Over the last million years or so, humans have a system of complex cues that inform us of other people's moods.  Body language, facial expression, and gesture communicate a wealth of information about if and how we should approach others.  Simple signs, like leaning forward or crossing arms, work well in most situations because they are distinct actions that can distinguish from normal behavior.  However, what happens when behavior is normalized across a group of people who are in close proximity and must interact?  Most of the standard signs for "available" or "occupied" are difficult to read.

ITP is a great example of an environment where standard human body signals are lost.  Many students share one small space, all engaged at various levels in similar activities.  For instance, it is hard to tell if a person is concentrating on a logic problem and does not want to be disturbed or if they are watching YouTube videos and would love some company.  There are clues to their mood, but not enough; the physical relationship to the computer screen is too similar in each scenario to be explicit.  What is then, and is the goal for this project, is an additional signifier to aid an ITP student in their need to say: "I'm busy" or "Come talk to me."