Paul Morat

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I am an interaction designer and HCI researcher based in London, UK. My work investigates the transformative interplay between humans and computer technology, using design as a performative tool that shapes perception and interaction in the hybrid space.

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Der Zeitgeber

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Framework for an VR app that manipulates time-perception.   Publication  Video

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«Der Zeitgeber» is a Virtual Reality app that uses spatial distortion to influence the user’s visual perception and ultimately manipulates their sense of time. 

Spatial orientation allows us to judge dist-ances regarding their temporal component. 
In particular in self-motion, we can estimate the duration it takes to cover a given distance, since temporal and spatial perception are cognitively and neurologically connected. 
This connection can be broken with the help of Virtual Reality technology and a perceptual conflict can be created, where the visual information (virtual) dominates the proprio-ceptive information (physical). 

«Der Zeitgeber» creates the feeling of pre-sence and generates a state of flow as an audiovisual and interactive gaming-like application. It therefore leads the user away from the underlying perceptual manipulation. The visual design impedes depth perception and spatial orientation.

The user is motivated to cover a given distance (and in consequence a duration) which is growing with every step, but only in the physical space. The virtual environment moves with the user, the space is distorted. While the physical distance is growing, the virtual distance remains. Therefore, the user is cognitively unable to perceive the change of the duration it takes to cover the growing physical distance. 

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Concept, Design:    
AIKEN CURA

Sounddesign:  
Jacqueline Butzinger

Neuroscience Consultation:
Prof. Dr. Dr. Kai Vogeley
Jülich Research Centre

Cognitive Science Consultation: 
Dr. Marc Wittmann
University of Freiburg

Design Consultation: 
Prof. Boris Müller
Interaction Design Lab Potsdam

Published through ACM and presented at
Mensch und Computer, Ingolstadt 2021

Awarded with the Next.Reality Contest
Young Talent Award, Hamburg 2021