Karen McAllister - ATMOSFERA

DATA AS ARTEFACT

This project’s aim is centred around using data to create experiences of value.

The project was broken into distinct parts..

. 1. The collection of personal data on a particular theme

.2. The creation of an artefact to effectively visualise and communicate the data collected

3. How the data can be used to fulfil unmet user needs, enhance existing experiences or create new ones

My theme is SPACE.

There are a number of dictionary definitions as to what SPACE is, search Google and NASA is the top hit, big space, universal! However space can be tiny and it can be relative to the person, “the distance from other people or things that a person needs in order to remain comfortable.”

1. Data Collection

In looking at space, I observed how much space we occupy as humans, our physical space and that of our possesionand how that changes throughout the day and differs from a working day to a weekend day. I photographed and documented the space my body occupied - my clothing, baggage, possessions, etc. I photographed and noted what I had with me and observed how I occupied and interacted with the space around me while working, resting and travelling and psychologically how I felt throughout that time.

This led me to eventually look at the psychology and emotional links we have with the space we occupy and I started to mapping my movement throughout the day, in my flat, transport and in college.

This led me to look at why and how we use our own personal space in accommodations. I observed how I moved through my accommodation and mapped each point, how I interacted with it, looking at habitual behaviours and created a graphic of that movement and my thoughts and feelings associated with it. From this, I developed research tools for others map their movements, associated words and thoughts. When comparing this data, all the people in the research had similar movements in the space we occupy is mainly utilitarian - to cook, clean, toilet, sleep, etc, however, our emotional connections, thoughts and feelings towards those spaces differed dramatically.

2. Data Artefact

Throughout this research phase, I noted the phrases and emotions I was experiencing in my own living space and created the artefact on the left to display this.

The top of the artefact displays the frequency of use. The lower the floor, the more frequent the journey, the higher the blocks, the greater number of uses. As a contrast, below is the internal and emotional dialogue that took place in those areas. Blue for negative and pink for positive, clear for neutral.

By completing this it showed me that there was a disparity between the frequency of use and the feelings that space evoked. Frequency didn’t mean happiness or relaxation, frequency could mean distress.

I was interested in looking into this further and researched articles using the internet and the library on psychology, anxiety and on possible solutions to this to create an equilibrium in the living space and allow the user to fully connect and utilise their living space. To create a healthier living environment.

3. Atmosfera

ATMOSFERA is a tailored, responsive system that helps establish a harmonious connection with the space you inhabit.

ATMOSFERA tracks the physical and emotional connection you have with your living space, responsively creating a visual and aural experience to change and enhance the atmosphere.

ATMOSFERA - adjust the input to affect the output.

Atmosfera: How it Works

INPUT

SENSORS

Sensors throughout the living space track movement which informs a central artwork and screen-savers for computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones.

HANDHELD SET UP

To achieve a rich output, mood and emotional state is entered using a hand held device. Via PC or smartphone, the user sets up a range of symbols to represent different emotional states.

SYSTEM SET UP

To fully personalise the system, images, text and sounds can be added to the system, otherwise the system will output default colours, images and sounds. There is no override for defaults as they are clinically set to create specific atmospheres to heal and inspire.

OUTPUT

DATA DRIVEN ARTWORK

A central artwork/sound experience updates throughout the day to show movement throughout the space. This output can be viewed as screen-savers on computer, laptop, tablet and smartphone.

SENSORS - COLOUR & SOUND

Sensors throughout the living space output colour and sound, altering the living space to counteract or enhance the current mood. This is set to a default and cannot be altered.