Communication theory: Social Switch
Communication theory in art and design
Communication theory serves as the backbone of modern design and contemporary art, shaping how messages are conveyed through visual language. In design, the encoding of messages (e.g., through symbols, colours, typography) and their decoding by the audience is a continuous process.
For instance, semiotics — a key branch of communication theory — helps designers choose symbols that resonate with the target audience. In contemporary art, artists use communication theory to provoke thought, challenge norms, or convey complex emotions through abstract or conceptual works. The channel (medium of art/design), noise (distractions or misinterpretations), and feedback loops (audience reactions) are critical components that influence the success of any creative project.
Here comes the «Social Switch»
Mission: To help people balance their social energy and personal well-being through fun, functional products.
Tagline: «Charge your social battery — stay balanced!»
What we offer: We create everyday items embedded with a «Social Battery» switch. This playful feature lets users express their social mood: from «red — need alone time» to «green — ready to mingle».
Key benefits for consumers
A fun way to communicate social boundaries without words. A reminder to take breaks and recharge socially. Stylish, practical products that spark conversations.
Core values
Self-awareness Balance Playfulness Empathy Modern design
Social Battery Power Bank
For the consumer: Tired of running low on battery — both on your phone and socially? Our Social Battery Power Bank is here to help! Not only does it charge your device, but it also lets you «check» your social energy level. Swipe the lever to «recharge» after a long day or show you’re ready for a party. Perfect for students and office workers who need a fun reminder to balance their social life!
Social Battery Power Bank front shot
For the supply chain: Design a power bank (3000–5000 mAh) with an integrated decorative slider. The slider should feature a colour-coded «Social Battery» scale (red–yellow–green) with emoticon icons. Use ABS plastic for the body, add a metal slider with a lightning bolt design. Include LED lighting that activates during charging. Ensure compatibility with popular smartphone models.
Social Battery Laptop Sleeve
For the consumer: Protect your laptop and add a touch of fun to your daily routine with our Social Battery Laptop Sleeve! The built-in «Social Battery» switch is your personal mood indicator. Feeling drained? Slide to red. Ready to network? Go green! This sleeve combines practicality and style — a must-have for digital nomads and students.
Social Battery Laptop Sleeve upclose
For the supply chain: Create a laptop sleeve (compatible with 13–15 inch laptops) with an external decorative panel. Integrate the «Social Battery» scale using durable vinyl or embossed leather. Attach a metal slider (lightning bolt design) that moves smoothly across the scale. Use water-resistant nylon or eco-leather. Add padding to protect the laptop.
Social Battery Desk Organizer
For the consumer: Transform your workspace with our Social Battery Desk Organizer! This functional accessory keeps your pens, notes, and small items in order, while also serving as a fun indicator of your social mood. Slide the lever throughout the day to «check» your social energy — are you feeling energetic or in need of a break? A practical and fun addition to any desk!
Social Battery Desk Organizer front shot
For the supply chain: Manufacture a desk organizer from FSC-certified wood or recycled acrylic, with multiple compartments for stationery. Embed the «Social Battery» scale design (colour zones + emoticons) on the front panel using UV printing. Attach a metal or acrylic slider with a lightning bolt accent. Ensure the slider has clear stops for each «battery level». Add anti-slip feet to the base.
Social Battery Phone Case
For the consumer: Elevate your phone style with our Social Battery Phone Case! This case not only protects your gadget but also lets you express your social mood with a simple swipe. Slide the lever to show if you’re in «need alone time» (red), «neutral» (yellow), or «ready to mingle» (green) mode. A stylish and practical accessory for those who don’t take life too seriously!
Social Battery Phone Case — main shot and upclose
For the supply chain: Develop phone cases for popular models (iPhone 14, Samsung S23, etc.) with a raised back panel. Integrate the «Social Battery» scale using UV printing or laser engraving. Attach a small metal slider (lightning bolt design) that moves freely across the scale. Use TPU for shock absorption and polycarbonate for durability. Ensure the slider doesn’t interfere with camera functionality.
