ux of pink
Week 3 & 4
Team: Anuska, Izzy, Wuyou, Shanshan, Ellen
Research methods: Artefact Analysis, Creative ToolKits
The Brief: Design an experience based on the characteristics of the color pink
brainstorming:
We started by observing pink items in daily life and understanding their characteristics. We found a strong connection to women’s cosmetics, skincare, and playful, childlike aesthetics. To dig deeper, we created a mind map, exploring how pink relates to various themes like the pink tax, pink aisle, K-pop, the pink triangle, movies, and psychological aspects. This helped us better understand the diverse meanings and associations of pink in different contexts.
ideation
We discovered the term "pink bubble" used exclusively in Asia, which intrigued us to explore further. "Pink bubble" refers to the sweet, intimate aura between couples, where outsiders can sense the affectionate pink-hued emotions between them. This led us to choose pink perfume as our artifact for analysis, exploring its feminine scent, packaging, and connection to the concept of the pink bubble.
artefact analysis
This perfume embodies femininity with its gold cap for a touch of luxury, honeycomb pattern for sweetness, and pink liquid for a cohesive aesthetic. The smooth glass and tactile hexagonal pattern add depth, while the floral scent enhances a romantic, pheromone-like vibe, ideal for love and flirtation. Interestingly, the saleswoman noted it’s popular with men, highlighting how even the scent evokes a romantic “pink bubble” connection between couples.
creative toolkits
We asked people what comes to mind when they hear “pink bubble,” looking beyond the literal meaning. We also explored love languages, having them color hearts to show their preferences. we aim to uncover where the “pink bubble” feeling comes from and seeing how people react to the idea.
Developed idea
We created Pink Bubble toolkits to explore cultural perspectives, uncovering themes of love, growth, and connection. Drawing inspiration from East Asia’s red thread, symbolizing deep bonds like marriage and relationship, we linked these insights to the Pink Bubble concept. This highlights its role in fostering meaningful emotional connections across diverse contexts, culminating in the idea of a platonic “Pink String” that unites relationships through shared experiences and intimacy.
Inspired by an Asian bonding game where two people create symmetrical patterns with a string until one fails, we explored how this activity fosters closeness and conversation. This aligns with our toolkit findings, highlighting quality time and physical closeness as key elements of love languages, deepening connections through shared experiences.
concept iteration
The first game, a four-person red string and ball game, aimed to encourage teamwork and communication but was too minimal and left players confused.
We then tried a second game for 5-6 people, where participants with matching answers formed a web, but it was time-consuming and unclear.
Therefore, the final game we decided to do with strings. And we got some nice feedback.
result:
The final game improved on this by connecting players with strings, helping them better understand their commonalities and potential friendships. We chose pink to represent a softer, more affectionate feeling, linked to friendship.
possible development
We developed the concept of “string to light” to encourage broader participation, using projectors to display connecting lines. Lines between people with matching answers would deepen in color, and shared connections among three or more would form noticeable color blocks. However, due to poor projection quality, unsuitable equipment, and challenges with top-down setup tools, we couldn’t fully realize this part of the project.
reflection
I really enjoyed the process of sharing and discovering how things have different meanings across cultures. It was a great learning experience as we exchanged ideas and perspectives. The research methods provided many opportunities for interaction, even with people we met at a café for data collection. I like Artefact analysis, diving deep into objects from all angles. I also learned a lot from others' projects, like the light show and taste the pink popcorn, which were both so creative and interesting.