Project Title

P.H.I.S.H: Pixellating HKUST-Interactive Spot Heatmap 

Artist

CHAN Lok Him, Matthew

Description

This project presents an interactive popularity heatmap of the HKUST campus, designed as a helpful guide for visitors. By highlighting popular spots, it provides a genuinely useful service that quickly builds user trust and lowers their guard.

However, this guide is actually a carefully designed trap meant to demonstrate the "power of interface." Hidden within the site is a voting system built with "dark patterns"—sneaky design choices that manipulate user behaviour. For instance, conveniently placed "Agree" buttons encourage mindless clicking, while a frictionless design secretly tricks users into surrendering unnecessary personal information.

Ultimately, this project is an interactive lesson in digital safety and data privacy. It reveals that even trustworthy-looking, university-tied websites can be designed to exploit users. The goal is to highlight how a clever interface can easily be weaponized, reminding visitors to be cautious when handing over personal data online. 

Element

# Website