Social Battery Phone Case front shot
Social Battery Wall Clock
For the consumer: Keep track of time and your social «charge» with our unique Social Battery Wall Clock! This stylish accessory not only tells the time but also lets you «set» your social energy level with a built-in slider. In recovery mode (red) or ready to take on the day (green)? These clocks add a fun touch to any room — perfect for living rooms, offices, or college dorms!
Social Battery Wall Clock front shot
For the supply chain: Design wall clocks (12–16 inch diameter) with either an analog or digital display. Add a decorative «Social Battery» scale around the outer rim (red, yellow, green zones with icons). Attach a horizontal metal slider (lightning bolt design) that moves smoothly. Use a combination of metal and acrylic for the frame. Ensure the clock mechanism is quiet and accurate (≤30 sec/month error). Include wall mounting hardware.
Professional audience
Brand concept: «Social Switch» leverages the metaphor of a battery to visualise social energy levels — a relatable concept in our hyper-connected world. The «switch» mechanism serves as an interactive UI element in physical products, merging UX principles with everyday objects.
Target audience segments:
Millennials and Gen Z (aged 18–35) — highly social yet conscious of burnout; Remote workers and digital nomads — navigating virtual social interactions; Creative professionals — appreciating unique, statement accessories; College students — balancing social life and studies.
Unique selling proposition (USP):
First brand to apply a «social battery» metaphor to physical products; Combines psychological awareness with playful design; Offers a non-verbal way to communicate social needs; Products are both functional and conversation-starting. Development plans (1–3 years):
Year 1: Launch core product line (phone cases, laptop sleeves, desk organizers). Year 2: Expand into home decor (clocks, wall panels) and fashion accessories (bags, belts). Year 3: Introduce a companion app that logs social interactions and suggests «recharge» breaks, syncing with product visuals.
Presentation course
Sender (brand): We positioned «Social Switch» as a thoughtful yet playful voice, addressing the universal need for social balance. Message: The central idea — «manage your social energy» — was encoded through: Visual metaphor (battery + switch); Emotive colour coding (red → yellow → green); Relatable scenarios in marketing materials. Channel: We used multiple channels to reach the audience: Physical products as «touchpoints»; Social media for storytelling; In-store displays with interactive demos. Receiver (audience): The design was tailored to resonate with different segments: Minimalist aesthetics for professionals; Vibrant colours for younger users; Clear, concise messaging for all. Feedback: We built in direct feedback loops: Product interaction (moving the switch); Social media polls and user-generated content; Customer surveys to refine future designs. Semiotics played a key role: the battery icon (symbol) + switch action (signifier) = awareness of social energy levels (signified). This semiotic triangle ensures instant recognition and emotional connection.
AI usage
Tools & usage (prompting + image generation)
ChatGPT — used to convert product briefs into structured image prompts, standardize a shared «Social Battery» design language across products (module shape, red/yellow/green logic, emoticon expressions), refine wording for realism and manufacturable details, and format prompts into copy-paste blocks for production.
Leonardo — used to run fast prompt iterations (multiple angles, lifestyle/context shots, macro details) and compare variants for composition, materials, and product-photo consistency.
DALL·E — used to generate the final photorealistic ecommerce-style images from the refined prompts (studio lighting, pastel backgrounds, high detail, minimal clutter, icons-only UI elements).
Berger, A. (2014). Media and Communication Research Methods. London: Sage.
Chandler, D. (2007). Semiotics: The Basics. London: Routledge.
McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory. London: Sage.
Shannon, C. E., & Weaver, W. (1949). The Mathematical Theory of Communication
Example prompts used (one per product)
A) Social Battery Power Bank — A1 (Hero)
Photorealistic studio product photo of a compact power bank (3000–5000 mAh), matte ABS plastic body, rounded edges, minimalist premium design, precise seams. Front side has an integrated «Social Battery» indicator window: a horizontal three-zone scale from left to right red → yellow → green with simple emoticon icons inside each zone. Red zone icon: tired/sad face (droopy eyes, downturned mouth). Yellow zone icon: sad/low-energy or neutral face (not smiling, flat or slightly downturned mouth). Green zone icon: happy face (smiling). A brushed metal slider shaped like a lightning bolt moves across the scale on a small rail with tactile notch positions. Subtle LED glow (soft green) near the slider as if charging. USB-C port visible on the side. Clean pastel background, soft shadow, ecommerce product shot, ultra-detailed realistic materials, sharp focus, 50 mm lens, f/4, studio lighting, minimal props, no clutter. No readable text, no logos.
