intro. Where i left of

below the city.

Exploring interactions FINAL REPORT

Suzanne de Witte 1518585

intro. Where i left of

Design goal, interaction vision, qualities 4

Research

reflection: the mirror 6 Shadows: The light

9

discussions

,

13 overview of considerations 14 the simpler the better 15

Final concept

the base 18

How it works 19

From interaction qualities to concept 21

Materials 23

lights & colours 24 tests final prototype

results 26

Content

Content

Platform Rotterdam metro

Reflection

Zombiemodus

Of the routine traveller Breaking through the

Something with

Goal

Improving the AMBIANCE in the metro by breaking through the ‘ZOMBIEMO- DUS’ of the routine travellers at the waiting platform of the ROTTERDAM SUBWAY

Interaction vision

Feeling like simba in the lion king

Qualities

curious, positive & aware After cycle two my design goal, interaction vision & qualities where clear.

The main result of the cycle two explorations was the natural trigger by reflection. Use reflection as a subtle but effective trigger to get the travellers attention. But this is only step one of the interaction. Reflection exists in several ways. As a straightforward confrontation, deformation, or a delayed reflection. What will be the consequence of that right reflective trigger? Further exploration & philosophizing will take place about what the interaction really needs to be in order to get people out that zombie modus, and achieve that aware, positive and curious by the routine traveller.

The question also raises what the zombie modus really means to people, is it something negative, do people really appreciate it. And if they are going to break out of it, what will evoke that positive effect?

Cycle 3 continues the search of the essence of the zombie modus and of that one concept that does the trick, in combination with the travellers own reflection.

intro Where I left off

The mirror does the trick

Research

The mirror Method

Testing interaction with Apple’s Photo booth. This includes mirrors with certain deforming effects, the combination of animations and reflection and placing people in different environments

I asked people to sit in front of Photobooth, and interact.

Afterwards we had a discussion about what emotions where evoked.

Results

The group was very enthusiastic about the deforming. Everyone who passed by during the test was distracted and wanted to participate, and take a look in the mirror. People where taken out of their stressed EI modus and laughed for a moment.

The deforming (page 6) was so fascinating that people wanted to keep playing with it. Other effects like the animations where good trig- gers as well. (image 1)

Conclusion

The combination of a reflection of someone with a twist, like a deformation or an animation evokes an interesting interaction.

• The fact that it is a reflection of the person itself pulls the person directly in the interaction, and is almost ‘forced’ to participate.

• The reflection as a trigger is something that has to be caught

Reflections

1

Exploration with Apple Photobooth

1: We are exploring the Photobooth, guys of the other group are doing there own thing.

2. The guys notice the mirror, they are triggered even though they where busy with something else 3: They join!

This shows that deformation of reflections triggers and distractes. A potential trigger.

1 2 3

Reflections

Projection in an other world (image 2)

There was a big difference between the emotions that where evoked with this interaction and with the deforming interaction. People were a lot less triggered; they didn’t directly noticed what was going on. ‘So I am seeing myself? Oh in another world.’ They liked it (positive quality), but lost attention almost directly (not durable) No real curiosity or different state of mind was evoked. ‘okay, fun, what’s going to happen now?

Conclusion

Reflection into another world doesn’t evoke curiosity. The trigger is to clear and obvious. There is nothing left to discover or do for the participant and there is no room left for interpretation.

Looking at the deforming reflections, participants go look for a pattern in the deformation. They can do something with it, play, see how their image changes when they move certain ways. It is a play with their own reflection, in combination with the fact that they themselves can fill in what is happening. This means that the interaction that extists with projection of an image as i wanted to with my cycle 2 concept is too flat. There is just a picture, no room for interpretation or further interaction, and the traveller will stay in its zombie modus.

2

The light

The goal is to discover what kind of emotions play with shadows will evoke, and whether the trigger will be strong enough to drag people out of their zombiemodus.

Method

Simulate a moving shadow on the ground with a flashlight, installed behind the participants. (image 1)

They started out in the dark to get a clear shadow.

