DIGM 501-900 Final Project
Name:
Dorsa Charkhian
Project Title:
DOCH: Smart Jewelry Stands
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Project Goal:
The goal of this project is to design smart stands that sell recycled jewelry crafted by talented designers. These stands aim to merge ancient Middle Eastern jewelry design with modern technology and sustainability, providing an educational and emotionally engaging experience for users. By incorporating eco-friendly materials and interactive technology, the project seeks to highlight the cultural heritage of Middle Eastern art while promoting environmentally conscious practices. The ultimate objective is to create a unique platform that educates users about traditional art forms, encourages
sustainable consumption, and offers a personalized, emotionally resonant shopping experience.
Rough Idea:
This project involves designing smart stands that sell recycled jewelry created by talented designers. Users interact with touch screens to select and customize jewelry based on their current emotions, making each piece unique and personally meaningful. The stands, inspired by Middle Eastern jewelry designs, are adorned in green and orange colors to evoke nature and tranquility. These jewelry pieces, which can be of any color, feature both handmade and machine-made designs, offering a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques. The stands will be strategically placed in public spaces such as shopping malls, jewelry streets, and inside watch stores to maximize visibility and accessibility. By integrating cultural heritage with contemporary technology, the project aims to create an engaging and educational shopping experience.
How It Will Be Done:
The project's execution revolves around creating an immersive and interactive experience that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.
1. Perception and Sensorial Dialog:
The stands will utilize recyclable materials, focusing specifically on the papier-mâché technique. This method involves using recycled paper and newspapers, glued together and shaped into jewelry pieces. The tactile nature of papier-mâché adds a unique texture to the jewelry, enhancing the sensory experience. The green and orange color scheme is designed to evoke feelings of nature and calmness, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere for users. The use of natural colors connects users with the concept of sustainability and environmental consciousness.
2.
Dominating Design Element:
The primary design element is the use of papier-mâché, an eco-friendly and unique technique, combined with a color palette inspired by nature, specifically green and orange. This combination not only highlights the sustainability aspect but also draws inspiration from the lush greenery and vibrant hues of Middle Eastern landscapes. The stands' design is minimalistic yet striking, with smooth curves and a modern aesthetic that contrasts beautifully with the traditional motifs of the jewelry.
3. Typography:
The user interface will employ simple and readable fonts to display information and questions on the touch screens, ensuring clarity and ease of interaction. The typography is carefully chosen to complement the overall design, with clean lines and a modern look that enhances readability. The font size and spacing are optimized for both aesthetic appeal and user accessibility, ensuring that all users can easily navigate the interface.
4. Time-Based Elements - Motion:
Conceptual animations, featuring collage-style visuals with ASMR paper sounds, will illustrate the origins of the jewelry designs from initial sketches. These animations provide historical context and engage sensory input, enriching the user experience. The gentle rustling of paper combined with the visual storytelling creates a multi-sensory journey that transports users to the historical and cultural roots of the designs. This approach not only educates but also creates a memorable and engaging experience.
5. Art in Public Space:
The stands will be designed to fit seamlessly into public spaces like shopping malls, jewelry streets, and watch stores. They are compact and include a system that retracts the touch screens inside the device at 9 PM to prevent damage and wear. The stands' aesthetic appeal and functional design make them an attractive addition to any public space, drawing the attention of passersby and inviting them to interact. Their presence in high-traffic areas ensures maximum visibility and accessibility.
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6. Educational Interactive Experiences - Experiential Continuum:
The interactive touch screens will guide users through four multiple-choice questions to capture their current emotions. This process educates users on how their emotions influence the design of their customized jewelry piece, creating a personalized learning experience that links emotional states to design choices. By engaging users emotionally, the stands create a deeper connection between the user and the product, enhancing the overall experience. The educational aspect is further reinforced by the historical and cultural context provided through animations and visuals.
Detailed Description:
Jewelry Concept:
The designs are inspired by traditional Turkmen jewelry, created using the eco-friendly papier-mâché technique. This method involves using recycled paper and newspapers, glued together and shaped into unique pieces. The designs aim to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Middle Eastern art while promoting sustainability. Each jewelry piece
can be of any color, featuring both handmade and machine-made designs, offering a diverse range of options that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern production techniques. Each piece tells a story of tradition and sustainability, blending the old with the new, and highlights the beauty and intricacy of ancient Middle Eastern art forms while embracing contemporary ecological practices.
