ADM-DIP GREEN – Development Process Update

Before sending the form board to IEM side we also has done the marking and drilled the holes for the flowers base. The following are the plans for size of the form board for the two cluster of flowers .

Our current progress is IEM students has completed the wiring for the first cluster, but we found out there is still some problem in the technical side.

Following are the issues that we need them to improve on:
– add in the “Default” light pattern
– fix the sensors on the installation (we’ve marked out the area to fix it at)
– program the sensors in a way that when one of it is triggered then 1 ripple will occur, when both triggered then 2 ripples will occur.
– speed up the ripple

For now what we see is:
When it’s powered, the one-person ripple occurs straight away. Next, we put our hands at the sensors to trigger the second person ripple. The second person ripple didn’t start immediately. It only happens after the first person ripple finishes.

Some of the wires are too protruding that we might need to readjust the wire and pull it down a little more in order to fit the top portion of the flowers.

After discussing with our ADM team, we decide to focus on one cluster instead. We will be concentrating on rendering instead due to our emerging timeline for both ADM and IEM teams. The main effect will be shown through rendering while body storming part would be lesser. We will be filming the body storming after next week.

 

 

 

ADM-DIP GREEN – Development Process Update

Our aim for this week is to finish up the physical form of the flowers earlier so we can pass parts of the flowers to IEM people to do up wiring. We will also be start filming part of the video this weekend!

Considering the timeline, all 5 of us have meet up a few times over the week to make the flowers. There are total 72 flowers split in 2 cluster include 1 with 45 flowers while another is 27. The odd number was chosen after we communicate with IEM side that is easier to code in odd number.

We have gather as many cups as possible over the weeks. The cups makes are split into two process the top and bottom cups, first for the top cup it need to be cut in strips in even numbers then glue them together.

So we will fold and glue them alternately to produce the inner petals. While the other will need to wait for our final assemble. For the bottom cups, we have feedbacks from the IEM side where their LED needs to be out of the tube which is a bit different from our last prototype. More allowance is need for our final form in order to accommodate the LED that IEM side has solder.

More bottom space are given in order for the LED to be attached.

We also cut the hole differently from our previous prototype to attached to the plastic tube. For this is easier to slot in and fix the tube together. We also need to cut in strips so that we can folded in this way.

The Total amount of cups we have make! Its very fulfilling to see them coming into shape!

We will be passing them the bottom part only considering that they need to attached the LED on top so that we cannot attached both of them together first.

We also as some of our friends which they given us some suggestions.

As when the light is light up they find it that the light might be too strong and concentrated. So we though of using used plastic bags to divert the light around our flowers.

We also cutting them in circular shape and out it around the flower so that the light can be reflected around. We will be trying the user experience again when we get the workable sensor and LED lights on Thursday.

 

ADM-DIP GREEN – Development Process [Discussion on 25 OCT 2017]

The progress that we aim for this week:

Collection of plastic cups:


We have place notice and boxes at strategic area to collect from our fellow adm peeps. The collection point are located at B1, Level 1 and Level 2 beside the dustbin where mainly student would gather around. We also posted on ADM Facebook page to giving them a heads up on our project and collection of cups! Do remember to help us if you are using the plastic cups as well! 🙂

We also had plans to do up 2 cluster for our final. We will start making the flower this weekend on 28 OCT so that IEM peeps would have time to complete their wiring and coding.

Video Discussion

Presentation – 20 minutes
Video (included in the presentation) – Only include the material that is going to help viewers understand why your project is done in this particular way/ testing/prototype we’ve built (10 mins or less) More like a commercial

Interviews and surveys
Test it out on people, test it out on them and see what they feel about it and what are their feedbacks

Video Flow
We will be starting of the video explaining our concept.
– Explanation of the water ripple effect
– Though provoking questions regarding the environment
– Stop motion of our collected recycled cups piling up in stacks
(our intention of using recycled cups and process of collecting them)

