Analysis

What am I communicating?

The Stoplight "Can I Disturb?" Earring communicates the wearer's availability and willingness to engage based on their current online activity. It serves as a non-verbal indicator of social accessibility, allowing the wearer (henceforth known as 'me') to define boundaries without interruption.

Who am I communicating to/with?

I first started this idea to communicate with my partner, whom I live with, whether I could be disturbed; however, I was also raised in a large household with 3 brothers, so I thought this would work with them as well. It's an effective communicator for anyone who knows what the Stoplight means, but might not be understood as interactive by people who haven't been previously told. 

How does my piece communicate?

The communication happens through color-coded LEDs that are impossible to miss if someone is looking at you. Green implies “Go ahead, talk to me,” yellow says “Approach with caution—I might be busy,” and red signals “Stop—please don’t disturb me.” The 3D-printed traffic light shape reinforces the meaning without words; it’s a universally understood symbol.

I’m using color (the LEDs), form (the recognizable shape of a traffic light), and slight movement (as the earring dangles) to catch the viewer’s eye. Right now, it’s primarily visual. I considered other methods, but the simplicity of a glowing red, yellow, or green indicator felt like the clearest way to convey my status.

I wouldn't add audio to the earring itself, since it could be distracting for the wearer.

What is the desired reaction?

I’m aiming for immediate recognition and respect of boundaries. Ideally, someone sees the earring, understands my status at a glance, and adjusts their actions accordingly. For example, if they see red, they know not to interrupt. If they see green, they can feel confident starting a conversation.

Even though the design and technology changed throughout the process, my original communication outcome remained the same: to automatically inform external parties whether I could be disturbed. 

Initially, I only thought about indicating a simple “busy or not busy” status. Over time, I realized I needed more nuance—hence adding the yellow “proceed with caution” option. I also became more aware that the piece needed to be readable at a glance and not rely on written explanations or hidden LEDs. The shift from a generic ornament to a clearly recognizable traffic light design reflects that evolution in my communication goal.

Discuss what your piece communicates to the outside world other than your target audience.

Even if someone doesn’t know me or the concept, the object still conveys a sort of personal boundary. It might seem like a quirky fashion statement that says, “I’m doing something techy,” or “I value my personal space.” It can also signal that I’m experimenting with how digital habits interact with social etiquette. For someone not in on the concept, it might just read as a fun, tech-infused accessory that glows different colors for reasons unknown—but that still sends a message that I’m interested in creative personal expression and wearable tech.

If you saw someone wearing your piece, what would you think? What draws your eye first?

I’d think they’re someone who values communication without confrontation—someone who wants to subtly manage their social interactions. My eye would be drawn first to the bright LED colors. The traffic light form factor is familiar enough that I would instantly connect it to the idea of “stop/go” messages, even if I didn’t know the exact logic behind it.

What senses does your piece activate in those around you? (Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch)

Definitely sight. The strong color cues are meant to grab attention visually. There’s no sound or smell involved, and I wouldn’t want anyone to taste it (please don’t!). Touch is secondary—maybe if someone were curious, they might reach out and handle it, noticing its texture or weight. But primarily, it’s a visual communication channel.

How might you utilize an additional sensory modality to improve how your piece communicates?

While constant audio could be distracting, there could be a chime to indicate when the light switches to green so people around me would know I'm free. Another option would be to send an alert (buzz or sound) to specific people's phone (in my case, Lenny) when I switch to green. This way they can know I'm available without it bothering or annoying me. 

While there's many ways I could incoroporate further modalities, I think sticking to less in this project is best, to make wearing it more comfortable.