Dynamic tabletop interfaces for increasing creativity

We designed a tabletop brainwriting interface to examine the effects of time pressure and social pressure on the creative performance. After positioning this study with regard to creativity research and human activity in dynamic environments, we present our interface and experiment. Thirty-two participants collaborated (by groups of four) on the tabletop brainwriting task under four conditions of time pressure and two conditions of social pressure. The results show that time pressure increased the quantity of ideas produced and, to some extent, increased the originality of ideas. However, it also deteriorated user experience. Besides, social pressure increased quantity of ideas as well as motivation, but decreased collaboration. We discuss the implications for creativity research and Human–Computer Interaction. Anyhow, our results suggest that the Press factor, operationalized by Time- or Social-pressure, should be considered as a powerful lever to enhance the effectiveness of creative problem solving methods.

► Designed an interactive tabletop brainwriting interface.
► Tested 8 groups on a creative problem solving task.
► Examined the effects of time pressure (4 levels) and social pressure (2 levels).
► Time pressure increased performance but deteriorated user experience.
► Social pressure increased performance but decreased collaboration.