坐 features a seesaw mechanism that requires two people to stabilize and balance the seat. If only one person sits down, their weight will cause the seat to tilt towards their end. Therefore, the design emphasizes that two people need to sit together for the seat to be comfortable and functional.
The artifact functioned as we envisioned, demonstrating that when one student (represented by the Barbie prop) sits alone, her weight causes the seat and table to tilt, causing items to fall. However, when a second student (Barbie 2) joins, they can balance the artifact and work comfortably together.
In terms of the performance itself, we chose to use narration, but audience feedback suggested that this approach fell flat compared to our expectations during rehearsals. While the other students understood the core concept of our artifact and the connection paradox we aimed to address, we realized that adding elements of humor and dialogue between the Barbie dolls could have made the content more engaging and entertaining.
Narration Script Outline
During our ideation and research process, we began by brainstorming around a simple artifact: a bench. We discussed its cultural significance, noting that benches often serve as communal spaces where people gather, converse, and build relationships. They foster a sense of community by encouraging social interaction in public spaces. Next, we explored existing objects that require two people to fulfill their purpose and settled on a seesaw. By combining these ideas, we developed a concept for a seating space that functions like a seesaw. To deepen our concept, we examined the communication paradox and decided to add a table in the center, transforming it into a study space for students. We noticed that many students today prefer sitting alone, often staring at their phones or devices, which led us to create 坐. Finally, we searched online for inspiration and discovered various interesting designs that informed and shaped our final product.
Google Doc showcasing our inspiration designs
We illustrated the complex nature of technology in a critical way by highlighting how it affects social interactions, particularly among students who often choose to engage with their devices rather than connect with others in person. By creating 坐, we aimed to address this issue, providing a space that encourages interactions and counteracts the isolation caused by technology.
However, there are changes I would consider. For instance, further exploring the emotional impacts of technology on relationships could deepen our critique. Additionally, in terms of design, we could have taken a more creative approach by using materials other than cardboard. This would have made the artifact more eye-catching and transformed it from a typical seesaw into a visually appealing piece.
Google Doc showcasing our brainstorming process
In terms of my contribution to the project, while the concept was developed collaboratively with my teammates, I was the one who initially proposed the idea of creating a seating area for studying. I observed, both in small classes and personally, that people often avoid interacting with their peers by sitting apart from one another. I highlighted how this design could help students form connections and make friends during their college experience. On the design front, I drew one of the sketches that established the placement of the table to be between the two seats. During the prototyping phase, we each took responsibility for different components of the artifact; I focused on constructing the seats and the base of the object. A lot of our process was collaborative.
My sketch for 坐‘s prototype
Our teamwork dynamics were characterized by collaboration, creating a positive environment for idea generation. All team members participated in brainstorming sessions, contributing to the initial concept and refining it through discussions in our follow-up meetings. Communication within the team was constructive; we held regular meetings before the deadline to discuss our progress, share feedback, and address any difficulties with the project. This allowed us to make adjustments in real time and ensure that everyone felt heard. We used Google Docs to share documents, ideas, and sketches, facilitating easy collaboration, especially during the initial phase. In the prototyping and design process, each member created a sketch and visualization of the seating area layout, including the positioning of the table and seats. We drew inspiration from one another, which resulted in a working prototype. My other two groupmates were responsible for researching materials, and we all gathered inspiration from existing designs that we shared on a Google document. I volunteered to lead the narration and perform during the presentation, while my peers acted out with the Barbie props. We aimed to present it as a puppetry show.
Yimin’s sketch for 坐‘s prototype
Nawaf’s sketch for 坐‘s prototype
坐‘s final prototype
坐‘s performance practice
Performance Video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TWaEodzbUFfb74ztJBlfW0TU268qipb8/view?usp=share_link
Regarding the other groups, most addressed the communication paradox effectively. However, one prototype that particularly stood out to me was “Spring Break on Mars,” which featured noise-canceling glasses designed to help users focus on specific tasks. I want to highlight their performance; they did an excellent job demonstrating what interaction with the interface would be like without explicitly explaining how to use the artifact. Their enactment of a daily situation illustrated how dependent humans may become on technology, suggesting that we might eventually need it just to hold conversations. This raises important critiques about the societal challenges we could face in the future. Overall, I found their prototype to be very well executed. It showcased various features, such as adjustable levels of noise cancellation tailored to the user’s needs. The project effectively conveys its message, particularly in the performance’s finale, which highlighted the social critique when the user is run over by a car.