week 11

progress updates with the class and my practical developments

progress presentation

we had our presentations this week. it was interesting to see the progress of everyone, and the different research methods used for the various projects. it was also quite comforting to see that some had restructured their project just like i did.

i really had to be more articulate and descriptive with my words. honestly, i don’t really know how i should be describing my research methods, so i just left it blank, or rather, described it in my own words. i should expand my design terms like vikas had mentioned either last or this year. i really like using the word “cute” hahahhahahaha i know i’m not actually allowed to.

i was once again very vague and not very concise with my presentation. most of what i had written needed more elaboration. i’m happy that many appreciated the mode of my presentation though. it was a little experiment in itself, to see if people appreciated lighthearted tones in my work. i can improve on it by being much more informative next time.

practical developments

i went back to focusing on approach 1. i had to make something work!!!!! but i think i had to lower expectations for myself…. be a little more realistic…… sadly…… the aries in me is defeated….. and embarrassed………

after watching some arduino tutorials, i’ve decided that it’s easier to tackle visual components of the circuit. so it’s probably more feasible that i concentrate on trying to build interactive lights or something. at least i would not have to worry about what i need to assemble together to create the sounds i want to create, which is something i’m struggling with right now. i don’t know what i can do to recreate comforting sounds. i’m making a visual artefact which is linked to sounds, and the entire experience should be able to help someone combat different causes of burnout.

i started out with finding images of what the final prototype might look like and then made some sketches.

user interacts and creates a custom experience
interaction in form of knobs, buttons, visuals using arduino components (lights, motors)
sound will play after interaction, to coincide with the visuals
experience should be a response to how the user is feeling

will it be-

spatial experience? how will i present this?
wearable prototype? have to think about comfort, hygiene, materials, weight
screen experience? how do i make this interesting
interactive artefact? much to decide for this

the biggest problem is still the sound!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so annoying!!!!!!

remembering the very cosy arduino workshop with andreas, i thought that i could combine javascript arduino together. the interaction would be arduino, which would link to a javascript code that could generate sounds. ok la i talk so much but idk how to do : ) i will reserve this issue for consultation.

analytical

i always have trouble explaining my ideas to others, but i think the summary above gave me enough clarity to continue on with my project. i could get inspiration on the different options i have, and find one i think is possible to carry out. or carry out experiments on these different formats, and using user testing, evaluate which one is the most effective. i don’t think this is too difficult to carry out. i’m manifesting this.

reflective

i think it was a good idea opening up my options instead of just sticking to creating sounds. i was getting quite stuck (not burnt out!!) with figuring out how to connect multiple motors in a single arduino circuit, since connecting just one already required a single battery pack. i got more afraid of trying experiments as i watched more tutorials, of possibly spoiling the arduino board. i did not do well enough in secondary school physics to tackle this problem.