• Ask the participants to stand still and pretend they are waiting for the metro in the zombiemodus.

• The lights where suddenly turned on.

• Observe, and than ask about their thoughts about it.

Results

Because of the fact that the test was situated in the dark the light evoked already a lot of reactions. The light was very apparent, and the shadow was very bright. The moving light moved the shadow. This evoked a playful interaction with the respondents. They started to follow it, and than play with it.

A shadow is something natural, something that w normally not notice. Until it started to act different than we are used to. This triggers. And because of the fact that we can play with it, and in this way give are own interpreta- tion to it, attention will be drawn and sometimes even hold for a while.

Shadows

2 1

.The sudden appearing light gives the feeling of being in the

spotlight. ‘That something is about to happen’. This effect also contributes to the impact of the trigger. Maybe even more than the shadow it self. One contestant didn’t like this feeling of being exposed in the subway. After explanation that the affect wasn’t going to be this extreme because it will take place in a light environment, he could feel the fun of it. It suddenly will take him out of his zombie modus.

Conclusion

The shadow as a result of the light is a natural trigger. That as with the reflections because of it’s out of natural use can function as a subtle trigger to get people out of their zombie modus.

• Important is the positive emotion that has to be evoked. A spot light can be annoying or frightening. But a light in a enlightened environment wont be as apparent as in the test.

• The question raises whether a moving light is necessary since a suddenly appearing shadow awakes people already.

Try - outs with a mock up cloud

.To explore dimensions, proportions, positioning, light behaviour, mirrorplacement.

Try - outs with a mock up cloud 2.

Further exploration dimensions, proportions, positioning, light behaviour, mirrorplacement.

& shape of cloud, attachement of triangles.

Discussions, talks & observations

During the whole project, I had a lot of conversations and discussions with others about the ambiance in the metro and the zombie modus.

When I was travelling I found myself observing other travellers and their behaviour. The discussions and observations helped me in my search for the right triggers.

This is what I noticed.

• The zombie traveller doesn’t look around. Something has to catch their eye within their field of sight.

• People aren’t willing to be triggered by something. They sort of like their cocoon. But they still like the idea of something happening that takes them out of it. As long as they can choose whether to go with the thing that happens (for ex. Out of curiosity) or to just stay in their co- coon.

• The trigger must trigger in a way that it is not annoying, like annoying sounds or hindering objects.

Research Internet

• There is this project called delayed reflection. A mirror with a de- layed reflection confronts people with their speed of reaction when they drank.

• Laughing mirrors as well known entertainment. Old but still used.

The results of this research inspired me to work with a reflection that doesn’t move the way you expected it to move. With a reflection that you cannot control.

Discussions Talks &

Observations

Trigger Durable

Personalized

Closed-off Variation

Routine traveller in zombiemodus

Positive Aware Curious

Routine traveller

Confrontation

Personalization

Reflection Shadow

Separate reflection & shadow

not annoying

possibility to ignore/ to perticipate Natural trigger

seduction to participate

subconscious reaction Overview of considerations.

The road of decisions to the final concept based on previous explorations.

.

Reflection Shadow

Positive Aware Curious

Simplicity

Complexity Part of the experience

Observe the experience

Technology Movement

Projections of images Subltety

Natural movement Light & shadow, reflection

The simpler the better

Regarding the previous, breaking through the zombiemodus can be achieved by making use of light, shadow & reflection.

Further exploration made me conclude the following.

The interaction has to be an experience; the traveller must get out of that modus, and get in a different state of mind. He will not get out of the zombie modus, simply being distracted, watching the installation.

Watching, is not experiencing, and doesn’t necessarily mean that the traveller is out of his zombie modus.

Exploration showed that reflection and shadow are effective in trigger- ing people. It also made me aware of the change of attitude. A play (or search for) with shadows or with a reflection makes people really involved, and changes people’s mind-set. The instant understanding of these basics of the installation drags people in. They know how shadows and reflections work, get curious because of the unfamiliar that is happening with the familiar and start to curious play around. The more complex the installation gets, the harder it is to understand, and the more distant travellers are, they watch, impressed, instead of experience.

