Circles of Self
Multicultural identities matter, especially now. How could an interactive space help people to explore and celebrate those identities?
Details
Circles of Self is an interactive exhibit concept where visitors can explore their cultural identities by creating a unique representation of themselves in their own new graphical language.
Inspired by my own multicultural background, but designed for a broad range of identities at a time when acceptance is sorely needed.
Client
Georgia Tech Capstone Studio
Timeline
January - April 2025
Services
Experience Design
Spatial Design
Exhibit Design
Credits
Lisa Marks (Professor)
My Role
All sketches, renderings, 3D models, graphics, prototypes, and photography are my own original work and ideas.
The Space
Surrounding the central 'Cultural Roundtable', the walls are filled with examples of other visitors' results: unique symbols representing their identities, filled with meaning. These symbols also create the pattern on the wall outside the exhibit space.
From solving an issue to simply providing space.
For the full diversity of identities and experiences.
For people to explore their own stories.
Visitor Journey
Through answering thoughtful prompts with words that describe their identity, then using tiles to build symbols that represent those words, visitors get to explore their identity and sense of self, and come away with a unique visual expression of their identity and experience.
Click through the interactive digital prototype below to see what visitors would see on one of the screens.
Interface Prototype
This Figma prototype is built to communicate the majority of the on-screen interaction visitors would encounter.
It was also integrated into the physical prototype seen below, exhibited at Georgia Tech's Launchpad show.
How does it work?
How did I get there?
Capstone Brief
Do whatever you want!
(With some kind of international element for the IP Degree)
My Main Goals
Story: Explore a meaningful global topic through an interactive experience/exhibit.
Personal: Draw on my own multicultural experience while still telling a broader story.
Growth: Learn/practice new skills and tools.
Making my own brief
Research, Brainstorming, and Initial Sketching
To help define my direction, I brainstormed possible topics, tools, and media to tell an engaging global story.
I did secondary research on issues around immigration, identity, and multiculturalism, adding to my own knowledge and experience.
Preliminary sketching helped me narrow down my options, and though they were all worth exploring, I chose:
Direction: Putting people in touch with their own cultures.
Ideation
On post-it notes, I explored ways of getting people to contemplate their own cultural identity through many different kinds of interactive experiences, with a few early favorites emerging.
While generating these ideas, I wanted to get an overview of the thoughts of people with multicultural backgrounds on this project and their identities with a survey:
85% wanted a clearer sense of their cultural identity, despite relatively clear senses of identity
70% had not done anything remotely similar to an experience exploring their cultural identity.
95% were interested in an experience exploring cultural identity with a take-home output, and 20% more people wanted a creative/crafty experience over the next option.
80% would use an output primarily for themselves (as a souvenir/keepsake) over using it to explain their cultural identities to others.
Survey Takeaways:
This proposal addresses a gap and a want (if not a need) for many multicultural people.
A creative/crafty experience could aid in reflection by providing an opportunity for self expression.
The output should include a mix of graphics and text and can be abstract (doesn't need to be explained to others)
Refined Goal: An experience that encourages introspection on identity for a diverse range of multicultural visitors. with an engaging, crafty interactive element and a unique, meaningful output for visitors to take home.
Developing Concept
Criteria for choice:
Engaging Interaction: Fun, surprising, and encourages introspection about identity.
Unique Output: Visually compelling, abstract, and significantly transformed from the input.
Inclusivity: Open to people of all cultures, ages, and artistic abilities.
Making it Real
