A case study on the power of stories and the challenge of building a graph Natural language Processing interface
Branding & Visual Identity
Imposing the primordial imagery into a tech-based environment proved to be an engaging challenge. Textures, irregularity, and transparency can be difficult in modern design styles.
Ultimately I chose to embrace the abstract forms and convey the concept of the hand. As one of the earliest marks made by storytellers, it has a potent message and I was able to draw inspiration from stylistic depictions of hands where creativity was blossoming in early human history. Swirls and patterns integrated with the forms of the world around them and were morphed into symbols.
Color-wise I chose the contrast of the dark cave and the light. Both sets of colors working to convey the colors of ochre and the canvas on which they were applied.
I also created a set of playful images to work in tandem with the design system of Ochre, as I felt the humanistic approach had to be applied to the corporate setting.
Our
Story
What once was
Our team, Ochre, tried to tackle a difficult product challenge. We have a goal of utilizing graphNLP technology; something that can map and inherently provide insight into data sets and show the connections between them. GraphNLP technology is usually implemented in limited contexts and spaces, and we sought to create a novel and powerful interface to show the connections and depth to the data before the fanatic takeover of AI in the tech world.
We used this technology in the space of stories, where complex relationships, entities, and networks can be mapped to provide business value. So first, we began with Ochre's story
Identity of Storytelling
Our basis for the name Ochre, is actually derived from storytelling itself. We chose to approach storytelling from the core of human experience. This core was first translated from an oral space to visual in the caves around the globe. The pigment most commonly used - Ochre, was chosen for its accessibility and multifaceted use. We took inspiration from the notable marks made in areas like Indonesia, Africa, southern France, and South America.
The non-linear and dynamic works produced by these early people reflect a sophisticated understanding of the world around them, where individuality and connection are mutually emphasized. Due to the unknowns and complex design challenges faced by our team, we solidified our mindset around comprehension of the world around us just as early humans did. This narrative matched our optimism and the underlying feeling of potential, and so I wrapped our identity around this concept visually.
“A story has no beginning or end: arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead.”
-Graham Greene, British Novelist
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
MVP 1
Using a marketing use-case, our team developed and explored how a NLP graph could be simplified and interacted with. We followed a connection between mapping customer touchpoints and the format of the information. Focusing on a B2B business model, we aimed at building a tool that could be used with a high-volume of data.
In this MVP we explored force-vector spatialization for a better understanding on how to enhance the visual understanding for the user and how to best present the produced graphs.
Our team created a simple user flow involving initial login, inputs, and ultimately a shareable link as an final yield from the process.
Conceptually we have many other ideas including message builders, tailoring and wordsmithing language to best suit a target industry or audience need. We also implemented collective story graphs that would be termed "collections" of saved information.
