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[Dis]connected

/

IxD

Re–defining meaningful connection.

Re–defining meaningful connection.

Overview

An audio-visual, interactive art installation designed for my capstone university project.

An audio-visual, interactive art installation designed for my capstone university project.

Role + Contributions

Lead Interaction Designer

Lead Interaction Designer

Research Synthesis + Analysis

Research Synthesis + Analysis

Ideation + Conceptualisation

Ideation + Conceptualisation

Prototyping [Low—Mid—High-Fidelity]

Prototyping [Low—Mid—High-Fidelity]

User-Testing

User-Testing

Technology + Equipment

TouchDesigner
Mixed Media
Recycled Materials

TouchDesigner
Mixed Media
Recycled Materials

Completed

Oct. 2024

Oct. 2024

Introduction

Social media aims to connect people,

Social media aims to connect people,

and it does

and it does

to a degree.

to a degree.

In the ever-evolving digital world, it can sometimes be difficult to toy the balance between being connected online, and to the world around you. 

As digital natives, our lives have become increasingly intertwined with social media. We craft meticulously curated digital personas to share with loved ones, acquaintances, and even strangers—but how authentic are these personas really? Are they truly an accurate depiction of who we are?

For my final university assessment, I decided to challenge traditional understandings of modern, digital connection by bringing Instagram to life through a large-scale, interactive art installation. Over the course of 14 weeks, I worked individually to create my first 0→1 high-fidelity prototype that was exhibited in the end-of-year graduate showcase.

In the ever-evolving digital world, it can sometimes be difficult to toy the balance between being connected online, and to the world around you. 

As digital natives, our lives have become increasingly intertwined with social media. We craft meticulously curated digital personas to share with loved ones, acquaintances, and even strangers—but how authentic are these personas really? Are they truly an accurate depiction of who we are?

For my final university assessment, I decided to challenge traditional understandings of modern, digital connection by bringing Instagram to life through a large-scale, interactive art installation. Over the course of 14 weeks, I worked individually to create my first 0→1 high-fidelity prototype that was exhibited in the end-of-year graduate showcase.

Problems

Doomscrolling has negative effects, who would've thought?

Doomscrolling has negative effects, who would've thought?

Research has increasingly evidenced the harmful effects of excess social media usage, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

According to an independent study, over 70% of the Australian population believed social media to cause more problems than it solved.

#real—or—fake? #ilovemylife #jks

#real—or—fake? #ilovemylife #jks

Excess social media usage encourages participants to engage in behaviours such as self—comparison.

This jeopardises psychological well-being, as the constant perception of life through social media identities leaves participants feeling unsatisfied.

FOMO is real.

FOMO is real.

51% of young people admittedly want to disconnect from social media, but experience FOMO—a fear of missing out on news, current events, popular culture, or conversations with friends.

While content consumed online is disproportionately negative for many, 35% of respondents felt inclined to increase their social media usage; revealing stark insights into just how prevailing this phenomenon of FOMO really is.

Hypothesis

Social media inadequately allows users to connect genuinely, and instead, traps them in a cycle of overall life dissatisfaction, and decreased mental health.

So, how might we encourage the fostering of meaningful connection between users, and their humanity in a digitally interactive way?

dis____connected

Journey

Don't Stop Believin'

Embracing disconnection

Projecting sentimental imagery in place of what would normally be a showcasing of one's most curated memories serves as a reminder of the fleeting moments we often miss while being caught in the digital realm.

Creating an interactive art installation that requires total presence reminds users that sometimes, in order to connect, we must disconnect.

101

17

4

2

dis____connected

Nothing good comes easy ;)

16 hours ago

dis____connected

Journey

Don't Stop Believin'

Inviting a reflection on unity

Encouraging recognition of similarities between users is a research—backed method in fostering genuine connections through digitally mediated systems.

By pairing sentimental imagery with the amplification of users' heartbeats through custom audio—reactivity equipment, users are offered a moment for self—reflection, and gently reminded of the humanity we share.

