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Simulator

New York, US  |  2020  |  Hsiao-Wen Hu

Looking at human history at large, the gestures developed for the use of digital tools and devices is universal to current generations while unique to this information age. Bringing such a small daily interactivity into an experience unique to the current digital age, these universal gestures are identified as a special culture commonly shared with generations in this time. By embodying these actions into a physical form, they stop being a by-product of mass production, but interactive artifact that tells a more vivid story of our engagement with the digital world. I developed a series of machinery that specifically preserve the interactivity and engagement of digital tools. These machines simulate the actions that we would conduct on our digital devices, preserving the experience like a time capsule.












#1 Draw

This first piece of machine simulates the experience of drawing on the computer with a mouse. Users hold the pen with the machine the way they hold a mouse. The machine is designed to draw straight lines, mimicking the same feeling of control.










#2 Navigate

This piece is mimicking the experience of navigating the cursor with the touchpad on laptops. It is inspired by the feature on Apple’s MacBook, in which the cursor would enlarge when users rapidly rubbing the touchpad trying to locate it on the screen.










#3 Scroll

This necklace-like piece is commenting on the situation where people are constantly on their phone and fixed to this position where ever they go. This embodiment of scrolling is trying to identify the heavy reliance on mobile devices and bring awareness to it.










#4 Zoom in / out

This is a magnifier referencing the experience of zooming in and out on mobile devices. There is a magnifying lens attaching at the back, which allows users to actually "zoom in” on things with this magnifier when they open the gate.










#5 Delete

Deleting is an action only exists in digital spaces, making things disappear in one press. Unlike throwing, cutting, or any other actions that we do in the real world to “make things disappear,” to delete is not to perform a process of removing something, but a simple and instant command. This machine is designed to exaggerate that feeling of being in control, recreating the experience of making something disappear in just one press.