt to the rapidly changing global circumstances caused by COVID-19.