PRISMATIC FLOW

PRISMATIC FLOW

▋ University assignment

▋ Year

2025

▋ Scope

Interactive Installation

▋ Type of Work

Uni Project

▋ Software

Spline

Canva

Adobe Illustrator

▋ University assignment

▋ Type of Work

Uni Project

▋ Year

2025

▋ Software

Spline

Canva

Adobe Illustrator

▋ Scope

Interactive Installation

▋ University assignment

▋ Scope

Interactive Installation

▋ Software

Spline

Canva

Adobe Illustrator

▋ Year

2025

▋ Type of Work

Uni Project

▋ PROBLEM STATEMENT

How might we strengthen the sense of place and community in the transient environment of Parramatta Square by creating a shared public experience that encourages collective participation and builds a sense of ownership?

How might we strengthen the sense of place and community in the transient environment of Parramatta Square by creating a shared public experience that encourages collective participation and builds a sense of ownership?

OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

▋ THE PROBLEM

Parramatta Square is a newly developed urban precinct frequented primarily by students and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Many people who frequent the area tunnel through it with no interest in their surroundings or those around them. Therefore, opportunities to develop a sense of attachment, community, and belonging remain limited.

Parramatta Square is a newly developed urban precinct frequented primarily by students and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Many people who frequent the area tunnel through it with no interest in their surroundings or those around them. Therefore, opportunities to develop a sense of attachment, community, and belonging remain limited.

▋ THE MISSION

Interrupt the routined tunneling with engaging visual interventions that encourage people to pause, explore, and connect with others.

Interrupt the routined tunneling with engaging visual interventions that encourage people to pause, explore, and connect with others.

DEMO

DEMO

▋ INTERACTIVE SIMULATION

Hover your cursor over the tiles.

▋ SOLUTION

An interactive public art installation that captures attention, disrupts everyday routines, and invites people of all ages to play. A vibrant wall of iridescent tiles reflects shifting colours and light, bringing warmth and energy to the surrounding concrete landscape. As participants interact with the installation, the tiles flip, mirror their movements, and produce musical tones. When multiple people engage simultaneously, their interactions combine to create a collaborative artwork, fostering shared creativity and a collective sense of ownership.

An interactive public art installation that captures attention, disrupts everyday routines, and invites people of all ages to play. A vibrant wall of iridescent tiles reflects shifting colours and light, bringing warmth and energy to the surrounding concrete landscape. As participants interact with the installation, the tiles flip, mirror their movements, and produce musical tones. When multiple people engage simultaneously, their interactions combine to create a collaborative artwork, fostering shared creativity and a collective sense of ownership.

SITE CONTEXT

SITE CONTEXT

▋ PARRAMATTA SQUARE

A transitory point between major transport connections as well as a major business hub. User behaviours are shaped by the infrastructures of this site. Site context has been broken down into 4 major points of consideration:

The Space

  • A transit and a meeting place near a busy transport interchange.

User Behaviour

  • In the day, users relax on grass area and occasionally chess and table tennis.

The Space

  • West section with great access to natural light.

  • East section shaded and wrapped by buildings.

User Behaviour

  • Users appear relaxed in the sun, but tunnel through shaded areas.

The Space

  • Main pathways between the train station and light rail are active during all hours.

User Behaviour

  • Users walk intentionally towards their destination

The Space

  • Work hours, users frequent between the Square and the library (West).

  • After work, user density centred around the train station (East).

User Behaviour

  • Restaurants and bars act as hotspots during night hours, with people dining and socialising.

INSTALLATION IN CONTEXT

INSTALLATION IN CONTEXT

▋ LOCATION

Installation positioned to create engagement across common paths of transit by students and worker commuters.

DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH

DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH

▋ PARRAMATTA DEMOGRAPHIC

A young, multicultural hub with the largest age groups being 30-39 and 20-29, reflecting its role as an employment and university centre. Over half of the locals speak a language other than English.

▋ PERSONAS

Lewis Cheung

Age: 35 | Gender: Male | Occupation: Senior Data Analyst

Pain Points

  • Rushed journey between high-pressure work and home life.

  • Lack of engaging public spaces creates disconnection from surroundings, he views the area purely as a transit zone.

User Needs

  • Spaces offering brief relaxation from work.

  • Visual interest that refreshes and engergises him.

  • Opportunities for brief social interactions.

Asia Davis

Age: 22 | Gender: Female | Occupation: Environmental Science Student

Pain Points

  • Long daily commute eats into study time and social activities.

  • Parramatta feels sterile and corporate, lacking environmental consciousness she values.

User Needs

  • Accessible, budget-friendly places that don't require additional transport costs.

  • Quiet areas for studying.

  • Visually interesting environments to inspire her.

STORYBOARD

STORYBOARD

It is 5pm, Asia walks out of Western Sydney University to head to the train station.

It is 5pm, Asia walks out of Western Sydney University to head to the train station.

She walks along her usual path by the walls when a shimmer caught her eye.

She walks along her usual path by the walls when a shimmer caught her eye.

She hears a prolonged piano chord and notices the iridescent tiles mirroring her movements.

She hears a prolonged piano chord and notices the iridescent tiles mirroring her movements.

Individual Interaction

Asia pauses, waves her arms at the wall, and is surprised as the tiles shift and play piano notes with her movements.

Individual Interaction

Asia pauses, waves her arms at the wall, and is surprised as the tiles shift and play piano notes with her movements.

She explores further by reaching closer to the tiles. The tiles turn more dramatically as she moves closer.

She explores further by reaching closer to the tiles. The tiles turn more dramatically as she moves closer.

Lewis walks by near Asia and the wall starts to play overlapping chords.

Lewis walks by near Asia and the wall starts to play overlapping chords.

Group Interaction

He stops to join in on the fun. He waves his arms to find piano chords that harmonises with Asia.

Group Interaction

He stops to join in on the fun. He waves his arms to find piano chords that harmonises with Asia.

The wall recorded their movements. After they leave, the wall replayed their movements and the piano chords.

The wall recorded their movements. After they leave, the wall replayed their movements and the piano chords.

USER TESTING

USER TESTING

▋ METHODS

Think-aloud method | Google Forms Survey | 7 Point Likert Scale

Think-aloud method | Google Forms Survey | 7 Point Likert Scale

Key strengths revealed through user testing

All users found the installation visually striking and attention-grabbing. Bright colours successfully captured attention and create excitement.

Key strengths revealed through user testing

All users found the installation visually striking and attention-grabbing. Bright colours successfully captured attention and create excitement.

Weaknesses identified

Multiple users expressed it might become boring over time. Users questioned the conceptual meaning and could not connect it to building Parramatta Square's identity or community.

Weaknesses identified

Multiple users expressed it might become boring over time. Users questioned the conceptual meaning and could not connect it to building Parramatta Square's identity or community.

Both physical and digital prototyping

Early physical prototype with iridescent paper was too small to convey the immersive scale and could not communicate the dynamic control. A digital simulation in p5.js was more appropriate as a prototype.

Both physical and digital prototyping

Early physical prototype with iridescent paper was too small to convey the immersive scale and could not communicate the dynamic control. A digital simulation in p5.js was more appropriate as a prototype.

JOYCE W. YIP

JOYCE W. YIP

JOYCE W. YIP