When I transferred to QUT, I knew I wanted to move beyond static, 2D graphic design, as I am a person who loves motion and videography. Interaction design was the perfect balance for me. Despite my lack of knowledge about the course, I went for it with courage and excitement and enrolled into QUT’s Bachelor of Design (Interaction Design).
Finding your voice
My project, "Discover the Unspoken," is an installation that uses UV blacklight and UV invisible spray paint to create a graffiti art-inspired manifesto for introversion. The words are sprayed using UV invisible paint on acrylic glass and can only be seen when the UV light is being reflected by participants' movement when holding a round plastic mirror in front of the UV blacklight stick.
To complement the installation, I have included two materials: black cotton fabric and small pieces of glowing wooden block letters. There is also a table of glowing sticky notes where participants can contribute by writing their secret messages and sticking them onto the table on the exhibition day. The words were sprayed in the form of stencil art to ensure a crisp look, rather than being sprayed manually. I personally contributed to the words and direct quotations, as well as gathered contributions from people around me and internet resources.
As an introvert, I find it relatable that society, even in a university setting, perpetuates stereotypes about and against introverts. I feel a strong responsibility to create something that speaks up for introverts and who we truly are.
Inspiration in daily life
My inspiration for this project came from little moments that introverts experience in their day-to-day lives. Music and nature are great mediums and materials that introverts tend to find themselves enjoying and spending time on. They are a way to compensate for the overstimulation that comes with social events and being around large groups of people, as even being around ten people can be too many stimuli for us introverts. I feel like the interaction design degree has equipped me with the tools to create meaningful and engaging designs that cater to the unique needs and preferences of introverts, and I am excited to continue exploring this field and making a positive impact in people's lives.
