TDS-392B: Machined Influencers

Virtual avatars, designed based on social media analytics, are now hired as models and brand representatives. Pop stars and their music can now be algorithmically manufactured in entirety from an executive's office. In the course, Machined Influencers, we will critically examine the historical and future role of these new culture influencers, both real and imagined, from youtube stars to Washington DC. Using machine learning as a design medium, we will explore future autonomous avatar representations (beyond the human), AI behaviors, neural networked systems, and interactive media. Students will design new machined autonomies, crafting their experiential platform to perform an online and offline display of their identity systems, cultural values, and interaction guidelines. How can design learn from influencers, as a vehicle to embed ideals, scale a point of view, and foster change? How will these machined influencers (crafted within the internet) change how we see ourselves, our desires, our communities, our borders, our countries, and our world? Course Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to [1] design content utilizing strategic prototyping (machine learning techniques and software) [2] clearly define the scope of an avatar informed by conceptual and technological research insights [3] use visual and conceptual strategies to develop a narrative structure, employing storytelling techniques [4] design systems, networks, forms, and identities [5] propose novel concepts (research propositions) that exhibit an understanding of historical celebrity concepts and contemporary virtual avatar critique [6] collaborate with machine learning to explore live co-creation identities [7] define a design brief through emerging technology experimentation and explorative research [8] utilize rapid iterative design methodologies to develop their ideas, test their assumptions, refine their interactions, and justify their work.