Next, showing the expected outcome through rendering
– Floor plans and how it will look like for the actual piece
– The light patterns and light shows

Body Storming
– Expected outcome of when audience comes near to it and call-to-action
– When there is no detection, left alone (Randomised the light patterns)
– Just as it begin
– When its crowded
– Finally being left alone again

Ideas for video:
Water ripple effect ideas

1) Cup floating on top of water, when lifted up, water droplets fall from cup, creating ripples

2) Filming from top view over a pool of water, lift cup from water, then cover lens, then cut to putting the cup on the floor, cups will multiply radially

3) Filming the ripples spreading out
[more towards the direction of simplicity]

Final proposal and presentation Discussion

  • Think about if we are the judge who have seen the festival and selected artworks, what’s the selling point that they will want to see?
  • Why do we use this material?
  • How our proposal fits into the theme of sustainability, how it effects the piece? Feedback scenario?

 

ADM-DIP GREEN – Development Process [Discussion on 16 OCT 2017]

After the presentation, we have taken the feedback in to consideration and made some possible improvement.

Ideas Improvements:

  • Animation (Light Pattern)
    – Cater to high number of people

    – Changes according to the distance of the people to the sensor, no longer about how many people within the installation

    – Can also play with colour of light such as cool colour to prevent misleading ideas from strong colours. Each cluster can have a individual colour

    – Make it appealing for people who do not know that they are actually triggering a sensor

    – If we have people inside, even if they are going in a line, the sensor will also be constantly triggered

    – Having a smaller pattern – or even about duration, if we have 5 min of animation then how many triggers we need to set off an animation (light show) After the sensor being “ON” for 15 seconds, a programmed 1min light show will automatically be played throughout the installation. After the 1min light show, the sensor goes back to “OFF” until the next trigger is on.

    – or look into loops

    – One person will trigger a normal ripple effect

    – Two to three people will trigger a 2-3 colliding ripple effect

    – Light show can be “Rippling Out” effect and from one cluster to another

  • Add in audio for the installation
    – PING: Let the chimes vary with the ripples to enhance of the effect.
  • Audio
    – Speakers but we having problem with waterproofing and it might block out the sound if we covered it with something
    – Determine if the speaker should be directional or just ambience
  • Live cam on the top of the installation to show the overall effect to audience or it can be linked to iLight website for online viewers 

    Executing Plans:

  • Platform for Anchoring: Boardwalk/Pallet
    Boardwalk would be a better choice for us as it would cover up the wiring and provide extra shield our wirings
  • Weatherproof methods: we can use Rubber Caps on top for the LED
  • Area A1 – Think of a way to install so that it resonates with the existing sculpture

For detailed proposal:

  • Actual blueprint of installation (Pascal)
    – Walking space for audience
    – Distance between each stalk
    – Determine the number of stalks we have
  • Whole Installation Space: 10m x 10m
    Minimal Height for a cluster: 50cm ;
    Maximum Height for a cluster: 100cm ;
    Heights for cluster: 50cm, 70cm, 100cm

    The cluster has the combination of different heights to create more variety and giving a more natural appearance.

  • Determine the cost for each tower, which includes the cost of the platform

Add Ons:

  • Make use of an application for the audience to interact with the installation
    – HS: Let the audience wear ear piece each and choose the pattern they want and they will see and hear the pattern they’ve chosen

    – YY: Can make use of hashtag of our installation and different number of hashtag will result in a different colour

    We might not be using an application due to the complexity nature that might hang up the system for arduino. Considering if large amount of traffic in the web controlling the light would be confusing or frustrating to the user. We also though of what teamLab is doing putting a ipad at the installation to control however it only react to one person did not achieve what we wanted about the ripple effect. Instead we suggest to link up with iLight website that we have suggested above.

