Co-Experiments
An experiment, a space of exploration, creativity, and expression—while in quarantine
The COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges to people and society. Since March 2020, when the lockdown began, it has impacted us in many ways—how we work, how we communicate, how we live, and even how we think about our future. On top of that, we are 8,614 miles away from home which makes this time even more difficult. After we observed our feelings for about a month, we found that we have something in common. That’s where the idea of doing a quarantine project was initiated.
Since March 2020
Co-experiment is an experiment of expressions in the new-normal world through design. We narrowed down our feelings to what most impacted us; lost track of time, isolation, and anxiety.
Co-experiment is an experiment of expressions in the new-normal world through design. We narrowed down our feelings to what most impacted us; lost track of time, isolation, and anxiety.
Isolation
Many of us are restricted to see our loved ones. The feelings of isolation hit us in more places than the heart and head. We may feel lonelier even though technology enables us to connect with our family and friends regardless of where we are. What we truly need are hugs, physical touch, or someone to look at us in the eyes.
Feeling disconnected is the most powerful impact on us during this time. In this experiment, we played with negative space to show distance, constraint, and isolation. And nostalgic photography shows just how much we want to see our loved ones again.
Lost track of time
If you ask yourself, ‘What day is it’ more often these days, you are not alone. Being stuck at home during the quarantine has distorted our sense of time. And when outdoor activities become more challenging, our days at home tend to be the same. In this experiment, it shows that time started to drift aimlessly. We are sometimes confused, lost in the dimension of time, and just need to bring ourselves back to the present.
Anxiety
Uncertainty is all around us, never more so than today. It leaves us feeling anxious, stressed, and powerless, whether when you are out grocery shopping or thinking over the direction of your life. Anxiety can drain us emotionally and trap us in a spiral of endless “what-ifs.”
Anxiety flows inside our mind unconsciously. In this experiment, we use different types of liquid as a medium to express the feeling. The movement of the ink created a sense of fear, spreading, and haunting like coronavirus.
As co-creators of Co.Experiments, we initiated weekly creative check-ins to help process and express the emotional impact of the pandemic. Together, we concepted and designed visual pieces around themes like isolation, anxiety, and a distorted sense of time. Using a mix of motion, typography, and digital illustration, we turned shared emotions into expressive visual narratives. We collaborated on every step—from ideation to execution—ensuring the work remained honest, empathetic, and reflective of the moment we were living through.
Project partner: Blu Klaisuban