Interview with Xin Feng for Sink in Sync

I like digital design that’s interactive that utilizes various forms of feedback, i.e. human biofeedback including heart rate, EEG etc. My primary focus has consistently revolved around the enhancement of social well-being through the application of multimedia digital design.

A "good" design would be user-centered and provides unique, novel and meaningful experience.

My creative style always starts from "ungroundedness" but gradually ground it to real human interaction with tangible interface. The main characteristics for my creative style or what I care the most are creative design ideas and novel human interaction paradigms.

From my experience, my design process is deeply rooted in everyday life. A design work usually starts with some speculations on existing user experiences (how we interact with the surroundings). Through further exploration and brainstorming, I come up with some ideas for specific audiences and then I craft the design with multimedia/technology.

Last but not the least, I will make sure the design is delivered as expected to the audience through some design iterations.

Art gallery, exhibitions and everyday experience.

I’m very excited about multi-sensory immersive digital design, especially in the virtual reality environment. I have seen various projects that incorporated olfactory, sound, touch and other sensory in addition to the immersive digital design and I found the experience to be very unique and compelling.

Being chosen for this award is a significant validation of our creative efforts, and we feel privileged to be recognized, particularly as independent designers. A special acknowledgment to my incredible teammate, Tiange. We are committed to ongoing exploration and the delivery of innovative creative work.

SinkInSync introduces a VR-based cross-person EEG neurofeedback platform, showcasing its design and prototype. This innovative VR system utilizes one user's brainwave data to dynamically generate 3D scenes and visually synchronizes real-time brainwave frequencies with another user.

We find this project to be both captivating and groundbreaking, as it explores the potential of VR to enhance cognitive and emotional social connectedness through externally-induced brainwave synchronization between individuals.

Our primary focus is on leveraging technology to foster interpersonal connections beyond conventional speech. The exploration of how biometric data can enrich communication channels and enhance accessibility is a relatively unexplored area, and we believe our project has the potential to inspire the creative industry.

The primary challenge in this project lies in the 3D scene design phase. Finding a way to incorporate neuro signals into a visual and artistic representation without affecting the frequency functionality of the brainwaves is quite a complex challenge. Additionally, enhancing meaningful interaction between pairs through gamification presents another intriguing yet demanding aspect of the project.

Winning a professional award holds significant importance for my career as an independent creative technologist. It serves as motivation for me to persist in exploring creative design, particularly with emerging technologies such as AI, and to concentrate on fostering innovative interaction paradigms.

A-ha moment, dynamism and imagination!

In my perspective, the progress of the creative industry is intricately connected to advancements in technology and biology. Currently, we are experiencing a surge in AI technology, and creativity appears to be continually reshaped by technological innovations. Consequently, I envision a future where the creative industry and technology are closely intertwined and mutually reinforcing.

Explore the impressive creations showcased on the website, identify what captivates you the most, and establish your unique creative approach. Continuously iterate and ensure the design is effectively communicated to the audience.

Examining resources such as emerging technologies, recently published articles, and award-winning creative works can be beneficial.

Always trust your instincts!

I find continuous inspiration from skilled peers both in academia and the professional realm. Exploring exhibitions, engaging with creative design online, and reading articles are my means of encountering motivating design stimuli and staying informed about emerging technologies.

I am a firm believer that success is driven by genuine interest and passion. It's essential to maintain a fervor for exploring novel pursuits and to be unafraid of diving into challenges with enthusiasm.