Giggle Ticker
Spatial Application
March 2024
Technologist: Boxiong Zhao, Chu Zhang, Yifan Wei
Concept & Research: Kaiqing Huang, Yuyang Luan, Yifan Wei
Tutor: Tongzhou Yu, Yongru Lu, Botao Hu
Credit: Holo Interactive
Giggle Ticker is a spatial computing app that boosts productivity with an immersive, lifelike character. Acting as a supportive partner, it fosters companionship and equality, transforming routine tasks into opportunities for engagement and self-motivation. Through empathy and intrinsic motivation, it symbolizes diligence and resilience, encouraging productivity via shared experiences and mutual support, not authority. By connecting users with the virtual character, Giggle Ticker redefines work as a collaborative and empowering experience.
INTERACTION
The software, inspired by the Pomodoro Technique, features 25-minute work sessions and 5-minute breaks. The embodied agent reflects corresponding states, encouraging focus during work and relaxation du
RESEARCH
After consent, participants are asked about their self-discipline habits in different contexts. They are then divided into two groups: those who have used self-discipline software and those who haven't. For non-users, we explore their reasons, time management methods, and how the software could motivate them. For users, we ask what features attract them, when they use it most, and their expectations. We also examine their views on virtual avatars, dynamic feedback, and preferences for the tool’s art style.
User’s survey summary:
After surveying ten participants, we identified nine key needs for self-discipline software, including time management, task organization, focus, emotional regulation, and stress relief. Four participants noted positive emotional impacts, while others felt anxiety when tasks were incomplete. Many preferred more humanized designs over rigid timers. Environmental factors like quiet spaces or teamwork enhanced focus. Most favored simple interfaces, with some appreciating rewards like in Forest. The majority preferred subtle, non-distracting virtual avatars, with movement intensity reflecting task urgency.
In comparing seven apps, we found that apps with more unique and intelligent designs generated stronger empathy, while rigid and simple designs failed to do so. We aim for a balanced design with moderate freedom, a simple, dimensional interface, and natural, non-restrictive time feedback.
It features 25-minute work sessions and 5-minute adjustable breaks. The app has three phases: standby, active work with a rowing machine, and rest with a 5-minute countdown, offering interactive feedback throughout.
Final visual:
Our research showed users prefer simpler visuals, as unique designs can cause aversion. Therefore, we used an anthropomorphized elliptical pill shape for empathy, with clean, minimal secondary elements. The UI features basic shapes and low-saturation colors, including a semi-transparent light blue theme.
Agent personality:
The agent's personality greatly affects user emotions and motivation. We aim to design the agent with relatable, peer-like traits to foster empathy and encouragement, avoiding the typical pet-like, hierarchical dynamic in self-discipline software. With a cute, recognizable design, we aim to enhance user engagement and efficiency.
Animation & environment tests:
Limitation：
After research, we found that adding a reward system and summary features would improve the app. However, privacy concerns and data collection would require lengthy App Store reviews, so we abandoned this plan. Due to time constraints, we skipped a music feature and aim to add it later. We chose light blue for the agent, but plan to offer color customization in future updates.
RELEASE