Guided By: Prof Keyur Sorathia

Rethinking expressive communication between family members through a series of interactive tangible products

Bachelor Thesis Project Mid- Semester Presentation

Outline

Timeline

Secondary Research

Primary Research

Analysis

Further Work

Timeline

Secondary Research

Communication

Emotions in Communication

Projects Done

Research Papers

Research Documentation

Remnant Pillow Talk, MIT

Pillow TalkLoops of Faith

in pairs

messages

personal object

shows presence

pillow lights up

indian context

sending prayers

symbolism

greeting card

recreateshandwriting

White Stone The Frame

Softair communication6th Sense

with key holder

communicates presence

in�atable chairs

light and sound

sitting together

light sculpture

telecommunication

varyies intensity

in pairs

detects touch

provides warmth

Wablog inTouch

LumitouchAmbient Clock

haptics

interpersonal

telepresence

ambient media

symbol: frame

emotional comm.

ambient media

for elderly

presence indicator

low tech communication

movements and signs

indirect and calm

Lover’s Cup Poken

Location Based Social NetworkingTag What

connectivity

sharing a drink

virtual toast connectivity

social business card

travel trajectory

track and share

real time sharing

social mobile

augmented reality

location based

physical networking

Understanding of Secondary Research

Understanding communication and how emotions assist in it

Exploring projects done world wide

Understanding methods invloved

Primary Research

3 user groups, 6 Interviews, 1 Shadowing

Audio Recordings, Pictures , Videos

User Group 1: Parents with geographically distant chidren

User Group 2: Independent children living away from parents

User Group 3: Dependent children studying away from parents

User Groups

User Group 1: Initial introduction and query about where son/ daughter lives

Ques 1: How many times per week do you contact your children?

Ques 2: How many times last week?

Ques 3: How do you contact them? (Open ended question)After listening to the answer process to give the following options:- phone- internet chat- video chat/skype- letters- emails- sms- courier- any other

Ques 4: Frequency of each medium +Duration

Ques 5: Why do you call them generally?Options:- concern- just asking well being- miss them- it’s a routine- is there any unusual scenario Ques 6: Do you know how to use computer for video chat/skype?

Questionnaires

Ques 7: Who made your account?

Ques 8: How many times your children call you back?

Ques 9: What are the general talks that you have?

Ques 10: What sort of questions do you ask? (How are you? Have you taken food properly?)

Ques 11: Do you write down notes (imp topics to discuss) before talking to them? (long distance calls of short duration)

Ques 12: When you are really concerned/ miss them.. what do you do?- cry on phone- simply talk to them- write letter/personal diary

Ques 13: How often do you feel like expressing your emotions/ you want them to be home?

Ques 14: Do you use emoticons? IF yes which ones?

User Group 2 and 3: Initial introduction and query about parents and relatives.

Ques 1: How many times per week do you contact your parents?

Ques 2: How many times last week?

Ques 3: How do you contact them? (Open ended question)After listening to the answer process to give the following options:- phone- internet chat- video chat/skype- letters- emails- sms- courier- any other

Ques 4: Frequency of each medium +Duration

Ques 5: Why do you call them generally?Options:- concern- just asking well being- miss them- it’s a routine- Ques 6 Contents of emails, sms?

Questionnaires

Ques 7: Any special/unusual scenario you can mention?

Ques 8: How many times yourparents call you back?

Ques 9: What are the general talks that you have?

Ques 10: What sort of questions do you ask? Ques 11: At what ocassions do you miss there presence the most?

Ques 12: When you are really concerned/ miss them.. what do you do?- cry on phone- simply talk to them- write letter/personal diary

Ques 13: How often do you feel like expressing your emotions/ you want to be home?

Ques 14: Do you use emoticons? IF yes which ones?

Interviews

in-depth interviews

User Group 1: Professors(3), Housewife(1),User Group 2: Professor(1)User Group 3: Student(1)

Analysis

Analysis

User 1 User 2

Son -college- delhiDaughter -working- mumbai

Concern Issues:Health, Safety, Food, Happiness, Scared of tra�c in Metro

Internal Family jokes

SMS/ Missed calls/ Phone callsConstant back and forth calling

Routine: Inner Ghanti

Email Attachments: Songs and Wallpapers:Daughter is the source of all music and other media

Got a call from her friend when she fainted. was very scared. Never want such a call.

Gifts, Homemade sweets. Return gifts from daughter:notebooks to write, sarees, etc

Generally deals with the issues that don’t worry children. Wife is more worried.

Mobile, LandlineYesterday listened to wife talking to themDuration 5-10 mins

Daughter has hectic work schedule.So worried about her returning to home

Son: had food? Health concern.issues of being new to the city

Skype: know about it but never tried it.bored of spending 4 hrs on computerObservation: Behavior with new technologies

Observation: Handling of situations by mothers and fathers is di�erent

Helps the daughter in shopping through phone.

“I am very anxious about their safety, health, whether they are happy or not. “

“I wish I could write to them.”

When travelling abroad: emailSms: pretty often. Children taught how to sms

Analysis

User 3 User 4

Son studying law in Dehradun

Schooling hostel di�erent from college.Less concern of safety and health

Concern Issues:Health, Studies, General well being

“Through all these photographs and media, we are close though he is far away.”

Instructs about rituals of festivals on phone. For ex: Dont eat meat today

When I miss him, I talk to husband and daughter.

Sends money on birhtday and other occassions to buynew cllothes

I go to temple and pray for him when i feel concerned

Assisits sister in studies. About how to write an assignment, tackle a subject

Gifts: Handmande cards and wooden craft items: mother has kept them safely. Takes pride in showing them

5-6 times a weekWe ring once and whole family talks

Well being, studies, health, social life

Son is in hostel since 4th class

Emails: Internship OpportunitiesObservation: Father-son communication topics:education, academics, career

Observation: Father very enthusiastic about son’s achievements

Observation: Concern is less when parentsknow that child is leading a disciplined life

Advices for medical problems: common cold,sport wounds, painkiller

Used to send pictures and letters from hostel.Also phone call once a week.

“Miss him a lot on Bihu and Puja. “

Analysis

User 5 User 6

Family in Gujarat, elder sister in Mumbai Family in Kota, elder brother in Mumbai

Discusses shopping of clothes and accessories on phone

When misses family, looks back ar old pictures and discuss about the events in past on phone with the family members

Used to upload pictures on picasa and send link to them

Brother: Once in a week, also emails and chatsTalk to mother about everything, grandmother’s health

I was in a foreign land, Used to miss my parents a lot.Seeing them on skype was amazing

Skype chat when was in a foreign countryWell being, health, food, exercising, career

Wrote a sentimental letter to express loveand gratitude toward his family.

Father sends sms- but very rare- career oriented,motivational sayings

Shows pictures on laptop whenever goes back to home

Family discusses the picture albums together.

Father talks about career.

Mother complains about shopping behavior-says doesnt know how to bargain

Doesnt express the deep emotion of badlymissing someone but �nds ways to show gratitude for their love and support.

Sent a photo collage on father’s birthday. He was almost in tears on receiving it

Conduct More User Interviews

Conceptualization and Ideation

Further Work

Interviews

Ankita Gautam

Thank You!

Roll No: 07020502