The installation needs to draw attention to the most diverse people around, routine travellers; everyone has to be able to experience what is happening. Complex art installations keep a lot of us distant, not thea- thening lights, shadows and small movements attract..The more basic the interaction is, the more room there is for interpretation, and the more involved the travellers will be in actual experiencing the different modus.

Mirrors and shadows are like blocks, easy to recognize, interpret and play with for everyone in its own way.

Expectation Natural, simple

Reflection & shadow

Revise Concept

Confrontation expectation

Aware Positive

Mirror

Foto Change of natural

environment

Cloud Natural movement Natural & free shape

Final concept

Complexity

Projection of images Apps

The mirror does the trick Final

Concept

The base

LED lights Frame

Deformation mirror Regular mirror

Neutral triangle

How it works

1. Zombie traveller enters metro platform & waits for the right metro together with other zombies.

2. Left alone, he waits and waits

3. Zombie traveller takes a seat while waiting for the metro.

4. Sensor registers someone, and the lights turn on.

5. Zombie notices its flickering shadow, aware of its own traces 6. & Turns around to see where the light comes from

7. further exploration of what is happening, curiosity

8. Sees his deformed reflection (fun = positive), reflection and the changing lights, aware of traces

9. Further interaction

10. Out of zombie modus! Positive!

1

OV_chip

The base

3 4 5

6 7 8

From Interaction qualities to concept (page 22)

• Awareness: The shadow and reflections make the routine traveller aware of its own traces

• Curiosity: The movement, changing colour, deformed reflec- tion and random placed mirrors evoke curiosity.

• Positive: The lights, the colours, and the natural being of the cloud evoke a positive interaction. It improves the mood. The subtle- ness makes sure that the chance of being annoying for a grumpy traveller is almost zero.

Placement

It would be the most interesting to place two clouds, one in the cor- ner and one alongside the wall of the platform. In this way the two clouds really shape the environment and have the biggest influence on the ambiance without interfering or being too present. .

Movement

• The triangles are attached to a flexible frame in a way that they are free to be moved by the natural airflow in the subway.

The sensor

• The sensor realizes the surprise effect of the clouds. The sensor detects weather someone is in front of the cloud, sitting down or standing. The lights will go on when someone is standing or sitting in front of the cloud.

o When there are constantly people in front of the sensor, its

Bench

A small bench, one to lean against, attracts people to wait before the nstallation. It is not necessary when it comes to detection by the sen- sor for people to actually lean against it. Standing in front is enough for the sensor is enough.

Durability

• Mirrors keep triggering. People keep looking in mirrors every day. People are different every day. In this way the cloud keeps trigger- ing.

• The sudden appearance of the light extends the lifespan of the triggers.

• As well as the different colours

• The surprise effect will become less the longer the cloud exists.

Still, the light and colour will be improving the ambiance.

Furthermore

• The colours of the light can be adjusted in time. For example with certain feast day like queens day (orange).

• The program of the light can be adjusted after a while, to sur- prise the routine traveller again.

Aware Curious Positive Durable

Constant natural

movement caused by airflow in Metro.

Movement

Materials

The lights

LED multi-coloured spots. In different natural pastels.

The triangles

• Iridescent Plexiglas (image 1): This material reflects when looked at in certain angles. When walking past different colours will be visible.

• When the lights are of it still is a triggering whole.

• Reflection Plexiglas

• Lightweight, and 100% reflective

• Non-reflective Natural coloured Plexiglas.

The Frame: Binded together with tubes.

• Thermoplastic tubes. See-through, strong and deformable.

• Gives the triangles freedom to move.

