Surface. Interactive CLPs in public spaces to inspire compassion. Unmask yourself - this call invites people to use digital City Light Posters (CLPs) to create a selfie that reflects their actual mood. Connected to the screen via a QR code, the unmasked face becomes part of the public space for 30 to 60 seconds.

Surface invites people to drop their masks and show the reality behind the social stage. Showcased on web-enabled CLPs in public places of pause, people are encouraged to take a selfie that reveals their actual current mood. Simultaneously broadcast across a network of screens, people that see the image can instantly respond, show their compassion with preset emoticons or join their brave predecessors in uploading their own unmasked selves. Uploading their unmasked self, the picture appears on the CLP–screen as the sum of different shapes in a three dimensional field – symbolizing the effort that it takes to keep oneself together day by day. ‚Surface‘ wants to interrupt everyday life, draw peoples attention to the image they create in public and showcase the dark side of constantly hiding one’s feelings. Let’s create connections by taking off our masks.

My roles

Idea & concept Generative design Developoment of the design system Development of the backend solution Development of the web-based photo app Programming and technical implementation of the entire project

Formats

Interactive experience via CLPs Personalized digital collages Social media graphics Web-based experience

Unmask yourself – this call invites people to use digital CLPs to create a selfie that reflects their actual mood. Connected to the screen via a QR code, the unmasked face becomes part of the public space for 30 to 60 seconds.

However, the selfie is not simply used as a photo, but disassembled into diversely shaped individual parts that keep on scattering and reassembling in three-dimensional space. Surface aims to disrupt the daily lives of as many people as possible and draw their attention to the issue of depression. The aim is to make it possible to experience the scope of accepted patterns of behavior and to inspire understanding for those who feel they have to hide their true face.

Surface wants to interrupt everyday life, draw peoples attention to the image they create in public and showcase the dark side of constantly hiding one’s feelings.

Driven by advertising and photography, the smile has evolved from a natural expression of joy to the default state of our face.

Whether in the office, in hospitality or on the (social) web – smiling has become a service, and the smiling face all too often a mask that hides true feelings. Every fourth woman and every eighth man suffers from depression in adulthood. Children are also increasingly affected. According to research, a masked smile can be a long-term cause of mental illness. Surface wants to draw attention to this connection and calls on people to drop their socially prescribed masks as an act of compassion.

To achieve maximum impact, the unmasked self appears on a whole series of connected CLPs and calls on other people to interact.

With encouraging emoticons, they can respond to the honest face via a QR code. Geotagged responses appear in real time on each connected CLP.

Unmask yourself – this call invites people to use digital CLPs to create a selfie that reflects their actual mood. Connected to the screen via a QR code, the unmasked face becomes part of the public space for 30 to 60 seconds – but not as simply as a photo, but disassembled into diversely shaped individual parts that keep on scattering and reassembling in the three-dimensional space.

Upon uploading an unmasked self, the picture appears on the CLP–screen as the sum of different shapes in a three dimensional field – symbolizing the effort that it takes to keep oneself together day by day.