The collaboration between Yael Kanarek and bnode (Judith Gieseler and Innes Yates) elaborates on the World of Awe Traveler’s Tale to investigate the diffusion of techno-scientific knowledge into popular culture through a fictional supertoy?the mRB.

The mRB is developed as the prototype of the moodRingBaby described in the Traveler’s Journal. According to the journal, the moodRingBaby?a mass-produced object purchased at Duane-Reade for $1.99, was used by the traveler to soothe the effects of loneliness. Resembling an advanced Tamagotchi, the device was capable of holding conversations and telling stories.

Taking a hypothetical, reverse-engineering approach, Kanarek and bnode began speculating on the origins of the fictional moodRingBaby. This process has resulted in the mRB. The project utilizes a 3D web interface which allows the user to browse various fragments of the mRB that provide clues as to its origin, recorded experiences, and character.

Institute of Design: Research & Ideas : Methods
Human-centered design has grown out of traditional design, social sciences, engineering, and business. It is taught at ID through the highly effective framework of four human factors, which address the physical, cognitive, social, and cultural factors involved in people’s interactions with products, systems, organizations, and messages. The framework of human factors supports ID’s designers as they address not only the users’ physical capabilities and cognitive functions, but also the cultural background and social situation of the user at the time of using the product or service. As a result, ID students learn how to modify a product for different cultures, for different situations within a culture, and ultimately, for the “market of one.”