What I Learned From Other People's Projects

I gained a pretty new perspective on where I could go with my experiments with the help of Trent and Sam's projects. Trent's line of experiments were based mainly on projection, and a little later, he started messing with interaction. I've always been interested in projection but have never really dived into it, seeing Trent's explorations with what he projected on though made me want to explore it as well. Also, using the amount of interaction that I've been dealing with, I think I could go pretty far with this new medium. Sam's project involved creating a collective network amongst artist. Seeing a community that could've been created around the distribution of textures got me really going about it.

So yeah, I'm gonna be teaming up with Trent to pull of some collaborative projection mapping, it's gonna be super rad.

[P3] Poetic: More

We're nearing the end of the Nelson project, and we've made a lot of progress. To start, the type has been seriously cleaned up where it was lacking refinement. We've also fixed / finished up our illustrations, and added some copywriting to the activity cards. Here's what's up:

front cover

back cover

inside.

So, now we are working on getting the map finalized, throwing the backgrounds and borders into the documents, and assembling the actual pieces.

Reading Response

Surprising App Design

It's good to get real with yourself in the fact that people see apps every day, and that making a bad first impression will lead to users immediately not using your app. The app needs to be able to function with 50% attention, and get straight to the point of the app. Like web-design, people just want to open the page, understand what's happening in less than 10 seconds, do what they know in order to navigate, and get out.

Technological Museums

Binding the worlds of analog and digital can be tough, but when pulled off correctly, can double your experience with any user. In order for the digital side to be effective, it needs to give the user something more than what they could have physically. With museums now using QR Codes, organizing apps, and digital studio tours, the experience within a museum has become more fuller. Users are able to now see what the see in the museum, but if interested, can view more photos, text, and video through their digital device.

Icons

Icons must always be perceived immediately. This is always improved with a similar design approach amongst every icon, including scale, color, and style. Even though the standard set of Apple icons may not be what you wanted, it's what works. If you're trying to compete with them you're going to have a tough time. Skilled designers spent a lot of time making sure the people have a good understanding of navigation through any apps created.

Gestures

Like icons, staying as close to the standard Apple gestures is always a good decision. Making sure the gesture feels right and that the gesture isn't taking away from the app is always something to do as well. The more natural and comfortable the user is, the more they will enjoy your app, it's that simple.

Sketching For Our App

Our next project consists of using our already progressed Nelson project, and creating an app that would help during the event. I'm creating a GPS sculpture finder. It seemed that that was the most appreciated thing with our project testing, and I think it's a good way to cross over into the digital world.

Idea 1

Using your camera, you can experience information about each sculpture in a virtual reality.

Once close enough, users can then click on the piece and find out more info.

"I didn't know that, wow."

If it helps, this is what the outlining will look like, minus the zombies.

Idea 2

Using a pull down menu, users can select which piece they want to focus on.

Once selected, the user has an option of either finding out more about the piece, or to get walking directions to the work.

"Thanks app."

Final Experiment

Using everything I gathered from my previous experiments, I've decided to create a more interactive piece. With my Rock Paper Scissors machine, I'm able to connect more than one user with the piece as well as each other. There was a very large technological gap for me to  cover in order to get this machine to fully operate, but I enjoyed learning about the Arduino and programing with the help of David Overholt. Overall, I was very displeased that the machine had some technical flaws, but I think I covered the idea pretty well.

Getting started with the Arduino

Construction

Programming and Wiring

Vinyl All Set

Interaction!

[P3] Poetic: Testing

The design is making it's final shape and things couldn't be going better! Now that we got our idea expressed, we're now just going to be focusing on the actual full design of these new spaces. Check it out.

Each view finder and their folder

Folder open

View finder card rather than a mini-folder

Hmmm

Now we've figured out that the mustache sheet will be a reward.

Testing

This Saturday morning, we had testing with families in the Nelson's park to see what could be improved. Overall, the experience was great. Here's some pictures.

Kids found it easy to be able to use the map to find out where each sculpture is, especially 7 year old Tobias.

"That way mom."

The view finder really got the users engaged, like 11 year old Erik.

Erik's dad was even engaged.

The mustache sheet was a hit, keep it real you two.

Basically, the things we need to work on are clearing up the map and each exact spot you have to be at in order to achieve the next card. Each artifact was complimented for the sturdiness and the square design. Also the sense of direction in having the sculptures laid out in a specific order. Little things like making the viewfinder right-handed need to be done too, but that's just a couple of clicks.

[P3] Poetic: First Draft

In Allyson and I's next step with this project, it was really a matter of getting a solid structure down. We were able to imply some direction in the graphics used for the whole thing, it's representative of Mexican patterning and the vivid colors found in traditional Mexican painting. Check it out.

The idea of lining up a drawing of the structure to the physical piece itself, is that it will guarantee an exact location that these kids need to go to.

Lining up the drawing to the sculpture.

And who's not gonna like a mustache sticker sheet?

Ariba.

Concentrated Experimenting: First Idea

Well with my final round of experimenting, I wanted to use every aspect of my original experiments. Impact-ful, attention keeping, interactive work is what I'm trying to work at now. So for it, I'm creating a installation on renewable energy. The setup will include light-up infographs and information on the subject.

Overall, the piece needs to have it's key moment such as the Smile Box did. Right now I'm trying to figure out how I can make this more of an awesome experience for the user.

[P3] Poetic: Mood Boards

Well the project assigned is a very complex and exciting one. Every Summer, the Nelson-Atkins Museum has an outside festival celebrating the new line of work. This year's theme is Fiesta themed so Allyson and I made a mood board. In the end, this design will reach out to children of ages 12 and under.

Thought of an idea of kids being able to draw mustaches and unibrows on all of the art...maybe

Ariba.

Collection: All Sorts of Work

Well first thing, I'm calling the site Plenty of Pattern, I thought it was good. Anyways, here's each design approach I'm taking on the whole site.

Rendering Approach

Style 1: Screen Printed

Style 2: Vector

Style 3: Photo

I'm choosing Style 3 simply because it clearly shows my collection. It gives me the opportunity to show the sleeve, collar, and pockets in a way better way than to illustrate them. The screen printed Style 1 though is going to be applied to my infographs and the rest of the site layout though. I feel like it's reflecting on the printing aspect of any of my shirts.

Site Layout

Style 1

Style 2

Style 3

I chose Style 3 because I felt it breaks down the patterns of each shirt, and that's what it's all about. It also gives me the chance to use the screen printing texture I was going for with my rendering exploration.

Infograph Update

I went ahead and started applying my stylistic approach on some of my inforgraphs. Basic graphs that show a little bit of offsetting and fuzziness to resemble it being screen-printed. They're lookin' good.

The problem now though is that Muse isn't allowing me to do the things I want it to do. I'm having problems with the sorting style I wanted and horizontal scrolling isn't being as precise as I want it to be. Some major changes are going to be taking place with my layout so stay tuned.