émoi
thesis project by Soraia Binz
produced under the supervision of Nicolas Nova (HEAD Genève, Near Future Laboratory)
#interactive #ui #chocolate #emotion
Key roles
- user research - prototyping - interaction design
- communication - storytelling - copywriting
- content design - content production - content writing
- media production - motion design - graphic design - audio production
Though the concept for this project was speculative, it did involve a significant amount of industry and user research in order to create a realistic "near-future" life scenario. A significant amount of documentation was produced to support and present this thesis work. All media in the form of audio, video, graphic design and animation, as well as writing in the form of content for UI text and narration in the clip were designed and produced by me.
Project description
“émoi” is a service and "data gustation" interface that takes advantage of today’s digital systems (ie. e-commerce, ubiquitous computing, sentiment analysis algorithms) in order to reinvent the longstanding tradition of sharing and gifting chocolates as an expression of interpersonal attitudes and feelings.
émoi allows its user to create an edible representation of their emotions via a representation language that is based on research into the human gustatory and oral somatosensory experience. As a result émoi lets the user communicate their sentiment using appropriately defined qualities of taste, texture, shape and colour as presented through chocolate.
Thesis Project Grade 6.0 (Highest Mark)
Recognition
"Student Notable" in Speculative Concept section of Core77 Design Awards 2016
Shortlisted for IxDAwards 2016
Events
News
20 minuti
hangoutable
a project by Soraia Binz and Giulia Rouge
produced under the supervision of Massimo Banzi (Arduino) and Lorenzo Romagnoli
#tangible #arduino #YUN #interactive #connected
Key roles
- user-research - prototyping - interaction design
- communication - storytelling - copywriting
- content design - content production - content writing
- media production - motion design - graphic design - audio production
- team effort - collaboration
As students with heavy workloads throughout our coursework, we sought to address some pain-points of balancing work and social lives. We relied on fellow students to conduct the preliminary research as well as throughout prototyping iterations for this project. Though I worked on much of the technical aspects of programming and logic, while my team-mate focused on the graphic design and digital fabrication, we produced the concept and content in tandem. The skills we each brought to this project were different yet complementary and proved to be truly integral in the production of this project.
The video concept was storyboarded, scripted, filmed and animated by me.
Project description
Hangoutable provides you with a quick and hassle-free way of coordinating real-life hangouts with your close group of friends. It uses a simple visualization system composed of 6 basic activity types in order to provide a quick overview of what everyone in your group is currently in the mood for. This not only facilitates linking up with friends who are merely free to hangout, but it also lets the user identify which friends in the group have selected hangout types that match their own.
Hangoutable provides the following hangout settings: “take me out”, “come over”, “either way”, “quick break”, “alone time”, and “incognito”.
Hangoutable is ideal for friends with busy work/study schedules in the need of facilitating the coordination of plans in order to make the most of their free time. Hangoutable is also perfect for spontaneous, on the go, and last minute planners.
Hangoutable is the prototype for a physical interface that also provides a mobile phone touchpoint for remote access functionality.
Events
Grafik15
The Chalet Sessions
thechaletsessions.com
a project by Soraia Binz and Jeremy Moser
Role: Creative Director
#music #sessions #switzerland #chalet
Key roles
- communication - storytelling - copywriting
- content design - content production - content writing
- media production - motion design - graphic design - audio production
- web standards - media standards for web and social media
- team effort - collaboration - team leading
For this project, I handled the content production fully. In most cases, I produced the video, motion, graphics and copy myself, and where this was not the case I lead the direction of the production. I designed the website, scripted modifications where needed and prepared it for various SEO functionalities. All image and video content was produced according to online media standards.
Project description
The Chalet Sessions was created with the purpose of supporting aspiring musicians and the local music culture in Switzerland. The project places a particular focus on the Swiss experience by inviting artists from all corners of Switzerland, as well as international artists passing through the area, for an opportunity to perform within a traditional backdrop that includes typical Swiss chalets and unforgettable regional landscapes.
The Chalet Sessions offers participating musicians professional-grade audio recording accompanied by a high-quality video of a short performance within this unique setting. The sessions are intended to showcase each artist in a relaxed and honest context.
News
RTS 1 - Fête nationale de 1er août: Par monts et par vaux
RTR - Radiotelevisiun Svizra Rumantscha
Couleur 3 - Supersonic
Le Matin
Cause
RTS la 1ère - Paradiso
Le Mur Du Son
My Big Geneva
Ron Orp
#music #artist #website #switzerland

Key roles
- communication - storytelling - copywriting
- content design - content production - content writing
- media production - graphic design - audio production
- web standards - media standards for web
Various types of content in the form of video, image and text were produced for this project. I worked on and advised clients on best practices for web regarding their own content.
Project description
Syane.ch is a personal artist page for "Syane" showcasing the latest releases from her most recent album. The website presents the artist, provides news, music and video release updates. It also has a password-protected area for press related information and content.
Wildechoes
wildechoes.org
website by Soraia Binz and Chris Hails
produced for client for personal/professional use
#ornithology #website #switzerland

Key roles
- content design - content production - content writing
- information architecture - user research - usability testing
- media production - graphic design
- web standards - media standards for web
The client came to me with a website that was in very bad shape. Not being a particularly tech-savvy person, they had bugs, hacks and security issues resulting from not being able to update their CMS.
The website was old, out of date and not user-friendly, so a complete overhaul was needed.
The quantity of content to update and restructure from the old site was large. And I had to tackle the challenge of organising and displaying lengthy ornithological taxonomy and cutting through technical jargon.
I worked on creating a cohesive visual style that facilitated readability, sitewide navigation and searchability.
I revamped the website's information architecture by creating a clear and robust navigation system and by restructuring the whole website.
I advised on content and style through prototyping and improving upon existing pages, stripping down ones that were too dense, advising on the inclusion of use of headings and summary sections to facilitate readability, and by generally improving content structure and layout.
I created content in the form of video, image and text.
Project description
Wildechoes.org is a personal ornithology page created for Chris Hails exploring Swiss nature and birds through sound, image and word.