Digital Divide
1 Print Pamphlet
1 Product Mockup
2 Coded Popups
2025
The goal of this assignment was to design a series of objects based on a starting point within a topic that I cared about and create more fluid iterations of them over the subsequent weeks. I chose to look at the global digital divide as something that I felt needed to be emphasized, especially in a country like the United States, where over 90% of the population has access to the internet and connected devices. The aim was to build ideas and not finished products, to push myself and my peers to find something poignant and personal to research and propose design solutions for.
I started with a SOLID - a way of presenting my data in a pamphlet form that was a hybrid of a poster and a book. My main goal was to visualize three overlapping disparities: global population versus those with internet and social media access; the types of devices people use to connect; and the gendered proportion of social media usage. I find it interesting how internet usage has almost become synonymous with social media presence, and I’m sure the algorithms within these platforms are of great appeal since they condense any updates people might wish to know about based on their interests. The varying widths of the 3 pages on the pamphlet work not only as a form of data visualization, but also allow the reader to view the data simultaneously, especially considering the intersections that could be obstacles to internet usage.
Then I turned it into a LIQUID - a 3D Model Mockup of a phone and laptop holder that would make the data more easily integrated into daily life. At this point, I considered my audience further. My aim was to talk about certain demographics that exist within the internet, and based on the data I collected, it made the most sense to make this data available to laptop and phone users. I considered my own needs as a student: in case I needed a product that helped me organize my devices during schoolwork or research, what elements could this product include? So, this holder includes a space to place notes, a stylus holder, and enough room and openings for wires. So while this product fulfills a need, it also educates and serves as an acknowledgment of this issue. I would aim to use the revenue generated through its sales to invest in organizations dedicated to the cause.
Finally, I turned this into a GAS - a series of pop-up ads coded on p5js to include an interaction on laptops and desktops, where hovering a mouse over a simple animation transforms it into visualized data. The ads would then lead the viewer to more information upon a click. Pop-up advertisements inherently disrupt web behavior without user consent, allowing me to reach my target audience in ways that my previous solid and liquid formats could not. Users no longer need to purchase a product to find this data, which was especially important to me, since this data is publicly available for anyone to look up. Billions of people experience a desire for information and connectivity that remains unexpressed due to their lack of access. Advertising, when approached constructively, can drive social change through campaigns. The advertisements are intentionally minimal, discreet, and interactive, as my objective is to educate rather than promote a product or service. Simple interventions can be highly effective, particularly given the disruptive nature of pop-ups. These ads aim to direct users to additional data and resources available on live webpages.