Anders-Petter Andersson

About

Musical and Multi-Sensory Interaction Design for Health Promotion

Design of Health-Promoting and Relationship-Strengthening Technology

I work with the design of creative, intelligent systems (IoT and AI) that promote health and quality of life. The goal is to enhance activity, motivation, social relations, creativity, and a sense of mastery through musical, narrative, and multisensory forms of expression.

Key Projects and Target Groups:

Co-design of Health-Promoting Creative Technologies: Co-design of personal and relationship-building technologies and health services to strengthen physical and mental health. This is achieved by measuring and creatively motivating better sleep, exercise, relational attachment, and social interactions. I document creative design choices and usage through auto-ethnography, action research, and co-design.
Children with Complex Disabilities and Their Families: Collaborative projects such as RHYME (NFR/AHO/UiO/NMH), The Cultural Schoolbag (Kulturtanken), and iFields (Lund University/Arvsfonden), together with Birgitta Cappelen and Musical Fields Forever.
Elderly with Dementia: Research and development in collaboration with NTNU Gjøvik, Diakonhjemmet/VID, and the municipalities of Trondheim and Gjøvik. I have also held a post-doctoral position at Kristianstad University focusing on the health-promoting use of interactive music for elderly people with early-stage dementia.
Caregivers and close others: Projects in collaboration with Skills Norway (Kompetanse Norge), Vocational Colleges (Fagskolen), and Gjøvik municipality.

Methodology and Approach:

Musicking: Based on Christopher Small’s concept, we view music as a relationship-building activity rather than a static work of art. We apply this to multisensory interaction to stimulate communication and co-creation through physical, rhythmic, and visual means.
Interactive Music Composition: Developing techniques for intelligent systems where users—regardless of musical expertise—can shape the music through interaction.
Open Interfaces: To meet diverse user needs, we design interfaces in four layers:

Sound nodes (the smallest musical unit).
Compositional rules.
Narrative structures over time.
Physical, tactile, and visual interfaces.

Health Promotion: The work is rooted in the definition of health promotion as a process that enables people to increase control over, and to improve, their own health. This involves integrating a health perspective into design and development at all levels of society.
And: User-oriented action research, Participatory Design/Co-Design, user participation, design-based research, Research-by-Design, universal design, auto-ethnography, Technology of the Self.

Teaching at the Department of Design:

In-depth Project in Research Groups IDG4220 (MA/ 2nd year in MDTS)

User-Centered to Post-Human Design IDG4113 (MA),

Prototyping IDG1060 (BA),

Research-by-Design and Tangible Interaction IDG4112 (MA), Welcome letter with schedule 2021,

Research Project Planning IMT4885 (MA),

M aster Thesis in Interaction Design (MA),

Interaction Design (BA) 2017-2023,

Area Course: Design in Healthcare (BA),

Tangible and Sensorial Interaction Design (BA),

Physical and Tangible Interaction Design (BA),

Supervising doctoral candidates:

Ann Kristin Forshaug, Department of Design, NTNU, "The need for service innovation in health care" (2018-), assistant supervisor

Rune Rosseland, Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, "Exploring Movement-Based Rhythmic Interaction with Senior Citizens" (finnished 2018), assistant supervisor

Member of

Group for interactive art installations MusicalFieldsForever since 2000, member, sound designer

Foundation Den Gode Idé, Chairman of the Board

Makerspace Designverkstedet NTNU in Gjøvik, member

Centre for Health Promotion Research at NTNU

HackOurHealthEcology, Nordplus Horizontal network for building resilient communities for health promotion and re-generative learning, 2023-2025 (Denmark, Sweden, Greenland, Norway), Project Manager

Research Group for Art in Society at Oslo Metropolitan University

Research Group for Universal Design of ICT at Oslo Metropolitan University

Publications

2025

Storsveen, Vigdis; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2025) TRACES OF NATURE, A DIALOGUE IN MEMORY AND ART.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

2024

Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2024) Integrating research and MA design courses.
Other
Eide, Cecilie Marie; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2024) Co-Design with Diversity as Resource for Innovation.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Andersson, Anders-Petter; Eide, Cecilie Marie; Papachristou, Eleftherios; Torkildsby, Anne Britt; Inal, Yavuz. (2024) CO-DESIGN WITH PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AS AN INNOVATIVE RESOURCE SET FREE BY AI.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

2023

Andersson, Anders-Petter; Edeholt, Håkan; Ek, Anne-Charlotte; Hansen, Anne-Marie. (2023) WHAT DO WE CREATE IN A RESPONSIBLE WORKSHOP IN 2030?.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

2021

Batt-Rawden, Kari Bjerke; Berg, Geir Vegard; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2021) Music-based environmental therapy and training programme: a qualitative evaluation study, Norway. Health Promotion International
Academic article
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2021) Trans-Create – Co-Design with Persons with Severe Disabilities.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

2019

Batt-Rawden, Kari Bjerke; Andersson, Anders-Petter; Berg, Geir Vegard; Kebede, Meselu Taye. (2019) EVALUERING AV OPPLÆRINGSPROGRAMMET MUSIKKBASERT MILJØBEHANDLING MED INTEGRERT BRUK AV MUSIKK OG SANG TIL HELSE- OG OMSORGSTJENESTENE – En kvalitativ studie. På oppdrag av Helsedirektoratet, Kompetanseløft 2020. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Report

2018

Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2018) Vitalising Health Promoting Technology for Elderly in Design Education.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2018) Cultural Artefacts with Virtual Capabilities Enhance Self-Expression Possibilities for Children with Special Needs.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2018) The Health Promoting Potential of Interactive Art.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

