Presentation

Bek and Brenden at our presentation table.

Here are the two models that were produced through the powder and plastic 3d printers from solid works files. The one on the left is the section to show the internals and the one

This is our working interactive model as well as the 2 prop balls we used for the filming of the movie. 

Brenden offered to do the whole verbal  presentation for us which me and Bek were very fine with. He is a confident speaker and is good at "selling". We included a demonstration of how the product worked using the electronic models. we decided not to show the narrative film as we were not too pleased with it's outcome. We didn't believe it really added anything that could not be said verbally in  a more efficient manner.


I think the narrative video did not turn out to effectively communicate the story was due to a number of reasons
-filming was done at uni not in the set of a home
-was not planned fully prior to filming
-no costume changes or props

The whole film was a bit disjointed and didn't really capture our required emotional responses.

Overall I think we did well but you never really know.

Our Final Presenation

I would love to put some photos up of our final things but i'm not sure I will have time for that tomorrow. For now I will just talk/write.

Models

1. Working electrical model

This one is very effective in communicating the purpose and outputs of our design. We have a video of it working and will also be abel to demonstrate it to the class.

2. Form Model

This model shows the aesthetic style of our design. It is the most glamorous of all our models!

3. Manufacturing model

This one was 3d printed in section form to show the internal components and how they fit together. The only problem with this one was that some parts were printed in plastic and some weren't. because of this the accuracy of the dimensions are a little bit off which has made it difficult to assemble the separate pieces.

4. General form models

These are the ones we used for the filming. They are simple styraphone balls but merely holding one sub consciously prompts you to play with it. You pick it up and then all of a sudden your playing without even meaning to. This is a great way to show the natural interactions that occur with a ball.

2 x a2 Presentation Boards
We have kind of split these up into 4 sections.
1. A large context picture which sells the product and communicates the scenario
2. Hero shot with specifications and features
3. Behaviours and responses
4. Scenario and photos

Design Report1. design brief
2. technical drawings
3. Bom

Films
1. Design Narrative to express the scenario and behaviour to really show the user experience and emotional significance
2. Working model to show how the inputs and outputs are physically triggered

Final Reflection of Team and Project

The night Of!

So today we had a productive final session together as a team.

I made a list of all the things that we had to do:

We got through the most of it by the end of the day. Then we each went of separately to finish a part each. These are the jobs each of us have to complete for tomorrow;

Me: Finish reading through and checking the brief, print off brief and bom, bind with technical drawings (already printed yay!)

Brenden: Finish up the last presentation board and get those printed

Bek: Finish off editing the two movies

We are well under control I think. Which is why I'm blogging at the moment..

We filmed the narrative movie today. As i mentioned in a previous post, as expected it was difficult to shot the movie when we were not at in a house. However, after exploring D block we made some great discoveries for spaces that would fit in nicely to our film.

Putting the movie together, it seems a bit disjointed  because we didn't go in with a real plan or structure as to what we wanted to include. Devising a plan or story board first would have defiantly saved some time editing and filming.

Got to see the working model today! I am really impressed with what Brenden was able to do!! It worked really well for the film and really communicates the intent of our design. We just have to be careful because it is very fragile. I meant to take photos toady but I completely forgot. If i have time I might use some of my team members ones to put up here.

Final Interactive Design

So after so many alterations and so much confusion along the way, I will now explain our final design! 
The scenario has always been the same, but the way in which we design for the specific users has been where the changes have occurred. Due to the countless slight changes that have been made throughout the project, it has been quite difficult to keep up and remember what had been altered and what new aspects we had decided on. 

It was last week that everything finally started making sense and falling into place. This was largely because of Brenden and Georgie's chat with Yasu, it really helped to solidify our concept and thoughts. 

We have narrowed down our product range again! We are now ONLY designing the actual ball (no longer the fridge attachment). Everything else will become a "suggested addition in the future".  This is a good move as it allows us to really focus on the one product- like all the other groups. This will give us a much More resolved single end product, rather than having two half job products that we didn't have time to fully think out. 

Scenario: 
The same. House mates who have become close through living together. The time has come where they are to be separated and one of them moves out. 

Where InterBall come in:
2 complimentary products that both people buy
2 products exactly the same

Using:
People will interact with InterBall in different ways depending on their emotions. 
The behaviours are natural and will most likely occur subconsciously. 

What it does:

There 4 categories of interaction:

1. 
When a user is, missing the other person or feeling homesick
They will, hold the ball gently in a calm manner
The ball will, glow softly and create a gentle vibration (on both users products)
Why? To let the other person know they are thinking of them, and to give them the comfort of presence through the glow and hum being produced. 

2. 
When a user is, feeling emotional, frustrated or upset
They will, hold the ball with some force and apply pressure, in a squeeze-like action
The ball will, let off a bright light and begin vibrating more
Why? Users can share their emotions with each other and become aware if the their friend is feeling down or angry.

