Month: March 2018

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Exercise #3 – See Yourself Sensing

OCTOPSST

Octopsst is an upper body wearable, connected with two live clip-on mics and noise cancelling headphones. Our aim is to re-imagine the sense of hearing of underwater creatures, and provide an experience where the user relies only on one of their five senses.

By Joan & Tiffany

Ideation

1. Octopus suit – suction cups
One of our ideas was to build an octopus suit out of fabric and cardboard structures, and sew rows of suction cups (those found on bathroom wall hooks) onto the arms and legs, much like those found on octopus’ tentacles. The user is to go through the unique experience of navigating around small spaces while wearing the suit. The suction cups may be a hinder by causing the user to get stuck, or perhaps provide better grip for them in certain situations.

2. Octopus headgear – sense of hearing
Inspired by underwater soundscapes, our next idea was to incorporate the sense of hearing into our octopus suit/headgear. We did some research on the 5 senses of octopuses, and discovered that they have heightened senses. The can sense light with they skin, polarized vision, highly sensitive feelers on their tentacles, and are able to taste and smell with their arms.

We were curious about the kind of sounds they possibly hear underwater and decided to re-imagine their sense of hearing.

Process

Materials used: Cardboard, duct tape, glue gun, 2 clip-on mics, 1 headset, 1 audio splitter, android phone

For the head structure, we built a 3D nonagon (9-sided polygon, octopuses have 9 brains haha) with open flaps at the bottom to connect to the tentacles. We also made a cardboard pouch at the front for the user to place their phones, which is connected to the mics and headset.

We cut long strips of cardboard with tapered ends, and rolled them up into tubes for the tentacles. For the arms, we also build two handles inside the tubes for better grip for the user.

So why do our structure have 6 arms only? We discovered that…

Therefore…

The Experience

While inside the suit, the user puts on the headphones and is unable to see. Surrounding sounds are slightly dulled, muffled and distant sounding, isolating the user within his/her own space. The head space is quite large, allow more privacy and space to breathe within the headgear, despite it being a little stuffy. The user can navigate around using their two tentacle arms, and the sounds of objects that their arms come in contact with.

Photo Gallery

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Project Dev & Planning – FYP Proposal Idea(s)

Profiling (& based on feedback from my peers):

1. Concern for animals – What’s right/wrong?

Related theme(s): Animal conservation, human to animal relationships, excessive/inhumane poultry farming

#1 – Animal conservation
What is it? – A programme/setup that challenges the players to protect both the welfare of wild animals and mankind in a virtual world

#2 – Relationship between mankind and animals
What is it? – A programme/setup that allows players to build their virtual world, and express their views on how an ideal society should function, how animals and mankinds should co-exist
Challenges the player to reflect on their personal values and priorities, and make certain sacrifices to achieve an ideal situation

Possible aims:
For participants to reflect on self & their relationship with the wildlife,
To increase one’s self-awareness and impact on the environment/animals,
For relaxation & appreciation

2. Pet peeves – Inconsiderate people, people who intentionally cause inconvenience to others
Related theme(s): Interaction between strangers, connecting strangers, moral issues

#1 – Connecting strangers
What is it? – An installation that encourages strangers to interact with each other

Possible aims:
Build relationships between strangers,
Encourage consideration for others,
Random acts of kindness

Other areas of interests: Plants/nature, water, astronomy, exploration, idea of play

Inspiration: SIMSafari

Image result for sims safari
Image result for sims safari

Kristy’s feedback:
Idea 2 can be applied on idea 1, e.g. consideration for other beings
Which kinds of animals? For consumption or? Pets? Strays?
What kind of tone? Cannot be too serious, be more playful
Pick a few animals as case study, list some specifics, types

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Interactive Spaces – Semester Project (Part 1 – Analog)

THE HANGOUT

The Hangout is a kampong-themed laundry area, designed to simulate a human foosball (or table football) game. Our aim is to connect people through a classic game of football, but with a twist – the constraints of being pegged to a pole. Through our setup, we hope to build social bonds between strangers and friends through physical interaction, and away from our digital devices.

By Joan & Tiffany

Concept

To introduce play using the simple household objects, and to relive the kampong spirit in the youths of today.

Ideation

With inspiration from our previous mini project (EX1 – Be part of the art), we decided on the idea of hanging people on a clothes poles and exploring the possible human interactions that could emerge within these limitations.

Since the arrangement of clothes on a pole is usually organised and occur in almost a grid-like form, we thought of several activities which the participants can engage in within these formations:

3 rows x 2 to 4 people – team based ball games, like soccer, sepak takraw, volleyball, captain’s ball

2 rows x 3 or 4 people – hanging out facing each other as a group of friends, play chapteh facing each other

We realized that these layouts resembled that of a foosball table, where plastic soccer player figures are also attached to the rods. This gave us the idea of combining the two aspects together – hanging clothes on a pole and foosball table – to actualize our concept of bringing people together through play in a simple setup.

Final Layout:

This layout allows for a team-based soccer game, where each side allows for an equal number of players (maximum 3 players + 1 goalkeeper).

Initial location in mind #1-  area between trees at the sunken plaza
Why not? – Lack of places to anchor/hang our poles from, unsuitable for wet weather, and troublesome if soccer ball goes out of bounds and falls into the water.

Initial location in mind #2 – open area at level 2
Why not? – Width of the area is a little too large compared to the length of the poles, might be dangerous for passersby if the poles swing and hit their faces

Final location – Under the staircase beside the open area at Level 2
Why? – This space allows for a more organised hanging of the poles, slightly safer and a more compact space for hangout

Process

 

Testing the feasibility and layout of the space, and finding the optimal number of shirts/players per pole
One end of the pole attached directly (and tightly) to the string
Other end of the pole clipped on, with string attached to the clip (for easy removable or addition of clothing)
Testing 1
Testing 2
Top view of our setup, marked with football field lines
Done!

 

Feedback/Areas for improvements

1. Scale
A slightly larger space would allow for more players or more movement for exciting gameplay. The poles with 3 players were also a little cramped, making it difficult for the ball to get past their defense. With the current length of our poles, the ideal number of players per pole is 2.

2. Height differences
Although our poles are leveled to a height that fits most people, there are some people who may find it uncomfortable (too short or tall). This can affect gameplay and cause the strings attached to snap. One solution is to create a pulley system or a series of adjustable knots at the ends of the poles.

3. Location
Due to the open space, the ball went out of bounds easily, making it necessary to have a referee or someone to run after the ball. Although the stairs proved to be very useful for hanging the poles, the gameplay can be improved by shifting the setup into a smaller, enclosed space where the ball is allowed to bounce off the walls (similar to a street soccer court).