Unbubble

Overview

Unbubble is an interactive kiosk system designed to reduce polarization in public spaces like train stations, schools, and hospitals. By anonymously responding to reflective daily prompts via smartphone, users see their messages ("bubbles") appear in real-time on a large public screen.

The system creates a shared, anonymous space where people can express thoughts and see others' perspectives without the barriers of identity or judgment.

The problem

Public spaces often lack meaningful connection. People pass through train stations, wait in hospitals, or move through schools without engaging with each other's perspectives. This isolation can reinforce polarization and reduce empathy.

Traditional solutions require accounts, profiles, or visible identities—barriers that prevent honest expression and create echo chambers.

Solution

Unbubble creates an anonymous, real-time communication layer in physical spaces. Users scan a QR code, respond to a daily prompt on their phone, and watch their message appear instantly on a large public display alongside others' responses.

The system consists of three integrated applications:

• Kiosk mode: Large-screen display showing real-time bubbles
• Mobile app: QR code scanner and response interface
• Billboard mode: Alternative display format for different contexts

My role

I worked on three core areas of the Unbubble system:

Design

Designed the user interface and experience for all three applications (kiosk, mobile, billboard). Focused on creating an intuitive, accessible interface that encourages participation while maintaining the anonymous nature of the platform. The design needed to work across different screen sizes and contexts—from large public displays to personal smartphones.

Backend architecture

Built the real-time backend infrastructure using Supabase. Key technical decisions:

• Anonymous architecture: No authentication required, enabling barrier-free participation
• Real-time subscriptions: Messages appear instantly across all connected displays
• Scalable infrastructure: Designed to handle multiple simultaneous kiosks and users
• Modular monorepo: Shared logic and components across all three applications

The backend needed to be reliable, fast, and capable of handling real-time updates without compromising user anonymity.

AI moderation

Developed AI-powered content moderation to ensure the platform remains safe and appropriate for public spaces. The moderation system needed to:

• Filter inappropriate content in real-time
• Maintain the anonymous nature of submissions
• Work across multiple languages (the system was tested in Dutch contexts)
• Balance safety with preserving authentic user expression

This required careful tuning to catch harmful content while not over-censoring legitimate responses.

Field testing & research

The system was field-tested during Night of the Nerds with 20+ users. This real-world testing provided critical insights:

• User behavior patterns in anonymous public spaces
• Technical performance under live conditions
• UX improvements based on actual usage
• Behavioral observations that informed design iterations

User interviews and behavioral testing revealed how people interact with anonymous public displays and what prompts generate meaningful engagement.

Key deliverables

• Interface design for three production-ready applications (kiosk, mobile, billboard)
• Real-time backend infrastructure with Supabase
• AI-powered content moderation system
• Modular, scalable system architecture
• Field-tested with 20+ users during Night of the Nerds

Outcome

Unbubble demonstrates how technology can create moments of connection in public spaces without requiring identity or accounts. The system successfully enabled anonymous, real-time expression and perspective-sharing in a live environment.

Working across design, backend, and AI moderation required balancing multiple concerns: user experience, technical performance, and content safety. The project showed how these three areas need to work together—good design means nothing if the backend can't deliver real-time updates, and real-time updates mean nothing if harmful content isn't filtered appropriately.

The field testing during Night of the Nerds validated that the system worked as intended: users could participate anonymously, messages appeared in real-time, and the moderation system maintained a safe environment without feeling restrictive.