Restaurant experience
During my bachelors, my school hosted Human Computer Interaction lab weeks where my team designed and developed an immersive dining installation celebrating three world cuisines.
My role
UX-designer
Services Provided
Design & development
Technology Used
P5.js & Arduino
Year
2024
01
Introduction
My school hosted 2 HCI lab weeks that were aimed at exploring new technologies. My group was given playful interactions and we tried to find everyday-tasks that should be made more fun. After a ton of different ideas we ended up with a restaurant experience where we could include our own cultures to learn more about each other.
Glimpse into the process
02
Define: Through desk research and group discussions, we identified shared insights and mapped them out visually. Rather than settling on a theme right away, we focused on the technology and exploring how hand-tracking (p5.js), projection, and Arduino could interact to create an engaging experience.
Ideate: We sketched and mind-mapped ideas on paper, combining quick brainstorming with visual exploration to connect themes, interactions, and technical possibilities.
Prototype: With limited time, we prototyped efficiently using Figma and Wizard of Oz methods. We tested projections on various surfaces and adjusted visual placements directly in Figma for the best spatial fit. Thereafter using the same coordinates in the code for both hand tracking and visuals to align.
Test: We tested continuously with peers, teachers, and classmates, then gathered real insights during the exhibition, where visitors’ interactions led us to improve the flow for each round.
Pictures from the expo
03
Result
Our exhibit resulted in an interactive cultural dinner, where the users can explore 3 different cuisines/cultures. The chosen nations are Netherlands, Greece and Sweden which represents the nationalities of the group members. To achieve the feeling of each culture we created a neutral with a white tablecloth, cutlery, plates, glasses, a lampshade and some plant garlands. This gave the real restaurant feeling, but not any specific cuisine before the projection change. The story was told with help of the group members dressing up as waiters and nudging the participants to which objects they should explore.
The interactions included
-music
-facts about the dishes when hovering your hand over the plate
-translated expressions on the napkins
-salt shakers with sound effects
-wine pouring sound when lifting the bottle
-a payment terminal with a surprising mint drop at the end
All the visuals were created by me with JavaScript and Figma. Whilst the physical objects and hand tracking was made by my teammates with Arduino and P5.js
