Product and Interactive Design
Immortal Blooms
Immerse yourself in Immortal Blooms, an innovative exhibition redefining flower arrangement and freehand painting. Using Leap Motion technology and a projector, this interactive experience lets you draw on objects like vases with hand movements. Discover a new dimension of creativity as your digital designs come to life in real-time.
Project Type
Smart Home Device
Location
Philadelphia
Year
2024
Overview
What is Leap Motion?
The Leap Motion Controller is an optical hand tracking module that captures the movements of your hands with unparalleled accuracy. From XR to touchless kiosks, the Leap Motion Controller makes interaction with digital content natural and effortless.
Research
Indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air, exacerbating these symptoms.
2-5x
Indoor Air Pollution Levels
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that poor indoor air quality can lead to respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues. Indoor air pollution is responsible for approximately 3.8 million premature deaths annually.
3.8M
Health Impact
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), 10-20% of the world's population is allergic to cats and dogs. For pets, dust and other indoor allergens can lead to similar symptoms, affecting their quality of life.
10-20%
Pet Allergies
Inspiration
In traditional art exhibitions, visitors admire completed works of art, each a finished project crafted by an artist. Immortal Blooms challenges this conventional approach by making the audience an integral part of the creative process. Inspired by the idea of continuous evolution and interaction, this exhibition invites each visitor to become the artist, using their hands to draw and create on objects like vases with Leap Motion and projection technology.
In Immortal Blooms, the canvas is ever-changing. As one visitor's artwork can be transformed or completely covered by the next, the exhibition becomes a dynamic and collaborative masterpiece. This unique approach not only allows for endless creativity but also emphasizes the transient nature of art, where each creation is a fleeting moment of personal expression, ready to be reimagined by the next participant.
Early Development
Mind Map
The mind map outlines a comprehensive approach to tackling issues related to pet allergies and indoor air quality. The project is divided into several key areas:
Moodboard
This mood board combines a fresh and cute aesthetic. Soft blues and whites bring a sense of freshness, while pops of vibrant orange add energy.
Sketches
These sketches' purpose is to study different shapes and screen interface designs for the concept of a cute air quality sensor integrated into a plant pot.
Prototypes
The prototypes are used to decide whether Purrify should be tall, round, chubby, etc. and the decision was to go with the chubbier direction because it looks more friendly and cute.
On Adobe Illustrator, I did a quick mockup design the faces for the screen.
Design Process
Sketches
I started by sketching different vase shapes, imagining how patterns would change on each surface. This helped me visualize the interaction between design and form, laying the groundwork for an immersive artistic experience.
Equipments
The floor plan illustrates the arrangement of all equipment used in the exhibition, including the laptop, projector, Leap Motion sensor, and display area for the vases.
Vases
Laptop
Projector
Leap Motion
Ways of Interaction
1. Project onto plain vases to create patterns
3. Project above empty vases to simulate flowers
2. Project onto flowers and plants to change the original color
Testings and Experiments
In order for the exhibition process to be smooth, I experimented with the different effects and possibilities, and did multiple testing for both Leap Motion and the Processing sketch.
Leap Motion Testings
Processing Testings
Import Leap Motion and Sound Library
Float the Hand Position "X/Y/Z"
Callback Leap Motion
Final Design
Starting with different types of vases, although sometimes the pattern is hard to control, the different effects cast are very intriguing to look at. When the pattern is projected onto flowers, it suddenly gives life to the almost dead-looking flowers in the extremely dark atmosphere.
Later, I tried to project onto live objects such as my dog and myself. It had a different effect than when projecting onto still objects - the texture of the pattern would change continuously according to the motions of the live object. When projecting onto glass, it creates a glare effect. Furthermore, when water is added to the glass, the water will reverse the pattern cast.
How to Use Purrify
1. Default State:
Purrify will display a happy face when the air quality is within the normal range.
2. Alert State:
When the air quality has gone bad, Purrify will display a sad face to remind the user to turn on the air purifier or open the windows.
2. Happy State:
When the air quality is back to normal range, Purrify will redisplay a happy face to let the user know that it’s time to turn off the air purifier and close the windows if he/she wishes.
4. Plant Pot:
Finally, you can add your favorite plant on top of Purrify to act as his hair and to further freshen the air quality at home.
App
For the app’s interface, my goal was to create a design that is not only visually appealing but also intuitive and user-friendly. I aimed for a cute and colorful aesthetic, ensuring that the interface is friendly and inviting. The result is an app that balances functionality with an engaging user experience, making it both easy to navigate and delightful to use.
Users can easily visualize data and get a quick and clear sense of the current air quality.
Users can also check the weekly/monthly trend of their indoor air quality.
Other than the general AQI, the users can also check some more detailed data.
Users can compare indoor and outdoor AQI, helping them decide whether it is better to open the windows or not.
Users can check the brief air quality forecast and plan accordingly.
