Noah (Zijie) Qu
I am an interdisciplinary researcher and designer working in the overlap between Human Factors, HCI, Interaction Design, and New Media Art. I investigate the uses and perceptions of generative AI voice assistants using mixed methods. My research has developed my design and prototyping skills in voice technology, mixed reality, and interactive installations. I have four years of research experience working with older adults.
New Media Art/Interaction Design
‘CARE, ROBOT’ ​is an interactive story game that encourages a thinking about socially assistive robots in elderly care. By inviting the audience to investigate a fictional robot company’s virtual archive, the work shows four fictional stories reflecting four ethical concerns of the use of robots respectively. The work asks the audience to speculate on ways in which the ‘right’ standards of the limited support provided by robots might improve elderly care.
‘You’re in the Way’ addresses the different levels of ‘noise’ (social, visual, audible) that appear as a result of the expansion of mass-tourism. This project features a 3D-printed model taking the form of a specific cultural artifact, in this case a painting. Projected on the model are the visual details of the artifact providing an extra dimension of color and texture which draws viewers closer to the illuminated model. The audio that is emitted from the piece is a verbal narration, from an individual closely connected to the artifact, describing the actual location where the artifact is found and the intimate connection made with said object. As viewers are drawn in by the narration and come closer to inspect the models a new layer of audio begins to overlap and the detailed projection begins to blur. The ‘noise’ layer gradually obstructs the narrative with the ‘sounds of overtourism.’ As viewers become overwhelmed by this noise and leave; the noise falls away revealing the verbal narrative underneath. This project is an interactive piece that utilizes public spaces to illustrate the degradation of cultural centers around the world due to overtourism. As the world halts due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the practice of social distancing becomes the new norm, ‘You’re in the Way’ proposes an opportunity to envision an alternative to the detrimental effects of overtourism. The future of this project would see additional models, specific to locations which they would be situated, for example the Corinthian capital and Japanese Torii.
‘the hourglass’ is a participatory design project that highlights the systemic marginalisation of ex-offenders through exploring how time as a phenomenon is experienced in isolated environments. By looking into the personhood of prisoners and its destruction during incarceration, we question the current value of the prison system and try to critically analyze its impact on the daily life of ex-offenders. As the final outcome, we conducted online workshops and designed a web-based storytelling to mediate the stories.
'One Side' is a transmedia storytelling project that shows how digital mediation shapes the political election in the 21st century. The work reveals how political organizations use digital media to manipulate the public voice by selecting three examples of manipulation— fake photos in propaganda, fake news, and political shows as materials.
‘Infinity VS The Company’ is a transmedia puzzle adventure that takes place in a dystopian future where digital time is the new currency. Participants are asked to investigate a hack against global corporation Bancroft Industries. The work uses a speculative narrative to criticize digital exclusion and reflect the privilege of digital life in an alternative reality game.
Projection Mapping
Kinectic Typography
Drawing
