Smart Devices and Interactive Rituals

First experiments with face warp based on the parameters in the post below. I created four personas that resemble extreme communication behavior in the digital world. Selfie Queen Spammer Neglects Social Media Quick and Short

My final product is set. The mirror will represent my theoretical work of my thesis. The concrete product is a 22 inch screen mounted behind a translucent mirror. The interactive mirror will reflect your physical identity. At the same time, it will show your face of the digital world. Your face will be morphed based on your online communication behavior.

Simon Lynen, PhD Student at the ETH is collaborating with the Project Tango from Google. Together they are developing a system that can perceive three dimensional space. After his talk, I was able to try out some prototypes and it was quite impressive.

A behaviouralguideline that applies for both the user and the digital world is required.  An orchestrated moment is able to synchronize human factors with technical rules and codes. Cameron’s theory appeals to the characteristics of a ritual in which the terms orchestration and ceremony are rooted.

The Thesis will be located in the bottom right corner. The design agenda called Slow Technology is located there too and describes itself as the technology for reflection. This is exactly where the ritual will be the most effective.

Many smart devices are situated in the first category. We tried to quickly prototype smart devices that would fit into the second category. The outcome show products and approaches that create a moment of reflection for the user.

BFFF (Best Friends Forever Frame) Instead of a photograph this device is a picture frame that contains a screen. The screen shows a close friend and fades him slowly away. After four weeks you can hardly recognize to whom this portrait belongs to. The BFFF makes you conscious about your social behavior and reminds you to stay in touch with your friends. Give him a call and the portrait on the BFFF will reappear.

Weather Ruler The device is connected to a weather data base. The ruler provides a weather forecast by changing its shape. A wavy shape resembles a rainy day. An edgy shape stands for a lightning ...

The Smell Machine The device tracks the use of your language in the internet. Depending on your choice of words, the smell machine spreads out a lovely scent or a smelly cloud.

The device contains a wooden plate and a lamp that is connected to the plate. As soon as you come home you put your keys and your phone on the wooden plate and you smart phone shuts down. The lamp keeps shining on the wooden plate until you put your belongings into it. The device helps to create a private moment for yourself by cutting off from the constant stream of information and updates.

Voice Box Records voices that are made in-between the entrance door. Before you go out, usually you will say "good bye" or "have a nice day" to your flat mates or your family. The box will record your voice and play it as soon as you come home again. At the end of the day the device lets you reflect on how the day started. This device might be not be appreciated if you get reminded of a fight you had in the morning.  

The displayed data resembles a feedback of the behavior of the user. The feedback will be displayed in an implicit manner. It is up to the user to interpret his behaviour.

Task: Rather than creating new rules, which the user has to adopt to, this method tries to use rules that are already given to the user. 

Place the reminder in a spot that is frequented by the user every day.

Two scenarios will apply my theory into tangible products. This workshop will help me to render a concrete picture of how smart objects can be applied into daily rituals.

I want to use technology as a mirror of yourself. The outcome should provide the user with a room for interpretation.