Part 0 - Document on the blog
Some of you haven’t documented all of your mechanics and light pieces on the blog yet. Document all 4 pieces by Tuesday at noon.
Here is a reminder:
Write about your pieces touching on the following for each:
-name of the piece
-how your prototype evolved from the original idea to the current prototype
-ideal visitor experience
-problems you encountered/next steps for this piece (adjustments, rebuild, new ideas, let go of…)
All of your prototypes are interesting and might find a place in a different context, even if you are not pursuing them for your final pieces. The blog is our way to share all the ideas you came up with with friends and colleagues in the exploratorium. This week, my colleague, Ryan Jenkins will join the blog. He works with the tinkering group and is excited to see your work and process.
Part I - Address and solve key technical issues and material sourcing for your prototype
This part should be done before moving onto Part II and III, since the results will impact what your sketches look like.
Part II - User-test your prototype with at least two people independently
Before you do this, make sure you refine the interaction enough to be able to step back and let the users do their own experimenting instead of guiding them thru the experience. If needed, give them instructions on what to do to get started, but not on what to notice, where to look or other things to try. Observe carefully and take notes on what the users naturally do with the prototype.
Part III - Sketch your prototype
Produce sketches on letter-sized paper. You may produce the sketches using paint or drawing programs if you like, but however you produce your sketches, they need to be 1) put on the blog before Friday's class, and 2) printed out and brought to Friday's class.
Sketch 1: isometric view of your exhibit
-show user interaction (includes a person). How many visitors interact with the piece at a time, do they sit or stand?
-show at which places the exhibit is accessible. Does it have a front side and a back side, is it placed against a wall, or accessible from all sides, or mounted on a wall?
Be conscious about scaling your current prototype. What is the ideal size for your phenomenon? Be thoughtful about placement of components and the overall ergonomics.
Sketch 2: side view, top view of your exhibit
-show dimensions on the side view/top view.
-annotate key components showing the material or the part specs. Be intentional about material choices based on physical needs of the exhibit and appearance.
-show graphics label placement if graphics are needed.
-for light pieces, propose a structure that provides light control.
Optional additional detail sketches: Close up on area of interaction
-produce any needed additional sketches that zooms in on places where the user interacts with the exhibits. The sketch shows the user's hands or other body parts used to interact.
To help you get started look at the sample sketches of two exhibits in these blog posts (the Magic wand sketches are a good example of an isometric view and a top view/side view). As a side note, the sketches are of an old version of “magic wand”, if you have a chance to look at the exhibit on Friday, you will see it’s quite different now.
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