1. “Advise Me”
A Mini Thesis Project by
Laura Simpson

2. Intro
• “Advise Me” is a satirical
video series exploring
American morality and ideas
of morality shift via Advice
Giving.

3. Domains
Morality Advice
giving
Satire
Video

4. Design Questions/
Audience
• Is the advisor actually capable of giving useful
advice or are they merely prescribing their own
morality?
• Has advice changed in the last 60 years?
• What does it say about people who seek advice
from strangers?
• Audience: Advice seekers

5. Precedence
• Advice Columns: • Satirical Advice
Dan Savage, Dear Column:
Abby, Ann Landers, Mrs. Mills Solves all of
Ask Prudence, Since your Problems
you Asked
• Satire via video:
Autotune the News

6. Selected Research
• Morality: Being Good
• Fiction:
McGraw-Hill Social Education Films,
Ms. Lonelyhearts by Nathanael West

7. Prototype 1
• Interactive, sound and sensor
triggered video installation.
• Social education films were
interchangeable with the
Advisor’s video clips.
• Videos were randomized such
that the Advisor never “heard”
the actual request.

8. Prototype 2
• The persona was
created for the Advisor.
• The sound trigger was
refined and placed after
the proximity sensor.
The Advisor asked for
the user’s question
directly.

9. Prototype 3
• Removed interactivity
in favor of developing
the persona and
expanding the
number of social
education films that I
can work with.

10. Advise me Premier