  • Application For Interaction with Audience:
    – Maybe we can have a website instead
    – With our live projection
    – Instagram hashtag triggering different impact
    – Application is too much of a hassle
  • Think about budget – for prototype – use cheaper material to determine the scale
  • Crowdfunding for each piece of light tower – so people “sponsor” each light tower and they get to bring it home with them, Customisation methods:Acrylic sheet with thickness or rasterising on the tube itself – make use of cursive fonts and putting shorter alphabets on the center

 

 

RESPONSE: Kim Goodwin, Designing for the Digital Age

In this reading the author define the definition of design was to serve human needs and goals. I really like what he had mention:

design is the craft of visualizing concrete solutions that serve human needs and goals within certain constraints.

While designer is not about expressing their point of view but understanding the problem and giving a concrete solution that meet its goal. This bring us to the next important point of Goal-Directed Design focus on achieving goals was the best way to design a successful product that developed at Cooper. It includes the four components such as principles, patterns, process and practices. I find principle are an important starting point because it helps you to reevaluate the problem and has a clearer idea on which area should the designer work. It touch on the basic by asking the designer does this product accomplish their goals and will it helps the users minimise their work. In design process, the original intention or purpose are often been forgotten along the process as we got more distraction from the constrains or evolving ideas. Principles would provides us the guidelines while creating good solutions.

Another important take off was the design process that involved project planning, research, modeling, requirement definition, framework definition, detailed design and implementation support. In research part the author said that we need to understand it before we can solve the problem which I find it very relevant. Just like before we start of our project for iLight, we went through the requirements and theme before we set of research more about sustainability. We need to know what is it about and design something that tackle the problem. This also reminds me in one of our readings discussed about Mcdonalds would adapt their product to the country’s culture. Definitely, deep research are require to understand the culture to create something authentic and personalise to this particular targeted audience which makes them become international brand.

In conclusion, I feel it is important to define our goals and think about what was the purpose before the design process. The process such as research help us understand more in depth about the problem which would help in analysing the requirements definition and goals to determine the needs. All these process would add up to make the ideas more concrete that serve its purpose.

Design serves as a process catalyst by making ideas concrete.

ASSIGNMENT: Response to Interactive Environments & Experience Design

Firstly, I am really amazed that how Timothy can actually remember each holes that the synthesizer can produce. The combination of different holes results in many way of playing with the frequency and beat. I really like the variety that this art piece can provide to the audience which there will always be a new combination of making the music. Its just as simple as everyone can make music!

One important point from this project was that it is really simple that you just have to plug in to the holes and something changes. Through the participation from my classmates, at first they seems quite unsure to play with the synthesizer however slowly they actually simply just play around with it. The interesting graphical image give us feedback about the frequency that actually was quite fascinating to look at. The change of movement flashing image really caught my attention which makes me really wants to try it, however after awhile I felt my head was aching probably due to the change of high pitch or frequency.

During Timothy’s presentation, he surprise me about his past experience where his art piece was affecting the dolphins near by due to the frequency from the synthesizer leaves me with deep impression. Indeed an artist would face various problem especially during outdoor exhibition. I am really impressed when he lower down the volume and did some changes to his piece in order to protect the dolphins which I felt that flexibility is very important. The provided environment is something we cannot change but we can make adjustment to the artwork. We also need to think about what can be done to optimise the experience for the audience yet still remain the core essence of the art work. Thankfully he shared this important points and giving us heads up about anything can happen during outdoor exhibition.

Lastly, from Timothy’s presentation I have learnt a lot from his personal experience that I can put in to good use in our iLight installation. He had consider many aspects for his art piece from the measurement of the box, user experience to interact with his art piece and even making adjustment due to unforeseen circumstances. I am sure we are given a wider perspective on the importance of small details would makes a great difference.

ASSIGNMENT : Diary of behaviour of Mobile Phones

DAY 1

create a diary of when, why and what you use your mobile device for. Observe how others are using their mobile devices. What are the most common uses and where do you see these behavior?


In my everyday life, when I wake up the first thing I would do was to checked my phone whether there is any messages or notification from my social media. Followed on by leisure scrolling and after that would be my game time “Mobile Legend”! This game actually took quite a lot of my time surprisingly as each games would last about at least 10 – 20 mins.

