Working
Working aims to shed light on the phenomenon of overtime work through an interactive installation in the city. Designed as a tribute to those who spend countless hours in office buildings, this interactive "monument" seeks to make the invisible visible. It will create a dynamic space where video content respond to the audience's movements. Through this engagement, visitors are invited to reflect on the culture of overworking and the impact it has on thousands of young professionals. The goal is to spark a dialogue and encourage a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by overtime workers.
Oct - Nov 2022
Individual Project
Research
Overtime: A Widespread Norm
Overtime has solidified as an inescapable norm across China. According to "The Report on the Status Quo of Overtime Work 2022," published in April 2022, a significant 62.9% of respondents indicated they work overtime occasionally (1-2 days per week), while 28.7% reported frequent overtime work (3-5 days per week).
Profiles of Overtime Workers
An analysis comparing various industries reveals that the Internet sector records the highest average overtime hours. Notably, 20% of its workforce logs more than 3 hours of overtime daily, a figure substantially exceeding the average across other sectors. The legal and financial sectors also prominently feature, with a significant portion of their employees working over an hour of overtime each day.
Underlying Causes of Overtime
The motivations behind the pervasive overtime culture are multifaceted. "The Report" highlights that nearly 60% of individuals attribute their overtime to unforeseen emergencies, while inefficiencies stemming from poor workflow management also play a crucial role. Additionally, 23% of workers find themselves compelled into overtime by the overarching pressure of a work environment where extended hours are the norm.
Interview
To gain deeper insights into how individuals perceive their experiences following overtime work, I conducted interviews with 20 people from diverse age groups, focusing on their feelings and experiences related to working overtime. Each interview, lasting 30 minutes, was semi-structured and revolved around three key questions:
A. How many hours do you work overtime each month?
B. What are your feelings after working overtime?
C. Do you think working overtime has affected your work-life balance?
"After Saturday became a workday, I seldom went out on Sunday, instead spending the whole day in bed. I often felt down during that time. I was new to the city then, worked six days a week in an office building indistinguishable from those in any other city, and didn't get a chance to see the city on the weekends."
"Sitting in front of the computer for a long time can consume most of my energy, and the only thing I think about is when I can get some rest. Only after a good rest can I regain my good mood."
"Sometimes, to maintain the length of my personal time, I adjust my sleep schedule to go to bed later, but this makes me feel more tired."
“I don't like this kind of abnormal routine since it’s harmful to my health. If I go to bed late, I will be less energetic during the day. ”
Insights
Common Phenomenon
The majority of the interviewees indicated that they work extra hours on a regular basis. Overtime has become a familiar aspect of work life for young professionals in China's major metropolitan areas.
Accumulated Stress
Overtime work leads to varying levels of exhaustion among employees, which intensifies progressively over time. This increasing fatigue is a common consequence of extended work hours.
Isolation
The routine of working late keeps young employees confined within office spaces, severely limiting their opportunities to explore and engage with the city. This lack of interaction fosters a sense of disconnection and isolation among young professionals in urban settings.
Design Brief
WHO
The target audience includes fellow city dwellers. Through engagement with this installation, individuals can gain insights into the current working dynamics within nearby office buildings.
WHERE
The proposed locations for this installation are highly trafficked urban areas, specifically the entrance of a subway station or a public park in the city. These spots are chosen for their high pedestrian flow, ensuring maximum interaction and visibility.
WHAT
The installation features a series of projectors that cast real-time processed videos. These videos depict an office building, represented as a composition of various grids, each symbolizing the individual contributions of workers staying late.
HOW
Encircling the installation is a dial, shaped as a circle, which symbolizes the hours following the end of a standard workday, from 8 PM to 8 AM. As viewers interact with the installation at specific times, they can witness projections that correspond to those particular moments on the representation of the building, offering a visual narrative of the overtime culture.
The Silhouette Videos
To create the videos, I initially sourced and recorded footage of people working. Subsequently, in Adobe After Effects, I utilized the Roto Brush tool to meticulously remove the background. The final step involved adjusting the color settings to transform the footage into silhouette videos.
Prototype Components
Input
Processor
Output
Force Sensors
Voltage Converter
Arduino Uno
Extension Board
Processing
Design Development
Final Design
Tools