Materials and Techniques:
The primary material used is recycled paper, formed into jewelry pieces using the papier-mâché technique. This involves layering and gluing recycled paper and newspapers to create durable and intricate jewelry. Future goals include integrating 3D printing technology to speed up production, turning recycled paper into a pulp and forming pieces with glue and color. This approach allows for precision and consistency in designs while maintaining the project's eco-friendly ethos. The use of sustainable materials underscores the project's commitment to environmental conservation. The process of transforming paper into beautiful jewelry not only highlights the potential of recycled materials but also promotes a circular economy by reusing resources and reducing waste. This innovative approach blends traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, creating a unique and sustainable jewelry line.
Stand Design and Layout:
The stands are designed to fit seamlessly into public spaces such as shopping malls, jewelry streets, and watch stores. They are simple in structure, resembling food stands but equipped with large monitors. The stands are adorned in green and orange colors to evoke feelings of nature and tranquility. The design includes:
Main Monitor: Displays the interface for selecting and customizing jewelry.
Second Monitor: Shows additional information and animations to enhance the user experience.
Shelves and Display Cases: Exhibit pre-made designs from previous collections, allowing customers to choose and receive them immediately.
The stands' design is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, creating a welcoming environment that encourages interaction. The green and orange color scheme promotes a sense of calmness and connection to nature. The compact and retractable design ensures that the stands are protected from damage when not in use, enhancing their longevity. By integrating these features, the stands provide a seamless blend of traditional aesthetics and modern functionality, ensuring they stand out in any public space while remaining practical and durable.
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User Interaction:
Users interact with the stands through touch screens, answering four multiple-choice questions about their current emotions. This process helps tailor the design of their customized jewelry piece to reflect their personal feelings and preferences. The AI system records this data and sends it to the designer, who then creates a unique piece based on the user's emotional input. This personalized approach ensures that each piece of jewelry resonates with the user's current state of mind, creating a meaningful and unique product. By engaging users in this interactive process, the stands provide an immersive experience that connects the emotional aspects of the user with the artistry of the jewelry, resulting in a truly bespoke creation.
Questions:
To capture user emotions, questions might include:
1. How do you feel right now? (a. Happy, b. Calm, c. Energized, d. Reflective)
2. What color do you associate with your current mood? (a. Blue, b. Green, c. Red, d. Yellow)
3. Which element of nature do you feel most connected to? (a. Water, b. Earth, c. Air, d. Fire)
4. What type of design resonates with you today? (a. Intricate, b. Minimalistic, c. Bold, d. Delicate)
These questions aim to engage users emotionally and create a personalized design experience. The responses are used to tailor the jewelry design, ensuring that it reflects the user's emotions and preferences.
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Design Goal:
The stands are designed to create a sensory and emotional connection with the users. The green and orange color scheme, inspired by nature, along with the tactile experience of papier-mâché, enhances the sensory appeal. The goal is to evoke feelings of calmness and connection to nature, enriching the user experience. By integrating sensory elements with interactive technology, the stands provide a holistic and immersive experience that resonates on multiple levels. This approach ensures that users not only appreciate the aesthetic and cultural aspects of the jewelry but also feel a deeper emotional engagement, making the interaction with the stands memorable and impactful.
Wireframe and User Flow:
The wireframe is designed to be user-friendly, guiding users through the process stepby-step. Each step is clearly laid out, ensuring a smooth and intuitive interaction. The design options presented are tailored to the user's responses, creating a personalized and engaging experience. By systematically capturing the user's emotions and preferences, the wireframe ensures that the journey from selection to customization is seamless and satisfying, ultimately leading to a product that truly reflects the user's individual style and emotional state.
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Historical Collage Animation:
To introduce the historical context of the designs, the project includes creating conceptual animations using the collage technique. These animations feature visuals of traditional Turkmen jewelry, accompanied by ASMR paper sounds to enhance the sensory experience. The animations provide historical context and engage the users, enriching their understanding of the cultural heritage behind the designs. This approach not only educates but also entertains, making the learning process enjoyable and memorable. By incorporating both visual and auditory elements, the animations create a multi-sensory experience that immerses users in the rich history and cultural significance of the jewelry.
