Interaction - Bachelors

[Dis]connected—

[Dis]connected— is an interactive art installation that fosters meaningful connection between users, and their humanity.

Inspired by the disconnection often felt by social media users as a consequence of carefully curated and inauthentic digital personas, [Dis]connected— represents a physical manifestation of an Instagram profile.

Combining custom audio-reactivity equipment with projection mapping software, [Dis]connected— provides users with an atmospheric, deeply personal, and introspective experience.

Vivi-Anna Leman

Social [Dis]Connection

Social media has quickly become the nexus for online connection, allowing millions to interact with loved ones, acquaintances, and strangers near, and far through the creation and meticulous curation of digital personas. However, as the digital landscape continues to unfold, anecdotal and empirical evidence highlight detrimental effects associated with excess online connectivity, increased perceptibility, and inauthentic interactions. Negative behaviours and thought-patterns such as self-comparison and a fear of missing out (FOMO) are commonly linked to decreased psychological well-being, with many left feeling dissatisfied with their lives. As such, social media serves to unintentionally disconnect us from ourselves, others, and the world around us.

Two hands grazing each other gently and intimately amongst a lush green background.

Connection Through Unity

So, what does it mean to connect? In conceptualising the final design, personal interpretations of connection were reframed to extend beyond superficial and typical understandings of the concept (i.e., mere passions and interests) to instead focus on an interpretation that more accurately captures the essence of the human experience. Drawing upon preliminary research conducted, connection through unity was highlighted as a primary method to facilitate meaningful connection through digitally mediated systems. In other words, this means helping people recognise their own humanness, and that of others. As such, [Dis]connected— audio-reactivity equipment to amplify the sound of the human heartbeat, bridging the gap between the self and the other by uniting users on the one commonality we share: being human.

Amplifying heartbeat sounds

STETHOSCOPE MICROPHONE — FAQs

AUDIO–REACTIVE VISUALS

TouchDesigner was used to create audio-reactive visuals and perform projection mapping. Incorporating in-built Audio Analysis software with a range of Channel Operators (CHOPs) and Texture Operators (TOPs), live heartbeat signal input was converted from a sound frequency, and into a switch that would alter the video output when a specific trigger threshold was met. Many of these operators contain custom Python expressions within specific parameter settings to achieve optimal audio-reactivity and desired output.
Image of girl with long black hair facing towards a wall, adjusting the position of a tile that is being placed on said wall. An image is being projected onto said tile, with ruler guides for projection mapping on display.

Projection Mapping

Projection Mapping was executed using TouchDesigner’s in-built mapping component, KantanMapper. To do so, 9 square shapes were mapped out on the KantanMapper canvas. From here, audio-reactive visuals were dragged and dropped into each shape as a texture component and applied as an instance.

Design Process – Full Video

Vivi-Anna Leman

Vivi-Anna Leman is a third year Interaction Design student at QUT. She is passionate about creating a more accessible and user-friendly future through intuitive design solutions, as well as creating thought-provoking, and digitally artistic interactive works.