User Experience of Gesture Based Interfaces: A Comparison with Traditional Interaction Methods on Pragmatic and Hedonic Qualities

Studies into gestural interfaces – and interfaces in general - typically focus on pragmatic or usability aspects (e.g., ease of use, learnability). Yet the merits of gesture-based interaction likely go beyond the purely pragmatic and impact a broader class of experiences, involving also qualities such as enjoyment, stimulation, and identification. The current study compared gesture-based interaction with device-based interaction, in terms of both their pragmatic and hedonic qualities. Two experiments were performed, one in a near-field context (mouse vs. gestures), and one in a far-field context (Wii vs. gestures). Results show that, whereas device-based interfaces generally scored higher on perceived performance, and the mouse scored higher on pragmatic quality, embodied interfaces (gesture-based interfaces, but also the Wii) scored higher in terms of hedonic quality and fun. A broader perspective on evaluating embodied interaction technologies can inform the design of such technologies and allow designers to tailor them to the appropriate application.