final project brief :
create an interactive object or space
The final project for this class is to build a working interactive object, space (or combination of the two). The project should be original, have a well developed concept, and avoid the sense that a computer is controlling it. You are encouraged to work in an interdisciplinary team, which will make more ambitious projects possible and allow the expertise from different fields to be used in the creation of a project.
- team projects are encouraged, but individual projects are acceptable
- the topic of the project is open, but if your team is interested in designing for the acura oracle, you'll be presenting to George P. Johnson and Acura, and may have an opportunity for an internship at GPJ.
Conceptual questions/requirements (project proposal must address these issues)
- create a well developed concept for your project. Consider:
- is it functional design - if so, what does the project do for the audience? what is different and/or better from existing designs?
- is it design research - if so, what are the design questions you are addressing? what will you learn from the project?
- is it media art - if so, what is the concept behind the expression?
- is it entertainment - if so, is there a narrative? what is entertaining about it?
- what is the theme of the project? what will the audience take-away(s) be from the experience?
- what is the impact you want to have?
- what is the IDEA driving the project?
- what is the relationship between the audience and the project/author? what role does the audience play in creating their own experience?
- why is the project interactive? why isn't a non-interactive version better?
- what are the precedents for your project? are there other projects are like yours?
- who is the audience?
- what is the content of project?
- is it original or adapted?
- consider working with an expert to create the content to make
the quality high
- if there is text, find a writer or poet, or adapt a good source
- if there is music, find a musician or adapt a good source
- etc.
- how will the content be made non-linear?
- if you are designing a space, is the project site-specific? Either way, what are the characteristics of the site, and how will they affect your project?
Practical requirements:
- the user's interactions must be with external sensors and cannot be with a computer keyboard or mouse
- the use of sound is strongly encouraged
- the computer should be hidden if possible
- the project must functionally work -- good ideas that don't work are failures in this class. As a consequence, be sure your ideas can be made to work given the available time, equipment, and team skill level.
- if you have a big idea, identify a part of the idea that can be practically implemented for this class
- given that it takes a lot to make the project actually work, there is less emphasis on the "finish" of the form
- it is okay to "fake" some parts of your system, as long as an untrained audience can successfully interact with the project and understand it
Project Milestones
- week 07, project proposal presentations - a 3-4 page minimum written description of the project with drawings, research, and references. This will be introduced to the class in a 10 minute presentation
- week 11, project prototypes due - a working prototype of the project that demonstrates the basic concept for critique. This prototype should prove out any technological, conceptual, user interface, or other challenges and innovations.
- week 13, project due - the project should be substantially completed by week 12, so the final week can focus on installation and the development of the presentation of the project. We'll have a review on Tuesday of week 13, and the final showing will be on Super Thursday evening that week.