There were several interesting challenges to the Accor seeker project. The concept called for allowing subjects to roam freely and comfortably through a gorgeous installation while we monitored their biometric signals. I selected a research caliber wrist-based sensor to stream the heart rate and galvanic skin response and wrote a custom iOS app to stream the data, along with the user’s brain waves to a monitoring station. I developed a methodology to measure an user’s baseline and compare the user’s biometric response to different stimuli to aggregate a personality score.
The visual representation of the personality score was dubbed the “psychograph” and I procedurally generated it using customized reaction diffusion to simulate the patterns in the visual theme of ferrofluid, ensuring multiple colors corresponded to the key traits in the subject.
The unique dynamics of ferrofluid inspired much of the art direction of this project. Through trial and error, I determined that a 2 dimensional ferrofluid cell allowed for interesting practical effects when placed in the field of opposing magnets. So a “totem” was fabricated that had a powerful neodymium magnet ring and magnifying lens, while I designed a way to put a secondary magnet behind a light panel. Thus the totem, when placed upon the cell, induced amazing practical effects without obscuring the brightness of the plinth.
From the Mill Site:
Seeker, through the capture of biometric data, removes the noise by sidestepping rational decision-making to reveal what one’s heart truly desires. It measures emotional responses to visceral stimuli to uncover affinity and personality traits one may not know exist, and in turn suggests an Accor destination that will speak to both body and mind.
Director Ergin Kuke comments, “Seeker is as much an art installation as it is a holodeck precursor. How do we create the best environment from which to extract the most acute reactions from our guests, was a question that we asked repeatedly at the start of this project”.
A select group of influences were invited to the installation for the first time and be fully immersed in the multi-sensory experience. The installation is comprised of four unique stations of experience which are designed to reveal various categories of affinity and personality through the individual's behavior and gathered biometrics.
Kuke continues, “The Seeker experience was designed to not pummel the senses with direct visual representations of moods and location, but rather to foster intriguing environments that would gently guide the guests to an emotive state, revealing their true passions.”
By monitoring their biometric responses (EKG, heart rate, galvanic skin response and EEG brain activity) against varying stimuli, our team was able to record their experiential data resulting in a generative portrait of personality and emotion.
Our system then references this data against key traits of Accor destinations and provides suggested adventures to the guest.