the brief
Development of a speculative design project, starting from the future scenario proposed by the Black Mirror episode “Be right back”. A “light” and personal version of a service had to be presented, in opposition to the “dark” one depitcted in the episode.
the PROCESS
The creation of this project followed a process structured on four main phases, with a particular focus on the visualization and prototyping parts.
first phase: analysis
"Be right Back" an episode of the Netflix series' Black Mirror was deeply analysed, in all its facets: the broader scenario, the state of society, its culture andtechnological advancements, but most of all the service offered.
In the plot, the protagonist copes with the death of her loved one, through a service that attempts to replace him first with an AI based voice, then with a physical droid having the exact appearance of her lost partner.
In the plot, the protagonist copes with the death of her loved one, through a service that attempts to replace him first with an AI based voice, then with a physical droid having the exact appearance of her lost partner.
The themes of the episode revolve around sorrow and death and especially spotlight how far people are ready to go, in order to suppress their grief.
From this analysis, deep dicussions about ethics and what makes us humans as basis for the concept to be generated, but topics of reflection were also the motives and mindsets that guided the protagonist's actions.
From this analysis, deep dicussions about ethics and what makes us humans as basis for the concept to be generated, but topics of reflection were also the motives and mindsets that guided the protagonist's actions.
SECOND phase: concept generation
Multiple tools and techniques were applied in order to define an area of action, shape a scenario first and complete the concept details.
Inspiration from personal experience was fundamental when approaching this project development and references we had (from films, books and other series on speculative fiction) played a big part.
Considering this and the outcomes that the "dark" service portrayed in the episode brough about, the new service idea generated did not take into consideration death as a way to make a person become a better version of herself. Istead, it focuses more on the proposed devices (AI and droids). Moreover it shifts the purpose of the service to something broader, connected to different end: find ways in which technology could be used to benefit and strengthen the human experience - meaning reaffirm what it means to be human.
Considering this and the outcomes that the "dark" service portrayed in the episode brough about, the new service idea generated did not take into consideration death as a way to make a person become a better version of herself. Istead, it focuses more on the proposed devices (AI and droids). Moreover it shifts the purpose of the service to something broader, connected to different end: find ways in which technology could be used to benefit and strengthen the human experience - meaning reaffirm what it means to be human.
THIRD phase: concept VISUALIZATION
Visualizing the concept as much in detail as possible was a breaking point for the further developing of the service and it asked for a critical thinking approach to it.
An interesting step was developing moodboards: they played an important role in communication of the ideas we had.
The clear understanding was made that a moodboards should not present just a beautiful collage of images, that is shallow in its meaning.
For this reason, we have approached it as a tool for learning: it was necessary to delve deeper, give support to the visual side and therefore to the overall full understanding of the ideas. In order to do so, we have decided to make a prequel to every mood-board that would be a visual and linguistic dictionary of the selected work.
For this reason, we have approached it as a tool for learning: it was necessary to delve deeper, give support to the visual side and therefore to the overall full understanding of the ideas. In order to do so, we have decided to make a prequel to every mood-board that would be a visual and linguistic dictionary of the selected work.
Final Moodboard
KEYWORD: Shadow, Harmony, Introspection
References (from top left) : unknown author, Alexei Sovertkov, Janusz Jurek,
unknown author, unknown author, unknown author, Flora Borsi, unknown author,
Moe Pike Soe, Armando Veve, unknown author, xeometry
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Moodboard #1
KEYWORD: Shadow
References (from top right) : Alexei Sovertkov, Anna Kuncewicz, Stacey Gabrielle, Lucia O’Connor-McCarthy, USGS - Unsplash, Christian Schole, Dilcia Giron, Stephen Ellcock, The Treachery of Sanctuary - Chris Milk, Gabriel Isak
Moodboard #2
KEYWORD: Harmony
References (from top right) : Carlos Cruz-Díez, Janusz Jurek, Rob Woodcox, Harold Edgerton, Rodney Smith, Brno Del Zou, Rob Woodcox, Flora Borsi, John Whitney, Physical Science for Secondary Schools, Herbert Bayer
Moodboard #3
KEYWORD: Introspection
References (from top right) : Sarah Dessen, Marco Palena, Voller Ernst, Gabriel Isak, Nicolas Malinowsky, Aykut Aydoğdu, Armando Veve, Alicia Savage, Alexandra Bellissimo, Christian Schloe, Gabriel Isak, Erika Gofton, Jungwan Chae
FOURTH phase: EXPERIENCE PROTOTYPE
After defining the service offering in detail, a full prototyping of the experience was carried out, in two main steps.
01 | Role Playing
Experiments and trials carried out between the team members and volunteers
02 | Live experience
One-day event open to the public, where to try the service in a 20 minute experience
Different multimedia elements (videos, presentations, posters, social media, music) that could bring to life our service as close as possible to the ideal reality were developed and orchestrated appropriately.
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the CONCEPT
When analyzing the episode’s use of AI, we recognized the service presented removed the protagonist’s agency, limited her confidence in decision making, and took advantage of her grief to maintain service usage. This was perceived as a “black mirror.”
To flip it, the new service empowers the users to take control of their lives through understanding themselves.
the context
Metanoia it is envisioned as a product/service available in 2100, a time and a place where people live in harmony with technology that is now embedded in every human. Metanoia is imagined as an extension to a future and common brain implant that allows people to have “augmented” vision and perception of their surroudings.
Scenario
Futuristic world (utopian) where technology is now everywhere, even in our minds.
References (from top left) : Ex Machina movie poster, unknown author,
unknown author, Christopher Bucklow, Armando Veve, unknown author,
unknown author, unknown author, unknown author, Pulla Studio, Volodymyr Kurbatov,
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the product-service
Metanoia's AI first step is a throrough analysis of a person's psyche, experiences and thoughts. It then translates the data collected into a completely unique and complementary non-human form, a sort of alter ego, only visible to the eyes of their "human".
This alter ego presents itslef as a companion, a tool for introspection, that, by appearing in moments of difficulty and indecision, asks questions that lead the user to consider things they may have overlooked or not addressed.
This alter ego presents itslef as a companion, a tool for introspection, that, by appearing in moments of difficulty and indecision, asks questions that lead the user to consider things they may have overlooked or not addressed.
It is a service designed to build itself on constant personal growth and feedback, until the user’s agency strengthens over time to the point where they no longer need Metanoia.
REAL-LIFE adaptation
Given the speculative nature of the project, to practically prototype the product/service and have people try it in a "real-life" and current setting, expedients were used to simulate as much as possible the experience:
⬩ Immersive Environment
⬩ VR headset with videos (set in a 2099 scenario)
⬩ Interactive platform (personality test and live answers from the “AI”)
⬩ Instagram features
⬩ VR headset with videos (set in a 2099 scenario)
⬩ Interactive platform (personality test and live answers from the “AI”)
⬩ Instagram features
