MA UX Blogs - Present

UX of Present Week 2

be careful what you wish for

UX Studio Practices

Speculative Design

Team, research methods & Duration

Diya, Priyanka, Sakshi, Shivangi, Sian, Stav

Data Physicalization & Speed Dating

18th Oct - 24th Oct

THE brief

Design an implement for modifying the present.

We began with focusing on the type of data we could physicalize and the design opportunities it offered. After discussion, we finalized alternate realities as our design direction. To explore this concept, we turned to pop culture and movie analysis, particularly examining Dark Matter (2022) and Loki (2021-). We learnt that our decisions create these alternate versions.

Each choice we make can split reality into different outcomes.

Our design opportunity lied in exploring this phenomena. We aimed to gather data revolving around the choices people make.

Each choice we make can split reality into different outcomes.

Our design opportunity lied in exploring this phenomena. We aimed to gather data revolving around the choices people make.

Each choice we make can split reality into different outcomes.

Our design opportunity lied in exploring this phenomena. We aimed to gather data revolving around the choices people make.

Branching TImelines (Loki, 2021-)

Data physicalisation

We created a prompt-based decision-making system where each choice leads to a specific outcome with different consequences. This system shows how a single altered decision can significantly change a person's reality. One constraint with this model was its simplicity, with its limited options, made it difficult to explore the deeper aspects of decision-making.

Data Physicalisation - in action

Research Findings

speed dating

Looking at previous findings we were inspired to create something that reinforces gratitude in people for ‘what they have’ by giving them an opportunity to explore ‘what could have been’.

For the final experience, we imagined —

A movie along with a tangible & interactive physical element to create an experience that's embodied rather than passive.

However, before building this experience, we had several questions regarding the main equipment, situation, potential consequences, and specific terms that might make people more open to changing their perception of reality. We started with 6 unique ideas, narrowed them down to 3 via internal speed-dating, and then speed-dated with 5 strangers to find out what aspects stood out the most in terms of relatability, interaction, & feasibility.

Looking at previous findings we were inspired to create something that reinforces gratitude in people for ‘what they have’ by giving them an opportunity to explore ‘what could have been’.

For the final experience, we imagined —

A movie along with a tangible & interactive physical element to create an experience that's embodied rather than passive.

Looking at previous findings we were inspired to create something that reinforces gratitude in people for ‘what they have’ by giving them an opportunity to explore ‘what could have been’.

For the final experience, we imagined —

A movie along with a tangible & interactive physical element to create an experience that's embodied rather than passive.

Different Components Of Experience

6 Final Ideas

Final 3 Ideas for Speed-dating

Visualising the Ideas

Speed Dating

Research Findings

After this research, we realised that people like some sense of control. Many participants found the interaction of color-swapping and combination-creation, as seen in a Rubik's Cube, to be highly engaging.

Cubic Reality Machine

Inspired by the Rubik’s Cube, we created a simplified tool to alter the present, giving control back to the user. Its colors were replaced with nine aspects of life that people considered to be important, based on responses from our initial data-gathering activity.