Case Studies
Type
Speculative Digital Installation
Date
30.04.2023
Role
Concept Development, XR Designer
Client
XR Residency: Realities in Transition
Creators
Duo, Studio Comrades
The Distraction 5 is a speculative, digitally fabricated boy band installation that explores the manufacturability of boy band archetypes, their societal effects, and the popstar industrial complex. Inspired by the explosive growth of K-pop and the enduring legacy of global boy band phenomena, this project interrogates the mechanisms behind the creation of cultural idols.
Presented as part of the XR Residency Realities in Transition, which featured eight experimental projects breaking conventional narrative limits, this installation blended physical and digital mediums to offer a critical perspective on pop culture production and consumerism.
The challenge
The global rise of K-pop and boy band culture brought with it questions about the exploitation, toxic masculinity, and corruption often hidden beneath the polished surface. While female celebrity exploitation has gained visibility through movements like #FreeBritney, the entrenched mistreatment of male idols remains largely unaddressed.
At the same time, advancements in AI and digital fabrication present new ethical challenges: How far are we willing to accept digital idols as substitutes for human ones? Could this shift resolve the controversies surrounding real idols, or would it create new problems?
Solution
This project was realized as a multi-dimensional “fan zone” installation that blurred the boundaries between physical and digital realms. Each boy band member was a digitally generated human, created entirely with AI to reflect the artificiality of idol creation. Their debut single was a collaboration between ChatGPT and advanced AI tools, resulting in a catchy pop song fine-tuned to perfection.
The experience was enriched through immersive media elements. An album booklet served as a bridge between physical and digital storytelling, uncovering hidden layers of the narrative. Posters complemented the installation by enhancing the physical experience and providing additional context. Virtual reality transported audiences to an exclusive “meet and greet” event with the band, where they were confronted with the darker realities of being a boy band member. This experience highlighted themes of exploitation and the toll of toxic masculinity.
This interconnected universe of mediums invited audiences to reflect on the ethics of idol worship and the implications of digital celebrity culture.
Impact
Audiences were encouraged to examine the hidden labor conditions and systemic issues prevalent in the global music industry. The project provoked thought on the societal implications of idolizing manufactured personas, whether human or digital, and explored the potential future of entertainment in a world increasingly dominated by digital celebrities.
It sparked discussions about two critical issues: the ethical treatment of human idols and the evolving role digital idols could play in reshaping—or exacerbating—the challenges within the current system.
Type
Interactive 2.5D Installation
Date
15.07.2022
Role
Concept, Design, and Digital Media
Client
Self-Initiated Graduation Project
Creators
Duo, Studio Comrades
gURL 2032 is a speculative 2.5D installation recreating a Generation Alpha teen bedroom from the year 2032. It explores themes of digitization, control by big tech, self-discovery, and the search for retreat in digital worlds.
The project employs the "visual camouflage" of feminine clichés, such as magazines, face filters, and an intrusive audio track, to both disguise and reveal complex issues related to identity, mental health, and societal expectations.
Context
To visualize and decode the layered experiences of Generation Alpha teens, highlighting the interplay of naive aesthetics and the not-so-innocent realities of digital life. With rising mental health challenges among teenage girls—such as body dysmorphia driven by Snapchat filters and societal pressures—the project aimed to address these concerns while considering our dual perspectives as millennials who grew up both with and without pervasive technology.
Approach
A mixed-reality teen bedroom was created, using speculative and layered design to decode issues like digital solitude and self-image. The installation featured AR-enhanced elements such as a speculative teen magazine addressing mental health, interactive face filters symbolizing the effects of augmented beauty standards, and audio tracks reflecting the overwhelming nature of digital environments. These elements invited viewers to engage and reflect on the hidden dangers and potential of digital worlds.
Engagement
Exhibited at multiple venues, including the Koning de Willem Academy 2022 Graduation Show, AI Day in Rotterdam, and Dutch Design Week (DDW) in Eindhoven, gURL 2032 sparked cross-generational discussions. At DDW, visitors interacted deeply with the installation, saving over 400 photos through AR filters, highlighting societal gaps in digital literacy and data privacy awareness. The installation revealed the necessity for education on personal data sharing and offered valuable insights into how different generations perceive and engage with digital identities.
Type
Immersive VR Installation
Date
2019
Role
Concept, VR Design, and Experience Creation
Client
S.O.S. - Society of the Spectacle
Creators
Nicol Colga,
Giang Nguyen,
Edith Dingemans
YOUSSR is an immersive VR experience that explores the similarities in propaganda across (neo) communist countries. Presented as a ±7.5-minute triptych, the project recontextualizes what is often seen as "dull history documentary" into an engaging and participatory narrative.
The experience immerses viewers in a lifecycle, encouraging deeper reflection on the pervasive power of propaganda in historical and contemporary regimes.
Gulala
As part of the VR installation, each creator was tasked with constructing a research process document. My contribution, The Fake Gulala Shop, creatively showcased the 7 techniques of propaganda. Users begin their journey by engaging in familiar online shopping behaviors within the shop, only to encounter warnings and explanations that reveal manipulative tactics at play. This interactive approach transformed the exploration into an educational experience, demonstrating how propaganda operates while encouraging critical reflection.
By presenting these techniques in an entertaining and accessible way, my goal was to raise awareness of propaganda's influence and empower audiences to recognize and resist its mechanisms in both historical and contemporary contexts.
Disclaimer
This project is an artistic exploration of propaganda as a universal phenomenon, examining its techniques and influence across various historical and contemporary contexts. It does not target or critique any specific nation, government, or ongoing conflict. The intention is to promote critical thinking and awareness about the mechanisms of manipulation used in different eras and regions.
We acknowledge that the topic may resonate differently with individuals depending on their personal experiences or current events, and we encourage viewers to approach the work with an open mind, focusing on its broader educational purpose.
Crafting Digital
Realities
Hey, I’m Nicol—a product designer, XR enthusiast, and trained graphic and fashion designer. My creative journey began in Poland, where I studied at SAPU in Krakow, earning recognition for my collection “SLÓNSK” and kickstarting my career at Gena. Later, I pursued my calling in Graphic Design at Rotterdam's Willem de Kooning Academy, where I co-founded Studio Comrades. We created immersive 2D/3D narratives that explore contemporary social themes, with projects like "WW2" and "gURL," which received acclaim at the Student XR Awards. We've also designed AR experiences for events like Duikboot Festival and Dutch Comic Con.
Driven by a passion for XR, I dove into UX, earning a Google UX certification. Now, I’m focused on blending user-centered design with my love for problem-solving—ready to create meaningful, solution-driven experiences.
Photoshop
Figma
Blender
Notion
Designs
That Drive Results
UX
Design
I create user-centered designs that solve problems and deliver intuitive, impactful experiences through research and a user-first approach.
UI
Design
With a Graphic Design background, I create visually compelling brand identities, icons, and illustrations that highlight the details that make your brand unique.
XR
Design
Passionate about emerging technologies, I craft immersive AR/VR experiences that offer fresh, innovative solutions to engage your audience.
Web
Design
Skilled in HTML/CSS, Framer, and WordPress, I build visually stunning websites that provide seamless, memorable user experiences.
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