DECO2300 Journal

In the contact, we talked about different types of prototype. In the exercise, we are challenged to write down the functional components of a car dashboard, as much as we could. Then we tried to list down the functional components of a telephone and what is relevant to make a phone call. I only listed number buttons, headphones, wires, while some groups also mentioned electricity and radio etc. For the interaction, caller will press the button, pick up the headphone, listen to the phone and talk to it. These exercises challenged me to think extra and break down my fixed knowledge I had with the items. For example, when asking what components are relevant to make a phone call, it's very easy to do it automatically because we made thousands phone calls before. However, it's difficult to list out every single component, step by step, of how to make a phone call. The exercise, using daily object, helped me to develop and brainstorm what I want to test on my next prototype. It ...

This week was the first testing session, where we showed our first baby - the kickstarter video, to the class and collected feedback from the audiences. The testing process is first show them the video, then ask them questions. My questions are: - In scale 1 to 5 (5 yes, 1 no), do you understand the concept? - Do you identify the problem? - What do you think about the prototype? - In scale 1 to 5 (5 good, 1 bad), is the video clear? (include the explanation, quality) - Any thing should be improved? The class generally gave nice and positive feedback. Everyone who watched the video understood my concept, and some gave constructive feedback. I also got to watch some kickstarter video from others, for example, the smart fridge, VR meme, subtitle glasses and personal recycle bin. There're so many creative and interactive prototypes, but not everyone's video were perfect. I found some concepts were difficult to understand and the video didn't really explain clearly. ...

In this week contact, we formed groups to discuss and criticise about some kickstarter video examples in order to learn from the good one and avoid producing the bad one. For the first video introducing "Pet Tunes", my first impression is totally negative. The quality of the video and photo are low. The guy only press a bunch of buttons without any voice-over or explanation. I have no idea what he's doing and the objectives of the prototype. The only positives I found after watching the video is the prototype he showed seems really working and well-developed. The second video "No Junk" started with explaining how the idea was inspired. Compare to the first video, I understand the concept better and I like how it included some animations to explain the concepts. However, the explaining portion seems too long and too complicated. The voice-over could be clearer and the background music is too loud. The last video "Pad Mapper" is the best one among ...

In this week contact, we further talked about different aspect of prototype. We talked about the representation of prototype could be software or paper. There are different level of detail in prototype, the less precise, the more open for discussion. Different prototypes offer different level of interactivity to the users, which generate different experience and feedback. Lastly, we talked about the evolution, how long will the prototype exists for. Then we move on to class exercise, where we have to think of a device at home and build variations on it. I chose microwave as the example and drew a mind map: The microwave I had at home is a simple regular size that bought from Kmart. It is mainly white with a black door. There are buttons and timer display next to the door. Inside the microwave, there is a glass plate to hold and rotate items. I usually used it to heat up the and defrost food. Sometime I will look at the clock on it to check time and clean its surface. Variations ...