Image
Graduates
Gavin Zeng
BS in Interaction Design — Interaction DesignCourse:
IXD-375-01 Emerging Tech Studio: AI
Faculty:
Nangia, Mehar
Term:
2025 Fall
Synapse
Synapse is an agent-based system designed to support decision-making and coordination in complex manufacturing environments. It reimagines the factory as a responsive network of interconnected processes, where real-time data, predictive models, and automated agents work together to manage production, anticipate risks, and adapt to changing conditions.
Rather than presenting static dashboards, Synapse focuses on enabling dynamic interactions between users and the system—allowing operators to understand, intervene, and collaborate with intelligent processes across different layers of the factory.
Process:
The project began with research into industrial workflows and the challenges of managing large-scale production systems, particularly around uncertainty, system visibility, and response to disruptions. I mapped out the structure of a factory as a network of interconnected units, including machines, workflows, and decision points.
Based on this framework, I designed an agent-based system where different processes are represented as autonomous yet coordinated entities. Prototyping focused on defining how information flows across the system, how agents communicate states and predictions, and how users interact with these processes through layered interfaces. Iteration emphasized clarity in complex data representation and the balance between automation and human control.
Learning Outcomes:
Through this project, I developed a deeper understanding of designing for complex, data-driven systems where multiple processes operate simultaneously. I learned how to structure information and interactions in a way that supports situational awareness and informed decision-making.
The project also strengthened my ability to translate abstract concepts such as agent-based systems and predictive behaviors into tangible interaction models. Additionally, it reinforced my interest in designing systems that balance autonomy and human oversight, particularly in high-stakes and rapidly changing environments.
Project Website: