Interact-Ed was my masters’ thesis project developed at Sabanci University along with the thesis exhibition and the thesis paper. The inquiry centers on the paradox of experiencing virtual and physical worlds simultaneously with the advances in technology, in particular Internet and software technologies. I took on this paradox in context of a campus setting, and designed a concept university called Interact-Ed, harmonizing the virtual and the physical worlds. The harmonizing is embodied through the metaphors explored with the interfaces.

My thesis paper looked at the philosophical aspect of the virtual & physical paradox. Experiencing both physical and virtual evokes emotions and emotional states. These emotions are both consciously and unconsciously formed, through the interactions and interfaces. So I did a psychoanalytical reading of interface elements and the interactive behaviors, similar to the film studies. Part of the thesis paper was published and presented at the Design&Emotion conference in 2004.

The thesis exhibition took part at Sabanci University’s Fass Galery. The exhibition was mostly focused on the process and the outcome of the inquiry. I exhibited the phases of the inquiry and the thematic developments of the Interact-Ed through panels and computer kiosks. Below are sample interfaces, and the material from the exhibition.
A selection from the interfaces