Choose Social - Wear Your Welcome

Choose Social is a speculative interaction design project that uses clothing as an opt-in social signal to encourage friendly conversations between strangers in public spaces. Through customizable prompts like “Ask me about ____,” wearers explicitly communicate openness and consent for interaction, reducing social ambiguity and lowering barriers to connection.

The Problem

Public spaces are full of people who want connection but hesitate to initiate it. Fear of awkwardness, safety concerns, cultural norms, and digital distractions make approaching strangers feel risky even when curiosity is present.

The Concept

Wear Your Welcome reimagines clothing as an interactive interface. A simple readable prompt paired with a recognizable brand identity turns a passive garment into an active invitation for conversation that is clear low pressure and consent based.

My Role

Independent projectConcept and framingBehavioral researchBrand identity and visual languagePrototype designField testing and observationAnalysis and reflection

Prototype and Testing

A low fidelity prototype was created using iron on lettering applied to a plain white T shirt with the prompt “Ask me about my dog.”

Field testing took place in cafés sidewalks shops and a public park. Interactions were documented through observation and reflection.

Metrics included conversation count entry points comfort level duration and wearer confidence.

Results

Approximately 60 percent of conversations continued beyond the initial prompt. Men typically engaged directly with the prompt.Women more often asked about the concept and brand.Slower environments supported deeper interaction.The handmade aesthetic increased approachability.

The intervention validated that explicit social permission increases positive stranger interaction.

Key Insights

Clear consent lowers social risk.Curiosity is a powerful driver of engagement.Brand identity can function as a social signal on its own.Context strongly affects interaction likelihood.

Impact and Next Steps

Choose Social demonstrates how small intentional design interventions can reshape social behavior in public space. Future directions include expanded testing stronger brand systems prompt libraries and community driven participation.

Why This Matters

This project reframes interaction design as a tool for human connection showing how design can make public spaces feel more open safe and socially alive.