Fake Webcam Masks Generator 2018

https://uglykiki.github.io/funny-webcam/

Fake Webcam Masks Generator(2018) is the first project in which I tried to redefine my understanding of user interface design and the potential of glitch art. Instead of creating a perfect user interface, she made a malfunctioned website that confused users. The idea of this project came from a class where everyone used their webcams to test augmented reality works. When my classmates tried different angles to get the AR objects shown up but fail inspired her to explore humans’ expectations on machines and how do they easily follow rules without thinking. Consequently, I built a fake webcam masks generator using two javascript library, Webcam.js(open webcam and take screenshot) and tracking.js( face tracking), then she shifted the functions of two main buttons “Run” and “Rest”, the former actually functions “stop” and the later takes screenshots continuously and secretly. This simple but unnoticeable glitch made users stuck in the website for several minutes to anticipated the funny masks without finding they were being photographed secretly.

In this interactive project, I show my unique interpretation of Jodi-like glitch art – it is artificial, code- generated glitch, of which visual effect is not the core but the experimental process of producing bugs using accessible tools likes the internet. The real purpose of this kind of intentional but unreadable malfunctions from the backend is to cause random glitches of users’ cognitions and behaviors. In the meantime, this project also tells the truth that technology nowadays is a double sword, most of the electronic devices are designed intentionally easy to use, while cause the users immoderately rely on the machines without critical thinking.