research project :
research and report on an alternative interface application - due week 08
This is a group assignment to help you explore interactive design for non-computer systems. Form a group of two (not necessarily the group for the final project), and create a simple website hosting an analysis of an alternative interface application.
- Choose an application on any non-computer system (Tivo, cell phone, car stereo, etc.)
- Provide at least 3 photos of the system in action
- Describe what the system does and how it works
- Describe the system constraints (screen dimensions, buttons, etc. -- see below examples)
- Discuss what works well, and what does not work well in the system
- Discuss how you would improve the system
create an interactive system for a car or other transportation vehicle
proposal due week 8
prototype due week 12
final due week 14
Design an information or entertainment interactive system that runs on an alternative interface--i.e. not a traditional computer/keyboard/mouse. This system should allow the user to explore the content of the system in a new and innovative way, where the user is driving the experience to their own purpose, rather than having the design(er) determine how the experience will go.
For 2006, the assignment is to design an interactive system specifically for a car or other transportation vehicle (bicycle, mass transit, motorcycle, or??). This system could be a traditional entertainment/car control systems interface, or it could be something more speculative. The task is to design how the interaction will work, what it will look like (physical interface and/or screen based interface), and the scenarios under which it will be used. Your design should be an improvement on existing car interaction design.
The form of the system is completely open, and it could involve any combination of the following:
DVD, PDA, phone, LCD display, car stereo, tablet device, heads-up display, watch, eyeglass augmented reality system, headphones/audio (i.e. no video display), portable music player, minority report interface, completely new device.
- Whatever platform you choose, you must define the constraints and
design within that:
- pixel dimensions of display (if any, or might be just LED status lights)
- color or not
- sound capability
- number and position of physical interface elements (buttons, knobs, etc.)
- use scenario and human factors issues - i.e. a device used in a sports car would have different interaction influences than one used in a motor home. Think about the attitude of the user while interacting, level of attention needed and available, do they have one hand or two available, etc.
- other issues specific to device - e.g. safe title in TV, limited colors in cheap portable device, etc.
Brief:
- the project must include a designed, working demo of
the system. This can be created in Flash, HTML, Director, etc. This
demo must fit into the constraints discussed above (e.g. design to
the screen pixel dimensions you specify). You can simulate physical
interfaces on-screen. Demo is the key word here, you do not have to
implement the entire system, but the demo must demonstrate several
paths through the system and provide a clear sense of how the system
will work.
- user scenarios should be written up that describe how the system
would be used in at least TWO situations.
- the design should solve the information exploration /entertainment
goal in a new and innovative way - avoid:
- straight adaptations of linear material
- the stogy, traditional interfaces typical of most information based applications
- obviously, do not copy an existing system
- target the system at a specific demographic ("everyone" is
not acceptable)
- research and critique existing applications for comparison
- strongly suggest including sound as part of the design
- while it may be artful, this is not an art project. the project should
be functionally useful, enabling the audience to selectively move through
an information or entertainment space so they can absorb and enjoy
the particular topic.
- the project may be futuristic, but you must still define the constraints
of the system
- the content does not have to be purely factual or didactic--it may
be metaphorical, ambiguous, or provide multiple viewpoints.
- your design process should include the idea of user advocacy - audience
research, scenario development, experience management, testing
- use the strengths of the medium and don't try to do everything. focus
on what the interactive medium can contribute to this topic, and assume
that other mediums can cover the rest.
- juxtaposition
- database-driven content
- randomness
- multiple media
- active participation and involvement with content
- user selection, customization, audience empowerment, etc.
- car control systems - see the BMW 7 Series iDrive system and the Audi MMI (Multi Media Interface), phil's photos1, phil's photos2
- car stereos - see pioneer and other manufacturers
- navigation systems - Magellan, Garmin, Alpine
- redo a search engine for the car - see google, vivisimo, teoma
- what are the affordances provided to the audience for manipulating the experience to their own goals and purpose
- what are the relationship(s) between the designer/author and the audience - Tour guide, facilitator, provocateur, librarian, boss, co-worker, museum docent, dictator, servant, etc.
- what is the arc of the user experience? Is there an introduction? Is there a summary? How long does the experience last? What control does the user have over the arc?
- what are the benefits of the interactions in the work? I.e. what does the audience get out of interacting, and how is this better or different from traditional media?
Group projects are allowed on this project, with the following rules:
- the project must be larger than typical individual project
- each team member must have a specific primary design responsibility.
For example:
- content design, editing & integration
- visual design
- information design
- interaction design
- etc.