The Branch Out: Start a Conversation With a Stranger project involves an interactive installation that encourages passersby to communicate with equally curious individuals. A beautiful social concept, it is comprised of two 'tree stumps' placed at either end of a public area. When a person approaches it, they can read not only the title of the installation, but also the command to 'press to talk.' When pressed, their words can be heard from its mate.
Created by students of NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP), the Branch Out: Start a Conversation With a Stranger interactive installation encourages friendships and communication. Lynn Burke, one of the creators of Branch Out, says, “In parks we surround ourselves with strangers, but we tend to isolate ourselves with technology. We wanted to give people a way to talk to each other while still feeling a safe sense of anonymity in this public space that is so ripe for interaction.”
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Interactive Installations
- Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Develop immersive and interactive installations that encourage communication and connection among strangers.
- Social Concept
- Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Explore ways to promote social interaction and meaningful connections in public spaces through creative concepts and designs.
- Anonymity in Public Spaces
- Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Develop technologies or installations that allow for anonymous communication and interaction in public areas, fostering a sense of safety and openness.
Sectors Adopting This
- Art and Design
- Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Merge art and design with technology to create installations and experiences that encourage human interaction and connection.
- Social Networking
- Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Leverage the power of social networking platforms to create offline experiences that facilitate communication and engagement among strangers.
- Public Spaces
- Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Redefine public spaces through innovative installations and designs that encourage social interaction and community building.
