WEIYU . H
Helping children overcome social withdrawal by using an AR game that transforms perceived flaws into strengths.
AR Prototyping
Usability Testing
Storyboarding
TIMELINE
Oct 2023 - Nov 2023
"When a child feels inferior, they can feel different from their peers and lacking in many ways.”
———— Rosenna Hickman
Many children withdraw socially because they see imperfection as a flaw, leading to reduced interaction and missed chances to build confidence.
LOW PEER ACCEPTANCE
Lack of safe social spaces, fear of judgment or rejection.
NEGATIVE SELF-PERCEPTION
Withdrawal reinforces feelings of “not being good enough.”
Withdrawal reinforces feelings of “not being good enough.”
SELF-DEFEATING ATTRIBUTION
Attributing social failures to unchangeable flaws (e.g., “I’m not likable”).
Attributing social failures to unchangeable flaws (e.g., “I’m not likable”).
CULTURAL & EDUCATIONAL PRESSURE
Overemphasis on perfection and standards, neglecting diversity and individuality.
Overemphasis on perfection and standards, neglecting diversity and individuality.
POTENTIAL OF PUBLIC SPACES
Informal public spaces can serve as natural stages for children’s exploration and low-barrier social interaction.
Informal public spaces can serve as natural stages for children’s exploration and low-barrier social interaction.
VALUE OF IMPERFECTION
Children often see imperfection as a flaw, but when reframed positively, it can become a unique strength.
Children often see imperfection as a flaw, but when reframed positively, it can become a unique strength.
NARRATIVE & EMPATHY
Through characters and stories, children empathize more easily and learn to embrace difference and diversity.
Through characters and stories, children empathize more easily and learn to embrace difference and diversity.
POWER OF PLAYFULNESS
Playful interaction offers a non-threatening transitional space for children to gradually attempt social engagement.
Playful interaction offers a non-threatening transitional space for children to gradually attempt social engagement.
GRADUAL SOCIAL PATHWAY
Children need a gradual pathway—from observation to exploration to interaction—to build safety and confidence.
This project situates an AR experience within Wood Yard Park, transforming the site into a narrative and playful environment where children encounter graffiti characters embodying “imperfection.” Through story-driven interactions, the design enables children to gradually reframe flaws as strengths, progressing from observation to exploration and ultimately toward gentle peer connection.
GRAFFITI
Naturally conveys the idea that flaws can be features, resonating with the theme of imperfection as strength.
Naturally conveys the idea that flaws can be features, resonating with the theme of imperfection as strength.
PLAYGROUND
Provides a stage for exploration, challenge, and collaboration among children.
ARProvides a stage for exploration, challenge, and collaboration among children.
Merges virtual characters with real space, making abstract emotions tangible and playful.
ONE-WAY INTERACTION
Children often engage with graffiti characters, but the characters cannot respond—revealing a gap that AR can bridge by enabling reciprocal interaction.
Children often engage with graffiti characters, but the characters cannot respond—revealing a gap that AR can bridge by enabling reciprocal interaction.
- Scan the QR code at Wood Yard Park
- Follow characters’ guidance to different sites
- Interact with characters through their story
- Optional peer photo
Use character-driven stories as an emotional entry point, allowing children to engage naturally through narrative rather than being asked to socialize directly.
CHILD-COMPREHENSIBLE LANGUAGE
Provide short instructions, voice guidance, and visual cues to ensure clarity and accessibility within children’s cognitive range.
LIGHT AGENCY & GENTLE INTERACTION
Encourage simple actions—such as greeting, following, talking, or taking a photo—that give children a sense of participation without pressure, with the option to pause or skip at any time.
GRADUAL EXPOSURE
Structure the experience as a pathway of observe → explore → interact → share, gradually building safety and confidence.
The current design relies on mobile-based AR, which may be distracting, uneven in quality across devices, and less immersive compared to wearables or projection. Future work could explore lighter, more accessible formats.
LIMITED PEER INTERACTION
The experience is still largely narrative-driven, offering limited real peer-to-peer engagement. Next steps include gamifying story tasks into collaborative peer games to bridge into real-world play.
NARRATIVE SENSITIVITY
Storylines and dialogues may unintentionally highlight children’s insecurities. Refining scripts is needed to ensure that less confident children feel included, while also addressing those who may tease others.
TRANSFER TO REALITY
There is a gap between in-game learning and real-life practice. Future designs could embed playful prompts that extend into offline social activities, helping children apply what they learn.
SAFETY & INCLUSIVITY
Public use requires attention to safety (e.g., screen use while moving) and inclusivity for children with different abilities, languages, or neurodiversity.
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