1. Old stuff swap machine
Product sketch
Theses Stance
This installation is designed to challenge the theses of “Public spaces are anti-social spaces”
Installation description:
In urban environments, people are busy all the time and move around without much interaction with any strangers. People are keeping buying a lot of things every day, but they may find there are more and more things they will not need any more. This installation provides a chance for everyone to share their old stuff as a gift together with memorable stories to strangers. It is also a chance to encourage interaction between strangers to pass love and care.
Installation set-up
Set up a swap machine which is similar to a vending machine on the ground along the wall.
Sign instructions on the machine.
Staff seat behind the wall to monitor all the put in old stuff to make sure they are all safe and clean.
Installation site
Concrete scenario of use
Participant A walks approaches the swap machine because he thought it was a vending machine. When he finds there is something different and interesting sign on the machine, he gets the idea that this is to swap old stuff. He puts in an old book that he won’t read any more, two seconds later a cute Teddy Bear drops down with a note saying : “wish you like it : )”. He feels very lucky and happy to get this unexpected gift.
Installation instructions
Prepare some little old stuff that you will not need any more but you feel it is a pity to just throw it away.
Put it in the swap machine.
Few seconds later there would be a random old stuff from other people drop down from the machine.
People can also put a note with their old stuff saying something about the memorable stories about this old stuff, or just say something to the strangers who would get it.
There would be some staff seat behind the machine to monitor the whole approaches and make sure everything put in to be clean and safe.
Target audience:
People who have some old stuff and don’t want to just throw them away.
2. Augmented reality characters
Product sketch
Theses Stance
This installation is designed to challenge the theses of “Public spaces are anti-social spaces” and “Our modern built environment drains joy from our lives”.
Installation Description:
In urban environments, people are busy all the time at public spaces without many joys. Especially for the little kids, they feel lonely and afraid at public spaces where there are a lot of people around. This augmented reality installation provides an interesting corner for little kids to have fun with the augmented reality characters and play together with other kids.
Installation set-up
Set up a set of augmented reality equipment with audio system.
Separate a rounded corner for this installation.
Sign instructions beside the big screen.
Installation site
Concrete scenario of use
A young couple are shopping with their little daughter aged 4 at the shopping centre. It is a strange place for this little girl, and there are too many strangers walking around her. She feels uncomfortable and starts to cry. But when they find the AR cartoon characters dancing with many other little kids, the girl stops crying and feels very curious about the cute cartoon character dancing lovely music. She joins the other little kids to dance with the music and feels very happy. She even gets a good friend from the other little kids. The young couple also feel a great relief.
Installation instructions
A dashboard is placed beside the screen to enable people to control the characters.
The dashboard would include different buttons for selecting the songs, different dance and different cartoon characters.
Target audience:
little kids
3. Interactive floor panels
Product sketch
Theses Stance
This installation is designed to challenge the theses of “Public spaces are anti-social spaces”and “Our modern built environment drains joy from our lives”.
Installation Description:
In urban environments, people are busy all the time without many joys at public spaces, and move around without much interaction with any strangers. This installation provides a chance for people to interact and play with strangers together while waiting or relaxing at public places.
Installation set-up
Set up some blocks of interactive floor panels with different color of little bulb along with the sofas at shopping centre or long chairs at the station.
Sign instructions on the ground.
Set up small audio system.
Installation site
Concrete scenario of use
Participant A is waiting for his friend at shopping centre. He is seating on the sofa at public waiting area of the shopping centre. He finds there are something different happens on the floor: People who are seating on the long sofa can play snake games on the floor together. He finds it is so interesting and begins to play the game with another stranger seating on the other side.
Installation instructions
Interactive floor panels are placed on the ground to enable people to play the snake game on the floor by stepping on the different panels.
The floor panels are changed to different colors with small sounds to give response to people’s stepping.
Target audience:
general people