3. 
When the user is feeling playful
They will, pick up the ball, throw it or kick it
The ball will, react to this movement and create an intense light and erratic vibrations causing the ball to move around
Why? Indicates a playful mood and behaviour,  a kind of invitation to come play and join them. 

4. COINCIDENCE
This category is a bit different to the others.
This  phase becomes active when both users are interacting with their product at the same time. 
The interball will let off a BEEP when the two users do the same thing with their products at the same time. eg. shake or apply pressure
Why? A special moment is shared for a second.  A feeling of connection is present and the surprise of the shared response is a warming feeling. 


Below is a table with the outputs and the the expected emotional responses. 
This table was created through asking different people (family members etc.) what their initial reaction to a certain physicality would be. It was interesting to collect this information there are some common themes across each, as well as some peculiar ideas specific to one person.
Through this process we were able to figure out the inputs and outputs for the above, using the 3 intensities method that we talked to Leo about. 

Highlighted are the ideas that we utilised through our design. 

Output	Emotional and Physical responses
Soft glowing light	·      Reminder of night light (safety when alone in the dark) ·      Comforting for someone by themselves, almost be like having another presence there ·      Peace ·      Emotional ·      Calming ·      Soothing ·      Relaxing ·      Therapeutic ·      Constance ·      Security and safety ·      Angel/spirits/religion ·      Sacredness ·      Dying if fading ·      New life if getting brighter ·      Growth ·      Mysterious ·      Supernatural ·      Asleep ·      Subdued
Intense bright light	·      A physical thing that you would want to approach and get closer ·      Attractive ·      Curiosity ·      Attention ·      Sense of warmth or heat ·      Clinical ·      Sterile ·      Daunting ·      Fire ·      Shield your eyes ·      Danger ·      Risk/ threatening
Flashing light	·      Excitement ·      Physically feels like something has to be done to make it stop ·      Emergency ·      Immediate ·      Attention ·      Countdown ·      Urgency ·      Movement ·      Something irregular or not right ·      Panic ·      Danger ·      Chaos and mayhem ·      Instability ·      Industrial ·      Big cities
Loud beep	·      Alert for something ·      Surprise ·      Shock ·      Reminder ·      Warning ·      Telling you something specific ·       Full attention ·      Proximity ·      Timer ·      Anticipation ·      Game over
Slighting vibrating	·      Happiness (like how a cat purrs, or how when you eat something yum you go mmmmmmm) ·      Notification ·      Fun ·      Playful ·      Company ·      Message ·      Turbulence ·      Machinery
Vibrating vigorously	·       Aggressive ·      Attention grabbing ·      Antagonistic ·      Massaging
Vibrating erratically	·       Urgent ·       Desperate ·      Shock ·      Don’t know what’s going on ·      Confusion ·      Unpredictable ·      Irregular ·      Unstable ·      About to fall apart or break

Update

We are making good steady progress I think. The only part that could be a concern is the narrative film. We had scheduled a time to do this last week... or maybe the week before? Because it got postponed, it was put on the back burner a little and we didn't really think about ti much after that. Now we are running out of time to do it. Hopefully it is drama free, and everything goes smoothly and to plan. Which is hardly ever the case though. I was going to do the movie today at home using some family members as our house mates. However in the end we decided on doing it all tomorrow. That way we can all be there, and also because we would be able to use our interactive model for the narrative film. This is necessary but I think it can only enhance the meaning and clarity of our film. Although it is a bit of  shame that the filming will be done at uni. This will restrict our plans for the narrative a bit, as there will be no costume changes, minimal access to props and the obvious being that it wont be filmed in a house. This is a fairly important aspect of our narrative but hopefully we will be able tot find a good spot to do that kind of resembles a home. But I suppose, in the end, the main thing is that the film has to convey our user experience in a expressive way that allows people to see the true purpose and meaning of our design. 

The B.O.M is coming along quite nicely, it's gradually been getting filled up. I dislike this process a lot. it does not interest me and I find it incredibly tedious. But it is useful in the end so I can't whinge too much. The design brief is also well on its way to being completed, as are the presentation boards. 

I'm not too sure how the interactive model is going at the moment, although I know a lot of issues were sorted out with the help of Yasu. Brenden is looking after that aspect and i'm sure he will do a great job on it. 

After a day full of "boming" it is quite relaxing to come and do some blogging. I have actually enjoyed this whole blogging concept. It is much more engaging then the traditional concept books that we usually do and I think it encourages research and reflection more. I have found it to be a good way to balance out the semester. There is the hectic design and building components that go on in the classroom. But then afterwards its nice to go home and just write about it and put all your thoughts down. I found it has been a good organisational tool for me. It helps me to understand what has just happened and what I need to do now because of this. 

For the moment I think we are all under control. That could easily change tomorrow though, so we can't get ahead of ourselves. 

Narrative