In my research, I tried to finally narrow down my focus even deeper.
I started researching and jumping between different topics to find a connection to my previous work and a deeper enquiry: how the curation of digital identity reflects to a physical space -> different aspects of digital identity and of course touching social media -> labelling and social media, how we are adjusting our behaviour to fit the label/trend that has been given to us or that we’ve given to use -> And also the behavioural changes -> dopamine loops and reward system loop
Enquiry Update: EXPLORING HOW THE CURATION OF DIGITAL PERSONAS WITH A GOAL (that we sometimes don’t realise) TO ACTIVATE THE REWARD-DRIVEN LOOP REFLECT BACK TO OUR PHYSICAL REALITY
Graphic Design Lenses: Using programming, face recognition and in real-time “activity” to address the topic and to bring reflection / discussion
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Iteration and process:
REFERENCE
Reference I was working with moving further is a project by the studio The Rodina. As a part of the exhibition, the studio created A non-violent exploratory video game addressing the creative labour and extending the visual identity of an exhibition. Players collect labour tokens while their time is mercilessly running out. Landscapes, sounds, and score mechanics reveal the dynamics of a creative worker’s life intertwined with the post-fordist labour performed under the constant pressure of social media and inhumane neoliberal competitiveness. It renders the virtual environment as both liberating and limiting space in which the player can reflect and reimagine the world of work.
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ITERATION AND PROJECT IDEA
In order to create my own interactive space, that is playable, I started experimenting and learning with Java programming, studying different resources, and online tutorials and using the help of AI, I created a playable simple game.
Using my skills, online resources, my previous work and references, I programmed an in-real-time interactive space working on a face-recognition system that addresses how the curation of digital personas with a goal to activate the reward-driven loop reflect back to our physical reality.
Players curate their persona in the digital space to collect social points while their time is running out. Only to start again and again.
Based on my research on how our identities are being shaped through digital spaces. It underscores the often irrational, looped nature of digital spaces we get caught in.
It illustrates how these processes mold our behaviour in pursuit of validation within a constructed digital realm while mirroring back the absurdity of our actions (camera on the right). This creates a perpetual cycle of action and reaction, as we continuously navigate and adapt the both realms – the physical and the digital.
I placed the game on a website, that can be accessed by the audience. This was a first sketch and a roughly created idea that I will be developing and shaping further, however I feel like I am finally on track and know where I am heading (aka I don’t feel TOTALLY lost and I am maybe seeing a little light somewhere in the distance :))
TRY IT YOURSELF ON THIS LINK (ONLY PC / LAPTOP): https://logical-reassurance-485194.framer.app/