From On Body to Out of Body User Experience

TL;DR

Cultural differences in design and the importance of balance between design, artistry, and technology in creating desirable products.

Transcript

thank you for coming today so I want to start out with is a little story my family and I lived in China for two and a half years coming back to the US about four years ago and it was a really exciting experience for us because of the time that's in China right now in terms of where everyone feels the country is going the energy there is incredible ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥳 Historical stories and idioms play a significant role in day-to-day business conversations in China, reflecting a sense of optimism and cultural continuity.
• 🎨 The concept of balance in design and artistry is essential in creating visually appealing and stable products.
• 😀 Ambient displays that provide subtle visual cues can effectively motivate behavior change in health and fitness tracking apps.
• 😀 Incorporating storytelling and game elements in the app design can enhance user engagement and motivation.
• 😀 Cultural context and social perceptions should be considered when designing behavior change apps for different regions.
• 🤟 Vibration-based feedback and gesture recognition technologies show promise for future interaction with computing devices.

Questions & Answers

Q: How were historical stories and idioms used in day-to-day business conversations in China?

In China, historical stories and idioms are often used in day-to-day business conversations as a way to convey meaning and communicate complex ideas. This cultural practice brings together the past, present, and future, creating a sense of historical continuity and optimism for the country's future.

Q: What is the significance of the bronze statue from the Han Dynasty mentioned by the speaker?

The bronze statue represents the concept of balance in design and artistry. It showcases the ability to create a visually appealing and intricate sculpture while also incorporating the scientific and technological knowledge required to ensure its stability. This balance is a reflection of the speaker's belief that products should harmoniously combine design, artistry, and technology.

Q: How did the speaker's research on health and fitness tracking apps explore the concept of balance?

The speaker's research focused on creating health and fitness tracking apps that strike a balance between design and technology. They developed an app called "UB Fit" that used an ambient display on users' mobile phone backgrounds to provide subtle visual cues about their physical activity. The goal was to create a simple and glanceable display that would help users become more aware of their activity levels and motivate them to achieve their fitness goals.

Q: What insights did the speaker gain from their research on health and fitness tracking apps?

1. An ambient display is more effective than a quantitative display for encouraging behavior change. Glanceable information, such as the growing flowers in the "UB Fit" app, creates a subconscious awareness of progress towards goals.
2. The use of a story or game element in the display can increase engagement and motivation.
3. Social interaction and sharing of progress can enhance the effectiveness of the app in driving behavior change.
4. The cultural context and social perceptions of health and wellness should be considered when designing such apps for different regions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker shares their experience of living in China and how historical stories and idioms are used in day-to-day business conversations.

• They discuss the concept of balance in design and artistry, using the example of a bronze statue from the Han Dynasty.

• The speaker highlights the importance of balance in creating products that people desire and discusses their research on health and fitness tracking apps that incorporate ambient displays.