B) Social Battery Laptop Sleeve — B1 (Hero ¾)
Photorealistic ecommerce product photography, studio lighting, soft shadows, high detail, sharp focus, 50 mm lens, f/4, clean pastel background (soft cream). Premium laptop sleeve for 13–15 inch laptops, water-resistant nylon or eco-leather, subtle padding, precise stitching, minimal silhouette, ¾ angled view. On the front: integrated «Social Battery» module panel: rounded-rectangle window with thin dark bezel, three equal segments left-to-right deep red → warm yellow → rich green. Minimal emoticon icons: red = tired/sad (droopy eyes, downturned mouth), yellow = low-energy/neutral (NOT smiling), green = happy (smiling). Brushed aluminum lightning-bolt slider on a small rail with notch positions, slider set to yellow. Very subtle soft green LED diffusion strip near the slider. No readable text or logos, single frame.
C) Social Battery Desk Organizer — C1 (Hero ¾)
Photorealistic ecommerce product photography, studio lighting, soft shadows, high detail, sharp focus, 50 mm lens, f/4, clean pastel background (soft cream). A premium desk organizer made of FSC-certified light wood (or recycled acrylic), minimalist rectangular form with multiple compartments for pens, cards, sticky notes. Slight ¾ angle view. On the front panel: integrated «Social Battery» module design UV-printed as a rounded-rectangle window with a thin dark bezel, three equal horizontal segments left-to-right deep red → warm yellow → rich green. Minimal emoticon icons: red = tired/sad (droopy eyes, downturned mouth), yellow = low-energy/neutral (not smiling), green = happy (smiling). A brushed metal lightning-bolt slider moves on a small rail with tactile notch stops, slider set to yellow. Very subtle soft green LED diffusion strip near the slider. Anti-slip feet barely visible, clean catalog look, no readable text, no logos.
D) Social Battery Phone Case — D1 (Hero ¾ on phone)
Photorealistic ecommerce product photography, studio lighting, soft shadows, high detail, sharp focus, 50 mm lens, f/4, clean pastel background (soft cream). A modern smartphone with a protective phone case: TPU shock-absorbing bumper + matte polycarbonate back, premium minimal design, precise camera cutout. On the back panel there is a built-in «social battery» indicator module: a rounded-rectangle window with a thin dark bezel, three equal horizontal segments left-to-right deep red → warm yellow → rich green. Minimal emoticon icons only: red = tired/sad face with droopy eyes and a frown, yellow = low-energy/neutral face NOT smiling, green = happy smiling face. A small brushed aluminum slider shaped like a lightning bolt moves on a short rail with notch stops, slider set to the yellow segment. Subtle soft green LED diffusion strip near the slider. No readable text, no letters, no numbers, no logos — icons only. Single frame, single product.
E) Social Battery Wall Clock — E1 (Mounted)
Photorealistic ecommerce product photography, studio lighting, soft shadows, high detail, sharp focus, 50 mm lens, f/4. A modern wall clock (12–16 inch diameter) mounted on a clean pastel wall (soft cream). Minimal analog clock face with simple markers, premium metal + acrylic frame, controlled reflections. Around the outer rim: an integrated «Social Battery» ring module with three equal color zones left-to-right deep red → warm yellow → rich green and minimal emoticon icons only: red = tired/sad frown with droopy eyes, yellow = low-energy/neutral NOT smiling, green = happy smiling. A brushed aluminum lightning-bolt slider sits on a small horizontal rail along the rim module with tactile notch stops, slider positioned at green. Very subtle soft green LED diffusion glow near the slider. Clean catalog composition, no clutter, no readable text, no letters, no numbers, no logos — icons only.
