Zhaniya Kenes
Connect2
Class of: 2027
Major: Design and Technology BFA
Medium: Plywood, nails, soft wood
Faculty: Aviva Maya Shulem
Prompt: As technology advances, we’ve become increasingly reliant on social media for communication, leaving face-to-face interaction in the background. This reality has become more pronounced in our daily lives. In this final project, students will work in groups of three or four to create a set of physical objects that will enhance social interaction.
We propose creating special tables with board games like chess or tic-tac-toe engraved on the surface. These tables will have stools with pockets for phones. When you put your phone in the pocket, you’re encouraged to leave it there while playing or talking. If you take the phone out, a small LED lights will turn off, reminding you to focus on the people and the game instead of the screen. Phones often limit how deeply we communicate, but board games make it easy to start talking and interacting with others naturally, eventually helping to cope with loneliness. These tables are perfect for parks, cafes, and public spaces, helping people connect, have fun, and strengthen real-life relationships in a simple and enjoyable way.