Mahnoor Hasan, Harry Zhao, Ziheng Qu

"In the digital world body language can’t be used as we communicate through social media, texting, video games and more. Instead we use gifs or emojis in place of body language to convey the same meaning. However body language is a key part of how we communicate with each other especially when a language barrier is involved. Therefore we wanted to highlight and bring to attention the importance of body language through this puppet. The puppet emphasizes body language as a critical mode of expression, by echoing the participants movements. By incorporating physical gestures in the puppet, we bring attention to the nuanced ways body language fosters connection, emphasizing its power to bridge linguistic divides. The puppet’s face and body are composed primarily of geometric shapes, distinguishing it from traditional puppets, which often feature more detailed facial expressions and body structures. The choice of simplified geometry gives the puppet a clean, futuristic appearance that aligns with our vision. Our work nods to the storytelling tradition in conveying emotion and narrative through simple, silent figures. Beyond its technological functions, the puppet also serves as a companion, quietly reflecting the movements and emotions of the person it mirrors."