Creating Interactive User Interfaces by Demonstration using Crowdsourcing

Abstract

People are becoming increasingly interested in creating their own digital content and media. This is evident in the enormous number of blogs, personal websites, and portfolios available online. Website templates and creation/hosting services (e.g., Wix, WordPress, Google Sites) have made it possible for even non-programmers to create websites. However, with these services, non-programmers are limited to templates or basic user interface elements and behaviors, lacking the ability to create truly custom web pages that satisfy their needs. More complex and custom user interfaces like digital games and software are virtually impossible for non-programmers to create; even visual programming (e.g., Blockly, GameMaker Studio 2) and data flow languages that try to make computing more approachable still require an understanding of programming and computing concepts. As simple as it is for the average person to sketch a User Interface (UI) on paper or describe it in words, I believe it should be just as easy for them to create the actual digital UI with all of the desired behaviors. Programming should not be a barrier to creating new things and sharing them with the world.