Proposal Development & Prototype Test

Proposal Development

The critic session was held in Week 5. Based on the critism, the project scale is too large as I have 3 interactions to be done. Secondly, the interaction for the healing process (waterlilies pond) could be improved further as the core experience is not established enough. Thirdly, the core experience of the third interaction which is the blowing interaction does not convey the message that I want to express to the audience. Thus, I have made some amentments for the interactions of the project. Another thing that I have to plan out is the cost production. According to the supervisors, I have to pour out my time, sweat and money on this project as it is quite a large scale project. As the scale is too big, I have reduced to only two interaction. I divide the development journey into two phases so that the workload is not overwhelming.

Core Experience - Moon Garden [Love]



The interaction for Moon Garden [Love] section is still the same. However, instead of just using moonflowers as the main flower elements, I have combined various of night-blooming flowers into this particular session so that there are more variations. 

Key Takeways

The interaction allows the audience to feel connected with the flowers and bloom within theirsouls by translating their hearbeat into pulsing LEDs within the flowers. Regardless what emotional state we are situated at, life still moves on and we still bloom gorgeously.

Core Experience - Water Lilies Pond [Heal]


As compared to the initial proposal, I have changed the entire interaction to digital form. The water lilies pond is projected on the floor. When there is no interaction, the petals will float around the pond and the fishes will swim in the pond. The paerals of water lilies act as different sfx that sounds relaxing and meditative. Whenever a petal is stepped, it will trigger meditative water droplets sound effect that gives users a relaxing feel.

When users walk in slow pace, water lilies will bloom and gather around the user. The fish will swim towards the direction of user. When users walk around the pond, the water ripples will follow the user's footstep. When users walk in fast pace, the waterlilies will disperse into the water and the fish will swim in random direction.

Key Takeaways

The interaction allows the audience to step back a moment and gain some relaxtion to heal their inner soul as water lilies represent rebirth and peace. The calmer the user is, the more impressive the pond is.

Floor Plan Measurement

This will be the update of the floor plan measurement

Prototype Test

The concept test was done on Week 7. Without further ado, it is better to understand the behaviour and understanding of the project from user's perspective. There are total of 5 users for the concept test. The age of the users range between 20 - 23 years old.

Here is the link for the survey form. LINK

Prototype Tools

I have used cardboard to mimic the spatial design of the installation. 




Prototype Test Result













Insight

[Moon Garden (Love)]

  • 100% of the users mentioned that the interactions makes them feel connected with the flowers and their hearbeat could mean something from the user itself. Everyone has their own hearbeat pace and it could mean their current emotional state.
  • 60% of the users agreed that the interaction motivates user to bloom gorgeously like night-blooming flowers regardless what emotional state we're situated at.
  • 20% of the users suggest to make the background music change according to the lights. If the heartbeat is detected in a panic state, the music will change into stronger and more intense.
  • 20% of the users suggest to connect the relationship between the moon phases background with the heartbeat interaction.

[Water Lilies Pond (Heal)]

  • 100% of the users mentioned that the interaction did conveyed the message to let users to calm themselves and walk on their own pace as everything will sit accordingly. 
  • 100% of the users agreed that the interaction motivates user to heal yourself by take things slowly and peacefully.
  • 20% of the users suggest to add sfx when water lilies bloom.
  • 20% of the users suggest too add lights on the pond. When users walk faster, the lights will start to dim. If user walk slower, the lights will slowly lights up brighter and brighter.

[Overall]

  • 100% of the users feel that the mood and feel of the environment are calm, relaxing and immersive.
  • 100% of the users think the overall setup and interactions brings the message to embrace the darkness in our inner soul and blossom in dark times.
  • 40% of the users rate 3, 20% of the users rate 4, 40% of the users rate 5 for the overall user experience.

Conclusion

The idea & concept is relevant as the messages are reflected through the core experience of both interactions. Thus, I will carry on the development of the project and start experimenting on technical stuff. 

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