ux of warmth

Week 4 & 5

Team: Grania, Wanrui, Dylan, Sian, Ellen

Reasearch methods: Bodystorming, Behavioral Mapping

The Brief: Design an emotional experience using heat

brainstorming:

We explored locations that provide physical warmth and their impact on emotions. By analyzing these experiences, we aimed to identify the key elements that create such emotional connections, uncovering what makes these moments.

Multi concepts

We explored places like Borough Market, Guys Hospital, and Waterloo for inspiration. At the hospital, we thought about the emotional pain of a fading body temperature when someone passes. We also considered dark, unsettling streets that evoke fear, and bars or pubs where alcohol and interactions create warmth and emotional connections.

ideation

After receiving feedback from the tutorial, we struggled to find a way to express our concept. Eventually, we realized that body heat surrounded us, leading us to explore how people share body heat, how it transfers, and how emotions shift through this connection.

body storming

We conducted a bodystorming session with a free hug experiment. The hugger was hidden behind fabric to conceal gender, and a pillow was used to maintain distance.

When asked why they would hug, responses varied—some felt the hugger might need it more, others said "why not," and some wanted to be hugged back.

developed idea

Through bodystorming, we discovered an interesting perspective: some people need hugs, while others feel the hugger needs them. Our “Free Hugs” design features givers as suns spreading positivity, and receivers as clouds in need of support. Participants also leave messages to share warmth with more people.

result:

Message left by people who wanted to share hugs

reflection

This project was particularly challenging for me, with differing ideas and no clear consensus among the group. We spent a lot of time exploring places like Borough Market, Guy's Hospital, and Hyde Park for inspiration, which led to confusion and uncertainty about our direction. Once we settled on a theme, we quickly came together and finished the project, but we faced some tension with school staff, which affected the group's mood. Overall, I learned the importance of communication, quick thinking, and creativity, and gained a deeper understanding of my teammates.