Design Map · Eindhoven
The Girl Next Door
Graduation project by Hanna Rymkiewicz at Design Academy Eindhoven, 2026. Shown during Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven on Design Map, location F5.
‘The Girl Next Door’ is a digital game exploring body detection as a means for interaction. Set in an eerie motel room, the player moves back and forth in physical space to navigate a series of decisions within the game. Each movement is captured by a camera, programmed to track a physical marker worn by the player. An installation of two screens reveals different perspectives: in front, the player’s POV, showing different sequences based on tasks such as drinking tea, meditation and yoga. To the side however, a disruptive neighbour continues to appear at the window, responding dynamically to the player’s choices and interrupting their peace. This creates a feedback loop, through which the player is forced to continually read and respond to the neighbour’s behaviour. Through this interaction, designer Hanna Rymkiewicz demonstrates how real-space body movement can become an interface within game design, replacing conventional game controllers with human actions.