Reification (to Reify)
http://www.interaction-design.org/encyclopedia/reification_to_reify.html

Soegaard, Mads
Interaction-Design.org

Abstract:

In the fields of HCI and interaction design the term is however most often used as 'making something material from something abstract.' In other words 'thingifying' something abstract (like an idea, a work practice, a social relationshiop) or at least making a representation of it.