For this year's Wanted Design show in NYC, students from the School of Visual Arts New York created an analog social media experience that challenged people to get off their phones and interact with the people around them.
Entrants to the 'MissionCtrl' exhibit were invited to "check in" at a threshold, symbolic of their logging in to the space. Other stations helped people make "posts" with magnetic message boards, stamps and whiteboards, which were carried throughout the space on wooden signs until they were updated by a new message from someone else.
Student Julia Plevin describes that even something as simple as pressing a stamp required "the whole body," which slows down communication. Since these actions require both time and physical effort, this likely makes the messages more thoughtful too.
Analog Social Media Experiments
The School of Visual Arts New York Makes Communication Thoughtful
Trend Themes
1. Analog Social Media - The trend of creating analog social media experiences will continue to grow as people realize the importance of real human interaction.
2. Interactive Exhibits - The popularity of interactive exhibits will rise as people seek out unique and engaging experiences that involve physical activity and participation.
3. Physical-digital Integration - The combination of physical and digital elements will become more prevalent as designers find ways to merge the two seamlessly for a more engaging experience.
Industry Implications
1. Event Planning - Event planners can capitalize on the trend of analog social media experiences to create unique and memorable events that promote human interaction.
2. Museum Exhibits - Museums can incorporate interactive exhibits to attract more visitors and enhance their experience by providing a hands-on and immersive experience.
3. Marketing and Advertising - Marketing and advertising agencies can use physical-digital integration to create innovative campaigns that engage customers both online and in-person for a more personalized experience.