ABOUT
MIRROR V.2 is a Human Computer Interaction exploration that studies personal expression within the growth of digital realm.
“We spend most of our days on screen more than we want to admit, it’s practically our second home. It’s only logical to seek personalization in our digital tools, to make them feel like genuine extensions of ourselves”.
To what extent do digital products and trends restrict the genuine expression of people, and how do they affect collective behavior?
In the past, online social platforms permitted background customization, personal blogs were extensively customizable, and Winamp media players were celebrated for their flexible design options. Not only did these tools serve their function, but they also used to serve as a canvas for expressing our individuality, digitally.
However, in today’s digital age, the trend is shifting towards standardization, and personalization is dwindling.
Many devices, social media platforms, and music streaming services now limit personalization and customization, feeding users with their predefined branding and limitations. There is, of course, an illusion that we have authentic input about ourselves in the digital realm, as we get to personalize things that identify us as entities—such as having a customized profile picture, name, or feeds. However, there's a limitation: the only way digital realms are personalized to us, distinguishing us, is through these metadata. On top of that, we are trackable data too.
Like sheep tattooed with numbers, living as a flock has become more real. Most of us consume digital products, and uniformity in consumption leads to uniformity in outcomes.
MIRROR V.2 seeks to explore--not answer, about the capabilities of customization in future digital products, starting from making customized widget with personalized use.
FIG 1. SHEEP
The mental model behind MIRROR V.2 takes a literal cue from everyday objects that serve as tools. In this case, MIRROR V.2 draws inspiration from 2000s pocket mirrors. Pocket mirrors in the 2000s, not only functional but often designed with personal touch (Graphics on the lid, engraved name, etc). This widget aims to emulate the experience of having quick check-ups on your laptop (common practice for remote workers before virtual meetings), but ultimately, just a cheeky cheeky widget that is personalized.
FIG 2. WIDGET INSPIRATION
