EmbodyCraft: Exploring Haptic Embodied Experiences for Reflective Practice in Throwing Clay

Reflection is a crucial process for advancing craftsmanship. Much of craft knowledge is tacit, which cannot be easily conveyed through language, therefore leaving post-action reflection largely relying on personal recollection. Existing methods such as visualizing physical performance via video-recording have been used to support the reflection of craft practitioners, but they struggle to capture the subtle bodily actions and perceptions central to craft. To address this gap, we collaborated with seasoned potters to develop a system called EmbodyCraft. It can record muscle activity and fingertip vibration when the potter touches the clay, which then translates into tactile stimuli for post-action reflection. Comparing findings from two workshops with potters of varying experience levels, we observed that supplementing conventional video-based reflection with our haptic cues helped reveal subtle force patterns and correct misconceptions about both one’s own and others’ actions. These preliminary results suggest a potential for deeper skill understanding during reflection, as well as more nuanced communication in skill-based discussions.