Journalism Hackday

At a Dundee University hackday focused on journalism, open data and physical interaction, we formed a mixed Nokia and Imagination team and built a fast, playful game about media bias. Headlines flashed up on screen and players had to guess which newspaper they came from by hitting a physical button, turning editorial tone into something you could feel and debate. In two days we took the idea from concept to working prototype.

I helped shape the game concept and built the physical interface that gave it its energy, working with the team to compress research, design and implementation into two intense days. The aim was to make media bias something people could recognise through play rather than explanation alone.

The game pulled live headlines from the Guardian, the Press and Journal, and the Sun via RSS, displaying them in a Flash app. A laser-cut acrylic button board housed RGB LEDs, switches and an Arduino Mega, giving the prototype a satisfying physical presence.