The Wedge is a conversational space designed to provide a salon-type atmosphere, where users will gather to discuss a chosen hot-button topic in an attempt to inform, debate and amuse each other.

1. The Wedge
take a side, take a stand, make your opinion heard.

3. How did we get there?

4. goal
design an engaging conversational space around a piece of media.

5. {brainstorm}

7. first idea: antique vs. vintage
Our initial idea was centered around comparing the concepts of antique,
vintage and old.
We wanted to see where people took those concepts conversationally, and
get some clarity on what means to be antique, vintage or old.

8. Todays Item: orem ipsum dolor sit ame
About this item
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing
elit. Vestibulum lobortis lobortis dui, non porttitor sem
elementum feugiat. Ut cursus lorem et turpis tincidunt
suscipit at in sapien. Nullam eget justo a nisl gravida
venenatis. Sed aliquam justo ac lorem suscipit blandit.
Nunc quis felis velit, a tempor purus. Phasellus in elit
nibh, ac rutrum neque. Mauris et rhoncus enim. Sed
vulputate suscipit mi, in ultricies justo aliquet sit amet.
Phasellus eu lectus non nisi lobortis tempus. Nullam
sed suscipit quam. Nunc congue mollis sagittis.
Phasellus cursus imperdiet nisl nec posuere.
Duis at lorem urna. Sed dapibus consectetur mi a
tincidunt. Sed ultricies justo a sapien iaculis
How do you see this item? How much would you pay for it?
Submit $ Submit
VINTAGE OLD VINTAGE LOOKING
{wireframe - idea1}
Comments
Commenter #1

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{wireframe - idea1}

10. research
- discussion boards, antique forums and other conversational spaces -
People were just picking a side rather than engaging in a deeper
conversation about the concepts and their meaning as we thought they
would.

11. {research}

12. back to the drawing board
- thinking about a way to get deeper into the conversation -
we started recalling conversations in the real world which have elicited this
kind of response

13. The itp list inspiration
people expressively defend their ideas and opinions on topics they are
passionate about.

15. translating
here at ITP we explore where technology and product development are
taking us.
we wanted to design a space around interesting and current issues facing
us, with the future plans of potentially opening the conversation for the
outside world.

16. The wedge
a conversational space designed to provide a salon-type atmosphere,
where users gather to discuss a chosen hot-button topic in an attempt to
inform, debate and amuse each other.
a new issue is presented, along with two concise editorials written by
experts on opposite sides of the spectrum.

17. The Wedge is an opportunity for users to engage with ideas
that they have not previously considered, as well as a
chance to understand where people with differing
opinions are coming from.

20. first topic – AR glasses
• Posted on Monday (February 26th) afternoon
• 16 comments (10 different commenters)
• 126 unique visitors in first 48 hours.
• Previously discussed on the List.
• Comments were much more considered than the discussion on the List.

21. second topic – privacy
• Posted on Friday (March 2nd) afternoon
• 4 comments (2 different commenters)
• 64 unique visitors in first 24 hours.
• Thoughtful back and forth between Ben and Rhodes

22. third topic – 3d printing
• Posted on Saturday (March 3rd) afternoon
• 0 comments
• 32 unique visitors in first 24 hours.

23. Final Thoughts
Potential Improvements
Success
Things we learned

24. Build in intertopic navigation to get back
to other conversations
Release topics on a consistent schedule

25. Create a richer graphical layout which allows for more back and forth.
color geometry dog ear

26. choose a side based on color scheme: users can agree 100% with the
different points, being more inclined to one side than the other, or even
neutral.

27. final Thoughts - Improvements
Open it to larger community

28. final Thoughts - Success
Deep Conversations - No memes

29. final Thoughts - Success
Cross Talking

30. final Thoughts - Success
Non-internet commenters commenting

31. final Thoughts - Success
Dialoguing amongst individuals on the
net that doesn’t happen in real life.

32. final Thoughts - Learning
Designing conversational spaces is hard.
The initial effort in getting an audience to comment can be reduced by
providing a starter conversation.
Even though two opinions can start a conversation there needs to be room
for the an alternative opinion.

33. Thank you!
Bruna, Mark, Patrick, Sara.