Haptell - Developing a Haptic-Centered Design Toolkit for Digital Storytelling

This project aims to create a haptic-centered design toolkit for interactive digital storytelling, with applications in education and interactive documentaries. Storytelling, a fundamental human experience, has evolved with digital media, yet haptic feedback remains underutilized despite its potential to enhance emotional engagement, user presence, and information retention. The project addresses this gap by equipping designers in fields like education and documentary filmmaking to use haptic output as a primary narrative tool. In educational settings, the toolkit will enable tactile learning experiences that enhance understanding and retention through touch. For interactive documentaries, haptic feedback will offer viewers a more immersive experience, allowing them to feel connected to the narrative. The project will include a survey of the state of the art, toolkit development, and two prototype iterations co-designed with the respective target audiences. The focus will be on digital storytelling for education and interactive documentaries about Estonia's cultural heritage. The outcomes will include publications, guidelines, and tools for designers to craft compelling haptic-driven narratives, fostering innovation in academia and industry. In addition, we will conduct international network-building activities and apply for research funding.