Emotional Response Filter
Eric Zhu
Emotional Response Filter is a speculative augmented reality interface that alters the user’s surroundings based on their current emotions throughout the day. Like adjusting air conditioning to respond to body temperature, the filters continuously react to the user’s emotions through a range of colors derived from a warm, emotionally-centered spectrum. The spectrum is the result of a personal exploration of the synesthetic effect of color and emotions ranging from tranquil to intense. The result is a layering of the stream of inner feelings represented by visual effects over the field of view within an augmented reality environment. Like a movie written and directed by our imagination, the filter alters our perceptions based on our emotions.
Today’s physical screens impose material limitations on how users interact with the interface. To be specific, the aspect ratios and screens of modern smartphones, tablets, and computer monitors hinder the user's further immersion within the interface, as the UI design elements are only displayed within a confined space rather than being present with the user in the same environment. On the other hand, augmented reality spaces offer the potential to move beyond the screen and immerse users in a fluid, real environment.
This experimental project imagines the future where emotions can serve as an input that alters interfaces to move designs beyond desktop wallpapers and system preferences. These dynamic emotional response filters become a reflection of the user and is an extension of how they experience the world.