Little Signals

Little Signals reexamines people’s relationships with technology and paves the way for ambient computing. Six objects in the series keep the user in the loop, but gently, shifting from background to foreground as needed. Just as everyday items find simple ways to inform, such as the moving hands of a clock or the whistle of a kettle, Little Signals helps us stay up to date with digital information while keeping the mood calm. Simple movements and controls bring the six objects to life as they respond to changing environments and needs. ‘Rhythm’ creates ambient sounds to match the information it wishes to convey. ‘Tap’ knocks on a nearby surface or object to alert the user. ‘Shadow’ casts a shadow on the surface where it is placed, its movements conveying the object’s status and reacting to the user’s presence. ‘Air’ communicates with its surroundings via small puffs of air. ‘Button’ accepts input (right for more details, left for fewer) and expands as it fills with information. Finally, ‘Movement’ uses pegs to graphically represent information. The series introduces novel, subtle patterns to rethink how people interact with devices. Interactive elements, such as the vents on ‘Air’, the wand on ‘Tap’, or the pegs on ‘Movement’ are highlighted with colour. Each object draws attention, but only briefly. Open to experimentation, the series was released with 3D object files and codes for people to ideate with and create methods that suit their needs. 

Red Dot Award: Design Concept | Concept | Interaction and User Experience