ux of present
Week 6 & 7
Team: Chaitanya, Rachel, Sarthak, Bukola, Wanrui, Ellen
Research methods: Data Physicalization,Speed Dating
The Brief: Design an implement for modifying the present
brainstorming:
We started by sharing thoughts and feelings about "present" on FigJam, sparking discussions on how we perceive the present, the anxiety and fear of the future as emotions that heighten our awareness of the now, and how we evaluate the value of our present. This led to extensive and meaningful conversations.
quick exercise
Our team conducted a quick exercise, observing people in the canteen and noting three present values we wanted at that moment.
Comparing these observations was insightful, raising questions about whether people are aware of their present values in real-time.
data collection
The next day, we visited a canteen to gather thoughts on the "value of my present" and its connection to body, spirit, and objects. People reflected on what makes them feel valuable, even briefly, and how others’ values might inspire self-awareness. It sparked a unique exploration of personal and shared worth.
data physicalization
We transformed the collected data into physical forms using colors and materials. Silver and spiky textures represented monetary value, emotional value was expressed with soft, vibrant wigs, and daily use was symbolized by paper—essential and ever-present, much like the role it plays in daily life.
It’s fascinating to see how different cultures and individuals assign unique meanings to various body parts. Even when the same body part is considered, its significance varies greatly depending on the person or cultural context, reflecting diverse values and perspectives about the human body.
trading
Through group discussions, we realized that some present values go unnoticed by ourselves, while others are highly desired by others. To explore this, we used a trading approach, negotiating and exchanging our values for others’ desired present values, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration in the process.
So, we tested the concept with our classmates and found participants discovered unexpected insights and reflected on their values. However, a key issue arose: the trading objects felt superficial. Without a tangible sense of gain or loss, the process leaned more toward entertainment than meaningful exchange.
bidding on the present
We refined the trading concept, introducing a bidding system to encourage closer observation. Audiences were grouped as different companies, bidding for the subject's data on stage—such as hair care data for sleek black hair or fitness data for a slender figure—exploring targeted interest in personal attributes.
BUT, some participant felt that people on stage were being treated like auction items, while others experienced low engagement due to company attributes assigned to them, reducing their sense of involvement.
So then, we conducted a speed dating session in the canteen to test two ideas. The first used ribbons to represent body parts, capturing movements with a camera, then generating aesthetic images with AI. The second visualized movement proportions through charts, calculating a unique "present value" based on the actions.
speed dating
result:
Based on feedback from the speed dating session, we selected the ribbon dance concept. It encourages users to enjoy the freedom of movement, creating an immersive experience. During the one-minute session, users can move freely, focusing on the music, their motions, and the flowing ribbons.
Meanwhile, the "present value" is subtly incorporated, adding a unique layer to the activity's aesthetic and emotional appeal.
reflection
The final project felt like the most challenging and abstract one, focusing on how modern people often struggle to feel the present, instead feeling anxious about the future or stuck in the past, and figure how to modify it, I think this is a valuable topic. We spent a lot of time figuring out our theme, and I really enjoyed how we tested every idea through quick exercises, embodying the “just do something” mindset tutors often emphasize. I love this spirit and approach are something I aim to learn from.