Portfolio You sijie
Silent Cavities
Introduction
Early dental issues are often ignored. This project translates oral healthcare into sensory experiences, enabling users to build awareness through interaction and rethink the issue of
Background Research
Inspiration
In
Dental Anxiety Impacts Oral Health
Dental Anxiety
Many
Interview
Late Attention to Dental Care
Many
The
Rather than creating a new health-check routine, the goal was to transform an existing behaviorinto a subtle moment of oral awareness.
Behavior Maping
A
Background
Algorithmic Management
Emotional Suppression
Riot Club
Introduction
This project uses familiar arcade machines to reveal how systems guide and manipulate behavior. Through play, users gradually become aware of hidden mechanisms of control, prompting reflection on their agency within real-world, algorithm-driven environments.
Casestudy
37% say algorithmic systems increase their working hours.
Digital platforms increasingly rely on opaque algorithms to control work and behaviour, leaving individuals with little understanding or control.
55% of platform workers report that their work pace is determined by algorithms.
Gamified Consumption
Many platforms turn consumption into game-like systems that encourage continuous participation despite uncertain rewards.
Gamification can increase user engagement by up to 48% on digital platforms.
Under these systems, frustration accumulates while people often feel unable to resist or challenge them.
To understand how digital systems shape behaviour and emotional responses, two contrasting cases are examined.
72%
Meituan
Systemic Pressure: Default auto installment (“pay later ”) nudges encourage repeated purchases.
Digital Escapism
report being almost constantly online When pressure becomes overwhelming, digital spaces offer temporary escape rather than real change.
Sanhe Workers
Systemic Pressure:
Algorithmic management dictates work pace and limits autonomy.
Behavioural Outcome: Workers follow platform orders, spend free time in arcade halls / internet cafés to cope.
Users spend more than intended, repeatedly engage with the platform.
citement, frustration, habitual engagement.
Stress, frustration, temporary relief through digital/game spaces
Ideation
Name: Qin rongwei
Age: 27
Office
Physical Entertainment Spaces
In the game hall, users repeatedly operate these machines to obtain small rewards and seek pleasure.
In the casino, players place bets with their money here, hoping to get uncertain results. While in the internet cafe, users can immerse themselves in the virtual world.
Emotion-Driven Media Systems
Rage-inducing
commerce games (e.g., “cut-aprice”) are online activities where users perform repeated actions to unlock discounts or rewards.
In ride-hailing and food delivery services, algorithms dictate work, often forcing workers into conditions against their own interests.
Live-streaming gift systems allow users to send virtual gifts, often with real money, to interact with streamers.
Based on the observations, the project identifies several underlying mechanisms that operate across
Emotional Manipulation & Economy
Provoking strong emotions (e.g., anger, anticipation, anxiety) Emotion as a resource to be exploited or monetized - Reinforcement through social or economic feedback
So I decided to design a game hall exhibition based on these mechanisms. This game hall is an interactive space, containing three machines: slot machines, coin operated machines and doll machines Users can freely play games in this space and receive rewards The decorative signs in this space will guide the users.
The game machines in the arcade look the same as those in ordinary arcades, but the internal reward mechanism is different. Users can obtain rewards by expressing dissatisfaction during the game
1.The user enters, drawn by curiosity and surface playfulness.
4.Repeated near-misses build tension and anticipation.
2
3
Service Blueprint
5.Failures
7.Reconstructed rewards reshape and sustain behavior.
8.The user becomes aware of their behavior and emotions.
Lai Yan
Age: 24
Hometown: A small city in Hunan Province
I have noticed that many people have a strong desire to connect with nature and have closer interpersonal relationships.
Career: Advertising Company Copywriter (Resided in Shanghai for 2 Years)） Yan Kaixiao Age: 26
The specific manifestations
After work, I often take a longer route to walk home alone. I often look through photos of my hometown.
Although many people are around me, I rarely have real conversations.
Interview Excerpt
When I first arrived in Shanghai, everything felt new and exciting.
Later, I realized that no one truly knew me.
Sometimes, after working late, I suddenly feel homesick and miss the quiet nights of home.
In my hometown, in the southern part of Fujian Province, people can do many things in the courtyard (a semipublic natural space).I believe that people living in cities also need a similar kind of spatial medium.
Hometown: County of Jiangxi
Career: Internet Operations (has been living in Shenzhen for 3 years)
The specific manifestations
Often silent at gatherings
Expresses real thoughts online
Often goes to the beach alone
Interview Excerpt
With colleagues, we only talk about KPIs, promotions, and opportunities.
Then I start thinking about my hometown.
Zheng yingli
Age: 23
Hometown: A coastal town in Fujian Province Career: Design Assistant (worked in Beijing for 1 year)
At night, people sat outside, enjoying the breeze and talking about small things.
The specific manifestations
Often rehearses words before speaking.
Easily overthinks a single comment.
Often has insomnia.
Interview Excerpt
After living in Beijing, I realized nature brings security.
Trees, wind, and the sea don’t judge you.
If I could choose again, I would live somewhere I can see the sky.
Even if it’s smaller, I want to hear real sounds.