101

17

4

2

dis____connected

Nothing good comes easy ;)

16 hours ago

dis____connected

Journey

Don't Stop Believin'

Rejecting predictability

Instead of redesigning the Instagram interface, creating a physical, artistic representation of the platform will generate curiosity & intrigue, helping to subvert traditional perceptions of digital connection.

101

17

4

2

dis____connected

Nothing good comes easy ;)

16 hours ago

dis____connected

Journey

Don't Stop Believin'

Embracing disconnection

Projecting sentimental imagery in place of what would normally be a showcasing of one's most curated memories serves as a reminder of the fleeting moments we often miss while being caught in the digital realm.

Creating an interactive art installation that requires total presence reminds users that sometimes, in order to connect, we must disconnect.

101

17

4

2

dis____connected

Nothing good comes easy ;)

16 hours ago

dis____connected

Journey

Don't Stop Believin'

Inviting a reflection on unity

Encouraging recognition of similarities between users is a research—backed method in fostering genuine connections through digitally mediated systems.

By pairing sentimental imagery with the amplification of users' heartbeats through custom audio—reactivity equipment, users are offered a moment for self—reflection, and gently reminded of the humanity we share.

101

17

4

2

dis____connected

Nothing good comes easy ;)

16 hours ago

dis____connected

Journey

Don't Stop Believin'

Rejecting predictability

Instead of redesigning the Instagram interface, creating a physical, artistic representation of the platform will generate curiosity & intrigue, helping to subvert traditional perceptions of digital connection.

101

17

4

2

dis____connected

Nothing good comes easy ;)

16 hours ago

dis____connected

Journey

Don't Stop Believin'

Embracing disconnection

Projecting sentimental imagery in place of what would normally be a showcasing of one's most curated memories serves as a reminder of the fleeting moments we often miss while being caught in the digital realm.

Creating an interactive art installation that requires total presence reminds users that sometimes, in order to connect, we must disconnect.

101

17

4

2

dis____connected

Nothing good comes easy ;)

16 hours ago

dis____connected

Journey

Don't Stop Believin'

Inviting a reflection on unity

Encouraging recognition of similarities between users is a research—backed method in fostering genuine connections through digitally mediated systems.

By pairing sentimental imagery with the amplification of users' heartbeats through custom audio—reactivity equipment, users are offered a moment for self—reflection, and gently reminded of the humanity we share.

101

17

4

2

dis____connected

Nothing good comes easy ;)

16 hours ago

dis____connected

Journey

Don't Stop Believin'

Rejecting predictability

Instead of redesigning the Instagram interface, creating a physical, artistic representation of the platform will generate curiosity & intrigue, helping to subvert traditional perceptions of digital connection.

101

17

4

2

dis____connected

Nothing good comes easy ;)

16 hours ago

CHALLENGE

Fall down 7 times, stand up 8.

Creating a large—scale, audio—reactive art installation was extremely out of my depth. Below are some of the main challenges I encountered throughout the design process.

People connect genuinely in a variety of ways. Sentimentality is subjective. Finding a universally understood interpretation of both was challenging.

People connect genuinely in a variety of ways. Sentimentality is subjective. Finding a universally understood interpretation of both was challenging.

To find a solution, I looked beyond the surface and towards the philosophy of connection, humanity, and the human psyche. Specifically, what meaningful connection represents: belonging, feeling truly seen.

These feelings are most typically experienced human—to—human. Thus, three core community bonds were selected to form the basis of sentimental imagery to be projected: friends, family, and lovers.

Creating custom audio—reactivity equipment that can detect heartbeat sounds against external factors, actually amplify those sounds, + maintain consistent audibility was difficult.

Creating custom audio—reactivity equipment that can detect heartbeat sounds against external factors, actually amplify those sounds, + maintain consistent audibility was difficult.

The human heartbeat can only be detected within a certain low—frequency range. Ambient noise emitted from external environmental factors such as indistinct conversation and subtle movements inhibits heartbeat sound detection.

After several troubleshooting attempts, I created a soundproof tubular casing to house the microphone, and insulated it with foam internally. This helped dampen environmental noise, and aided as a protection against movement and handling sounds.

