by abduzeedo
Explore Shuxuan Yang's "Synthetic Nature," an interactive project where motion design and typography respond to human presence.
Have you ever thought about digital systems feeling us? What if letters could do more than just share words? What if typography could react, listen, and remember? Shuxuan Yang, also known as Eleanor Yang, is a gifted designer. She tackles these ideas in "Synthetic Nature." This interactive project shows motion design as a live system. It changes with the user.
Typography That Breathes
In "Synthetic Nature," letters are not still. They move. They pull back. They change. Letters softly stretch or disappear. Their rhythm shifts. They react to your breath, how close you are, or even colors. Every time you interact, a faint mark stays. It fades slowly. This shows that even small actions leave traces. It makes us think about how we connect with machines. It's about being present, not just controlling.
Yang didn't just make a tool. She created a digital living thing. Her work isn't meant to stun you. It aims to connect and create quiet awareness. As you change your breath or move, the system adapts. The typography shifts its shape and energy. It reflects how delicate our bodies and code are. Think of moss changing with light, or a pond rippling from wind.
A New Speed for Interfaces
"Synthetic Nature" goes against today's common interface ideas. Our design world often pushes for fast, instant results. Yang offers a different view: an interface that is slow and gentle. It is also a bit unclear on purpose. This design listens first. Then it reacts. It values feeling over quickness.
The project gets ideas from nature's systems. It also looks at old traditions. It uses the idea of "Qi," a life force that flows everywhere. This deep well of thought shapes the project's unique take on motion design and typography. It creates a truly rich and thoughtful experience.
Seeing the Unseen
Visually, "Synthetic Nature" uses simple forms with natural movement. Yang used her own code and a grid system. This makes the typography look calm but alive. It is gently animated. It can change forever. It's more than just how the letters look. It's about their reaction. It's about the marks they leave. It's about the feelings they stir.
The project shows striking examples of this living typography. For instance, the words "DnA is the OriGinal proGraMMing language" appear as glowing, organic shapes. Another piece just says "DaTa." Here, the letters look like moving liquid. They respond to people using them. The posters for "MeSH" and "DnA" also show this mix. They combine structured text with natural motion.
Ultimately, "Synthetic Nature" becomes a calm space. Here, technology doesn't rule. It lives with you. It asks us to make systems that fit the worlds we want. Systems that notice presence, keep memories, and value our attention. This is not just a digital solution. It is a digital ceremony.
To learn more about this project, and see more of Shuxuan Yang's work, visit her site: https://www.eleanoryang.net/.