• Slim size

• See-through to give the frame a light and unnoted appearance,

1

Light & colours

Led light spots will be placed in the surface of the triangles. It will be LED mul- ti-coloured spots. The light will vary with different colours that are in line with the colours of the iridescent Plexiglas. This creates a natural-attractive and positive and ambiance. (image 1natural iridescent colours)

1

Final prototype test

To find out

• What emotions the cloud evokes..

• Whether it will have a positive effect on the participants state of mind.

• What would be essential when looking at the behaviour of the cloud?

• How & when should the cloud be moving to evoke the best interaction possible?

& Feedback regarding size, position, division mirrors and light, and fur- ther improvements.

Method

Testing the prototype made out of cardboard mirrors , reflection foil &

LED lights.(image 0)

• Ask the participants to pretend they are in a zombie modus & experience the cloud:

• Stand in front of the cloud, with the lights shut off.

Suddenly the lights are turned on.

• The participant could move the object themselves and in a mean while experience the installation. With this they could experience the movement, and find out what the effect of this was.

0

• Positive about breaking through the zombie mode.

o Liked the way of triggering. The triggers aren’t over whelming; the natural way of triggering evokes a positive

reaction.

o The reflection and shadows evoke a curious and playful emotion. ‘what is happening’

• The mirrors make curious and trigger. The random

placement of the moving mirrors invite to look around. (image 1&2)

• The tallest participant couldn’t see herself in the mirror. The height of the mirrors is important to take into account. Small as well as tall people must be able to see them selves in the mirrors.(image 7)

• The cloud must hug a person more or less. In a way that it feels surrounded by light and reflection, for the optimal experience.

• The cloud must move in an unexpected non-continuous way.

When there is almost no pattern to be discovered, the traveller keeps being triggered. A sudden movement after a quiet while will have its effect. This movements don’t have to be large, a small movement will trigger enough.

• The cloud needs to be even bigger to make it into a real expe- rience. In this way the traveller will experience the cloud in a whole. Let

Results 1

2

3 4

5

6

Something that provides a change of environment is always fun.

Mirrors and light do trigger.

Extreme movement is not necessary. People don’t take the time to understand this large movement, when they are waiting for the metro.

The light and reflection is enough to evoke an interaction that gets them out of the zombie modus. The participants preferred subtle movement, as a subtle trigger. The colours of the lights where too violent, the participants thought they evoked restlessness.

Random position of mirrors works, eventhough height is important.

The natural triggers mirror and light do the job. To create a positive interaction, the installation have to be subtle, to not be annoying.

Conclusion

7 8

Final word

8

The ambiance in the metro is a hard to grasp but very well known phenomenon and it can only be improved. With this project i focussed on one of the causes of the problem, the zombies. I tried to understand why they act the way they do and work with the fact that they often really like the zombie modus. I tried to establishing just the right interactions to really improve the state of mind of the

travellers in a curious, awake and positive way.

Its subtleness in triggering makes the installation a part of the environment. A part of the environment with which the traveller itself can decide whether to further interact with it after unconsciously being dragged into it. The traveller can become a part of the instal- lation, which makes the interaction a full experience. The full experi- ence is the only way to really get the traveller out of the zombiemo- dus. With the traveller being only an observer of the installation, the interaction will be to shallow and he will stay in its zombiemodus.

With the natural triggers,the threshold is low. The cloud is open and easy to understand in a sense that a traveller can understand what is happening, play with it and experience his own interpretation.

Awareness

Factors as light, shadow, reflection and colour are familiar to everyone, unconsciously they are decisive for the ambiance of our environments. The cloud makes people aware of their own traces and the environment. The familiarity of these factors takes care of a natural trigger and almost automatic interaction that makes us aware again of the fact that we are there. This installation is also about the meaning and influence of light and colour for the state of mind of someone. A small change of light, colour, reflection, of environment so to say and the interaction with makes people look around again.The effects of different brightness, colours, mirrors, and movements, are there to be endlessly explored.

The cloud establishes a curious aware and positive interaction that makes the routine travellers really stepping out of the zombiemodus. I think that with that my goal is reached.

below Rotterdam.