This project was my first introduction to the world of node—based visual programming. Configuring audio—visual reactivity and image randomisation using TouchDesigner was a steeeeeep learning curve.

This project was my first introduction to the world of node—based visual programming. Configuring audio—visual reactivity and image randomisation using TouchDesigner was a steeeeeep learning curve.

Initially, I intended on having randomised visuals appear with each heartbeat sound amplified. However, configuring randomised video playback upon audio—reactivity detection was a challenge I wasn't able to overcome by solving through. Instead, I had to find a way around.

I simulated randomisation by creating a series of nine video playlists, each with the same set of videos arranged in alternating orders. I connected each of these playlists to sound—based triggering switches, so that with every heartbeat sound, a different video would be projected.

FINAL DESIGN

A physical representation of Instagram's profile—grid interface was created as an interactive art installation to encourage a fostering of meaningful connection between users, and their humanity through a reflection on unity.

A one—of—a—kind, immersive experience designed to invite a moment of pause, presence, + self—reflection into the lives of social media users to challenge what it means to truly connect.

A physical representation of Instagram's profile—grid interface was created as an interactive art installation to encourage a fostering of meaningful connection between users, and their humanity through a reflection on unity.

A one—of—a—kind, immersive experience designed to invite a moment of pause, presence, + self—reflection into the lives of social media users to challenge what it means to truly connect.

A physical representation of Instagram's profile—grid interface was created as an interactive art installation to encourage a fostering of meaningful connection between users, and their humanity through a reflection on unity.

A one—of—a—kind, immersive experience designed to invite a moment of pause, presence, + self—reflection into the lives of social media users to challenge what it means to truly connect.

Custom Audio—Reactivity

Custom Audio—Reactivity

Bio—signals info.

Bio—signals info.

I created a stethoscope microphone to amplify the sound of the human heartbeat, a universally recognisable sound to remind users of how precious life is.

I created a stethoscope microphone to amplify the sound of the human heartbeat, a universally recognisable sound to remind users of how precious life is.

Sentimental Imagery

Sentimental Imagery

Pulling a few heartstrings never hurt nobody!

Pulling a few heartstrings never hurt nobody!

I incorporated vintage—style videography of family, friends, and lovers; deep, meaningful connections that are universally understood and desired.

I incorporated vintage—style videography of family, friends, and lovers; deep, meaningful connections that are universally understood and desired.

Immersive Audio—Tracking

Immersive Audio—Tracking

Because ambience matters.

Because ambience matters.

To enhance the sensory experience, I added dreamy soundscapes paired with indistinct chatter to ensure a fuller—bodied, reflective experience.

To enhance the sensory experience, I added dreamy soundscapes paired with indistinct chatter to ensure a fuller—bodied, reflective experience.

impact

80% of users found the [Dis]connected prototype effective in fostering a meaningful connection between themselves, and their humanity.

80% of users found the [Dis]connected prototype effective in fostering a meaningful connection between themselves, and their humanity.

Users reportedly felt a +33.33% positive increase in their mood afterwards.

Users reportedly felt a +33.33% positive increase in their mood afterwards.

future

So much possibility exists for the continued evolution of the

So much possibility exists for the continued evolution of the [Dis]connected— prototype.

[Dis]connected

prototype.

Conceptual Future

Conceptual Future

Allowing for a more communal experience

Allowing for a more communal experience

I would love to have the prototype displayed in a local art gallery and configured to allow real—time, public submissions of visual imagery to enhance sentimentality.

I would love to have the prototype displayed in a local art gallery and configured to allow real—time, public submissions of visual imagery to enhance sentimentality.

Platforming local artists & voices

Platforming local artists & voices

Conceptually, using the custom audio—reactivity equipment and prototype setup as a base for collaboration with local artists and marginalised communities is also something I would love to explore.

Conceptually, using the custom audio—reactivity equipment and prototype setup as a base for collaboration with local artists and marginalised communities is also something I would love to explore.

Next Project

Next Project

Next Project

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FOLIO

LEMAN

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