DurrellBishop.com
IDEAS/
RESEARCH
Marble Answer Machine
While working at IDEO one summer, I was invited to interview for Apple’s HID research group. Over a weekend I created an animation showing how marbles dropping out of an answering machine could form an intuitive physical interface. This work later became the seed for a new movement called Tangible User Interfaces, championed by Hiroshi Ishii at the MIT Media Lab.
1992 Computer Related Design
While working at IDEO one summer, I was invited to interview for Apple’s HID research group. Over a weekend I created an animation showing how marbles dropping out of an answering machine could form an intuitive physical interface. This work later became the seed for a new movement called Tangible User Interfaces, championed by Hiroshi Ishii at the MIT Media Lab.
1992 Computer Related Design
Video Editor
As an RCA researcher sponsored by Interval Research, I built a working physical video editor using wooden pucks. Clips could be picked up from the screen into pucks, cut into segments by setting in- and out-points, then arranged physically into sequences and combined into new edits. The system translated the manual simplicity of board-game play into video editing.
1995
RCA Research + Interval Research
With Jonathan Cohen
As an RCA researcher sponsored by Interval Research, I built a working physical video editor using wooden pucks. Clips could be picked up from the screen into pucks, cut into segments by setting in- and out-points, then arranged physically into sequences and combined into new edits. The system translated the manual simplicity of board-game play into video editing.
1995
RCA Research + Interval Research
With Jonathan Cohen
CRD Physical Desktop
I received a distinction for my second MA in Computer Related Design at the RCA. The project proposed a new topology and typology for digital products, physicalising the desktop into objects distributed around on a table. For example, a physical icon representing a friend could be used to call them, filter their emails, or launch a their folder on Mac to drag and drop content. The system comprised around 10 objects to access content and a set of tools like a speaker, micophone or screen to access or add content. One element on the table was the marble answer machine.
Contact Rachel Abrams to read about “Adventures in Tangible Computing”
1993
CRD RCA
I received a distinction for my second MA in Computer Related Design at the RCA. The project proposed a new topology and typology for digital products, physicalising the desktop into objects distributed around on a table. For example, a physical icon representing a friend could be used to call them, filter their emails, or launch a their folder on Mac to drag and drop content. The system comprised around 10 objects to access content and a set of tools like a speaker, micophone or screen to access or add content. One element on the table was the marble answer machine.
Contact Rachel Abrams to read about “Adventures in Tangible Computing”
1993
CRD RCA
Remote Navigation
This work began after seeing my student, James Auger, remotely view the world through a camera mounted on a dog. I realised that a handheld camera on a motorized gimbal, could function like a pointing finger requesting a direction. This allowed a remote user to control wher it went and explore a space intuitively – without needing to speak – over an internet connection.
2008
Luckybite
With Tom Hulbert
This work began after seeing my student, James Auger, remotely view the world through a camera mounted on a dog. I realised that a handheld camera on a motorized gimbal, could function like a pointing finger requesting a direction. This allowed a remote user to control wher it went and explore a space intuitively – without needing to speak – over an internet connection.
2008
Luckybite
With Tom Hulbert
Soli Radar
Google Labs
For a short period, I explored new forms of gestural interaction at Ottica, a company set up by Timo Arnall and Jack Schulze to work on Google ATAP’s Soli Radar Project.
2015
Ottica
With Timo Arnall, Jack Schulze
Google Labs
For a short period, I explored new forms of gestural interaction at Ottica, a company set up by Timo Arnall and Jack Schulze to work on Google ATAP’s Soli Radar Project.
2015
Ottica
With Timo Arnall, Jack Schulze
IDEO RFID
Digital Finger
I have tried building “digital fingers”, an everyday tool that allows people to access new properties — a way to access and add properties. It is what text and images do on packaging, but for other types of data. We attach value with barcodes, IDs with magnetic stripes, and access keys with RFIDs. At IDEO we made a handheld RFID reader with a button. First, you touched a TV to set the destination, and then touched anything from the materials library to see it appear on screen. We also made a deck of cards and could show clients any project simply by tapping them.
2003
With IDEO, Tobie Kerridge
Digital Finger
I have tried building “digital fingers”, an everyday tool that allows people to access new properties — a way to access and add properties. It is what text and images do on packaging, but for other types of data. We attach value with barcodes, IDs with magnetic stripes, and access keys with RFIDs. At IDEO we made a handheld RFID reader with a button. First, you touched a TV to set the destination, and then touched anything from the materials library to see it appear on screen. We also made a deck of cards and could show clients any project simply by tapping them.
2003
With IDEO, Tobie Kerridge
DIY Coding
The world shifted for me when I started to create applications without programming. I believe it is a significant shift in what and how creative people with no interest in learning to program will combine digital opportunities in to their work. I have been running workshops at at Apple and at colleges for non-programmers. I am interested to see what and how it changes creative peoples work.
This is NOT AI used to generate images.
I think this will radically change who makes software and controlls digital behaviour.
2026 Onward…
The world shifted for me when I started to create applications without programming. I believe it is a significant shift in what and how creative people with no interest in learning to program will combine digital opportunities in to their work. I have been running workshops at at Apple and at colleges for non-programmers. I am interested to see what and how it changes creative peoples work.
This is NOT AI used to generate images.
I think this will radically change who makes software and controlls digital behaviour.
2026 Onward…