Problem:

How can we create an interactive experience that allows users to reflect on their emotions through a blend of digital and physical interaction?

Process:

• Emotional Mapping: Developed an interaction system where each colored ping-pong ball represented a specific emotion, leveraging color psychology to enhance intuitive engagement.
• User Testing & Engagement: Playtests revealed that children were particularly drawn to the experience, often engaging in unexpected group interactions. Adjustments were made to accommodate both individual and shared play while maintaining the reflective nature of the installation.
• Sensor Calibration Challenges: Worked extensively on infrared (IR) sensor calibration to ensure accurate detection, particularly under varying lighting conditions and with different colored balls. Spent significant time fabricating precise IR housings and aligning screen visuals with the physical ball interaction.
• Iteration Process: Enhanced the sturdiness of the installation, refined sound and visual cues, and reworked the emotion labeling system to be more nuanced and intuitive.

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Solution:

An interactive installation where users explore and document their emotions through physical actions, visualizing their feelings in a dynamic digital environment.

Outcome:

• Exhibition Engagement: Over 200 people interacted with the installation, with users praising its intuitive interaction and self-reflective qualities.
• Technical Achievement: Successfully developed a seamless physical-to-digital experience, solving issues related to sensor detection and real-time visualization alignment.
• User Experience: Provided a unique emotional exploration platform, allowing users to visualize and externalize their feelings through color-based interaction.

This project integrates interaction design, emotion-based storytelling, and sensor technology to create a reflective digital experience.

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