An experimental art project of memory visualisation

 

Art of Memory is a personal project aims to inspire people to revisit memories through a new lens of art that evokes new emotional associations and varying interpretations.

Challenge

Investigate a method of transforming memories into abstract artworks with the help of creative technologies

Info

Personal project (Aug - Oct 2020)
My role | UX Research, UI Design, Graphic Design, Creative coding
Deliverables | Mobile App, Abstract Artwork


Project
Background

Memory is a time machine that allows us to travel backwards and look ahead into the future. However, some people who dwell on bad memories are not able to move on, which can cause sadness, depression or despair.
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According to the study, one of the effective treatments on this issue is to help people think and feel from different perspectives. So my initial idea was to empower people to connect with our memories by transforming negative emotions into positive results.

 
 

Methodology &
Design Process

Exploratory Research Methodology was conducted to gather information and knowledge to solidify the new topic around memory and back up my design hypotheses.
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Design Thinking Process guided me to continuously triangulate insights into design experiments towards appropriate solutions.

 
 
 
 
 

Technical & Visual
Experiments

My design process started with technical exploration on drawing, creative coding and photo editing, aiming to find a feasible technology to visualise memories creatively and aesthetically .
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The visual direction of art outcomes is inspired by inkblot art, generative art and data visualisation.

  • 1. Visual Cues

    Media | Digital painting
    Objective | Focus on exploring how abstract elements could be used as visual cues to evoke emotional response and memories

  • 2. Abstract Pattern

    Media | Drawing & Coding
    Objective | Design abstract patterns to visually represent the reconstructive and dynamic process of memory

  • 3. Geometric Symbol

    Media | Data Visualisation & Coding
    Objective | Make patterns meaningful and personalised by using relevant data to ‘quantify’ our memories. (A series of geometric symbols was designed to depict and record personal experiences.)

  • 4. Organic Visual Style

    Media | Coding
    Objective | Shift visual style from artificial to organic for better emotional storytelling. (These texture and brushstroke style are created by basic geometric elements such as line, circle and rectangle)

  • 5. Rasterised Image

    Media | Coding
    Objective | Build a better connection with our memories by interacting with original photos. (This experiment gave me an idea of building a digital tool that makes it easier for everyone to experience.)

  • 6. Patterned Image

    Media | Coding
    Objective | Having a defined visual direction, I experimented with various image filter combinations in Photoshop to design new presets that could be applied to process both photos and text.


Ideation

Based on insights from research and design outcomes from technical exploration, the proposed solution was to design a digital product that enables people to transform memory into artwork.

 
 
 
 

Target Audience &
Journey Map

The ideal user group is young adults aged 18 to 30 who are looking for new ways to preserve and revisit curated memories.
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The journey map demonstrates the way users could interact with the App. The entire journey includes three stages cross both digital and physical channels. 

 
 

Visual Solution
Abstract Art

The visual direction of art outcomes is abstract patterned visuals in black-and-white. It creates a mysterious and imaginative feeling that gives new meaning to the original content.
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Feedback from target audiences: 
They were interested in seeing their memories being portrayed in this artistic way. They have different preferences on patterned styles, but most of them prefered the black-and-white look over coloured effects. 


Digital Solution
Mobile App

This digital tool is an artistic visual archive of curated memories that empowers user to transform photos or written content into aesthetic artworks. It also provides user with a private and safe place to express their emotions and thoughts.


 

Function 1: Creative Tool

Convert image / text into artwork with artistic filters and customised presets

Portraying ordinary Photos in an artistic way

Converting text into patterned image

 

Function 2: Visual archive of memories

Preserve all curated memories in both original and artistic format and categorise into albums

1. Organise memories into geometric albums
2. Sort by Date or Name

Shift to the original view mode

 

Design Refinement

Paper sketch was used in the early stages of design process to quickly visualise new ideas and lay out some key features.

 
 

The functions and UI design of the app got into further detail based on the testing results from target users.

The improved searching process

More organised and clean look

The simplified editing process


Print Solution
Personalised Memento

To create an emotional bond with our memories across multiple channels, I would like to develop a customised photo-printing service to enrich the entire experience. Through the application, users can upload finished artwork and turn their digital memories into physical mementos such as art prints, home decorations, tailored clothes, and more.

 

Project
Summary

The main contribution of this project lies in the intersection of art, design and technology. It investigates a creative approach to revisiting our past by changing perspective through the interaction with abstract art and digital tools. Meanwhile, the technical experiments in my design process explore the potential of embedding creative coding into the field of digital art.

Opportunities:

1. Video Background Blur
Apply the abstract visual effect into video conferencing tools as a new background blur filter

2. The link between memory and self-identity
Develop this app to be fully functional where people can transform personal memory into artistic momentos for self-expression and self-presentation