2017

Güler, Evin; Andersson, Anders-Petter; Mirtaheri, Peyman; Gjøvaag, Terje. (2017) MAKERIET: A NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY MAKERSPACE.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

2016

Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2016) Health Improving Multi-Sensorial and Musical Environments.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2016) Embodied and Distributed Parallel DJing. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
Academic article

2014

Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2014) Polly Land.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2014) Polly Ocean.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2014) Polly Fire.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2014) Polly World.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2014) Polly Planet.
Visual Arts
Andersson, Anders-Petter; Cappelen, Birgitta. (2014) Musical Interaction for Health Improvement.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Andersson, Anders-Petter; Cappelen, Birgitta. (2014) Vocal and tangible interaction in RHYME.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2014) Designing four generations of 'Musicking Tangibles'.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Andersson, Anders-Petter; Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik. (2014) Designing Sound for Recreation and Well-Being.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

2013

Andersson, Anders-Petter; Cappelen, Birgitta. (2013) Designing Empowering Vocal and Tangible Interaction.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2013) Towards an Empowering Tangible Interaction Design for Diversity.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Andersson, Anders-Petter; Cappelen, Birgitta. (2013) Vocal and Tangible Interaction Crossing Borders.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

2012

Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) Wave Carpet.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) Wave Orange.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) Reflect.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) Musicking Tangibles for Empowerment.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) Co-created Staging – Situating installations.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) The Empowering Potential of Re-Staging. Leonardo Electronic Almanac
Academic article
Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) Interaktiv musikkomposition. Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg
Doctoral dissertation

2011

Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2011) Expanding the Role of the instrument.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2011) Design for Co-creation with Interactive Montage.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2011) Designing Smart Textile for Music and Health.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

2009

Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2009) Searching Voices, Interactive Installation.
Visual Arts

2008

Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2008) Same but different - composing for interactivity.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2008) To challenge textile with music.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

2007

Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2007) ORFI, Interactive Installation.
Visual Arts

Journal publications

Batt-Rawden, Kari Bjerke; Berg, Geir Vegard; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2021) Music-based environmental therapy and training programme: a qualitative evaluation study, Norway. Health Promotion International
Academic article
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2016) Embodied and Distributed Parallel DJing. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
Academic article
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) The Empowering Potential of Re-Staging. Leonardo Electronic Almanac
Academic article

Artistic productions

Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2014) Polly Land.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2014) Polly Ocean.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2014) Polly Fire.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2014) Polly World.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2014) Polly Planet.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) Wave Carpet.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) Wave Orange.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) Reflect.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2009) Searching Voices, Interactive Installation.
Visual Arts
Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2007) ORFI, Interactive Installation.
Visual Arts

Part of book/report

Storsveen, Vigdis; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2025) TRACES OF NATURE, A DIALOGUE IN MEMORY AND ART.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2024) Integrating research and MA design courses.
Other
Eide, Cecilie Marie; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2024) Co-Design with Diversity as Resource for Innovation.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Andersson, Anders-Petter; Eide, Cecilie Marie; Papachristou, Eleftherios; Torkildsby, Anne Britt; Inal, Yavuz. (2024) CO-DESIGN WITH PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AS AN INNOVATIVE RESOURCE SET FREE BY AI.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Andersson, Anders-Petter; Edeholt, Håkan; Ek, Anne-Charlotte; Hansen, Anne-Marie. (2023) WHAT DO WE CREATE IN A RESPONSIBLE WORKSHOP IN 2030?.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2021) Trans-Create – Co-Design with Persons with Severe Disabilities.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2018) Vitalising Health Promoting Technology for Elderly in Design Education.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2018) Cultural Artefacts with Virtual Capabilities Enhance Self-Expression Possibilities for Children with Special Needs.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2018) The Health Promoting Potential of Interactive Art.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Güler, Evin; Andersson, Anders-Petter; Mirtaheri, Peyman; Gjøvaag, Terje. (2017) MAKERIET: A NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY MAKERSPACE.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2016) Health Improving Multi-Sensorial and Musical Environments.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Andersson, Anders-Petter; Cappelen, Birgitta. (2014) Musical Interaction for Health Improvement.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Andersson, Anders-Petter; Cappelen, Birgitta. (2014) Vocal and tangible interaction in RHYME.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2014) Designing four generations of 'Musicking Tangibles'.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Andersson, Anders-Petter; Cappelen, Birgitta; Olofsson, Fredrik. (2014) Designing Sound for Recreation and Well-Being.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Andersson, Anders-Petter; Cappelen, Birgitta. (2013) Designing Empowering Vocal and Tangible Interaction.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2013) Towards an Empowering Tangible Interaction Design for Diversity.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Andersson, Anders-Petter; Cappelen, Birgitta. (2013) Vocal and Tangible Interaction Crossing Borders.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) Musicking Tangibles for Empowerment.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) Co-created Staging – Situating installations.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2011) Expanding the Role of the instrument.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2011) Design for Co-creation with Interactive Montage.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2011) Designing Smart Textile for Music and Health.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2008) Same but different - composing for interactivity.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Cappelen, Birgitta; Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2008) To challenge textile with music.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

Report

Batt-Rawden, Kari Bjerke; Andersson, Anders-Petter; Berg, Geir Vegard; Kebede, Meselu Taye. (2019) EVALUERING AV OPPLÆRINGSPROGRAMMET MUSIKKBASERT MILJØBEHANDLING MED INTEGRERT BRUK AV MUSIKK OG SANG TIL HELSE- OG OMSORGSTJENESTENE – En kvalitativ studie. På oppdrag av Helsedirektoratet, Kompetanseløft 2020. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Report
Andersson, Anders-Petter. (2012) Interaktiv musikkomposition. Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg
Doctoral dissertation

Teaching

Courses

Outreach