Our Solution
The installation enables each fair visitors
to bookmark their favorite exhibits through a (RFID) Bracelett.
The bookmarks can be set directly at the exhibits and are stored,
not as a list, but as an abstract creature, called a Micronicle.
With every bookmark set, the Micronicle will
grow bigger and bigger. On an allocated space the visitors can
see their Micronicle and
the Micronicles of
other visitors. When two Micronicles “like
each other” because they consist of similar bookmarks, they will
start to play and reveal the bookmarks they hold. This can animate
a discussion about the exhibits of the fair among the owners.
(A situation which can be often seen among dog owners which start
a small talk because of their dogs sniff each other.)
Additionaly the visitors can print their Micronicles on
a T-Shirt and access their bookmarks on a homepage later on.
An early prototype of Micronicles was
nominated for a Digital
Sparks Award and was presented at the Designmai
2006 International Design Festival Berlin.
1.
Every visitor of an exhibition gets an (RFID) bracelet. 
2.
There is a box mounted near every exhibit 
3.
If a user likes an exhibit, he saves it by waving his hand next
to the box.
4.
The bracelet is scanned by the box. 
5.
The data of the exhibit is saved and transformed into an abstract
shape, which is going to be the first part of a Micronicle. 
6.
If the visitor likes further exhibits... 
7.
...he can bookmark these too. 
8.
Each time the visitor bookmarks an exhibit, a new part is added
to the Micronicle. 
9.
The visitor comes to the Micronicles booth. 
10.
On certain parts of the table the bracelet can be scanned and
so the visitor can login. 
11.
After the login, the personal Micronicle is
projected on the table. 
12.
The Micronicle shows
the visitor the bookmarked exhibits, which are represented by
every single part. 
13.
If two Micronicles get
next to each other, they check if they have something in common. 
14.
If they have something in common, they will show to their owners
and start to play with each other. 
15.
Because of similarities or opposites the visitors may start a
conversation and discuss the exhibition. 
Picture above: In this early prototype a
Micronicle shows of his stored bookmarks.
Picture below: The Micronicles booth at the Designmai 2006.
Visitors could create Micronicles and watch them grow here.
