How do you feel when you are interrupted by the popping-out message ?

This project started off with this simple question. The world has never been this connected—every click, swipe, and notification pulls us closer to an endless stream of digits. But beneath this hyper-connectivity lies a growing tension, a quiet unease felt by over 70% of Generation Z people: the information anxiety.

Dig insights with empathy map

A semi-structured interview was conducted with three participants. The interview focused on the user experience when receiving messages while working or studying. Following the interview, empathy maps were utilized to provide the initial research basis. The collected data indicated that multiple participants exhibited similar behavior and responses, highlighting the existence of the problem and identifying the user's needs.

The big idea: Light as a new representation, providing peripheral interaction

To improve the level of focused interaction, I opted to incorporate a lighting system as a means of representing the filter function of messages, which is the core concept behind Concentrator. By using lighting as a representation, Concentrator is able to create a sense of "zone" around the user, suggesting that the filter mode will only be activated within that designated area.

Furthermore, since message priority can be subjective and dependent on various contexts such as work or home environments, I developed an application that allows users to customize their filter mode, which is composed of "Pass" or "Block" items. Only messages categorized as "Pass" will be allowed through when the Concentrator is activated.

The big idea: Light as a new representation, providing peripheral interaction

During user testing, I employed the Wizard of Oz approach and had four undergraduate students who have experienced FOMO at National Taiwan Tech Design Studio use Concentrator to add important messages to the application and complete a brain-consuming task for 30 minutes. The experiment was observed and analyzed thematically by the designer.

Overall, the participants provided positive feedback on the filter functions and appreciated their ability to categorize and block messages. However, one of the prominent themes that emerged was that focused level was still not enough for users. Many participants expressed confusion, stating "I don't know why it is light. It is not really intuitive for me to connect filters and light." Therefore, the primary focus for design improvement is to refine the lighting effect to strengthen the focused level of interaction more .

The pivot of this project emerged.

Based on the evaluation, I utilized light animation to play a “radial light flow” to imply that the peripheral zone of the Concentrator has the function of filtering messages. The light mechanism is designed to implement the light animation. In the mechanism, a laser pointer is utilized to project the light animation on the circular mirror, and then the reflection of its projection will be demonstrated on the table. The specific and usage are demonstrated in the scenario below.

I programmed the light animation with Process(IDE). As it shown in the picture, with the laser projector, the computational animation can demonstrate its the slowly-moving visual effect on the table, which tends to provide soothing experience with peripheral interaction and metaphor.

Not only appealing interaction, but also aesthetic form giving.

To make metaphor between lighting and filtering message coherent, I utilize light animation to play a radial light flow to imply that the peripheral zone of the Concentrator has the function of filtering messages

Customize a safe zone to filter unnecessary information

Concentrator connects to devices such as phones and laptop computers via a microcomputer. Concentrator will recognize new information and block it from reaching the devices. In other words, the user will not be bothered by unneeded information such as social media.

Only the specific messages could pass Concentrator

To keep the necessary message still available, user can use the application to add emergency contacts. The app will synchronize the pass and block lists with Concentrator. Thus, even user’s phone is under the protection, we can still ensure the imperative message will be received.

High-fidelity prototype for the nuances of light reflection

For the final demonstrator of lighting, I opted to craft a transparent SLA model with gradient painting that elegantly displays its nuances. The interplay of light is delicately modulated by the gradient painting, resulting in a truly captivating visual experience.

Sleek Mechanism Design

A laser projector was employed, with reflection provided by the mirror in the middle. The laser projector's focus length does not need to be adjusted, allowing Concentrator to create a radial and larger projection in a small space.