"The computer is an incredibly powerful means of creative expression," says designer and TED Fellow James Patten. But right now, we interact with computers, mainly, by typing and tapping. In this nifty talk and demo, Patten imagines a more visceral, physical way to bring your thoughts and ideas to life in the digital world, taking the computer interface off the screen and putting it into your hands.

The best computer interface? Maybe ... your hands

Computers often confine creativity to flat screens, but physical interfaces bring digital power into the tangible world. From robotic harps that play real music to chemistry exhibits where hands-on objects foster social learning, digital control of physical movement deepens understanding and emotional connection. Technologies like omni wheeled robots and interactive dials blend the speed of software with the instinctive ease of touch. These innovations suggest that the most intuitive interfaces may rely less on screens and more on the physical objects all around us.