UX OF
Linguistic
Lissy & Ellen
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Highly informative scientific images can convey complex botanical information to the viewer in a way that is easily accessible, regardless of language, age or level of interest. My underlying interest is in using the power of images to raise awareness of and communicate information about, plants. - Niki Simpson
how it started
Lissy & I discovered our mutual fascination with flowers during an outing, their symbolism, and the ways people engage with them, which later inspired the foundation of our concept
Then, our visit to the Saatchi Gallery deepened this exploration, especially when we encountered Niki Simpson’s anatomical flower works. One piece in particular dissected the periwinkle, presenting its buds, roots, and petals separately. For me, it offered a new perspective on flowers, allowing me to appreciate their forms and colors from different angles. It felt like looking at a page from a science book, yet without any sense of dullness; instead, it invited me to look closer and linger.
Research
This drew us to the language of flowers, something familiar to everyone, yet we realized people had rarely explored it in depth, not just the well-known symbols but the history behind them. We also drew inspiration from existing media that relate to the idea of learning a new language, such as Duolingo, the video game Chants of Sennaar, the film Arrival, and others.
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01. Chants Of Sennaar- A puzzle-adventure game where you decipher lost languages to bridge communication between tower inhabitants and uncover its mysteries.
02. Language of Flower- Floriography, a symbolic form of communication where flowers convey emotions and messages. Each flower and its color carried specific meanings, allowing people to express feelings wordlessly.
03. The Language of Flowers by Kate Greenaway (1884) - The “language of flowers” became most prominent in the Victorian era, when people used it as a secret code for emotions and social messages. Its roots stretch back to ancient symbolism and Ottoman traditions, and it still inspires art and culture today.
04. Language of Stamps- A way to send secret messages through the stamp’s position and angle. For example, upside-down in the top left meant "I love you."
05. Duolingo Method - Duolingo uses a gamified approach to language learning with bite-sized lessons, repetition, and interactive exercises.
06. Heptapod- It is a fictional alien language from the film Arrival, characterized by its circular, non-linear writing system. Unlike human languages, it conveys meaning in a simultaneous, holistic manner, reflecting the aliens' perception of time as non-linear.
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Language is a uniquely human privilege
Language connects us and shapes meaning—from spoken words to flowers or even imagined alien codes. But what about other creatures? How do plants relate to humans, and how might we communicate with them—or with each other?
brief:
With insights from our initial research, we shaped the following brief:
Design a language-based system that invites users to connect with a subject in a novel and insightful way.
