TOTEM by Niice Studio acts as media fact-checker
TOTEM is a conceptual, screenless device developed by Niice Studio as a sculptural tool designed to navigate the complexities of the post-truth information landscape. Rather than acting as a fact-checker, it operates more like a barometer, registering shifts in informational patterns, pressure, and volatility over time. TOTEM converts abstract fluctuations in the media environment into physical, tactile forms, creating a quiet system of sensory feedback rather than direct data output.
The system is composed of three interconnected units, each with a specific role in detecting, interpreting, or responding to patterns of distortion and truth. These components work together as a unified structure that monitors, signals, and filters informational inputs without the use of screens or notifications.
all images courtesy of Niice Studio
three interconnected units filter informational inputs
The first unit, TO1, functions as an insight visualizer. It generates daily printed discs that reflect the stability or disruption within media patterns. These prints are physical records of changes in the atmosphere of truth over time. The internal mechanism uses a combination of visual indicators, such as clarity, distortion, and narrative volatility, to present a balanced view of content dynamics. TO1 does not verify specific claims but visualizes the underlying patterns that emerge from repetitive language, tonal shifts, and structural imbalances in information flow.
The second unit, TO2, serves as a responsive alert system. It operates through a mechanical interface that activates only when verified distortions are identified. Upon lie detection, the device performs a distinct physical action, classifying the event into one of four predefined categories based on severity and type. This selective response is designed to avoid constant interruptions, activating only in the presence of clearly confirmed misinformation events. TO2 functions as a passive but vigilant monitoring system, identifying distortions without overwhelming the user.
The third unit, TO3, acts as a background content filter. It analyzes incoming media and replaces known falsehoods with visual placeholders or subtle redactions before content reaches the user. This unit does not censor or block information entirely but instead introduces spatial gaps or minimal warnings to signal the presence of unreliable elements. Designed by Niice Studio’s team to integrate with a companion application, TO3 supports content screening across headlines, images, and textual posts. Its design is based on symbolic principles of protection and guidance, operating silently to reduce cognitive overload.
TOTEM translates media noise into a tactile experience
a system for sensing and protecting against misinformation
TOTEM’s base structure incorporates controls that enable the user to tune the system’s sensitivity and focus. These controls allow for adjustments across political alignments, topical categories such as politics or culture, and the scale of observation from local to global contexts. Additionally, the system includes a function that breaks down misinformation into five elements, each representing a dimension of distortion, to better interpret how complex falsehoods are constructed and distributed. Throughout the design process, emphasis was placed on analog, tactile interaction. The physical form and material choices were developed to foster slower, more deliberate engagement with information. TOTEM avoids binary conclusions, instead representing truth as a gradient shaped by context, repetition, and narrative framing.
Drawing from totemic forms and reinterpreting traditional symbolic structures through a contemporary lens, TOTEM positions itself as a reflective object for digital environments. Its purpose is not to declare what is true or false, but to encourage awareness of how information is structured and how patterns evolve within shared discourse. Through this approach, TOTEM serves as an ambient system for observing and responding to informational climates in an era of increasing media complexity.
a sculptural tool for tracking patterns of truth and distortion
designed without screens, TOTEM visualizes informational climates
patterns of clarity and distortion become physical artifacts
TOTEM’s controls allow tuning by topic, scale, and perspective
truth is interpreted as a gradient—not a binary
physical interaction encourages slow, thoughtful engagement
truth and distortion become tactile through analog design
a screenless system for observing media patterns
TOTEM observes, interprets, and responds—without interruption
TOTEM’s controls allow tuning across political and topical ranges
inspired by traditional totemic forms, reimagined for today
project info:
name: TOTEM
designer: Niice Studio | @_niicestudio_
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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
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