Cybernetic Futures Showcase: Designing Novel Interactions & Game Design Exhibition

"In an age engineered to capture our attention, what might it mean to design with distraction — rather than against it?"

The School of Computing and Information Systems of The University of Melbourne invites you to join us at the 2026 Cybernetic Futures Showcase.

This exhibition features prototypes made by students from two programs: physical computing works by Designing Novel Interactions students, and novel board game designs by Game Design students. United by the theme of "Distraction" — inspired by Science Gallery Melbourne's closing exhibition — these projects examine how attention, interruption, and technological overwhelm are shaping our lives, our systems, and our futures. By reimagining both existing systems and speculative new ones, we present not only design solutions but also problems and perspectives that need our immediate attention.

As part of their master's program, computing students are encouraged to break free from the screen, mouse and keyboard to utilise a range of techniques from embedded systems, wearable electronics, digital fabrication, interactive methodologies and more to extend their practice and build technologies intentionally and critically for the future we want to see. Game Design students bring that same critical lens to the physical table, crafting play experiences that provoke, challenge, and engage.

Free, no booking needed.

11:00am — 5:00pm

This event is supported by School of Computing and Information Systems at The University of Melbourne, AirWallex, Science Gallery Melbourne, The Creator Space, Melbourne Connect and the Computing and Information Systems Students Association (CISSA).