Cover© Muhammed Bekkaoui 2023

The Cost of Freedom: Our Digital Liberties

Final Major Project Week Five

Brief

Design a way to expose data's ethical impact, unveiling Dark UX Design, and sparking discussions about Privacy and Technology ethics in modern society.

Group Members
  • Jennoir Simpson
  • Kimberly Rodriguez
  • Muhammed Bekkaoui
  • Qibin Cheng
  • Reagan Bbengo
  • Wan Liang Chen
Time frame
  • October ‐ November 2023

Getting the Maths right

Given monthly rent of £3,000 (the cost of housing) and a family income of £5,000 pounds; to cover the rent, you need an additional £3,000 in advertising revenue. The Advertising Cost Per Impression (CPI) suggests you need to determine how much you can earn from each ad impression. Let us assume a cost per impression (CPI) of £0.10, to find out the number of impressions required to cover £3,000 monthly rent expense you need:

Number of Impressions=Monthly Rent / CPI
Number of Impressions=£3,000 / £0.10 per impression
Number of Impressions=30,000 impressions per month

This means that you would need to generate 30,000 ad impressions every month, with each impression earning you £0.10 to cover the £3,000 monthly rent expense.

Developing Personas for our Home (The Smiths)

Mum ‐ Sarah Smith

Bio:

  • Sarah is a woman in her early thirties, with a warm and approachable demeanor. She has shoulder-length chestnut hair that is often tied back in a neat bun to keep it out of the way during her busy day. Her hazel eyes are expressive, reflecting her determination and kindness. She has a slightly fair complexion with a smattering of freckles on her cheeks. Sarah typically dresses in practical yet professional attire, often seen in a blouse, blazer, and comfortable flats that allow her to move around easily.

Negative traits:

  • Sarah can sometimes be overly perfectionistic, leading to stress and self-criticism when things don't go as planned.

Addiction:

  • Sarah occasionally finds herself addicted to social media, spending more time scrolling through her feeds than she intends, which can sometimes distract her from work and family responsibilities. Sarah also secretly struggles with a prescription painkiller addiction, stemming from a past injury. She tries to hide her dependence, which adds stress and guilt to her already busy life.
Dad ‐ John Smith

Bio:

  • John is a man in his mid-thirties, exuding a sense of confidence and practicality. He has a short, well-groomed beard and salt-and-pepper hair, which adds a touch of maturity to his appearance. His dark brown eyes are perceptive, and he usually wears a friendly, welcoming smile. John's physique is robust and well-proportioned, reflecting his active lifestyle. He's typically seen in casual yet functional attire, often sporting a collared shirt, jeans, and sturdy work boots.

Negative traits:

  • John can be a bit stubborn, and this occasionally leads to minor conflicts when he insists on doing things his way, even when a more flexible approach is needed.

Addiction:

  • John has a penchant for online gaming, which, when unchecked, can lead to him spending more time in virtual worlds than with his family, sometimes affecting his work-life balance. John has also has a hidden gambling addiction, which he tries to conceal from his family. His habit has led to significant financial troubles, creating tension within the family.
Son ‐ Liam Smith

Bio:

  • Liam is a bright-eyed 9-year-old boy with a mop of light brown hair that tends to get a bit tousled during his adventures. His eyes are a clear and vibrant shade of blue, brimming with curiosity. He has a youthful and expressive face, often breaking into an infectious smile. Liam is of average height for his age and has a lanky, agile build that hints at his active playtime. He typically dresses in comfortable kid-friendly clothes, like graphic tees, jeans, and sneakers, reflecting his youthful exuberance.

Negative traits:

  • Liam can be a bit impulsive, occasionally making quick decisions without thinking through the consequences, which can lead to minor mishaps and disagreements.

Addiction:

  • Liam has developed a habit of binge-watching TV shows on his tablet, sometimes staying up late and neglecting his schoolwork, which can lead to disagreements with his parents.

The darker addictions add a layer of complexity and challenge to the Smith family's lives, highlighting the struggles and secrets they might grapple with behind closed doors.

Mapping the installation area

Digitally mapping the installation area © Qibin Cheng 2023

Developing a household item list

2‐wall space ideation © Reagan Bbengo 2023
2‐wall household item list sketches © Qibin Cheng 2023
2‐wall household item list sketches © Muhammed Bekkaoui 2023

Sketching the Mirror

Mirror sketch © Muhammed Bekkaoui 2023
Mirror realisation © Muhammed Bekkaoui 2023
One of the sketch sessions with Qibin and Bekkaoui © Reagan Bbengo 2023

Advertising for the Smiths

Rehabilitation and Addiction Recovery Centers: Given Sarah's prescription painkiller addiction, businesses offering addiction treatment and rehabilitation services may target the family.

Debt Consolidation Services: With John's gambling addiction leading to financial troubles, companies specializing in debt consolidation and financial counseling might target the Smith family.

Mental Health and Counseling Services: Liam's gaming addiction and its impact on his school and social life may prompt ads from mental health professionals and counseling services.

Parental Control Software: In response to Liam's excessive gaming, companies offering parental control apps and software may advertise to help parents monitor and manage their child's screen time.

Online Gambling Sites: Given John's gambling addiction, online gambling sites might continue to target him, exacerbating his addiction.

Pharmaceutical Companies: Businesses selling prescription painkillers or related medications could inadvertently target Sarah, potentially fueling her addiction.

Legal Services: As the family faces challenges with addiction and financial issues, law firms and legal services may advertise for assistance in navigating legal matters.

Education and E-Learning Services: Given Liam's age and his use of a tablet for school assignments, companies providing educational apps and online learning resources may target the family with educational content.

Telecommunications and Internet Service Providers: John's role as a telecom technician makes the family an ideal target for ads related to internet services, phone plans, and technology upgrades.

Home Internet Security: To ensure a secure online environment for both work and Liam's schoolwork, companies offering internet security solutions may target the Smith family.

Children's Entertainment and Toys: Given Liam's age, toy manufacturers and companies providing children's entertainment may use targeted ads to promote their products.

Online Retail: Companies offering a wide range of products, especially those that cater to family needs and budget-conscious shoppers, could use targeted ads.

Technology and Gadgets: Tech companies might target John for the latest gadgets and tech accessories, knowing his interest in technology.

Local Businesses and Restaurants: Local businesses in their area may target them with ads for food delivery, services, and promotions.

Finance and Budgeting Tools: Given the family's concern for cost-efficiency, financial institutions and budgeting apps might target them with ads related to savings, loans, and budget management.

Brand design process (I took the photo :) © Reagan Bbengo 2023

Creating Advertisement Brands

Logo design in Affinity Designer © Reagan Bbengo 2023
Playing
Arrow icon

Bbengo.