Developed as final project for ENAS400 "Making It" in Spring 2021
Team Members: Veronica Chen, Royce Lee, Anusha Manglik
Shot and edited by Veronica Chen
Pepper the Ghost aims to provide a new entertainment and companionship experience for people who desire a more empathic connection to technology in their everyday lives. Our holographic digital friend, Pepper, provides both a respite from and stimulus for productive work.
Pepper the Ghost is an interactive toy that can bring life and entertainment to your desk or bookshelf. This miniature portal into another world will enthrall you, allowing you to meet the 2D animated character Pepper, a fun and lovable companion.
This product combines the interactivity of an app-enabled, WiFi-connected toy with the Pepper's Ghost illusion to create a holographically-projected desk companion. Equipped with gesture sensors, Pepper is able to respond to human movement, providing an interactive experience like no other.
Pepper is projected via a smartphone app into a darkened enclosure. The app communicates with the gesture sensor, changing the animation based on the occurrence of specific movements, which allows the user to play with Pepper in real time. In addition, other activity functions, such as the work and relax modes invite the user to set productivity or meditation timers so that Pepper can work and relax right alongside them.
Pepper the Ghost combines technology, visual effects, and set design to deliver a unique and engaging user experience. Whether it is used for play, productivity, or relaxation, Pepper provides a vessel for the user to escape the ordinary and discover a new world.
As project leader and concept designer, I was responsible for the art direction of the product and app: establishing a coherent storytelling vision, making graphics/animations, and designing art elements built into the enclosure. In advanced stages of app development, I worked with Royce, who developed app software, to ensure that the user interface was consistent with the visual design of the physical device. In addition, I prototyped the interactive and electronic components, including sensory data input, LED control, and WiFi connectivity, using Arduino software.
Concept sketches for interior set design. I collaborated with Anusha, who was responsible for the physical prototyping of the enclosure, to incorporate light box-inspired "sets" to give a deeper storytelling element to the product.
Original design and UI concepts by Veronica Chen
