Crystal Hunter
Crystal Hunter
Embracing Digital Cyberspace: A New Era of Connection
The digital environment has transformed how we live. We are interconnected to this ghost world we call ‘cyberspace.’ The purpose of this thesis is to bridge together the essence of cyberspace with the world of design. It connects the human emotional side and social factors back with technology. Human innovation never stops; not only has the way we work with technology has changed but also the way we tackle our human nature. In recent years, how we tackle mental health has become digitalized, the same can be said with what is considered to be community. Digital communities have stretched beyond great boundaries and has become beyond human. Embracing this shift and adapting is apart of what it means to live in these times.
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My thesis is broken up in four parts. Two artifacts (motion and game), a publication, and posters.
The video artifact is a motion sequence of typographic elements that focus on words that resonate with humans experiencing cyberspace.
In addition to the main thesis content, there is a video showcasing the AR Cat Cafe game artifact. I created the game with Unity, which is meant to be a relaxing, chill, and therapeutic space for the user experiencing the game. The game is interactive, allowing users to drag the cats to another part of the room, play laser tag with the cats, or just try to pop the floating balloons at the game entrance. An accompanying poster promoting the cafe is apart of this part of the thesis.
The book publication takes a deep-dive into current technology trends, what experts envision for the future, how people are finding community in cyberspace, the emergence of AI chatbots and technology like AR or VR used for therapy and mental health. The publication ends with survey data from locals on their personal experiences and impressions of these tech trends.
The poster highlights ‘Community in Cyberspace’ which sometimes leads to real-world connections. Cyberspace acting as a bridge for real connections, like what we would see with meetup apps or business apps like LinkedIn.
