- The Cape (collaborating with Harrison)
Starting from the shared experiences of being introverts, we conceive a wearable interactive device that can visualize the user’s emotional mood and therefore, invite more engagement between people who feel the same way. The mechanism of this device is based on sensors to monitor the user’s heartbeat and respiratory frequency, and through Arduino/processing components, these data will be converted and visualized into light effects through Neopixel LEDs and other potential components. For the apparel design, we want to start with the model of a cape combined with a mask, so it’s more unisex and size friendly, while the form of a mask could easily connect with the monitoring of respiration. The ultimate concept is to break the social isolation of people in the pandemic era.
Draft:
2. Crystal Gazing
This concept is based on the old form of crystal gazing divination, but instead of a one-way reading of the user, this project will reveal the answers through constant interaction with the user. Attaching a temperature sensor to the crystal ball and using the output of the sensor as a variable to an Etch-A-Sketch-like visualization using processing. Therefore, when the users put their hands on it, the temperature will go up, and the processing function will start to draw a one-line picture that looks like a revelation of their thoughts or the answer to their questions.
3. Cyber Reincarnation.
In most video games, the player gets to change their digital appearance and create their avatars, which is like reincarnation in cyberspace. This project will collect personal data from users like a heartbeat, body temperature, or motions to create a two-dimensional image of them that will change if the player’s motion is changed. If the player acts aggressively or violently, the image will become more fragmented and twisted; if the player is calm and gentle, the image will be in more tuned colors and softer lines. The idea was to challenge the current identity constructions based on common notions of genders or other problematic definitions and provide a new angle of viewing identities in cyberspace.