I also observe that when I am stuck at the work I do, I would tend to check my mobile devices more frequently. Probably an act that hoping that would have some idea sudden struck into my head. When I was commuting I would use my mobile depending on my mood if I was bored or if I wanted some “ME” time I would restrict myself from using but plug in with my earpiece. Where I can get some deep thoughts going in my head.

As for my observation from others, you can really see most of the people are using their mobile phone when they are commuting. I felt this probably to help them past their time during the long journey and to avoid this awkward staring with other commuters. Some also make use of their time catching up with friends and family which reflect that we are living in a busy city.  While for the youngster around my neighbourhood tend to play games together sitting beside the basketball court. This new form of bonding session are quite different from my era which I find it quite interesting! They would communicate with each other and came out with some plans to attack opponent.

DAY 2

Do not use your phone, computer or electronic device for 24 hours. Create a diary documenting and describing the difference in your behavior patterns. How did you do the things you would normally do with your phone? What other alternative behaviors did you develop? What else did you notice about the difference in behavior?


I have tried this experiment while staying over at my cousin house with her. We almost forgot what we have this plan in the morning but luckily we have set the reminder! We actually like the “disconnection” because we can actually engage more with each other. Usually we would converse for awhile and browse our mobile and continue to converse again. As for this times, although without the mobile phone we feel we can engage in the conversation better without distraction. The burden of mobile is that you actually has the responsibility to reply them after you have read. It has become a manners and expected to reply messages. Whereas when our mobile phone is off the burden felt lesser, most probably was due to our “last seen” can show our timing so we have a valid reason for not replying.

I also feel that I live the moment more as compare to using my mobile. A bigger part was when using my mobile phone I feel is just like multi-tasking, you have to connect to your mobile and settle whatever that need to be settle whether is a group project or family matters. After that you disconnect to your phone and engage in real life which the switch process actually feels tiring to me now.

In my overall experience, disconnect [our mobile phones] to connect [our current real life moment] was more important to me. After this experience, I would limit myself to check my phone lesser and concentrate on what’s happening right now. Lesser time in browsing web can also buy me more time for sleeping time and definitely help to prevent my eye sight getting worst.

RESPONSE: CH 1 from Jonas Löwgren and Erik Stolterman, Thoughtful Interaction Design

RESPONSE

In the reading, the authors brings out the importance and ability how designer can makes a difference which in turns the responsibility designer held. Going beyond usability and usefulness for interaction design, a thoughtful designer with great ability to create designs that are appropriate to the solution.

A thoughtful designer is about being reflective and able to examine the purpose, outcomes and benefits of doing design in various ways. Where good judgment and critical skills are needed to determine what is appropriate approach. I also agree with the authors that the idea of “good design” are too complex to achieve consensus as it was in relation to many ideals. Yet, constant thoughtful reflection will improve the designer’s design ability.

Design would impact people’s lives where the decisions and action from the designers will affects their choice for action or even influence them. Every new design they have seen changed their overall experience of the world giving them the small scale perspective. From digital artifact of promoting products or meaningful quotes that will leaves them with impression that would manifestations into ideological ideas. Thus, designer has certain significant power in influencing people in their everyday life. While this power comes with responsibility while working with contradiction and dilemmas. The authors pointed out about client hold the responsibility for the outcome as well as the designer who produce the work which I find it very relevant across design industry. As the professional accumulate knowledge from experience helped the designer to produce the design works. Designers should have more confident in pushing for good design by trusting their own judgment. The authors also mention that being a designer does not mean to get rid of all obstacles but develop something that has lasting quality in the most suitable and creative way given with exiting condition which I personal agreed. Designers can’t possibly solve every single problem yet in that particular situation what can be done or change was more important.

In conclusion, a good designer requires not only the normative approaches but also a reflective mind that will constantly redefine what is good design to improve design ability. They understand that theories, concepts and ideas are the basic while challenge themselves in various aspect and working out the appropriate solution from all given condition. Knowing the responsibility that it would have significant impact on the society to design people’s lives.

