A Design Theory for Fast and Slow Thinking in Interactive Coding

This paper introduces a new theory and shared language to help users and designers of interactive programming (IP) systems, especially those aimed at producing “creative” multimedia outcomes such as generative sculpture, art, music, graphics, and livecoding performances, to better identify key programming activities and be more strategic about their application. The theory was inspired by two complementary modes of thinking, “fast” (intuition) versus “slow” (deliberation). It defines three key “activity clusters” called LiveCoding Performance, Experimental Interactive Programming, and Exploratory Interactive Programming using the Cognitive Dimensions of Notations as a language to discuss practice-based reflections and user studies of intuitive and deliberative activities in performances, structured experimentation and software development, and open-ended creative exploration. In particular, it interrogates the usability trade-offs between the three clusters during the design of LivePrinter, the author’s interactive 3D printing (I3DP) and performance system. This positions these activities within the author’s practice as an educator, sculptor, performer, and software developer who experiments, composes, and performs, leading to some guidelines for other “creative” IP developers