Abstract
In this master thesis, I explore how the creation of music can be facilitated to encourage curiosity and exploration through tangible interaction. The objective was to see how we can create new and rich musical experiences through which we can explore our musicality and the boundaries of our creativity, regardless of skill and prerequisites. The research was conducted by following a concept-driven approach to interaction design with a goal of theoretical development within the design space I chose to label Tangible Musical Interaction. The design process resulted in a concept I chose to call Tangible Music Exploration, and a physical artifact (The Music Wheels) with the aim of manifesting the concept and stand as a design example for the given design space. The making of the artifact was influenced by design guidelines formed through a focus group consisting of musicians and music producers, and the concept was later evaluated as a whole by design experts. Based on the combination of theoretical and practical knowledge, the concept was re-framed and I formed five new design guidelines for the design space. My goal with this research is to express the importance of designing for both body and mind when designing for musical experiences, and to be actively aware of the user’s individuality, as well as showing how the combination of theoretical and practical research methods produce a unique ’knowledge-frame’ for theoretical development.