Mirror Mirror of Your Own
Social Media Anxiety / Interactive Design / Motion Tracking Device
Skills
Interaction Design
Unity
C# Programming
Motion Tracking
3D Modeling
My role
Technical Lead
UX Designer
Duration
Sep.2022~June 2023
Members
Myself
Yang, Jo-Chuan
Lai, Ruei-Ci
Chan, Chi-Sam
Project Overview
This is an interactive installation combining one-way glass and motion tracking, designed to create two distinct worlds: virtual and real. Users manipulate an avatar in the virtual world, immersing themselves in its joyful atmosphere. By abruptly ending the experience, the installation highlights the contrast between the happiness found in the virtual world and the emptiness often felt in reality.
In a team of four, I was responsible for integrating Unity with the Xbox Kinect motion tracking sensor and developing an interactive design project using C#. Additionally, I designed the experience flow to enhance participants' immersion in the mirror world.
What's between Internet and Reality?
Dive into the world in the mirror.
Peak into the solution
Project Background
With the widespread use of social media, people's daily lives have become increasingly intertwined with the online world. However, this connection is not entirely positive, as social media anxiety has emerged as a growing concern for mental health. Research indicates that prolonged social media usage can lead to heightened anxiety, insecurity, and feelings of loneliness (Huang, 2020). The roots of these negative effects can be traced to Comparison and erosion of self-worth, Pressure to stay connected, and Disparity between reality and virtuality.
To highlight the dangers and emptiness of overindulging in social media, we created an interactive device from a speculative design perspective. Our goal was to help the audience experience the stark contrast of being forcibly pulled back into reality from a virtual world.
Let's enjoy in the world of mirror
Scene Modeling
Using Blender for modeling, we created four representative virtual scenes: Experience Room, Amusement Park, Bar, and Paradise.
Interactive Interface
Users can freely switch their avatar's appearance and gender, browse post introductions for each world, and seamlessly enter and exit different virtual worlds.
Let's enjoy in the world of mirror
Interaction Flow
Before the experience begins, participants are asked to gaze into a mirror and observe their reflection. They could then freely explore various worlds, akin to immersively browsing through posts on social media, experiencing the joyful atmosphere. After exploring three scenes—a theme park, a bar, and paradise—a countdown timer suddenly begins, culminating in the forced closure of the virtual world. This abrupt end pulls participants back into reality, where they are prompted to once again gaze into the mirror and reflect on their experience.
Industrial Design Element
We customized a one-way mirror, allowing users to see their reflections before and after the experience, reinforcing their connection to reality.
Additionally, we built a 110x60 overlay wooden frame to support the one-way mirror.
By integrating Xbox Kinect with Unity and utilizing its motion tracking sensor, we enabled users to control their virtual avatars, enhancing the sense of immersion in the virtual world.
Testing and feedbacks
Bringing the designs to life & hearing from the users!
Our graduation exhibition attracted over 1,200 attendees, including professors and renowned industry professionals. By combining the concept of social media anxiety with the contrast between virtual and real worlds, many participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience and resonated with the ideas we aimed to convey. The project received numerous positive reviews from the audience.
