London Design Silver

2024

Inter-face

Entrant

Yining Gao

Category

Conceptual Design - Wearable

Client's Name

Country / Region

United States

Inter-face is a wearable facial device designed to enhance intimacy through physical interactions, responding to the challenges of a future where physical socialization has declined. In a world where population growth is stagnating, and remote work has become the norm, people are more accustomed to virtual interactions than face-to-face conversations. Inter-face aims to bridge this gap by reintroducing physical socialization rules and principles, helping users engage in meaningful in-person interactions and even guiding them toward finding life partners.

The device consists of two main phases: the Physical Phase and the Meta Phase. In the Physical Phase, users wear a mask featuring a customizable Mask Base, Extending Arms, and Panels. The Mask Base fits snugly to the user's face, equipped with sensors to detect emotional changes. The Extending Arms create a safe personal space, adjusting based on the user’s comfort levels. Panels visually communicate social openness or closure, enhancing privacy or facilitating connections with others.

The Meta Phase integrates the virtual realm, where data and algorithms support seamless interactions. The Intimacy Scale, a personalized social boundary index, helps users navigate varying levels of physical proximity with different people. The mask also features Auto Recognition, identifying and providing cues about the person the user is interacting with, and the Social Helper, offering real-time guidance for face-to-face interactions. Inter-face transforms how we manage relationships, from dating and marriage to parenting and polyamory, ensuring meaningful, stress-free interactions in both physical and virtual worlds.

Credits

Yining Gao
Thesis Advisor
Elise Co
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