01
INTRODUCTION
In the digital age, the integration of artificial intelligence into everyday life has become increasingly prevalent. At Perception, we have been playing an instrumental role in the development of AI assistants and avatars for global technology companies. Through strategic animations and detailed design properties, we are adding the necessary layers of humanity to this technology. By imbuing AI assistants with personality traits and depictions of emotion, we can grow a deeper user engagement, connection and comfortability with the technology.
02
USER-CENTRIC DESIGN
With everything we design, we are always mindful that the user must come first. In the case of designing for AI, we look to what users will be naturally drawn to: connection and interaction. When interacting with technology, especially AI-driven systems, users often want a sense of familiarity and relatability.
By visualizing the personality of an AI assistant to include dynamic motions and distinct features, our team aims to bridge the gap between the user and the technology, making the interaction more natural. Just as people are drawn to personalities they get along with in real life, users are more likely to engage with AI assistants that exhibit traits or behaviors they find appealing or comforting.
POSITIVE AI AVATAR
NEGATIVE AI AVATAR
EXCITED AI AVATAR
03
AI PERSONALITY
In our collaborations with automotive manufacturers, technology leaders and even film studios, we focus on the personality of the AI when designing. The IBM Debater, for example, exhibits a wide range of expressions and reactions.
IBM ORIENTATION TEST
IBM OUTSIDE INFLUENCE TEST
IBM FORMS TEST
From its intelligence to passion for debate, each element that we included within this AI design was meant to reflect the full spectrum of emotions the debater was contemplating.
IBM DEBATER LISTENING
IBM DEBATER PREPARING
IBM DEBATER SMUG
IBM DEBATER TALKING
Beyond the personality of the AI, our team researches and studies possible traits. The visualization of AI can help companies differentiate their offerings and establish the purpose of this AI, giving the technology a distinct identity.
For automotive makers, our design for the AI assistant will be flexible enough to accommodate the user’s needs and the vehicle’s instruction. It should not be so complex that it distracts the driver, but it should also be detailed enough that it can clearly communicate updates from the vehicle. Above all, it needs to be empathetic to the driver.
REACTION BASED AI
04
MOMENTS OF DELIGHT
In addition to visualizing the personality of an AI assistant and imbuing it with human-like traits and emotions, our team strategically crafts moments of delight, which are crucial in creating memorable and enjoyable user experiences.
By incorporating elements of surprise, humor, or empathy into the interaction, we can evoke positive emotions and strengthen the bond between the user and the AI. Whether it’s a playful response to a user’s question or an unexpected Easter egg hidden within the UI, these moments of delight can leave a lasting impression and encourage continued engagement.
Within these moments of delight, we also aim to highlight the range of emotes and modes that the AI is capable of. It can utilize various visual and auditory cues to communicate different modes, with color being an element we use frequently.
Users respond naturally to color, and colorful symbolism as seen in everyday life in signage and instruction. If the AI assistant shifts to a red hue, it could indicate an error in communication. Green could mean positivity or a successful interaction. Whatever the cue is, we make it quick, simple and noticeable for the sake of easy interpretation.
05
CUSTOMIZABLE INTELLIGENCE
To personalize the experience further, we can use AI to customize the design for each user based on their traits. For example, a family of 4 would be using the foundational design for that specific product's AI, but using AI in the background can make that foundational design even more custom to each specific family member.
DEVELOPMENT OF AI FUNCTION VISUALIZATION
The organizer of the family would have a more planning-oriented AI that lays out calendars and schedules, while the children of the family could have an AI assistant that has a simpler, more relatable design for their younger age. Our digital designs take the needs, identities, interests and technological skill level of each user into consideration.
06
AI FOR FILM
In addition to designing AI for global technology brands, we also visualize AI for blockbuster science-fiction films. In films, we can be more daring and experimental in our designs. However, instead of aligning this AI with a brand identity, we personalize the AI to match the personality and technological prowess of the character who created it.
Arnim Zola, the Man in the Machine, of Captain America: The Winter Soldier has imbued his consciousness into a computer, built decades earlier than when its discovered. Using the idea of Zola’s mind trapped inside of a computer, our team to crafted a rugged, digitized version of Zola, distorted by aged technology.
Similar to how we craft the personality of real-world AI, we used Zola’s AI design to portray his personality: intelligent, crafty and angry. The deep green color scheme and flickering digital details all support and enhance the narrative of who Arnim Zola is and what his AI is capable of achieving.
07
CONCLUSION
At Perception, we are striving to bring technology into the future. With AI assistants growing in prevalence and sophistication, we are constantly partnering with technology leaders around the world to allow the design of the AI to reflect its capabilities. By using our cinematic touch to enhance the digital design of the AI assistant, we can provide the technology with heightened personality, advancements in visual communication and elevated connectivity to the user.