Display and Ready-Made Collections:
The stands also feature shelves and display cases that exhibit pre-made designs from previous collections. Customers can choose and purchase these ready-made pieces immediately. This feature caters to users who prefer instant gratification, providing a mix of immediacy and customization. The ready-made collections showcase the versatility and beauty of the designs, encouraging users to explore different styles and options. By displaying a variety of designs, the stands highlight the range of artistic expression and craftsmanship, enticing users to engage with the products and appreciate the fusion of traditional and modern aesthetics.
Automated Purchase System:
The stands are equipped with an automated system for purchasing jewelry. Similar to ATM machines, users can complete their transactions seamlessly. This system ensures a smooth and efficient purchasing process, enhancing the overall user experience. The
integration of automated technology with traditional craftsmanship creates a unique and innovative shopping experience. By streamlining the purchasing process, the automated system allows users to quickly and easily acquire their selected pieces, while still appreciating the artistry and cultural significance of the designs.
Design Inspiration and Sustainability:
The jewelry designs are inspired by traditional Turkmen jewelry, reimagined using the papier-mâché technique. This approach not only preserves the cultural essence but also promotes sustainability by using recycled materials. The project aims to demonstrate that valuable accessories don't need to be made from precious metals but can come from various materials, emphasizing the idea and emotion behind the creation. By showcasing the potential of recycled materials, the project encourages sustainable practices and a shift towards more environmentally friendly products. This innovative approach highlights the beauty of traditional art while promoting environmental consciousness and sustainable consumption.
Impact and Goals:
The project aims to:
1. Revive Ancient Art: Integrate ancient art forms with modern technology, educating people worldwide about a beautiful, historic craft. By bringing traditional Turkmen jewelry design to contemporary audiences, the project preserves cultural heritage and fosters a deeper appreciation for ancient art.
2 Promote Sustainability: Use sustainable materials and practices, highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of eco-friendly designs. The project demonstrates that valuable and beautiful accessories can be made from recycled materials, encouraging a shift towards more sustainable consumption and production practices.
3. Enhance User Experience: Create an emotionally engaging and educational experience, connecting users with cultural heritage and nature. By integrating interactive technology and sensory elements, the project provides a holistic and immersive experience that resonates on multiple levels, making the interaction with the stands memorable and impactful.
Learning Outcomes:
Design and Development Skills:
Gain a deeper understanding of how to design and develop smart, interactive products using modern technology and recyclable materials. This includes
mastering the techniques of integrating technology with traditional craftsmanship to create innovative and functional designs.
User Experience Integration:
Enhance skills in integrating UX design principles with product design, focusing on user emotions and interactions. This involves creating interfaces and interactions that are intuitive and emotionally engaging, ensuring a seamless and satisfying user experience.
Educational Design:
Improve abilities in creating educational and engaging user experiences in public spaces, making the connection between emotional input and design output. This includes developing methods to convey cultural and historical information in an engaging and interactive manner, enhancing the educational value of the designs.
Sustainability in Design:
Learn how to incorporate sustainable materials and practices into the design process, promoting environmental consciousness through design choices. This involves understanding the principles of sustainable design and applying them to create products that are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly.
References:
This project has been developed and refined based on a comprehensive understanding of the requirements and utilizing AI tools where necessary for improving clarity and structure. The insights and support from various design and sustainability resources have been invaluable in shaping the direction and execution of this project. The use of AI tools has enhanced the precision and coherence of the content, ensuring that the project aligns with the outlined goals and standards.
Tools and Resources:
In the final stage of this project, I utilized several tools and resources to bring the concept to life. I used Sketch for initial design layouts and Figmajam for collaborative brainstorming and wireframing. For generating visual content and inspiration, I employed DALLE-3. I refined and edited images using Photoshop and the online Adobe suite. Additionally, I sourced patterns, images, and jewelry examples from Iranian resources to ensure cultural authenticity. I worked primarily on a laptop and iPad to create and manage the project. Finally, I documented and organized the project details and written content using Google Docs. This comprehensive approach demonstrates the extensive effort and dedication invested in making this project a reality.
Thank you!
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