Process

Describe how you arrived out the outcome. What iterations, refinements, design decisions and changes were made?

      Initially, we wanted the device to have several options for the themes that would be addressed in memories, as well as the ceremonies that would be used in order to encourage the creation of a ritualistic, and grounded interaction. However, this line of thinking was more complex and less feasible than something that could be accomplished within the timeframe that we had been given. There are multiple cultures with different tea rituals, each with different steps and implements. To what extent were we willing to interfere with the natural progression of a discussion, in order to force adherence to the limited interactions which we could foresee? Similarly, allowing more than two to be part of the interaction seemed like it would cheapen the purpose of the ritual. Having too many individuals would decrease the ability of individuals to go in-depth in their discussions during the duration of the tea ceremony. A social network of individuals connecting would detract from the purpose of intimate sharing, and introduce a huge amount of bias that would distract from the central purpose of the concept.

When it came to development of the final device, we thought about the addition of a screen which individuals would use to connect. However, we reasoned that screens might introduce even more distractions during the interactive process. Focusing on the central interaction was the main purpose; two anonymous individuals, only hearing each other’s voices, and going through a ritual of acceptance and forgetting together. This reduced the final function of the device to a few essentials.

A method of turning on the device would be necessary, so it has a switch. We added a small led to signal when certain arrangements had been made on the tea set, as well as to signal different stages of the interaction. For example, it would flash when searching for another user, and then show a steady light when it had finally reached a connection. Every tea ceremony involves the bare minimum of a cup and a kettle, so we included these two basic objects to minimize micromanagement of the process. To measure their arrangements, we added two thermistor sensors to record the temperatures at the designated kettle and cup locations. When the right amount of heat was detected from either device, a recording plays to introduce the user of the tea set to a proper calming mindset before they began connecting. Temperature recordings seemed natural, because actual production of tea is part of the interaction. We added a speaker to demonstrate how communication through the device would work, and to play a recording which would contain an example of the meditative moderator which would guide users through the ritual.