Seeing the Unseen: Exploring Emotion Through Digital Enhancement

Methodology: The Process: Two Realities, One Scene

I filmed a quiet moment in a park people sitting alone, reading, laughing, lost in thought, or simply passing by. That footage became the base for both versions:

1. Clip 1 – Raw Reality Video: A natural park scene was recorded, showcasing diverse human behaviors people sitting alone, reading, talking, or expressing emotions like joy or frustration. Ambient sounds, such as bird chirping, were added to deepen the immersion.

2. Clip 2 – Digitally Enhanced Emotion Video: The same scene was edited using AR filters and color effects to symbolize emotions:

   • Butterfly effect & aura glow: Representing emotional energy and mood shifts.

   • Color Glitch Effect: Simulating varying emotions through colors (e.g., blue for sadness, red for anger, purple for joy).

   • Motion Capture Simulation: AR filters reacting to individuals' movements, visualizing hidden emotions in real-time.

This wasn't about creating a spectacle it was about drawing attention to what we often miss in the everyday. Editing was done in CapCut using available Instagram and TikTok filters.

Results & Observations:

• The reality video appeared calm and neutral, giving no direct emotional cues beyond observable body language.

• The digitally enhanced version added an interpretative layer, making emotions more noticeable and engaging.

• Viewers noted that the augmented video made them reconsider how much goes unnoticed in daily interactions.

Analysis:

This experiment highlights how digital tools can amplify human perception, making the unseen aspects of life more tangible. While emotions remain internal, visual enhancements can offer an alternative storytelling method, prompting deeper emotional awareness.

Personal Inputs:

What really struck me during this project was how much we miss in everyday life those little emotional cues that people may not even realize they're giving off. It was eye-opening to realize how much goes unnoticed in our everyday interactions something as simple as a slight change in someone's expression or body language. Adding digital effects made me appreciate just how much of a person’s emotional world is often invisible unless we look a little deeper.

On a personal note, this project pushed me out of my comfort zone, especially in using AR filters and editing software. I hadn’t worked with this kind of digital enhancement before, so it was a learning curve. There were some frustrations along the way, especially when trying to match emotions to colors and effects, but it taught me a lot about trial and error in design. The final result wasn’t perfect, but the process made me realize how much room there is for improvement and growth in this area.

Looking ahead, I want to dive deeper into more advanced emotion recognition tools, maybe using AI or motion capture technology to get a more accurate representation of feelings. This experiment has definitely sparked my interest in how digital tools can change the way we experience and understand emotions, and I can’t wait to keep exploring this concept.

What I Learned

• Emotion is always present just not always visible.

Most people give off subtle cues that we ignore. Digital enhancement gave me tools to make those cues feel more tangible.

• AR filters can be more than trends.

When used intentionally, they can tell emotional stories and add richness to design narratives.

• Symbolism matters.

Assigning the right color or effect to a feeling took thought and experimentation. This made me more aware of how design choices influence emotional interpretation.

• Trial and error is essential.

There was no perfect formula. I had to test combinations, fail, revise, and adjust a process that deepened my design instincts.