Empowering Connections
Thesis Project ( Ongoing )
Exploring Visual Strategies in Augmented Reality to Enhance Eye Contact Skills for Socially Anxious
BACKGROUND
After an enriching summer at the design camp in 2023, I crossed paths with a truly remarkable individual. She possessed an exceptional talent for design and an infectious passion for creating with purpose. As her counselor, I had the privilege of guiding her through the diverse range of design courses available, witnessing her immense potential in the field. Yet, there was a hurdle she grappled with - her struggle to forge meaningful connections with her peers due to difficulties in understanding social cues and behaviors. This often left her feeling overwhelmed, leading to occasional outbursts or seclusion.
I learnt from her parents that she had been grappling with this challenge since her diagnosis with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It pained me to witness such an extraordinary talent being stifled by a lack of support from those around her. This realization left me pondering - how could design intervene to aid her? Thus, I embarked on a deeply meaningful journey to develop a virtual reality system tailored to assist individuals with autism in honing their social interaction skills.
DISCLAIMER
This is an ongoing thesis project. I will be updating it as I keep making progress in my findings. For now I have attached my slide deck made from my research so far and current direction in this project.
CHANGE IN DIRECTION
After conducting further research on the project and refining its focus, I opted to concentrate on improving the quality of eye contact to assess engagement, as opposed to addressing a broad range of social skills. Recognizing that struggles with eye contact are not unique to individuals on the spectrum, I expanded the scope to encompass various communities, collectively referring to them as socially anxious.
SLIDE DECK
MINI SCENARIO VIDEO
AUGMENTED REALITY PROTOTYPES