Reflection: 

The feedback we received during the demo showcase day revealed several opportunities for improvement:

Miscommunication and Ambiguity: Reviewers pointed out potential confusion in associating specific weather patterns with moods. For instance, the meaning of a “sunny” or “rainy” light could be interpreted differently across users.

Self-Centered Messaging: Concerns were raised about whether users are always sending messages focused on their own mood. Suggestions included adding a mode for users to signal “I am thinking of you” without directly expressing their mood.

Customizability: Reviewers asked whether the mood state could be modified after sending and if the lighting could persist for a longer duration to reflect ongoing emotional states.

Affordances of the Bird: Questions arose about the bird-shaped device’s interaction design. Is squeezing the bird the ideal action, or could it be reimagined to feel more natural or inviting to touch?

Instructions and Usability: How can we better communicate the intended use of the device to new users? Clearer guidance or onboarding could enhance the experience.

Taking the critique from the reviewers on the demo showcase day into consideration of future improvement, the iterative design could introduce a secondary mode for users to communicate “thinking of you” without mood-specific patterns. We could also allow users to modify or sustain mood states over extended periods. We need to revisit the physical affordances of the bird to make interactions more intuitive and comfortable. Furthermore, developing visual or interactive instructions to ensure clearer usability for first-time users is also worth considering.