 

 2 examples of good examples of thoughtfully designed user experience product/project

1: Singapore ticketing machine

Source: https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FgvfDFUAXzs/TwVdkfC40jI/AAAAAAAAK4I/o3StsMJv170/s640/IMG_2884.jpg

In the earlier days of public transport uses the magnetic fare card and manual machine, commuter need to slot the card in and press the distance of fare themselves. This also results in confusion of the distance fare where commuter would just press the lowest fare amount. The action of pressing this manual machine slow down the whole process that would effect the overall commuting experience. This few secs would added up which become a delay for the bus timing.

source: https://mustsharenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/EZ-Link_2a-1.jpg

Whereas for the ez-link card machine it was introduce in 2002 for the transit payment on public transport. The contactless stored value card objective was to speed up the passenger flow on the gantry and buses. Each individual trip will be calculated by the system and deducted automatically. The flow of commuters are also recorded in each bus through the tap machine so to cater according to the needs in various hours. Moreover the use of the Ez-link has extend to be use as payment for ERP, carpark fees or even retails outlets. This help us in multiple ways of payment while having a single card for transportation.

2: Erasable Pens 

Since young I would carefully write my notes and homework using pencil so I can erase it when I written something wrong. Until we are require to use pens the problem occur, even using correction tape would leave visible marks that will still annoys people who has OCD. Thankfully erasable pens are invented now and getting more and more popular! The ink uses 3 types of chemical compounds when heat friction is produce the chemical would mix together to produce the change of colours. Although its a very simple product but it helps people with OCD a lot that would made their written experience more effective! They solve the common problem of writing mistakes can be corrected easily without any visible trace.

ADM-DIP GREEN – Development Process

RESEARCH

Over the past few week we have meet up to discuss on how we should do about for the recycled materials. The problem we face was how do we make it not look like a recycled material or trash. We did some research before we start exploring with plastic cups.

Source: https://www.jupiterartland.org/artwork/tara-donovan

This artist uses mass white plastic cups and stacking them together to create the uneven surface which looks like mountains. We felt that it’s really beautiful but not feasible in our case as the amount of cups would be a problem for us.

source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/361132463840346526/?lp=true

We really like the innovation in this piece that created into a dress. It explore different methods of cups by squash it, stacking and also stick them side by side to create the sphere which we find it there is potential that we can explore in. We also see hope in creating something interesting from this piece!

source: http://www.suckerpunchdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CDR_Mockup3.jpg

Sticking the cups in one plane are also quite interesting to create shapes. This piece also cut some of the cups in the middle to create variations, however we felt it lose the classy look. Something we take note in creating our piece.

source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioJYPMvJ1gE

We also look into how the effect would look like when LED lights is added. Transparent cups can trap the light at the tip better then coloured cups. It is also a material that we can collect around our school.

source: Pinterest.com

We also came across this melting plastic effect that we can explore on. However, burning plastic would give off carbon monoxide and toxic gases to the environment which did not fit the sustainability theme.

 

EXPLORATION 

We first starts to explore the shape of the cups by cutting it into circular shapes and sticking them into different size and levels. The view from top look more aesthetically pleasing as compare to the side view. Overall form did not catch our attention so we decided to move on.

Referencing from our research, we starts to explore on stacking up the cups. We cut the edge of the cups to create the petal like forms and stack it up in different direction of petal. The end result giving us a form of rose.

After a few attempts we arrive with this flower form which we find it interesting and has less representation of plastic cups. It was a combination of 2 cups stacking up with the petal interlace together. We also tried using the plastic bags as an additional material but we feel that the complexity of the flower form would be sufficient which the additional material would look too heavy.

In overall, we chosen the flowers form for our installation as the flower to symbolise the earth because it is a natural product of the earth. When we place it altogether it would create a field of natural like art piece that would be attractive even from afar.