Youniverse

Youniverse is a mystery raffle that lets players choose a box containing avatars that correspond with certain lifestyles. Options are displayed on every packaging to show players all possible outcomes, they range from academia to corporate to nautical and more. Although currently trending on social media in the form of “Blind Boxes”, mystery raffles have long existed and attained its popularity; famous examples are baseball cards, Pokémon cards, McDonald’s Happy Meals toys, and even collecting rare coins.

All Youniverse options are purposely designed to center around lifestyles. When players pick their favorite one, they subconsciously embody the kind of person they aspire to be. The deliberate act of opening a box then becomes a gamble for the players on whether or not they become closer to their aspired image through materialism.

However, instead of being rewarded for their curious behavior, players are shown an obstructed reflection on the cluttered mirror inside the lid of every box. The tiny specks left of the mirror that is still visible represent how the passive act of materialism could turn into an existential reflection of oneself. The symbolic identity of the player is being overshadowed by the literal material possessions they strived for.

In juxtaposition to the player’s initial and passive interaction, the interior of Youniverse invites more active contemplation with the use of a clear mirror alongside a practical tool (related to certain lifestyles aforementioned). Now without obstacles, the players can see their true selves: Unbound and free for experimentation. Players can look closer, farther, and change angles at their choice. Yet, there is still a curious object that lures the hands more than it does the eyes. Whether there is a goal or not, a tool evokes the urge to action. Upon using the tool and simultaneously looking at one’s clear reflection, the tool personifies the idea that identity is not defined by material goods but by one’s actions.

Youniverse is inspired to rebel against capitalistic cycles of endless consumerism that people indulge in in hopes of seeking social validation, through ownership rather than deeper personal connections. As self-perception is tied to material possessions, it becomes easier for consumers to frequently change and purchase new products. This cycle ensures continued consumption, as people seek social validation through ownership rather than deeper personal connections. However, just as they can easily discard possessions, their sense of self can also collapse if it lacks a solid foundation. Youniverse is designed to be an interactive package that explores people’s unconscious desires through conscious actions. By partaking in Youniverse, the player switches from being a passive consumer of commodities to an active participant in changing their self-definition.