Exploring Empathy in the Metaverse

As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and are able to look back and reflect, we have found that after the initial sense of camaraderie and despite soundbites of "We're all in this Together," many experienced a profound sense of isolation and fear. Along with this came a decline in empathy and the ability to share and understand others feelings.At the same time, the demand for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality has catapulted. Meeting virtually, working virtually, and presenting virtually have all become commonplace in the workplace. Retail, education, and entertainment all saw a huge rise in using these technologies during the pandemic.Keiken, a fem-collective of artists based in London and Berlin, recently launched its first solo show that includes an interactive CGI film series, The Life Game, and Bet(a) Bodies, a wearable technology that simulates the physical experience of being pregnant. They feel strongly that empathy is an essential component of the human experience.“It’s important to remember with mind and body that you can’t have one without the other,” they assert. “The relationship between the digital and the physical can’t sustain itself in the Metaverse if we ignore the body, or our organic matter. If the physical body can be supported and stimulated while we’re in the Metaverse, rather than just dislocated, we have the potential to emancipate ourselves from the physical limitations of our actual bodies.”Keiken's approach is in contrast to many gaming manufacturers where emotions are not central to the design. Their work echos Damasio principles regarding the connectivity of our emotions to motivation and creativity, and our ability to invent and create work that will benefit our culture and help us grow.Sources:https://www.designindaba.com/articles/creative-work/metaverse-multipleshttps://www.rewire.org/pandemic-empathy-deficit/https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2021/09/14/augmented-and-virtual-reality-after-covid-19/?sh=6037f30f2d97https://findingmastery.net/antonio-damasio/

How designers are dealing with COVID-19

We are living in extraordinary times. We are not doctors or essential staff. Many of us already work at home and are used to working alone. But like the rest of the world, none of us are used to the unprecedented events unfolding around us. We will continue to do what we are trained to do, help spread the message through visual communication.At the front line, graphic designers working for the CDC have created a package of graphics and images for download and distribution in English, Spanish and Chinese.Design educators are sharing information, ideas, and resources for moving to online teaching.Illustrators and cartoonists on "The Nib" are spreading the word through humor and political parody as is designer Jure Tovrljan who reimagined iconic logos to bring attention to the situation.Sometimes designers get it wrong though, as author, educator, and design critic Steven Heller points out in his article, "The Worst Magazine Cover at the Worst Moment." Heller calls out New York Magazine for triggering and enabling panic, instead of helping to stop it.Designers don't have a lot of power, but remember to use the power you do have wisely, and be well.