Prolonged and incessant phone usage can send us down a rabbit hole of information and stress, wasting our time, further leading to added stress. Our goal for this project is to create a ‘platform’ for the user to view data that they would otherwise use their phones to view. This device attempts to dampen the constant urge to look into one’s phone, by displaying data on another, analog object. Through the FerroTV, users can view their Google calendar, safety notifications as well as tune into a guided meditation session- or any other data they wish to see, when the ferrofluid does a little dance. The colors of the LED lights that surround it, indicate which "channel" the user is viewing.

The properties of ferrofluid allow it to form beautiful fluid patterns, and we are trying to leverage that visual to help our user not only interpret information, but also gain a sense of peace while observing it. The ferrofluid container is removable, and can be used as a stress relieving fidget toy, while the ferrofluid is controlled manually. On placing it back onto the base, it operates electronically.

The Space Between : In a world where data is always accurate and in high resolution, our project aims to turn back to simpler times, where sufficient information was displayed on an uncomplicated device, and the user felt a sense of control. We realized that there are innumerable possibilities that can be fit into two pixels and an LED, for the user to explore.

Designers : Priyanka Lalwani, Sahib Thukral

Course : Digital Media

Instructors : Faculty- Zach Pino, TA- Arijit Patra