Activate: Good and Bad April 9, 2009
Posted by yunyintsai in Exercise 4: Documenting Activate!, Project 3: Activate!.add a comment
I was not able to see all of the projects at Activate, and the only few I experienced were not as interesting as I expected… But if I have to choose one favourite, I would say “Happy Box.” It evoked curiosity and an interesting visceral reaction in the users. A big black box and a long lineup raised my curiosity. (But I might leave if I was not recommended to experience it by other people since it took me lots of time to wait.) Inside the box, it was totally dark and quite at first. When I was wondering what would happen next, suddenly many pairs of staring eyes appeared on the walls! Actually, I was not scared or surprised by them because I was busy taking photos at that moment, yet I believe it could create a good feedback in other users. After that they sent out a cupcake which I’m not sure it was a reflective design or not. I also like the idea that they had a survey right after the users went out the box, it makes the users feel like, as someone have mentioned, had been a subject of an experiment.
The worst one… should be the OCADVAS. Obviously, it did not require much thought and effort, lacking visceral, reflective, and behavioural reaction. The only feedback was the paintings on the person’s skin which was very predictable. I did not even want to try it when I passed by, but I thought it might have some hidden meanings after the whole experience. Surprisingly, that’s all…
BEST AND WORSE AT OCAD ACTIVATE April 9, 2009
Posted by Adam Brace in Exercise 4: Documenting Activate!, Exercise 5: Psychogeographics, Project 3: Activate!.Tags: Activate, bad, evaluation, Exercises, good, what the juke
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Best experience at OCAD was Free Beats. I particularly enjoyed this one as it was a really fun way of getting people to engage with the experience by added there own beat into the beat being played by the musicians from the group. Even though it was raining it seemed people were still really enjoying it. I think it worked so well because it was really just a simple idea that incorporated alot of sensoral aspects that people would enjoy.
I thought that the happy box wasnt very good. I didnt really understand what it was all about, making it difficult for me to get any kind of sensoral response to it, other then feeling alittle uncomfortable. There were alot of fun projects I wish I had more time to experience them all
Flickr account…Add more pictures! April 8, 2009
Posted by Ayesha Ijaz in Check it out, Project 3: Activate!.1 comment so far
Hey peooooople! I’e made an account on flickr, and have uploaded some of my best pictures [there were a lot other as well, but I put up the best ones out of all]. They take some time to upload, especially if the size is big. I will also caption them, right now they are uploaded with their original code/number. I’m providing the username and the password to the account on http://www.flickr.com/ .
Account email: ayeshah_i90@yahoo.com
Password: whatthejuke
I would greatly appreciate it if you could upload the picutres that any of you would have taken during the event, or even before it. I know that there were a lot of ‘before’ picture, while making of the jukebox itself, and it would be good if those could be added as well. Enjoy the pictures, and will see them in class as well! =]
Avtivate, the best and the worst! April 8, 2009
Posted by Ayesha Ijaz in Exercise 4: Documenting Activate!, Project 3: Activate!.add a comment
First off, let me say it again….ACTIVATE was great! It was a lot of fun, and our project was definitely amongst the most popular ones, and
The Happy Box, with scary eyes!
judging by the reactions and feedback from the people, it was one of the most enjoyed as well. That being said, from what I saw around the whole events and checking out others projects, my favourite one would have to be “The Happy box”. Sandy has already provided a lot of details on that, but I’ll do my part with it as well! 🙂 This project was located in the center of the lobby of 100 McCaul. Essentially, it was a big black box that could easily fit 2 people. The outside of it was all black, covered with black plastic/foamcore. The front of that box had a white poster as an invitation into the box, along with the title of “The Happy Box”. Prior to going into it myself, I was recommended to experience it by some others as well, and I guess the concept of the black box with a rather contrary title of Happy Box evoked curiosity and an interesting visceral reaction. Once inside, there was total darkness, with very dim light coming from small rectangular slots on 2 sides. After a little while of thinking if I have to look for something in there, many pairs of eyes stared to stare [as you see in the picture] which was creepy, but it created a good visceral reaction and feedback as well, since either people would scream, or as I did, laugh! By the way, this is totally new to me, what sandy just said, there was a countdown and voices told you to ‘turn around’? I mean, I didn’t hear any of that actually…I pretty much had to just look for what would happen next! I guess they had some functional problems…! and because of that I think they lacked behavioural reactions [since it involved a lot of guessing on your own, and was not intuitive at all]. Then they had a cupcake in a small holder that came out, and it took me a little while to notice that in the darkens [since I heard no instruction!]. Finally, with the cupcake in hand I got out of the back side of it, where there was one person managing a curtain to let you out. They had a survey that they were conducting right after you’d had the experience, which was another way for them to get feedback from the ‘users’. All in all, the reason I do give them credit for being the best out of all [not considering us! ;)] was because it was intriguing, engaging, and had a strong visceral aspect.
The one I would rate the worst would be one of the two outside in the Butterfield Park, the one in front of the back exit of the Lambart lounge. I’m not sure if this was their title, but from what I gathered from the posters it was “Picasso, Van Gogh, Pollack, YOU?” This project had a huge area right underneath the OCAD ‘chess board’, and they had a big cloth[?] on the floor. They had a wooden stand, with which was attached a white bucket and beside it they had a table with paint cans. They had taps attached to the white bucket. They poured diluted paint in the buckets and let the taps open, and then spun the bucket, and the paint drizzled onto the white cloth creating…something. It severely lacked an element of surprise, and did not evoke any sort of visceral, reflective or behavioural emotions/reaction. The only feedback was that you could see the paint drizzle onto the cloth, but that was quite expected as well. I understand that they had some disadvantages and probably usability problems because of the rainy weather, but the lack of element of surprise was…surprising! [not in a good way :P]. All in all, it was still a lot of fun, and a lot if group effort went into it, so two thumbs up guys! =]
My Activate Experience April 8, 2009
Posted by Gingy in Exercise 4: Documenting Activate!, Exercises, Project 3: Activate!.Tags: Activate, exercise4
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OK first of all I would just like to say AMAZING JOB EVERYONE!!!! Thanks to everybody for pulling their weight and gettin the job done I think it went swimmingly so thanks for the help:)
In the few Activate experiences I went to it was clear that not everyone learned as much in their experience design classes as we did in ours. Affordances, usability, feedback…they almost seemed like foreign concepts to the other groups. The one group that I think did the best job was the “Happy Box”(or at least that’s the name I can remember) which was located in the front entrance way of the main OCAD building. I would say they did the best job because they really evoked a strong visceral reaction in the users. At the end of the experience they did a survey to get the user to comment and reflect on their visceral reaction which I thought was interesting because it gave the user a feeling like they had been the unknowing subject of an experiment. The survey they conducted after the experience was an example of a reflective aspect to the experience. Another reflective aspect was the fact they gave out cupcakes at the end of the experience which left the user happy after being somewhat traumatized . However as far as the function and behavioral aspect of the experience goes, it was severely lacking. The line up was understood thanks to the bouncer out front, once you and a friend entered the box there was a moment of pure black then all these slits opened and eyes were staring at you. My first reaction was to get out ! But with respect I stayed in for a couple more seconds finally I saw a crack of light coming from the curtain at the back and I escaped, the bouncer at the back of the box shouldn’t have let me leave and so he sent me back inside where it lasted another couple seconds then the eyes spoke “turn around” and we saw the cupcakes then finally I could get out of there. Whilst inside the box there was nothing to let the user know how long it would last, no affordances, which made it very uncomfortable and dangerous for people who were claustrophobic. Apparently there was a count down going off while inside the box, but the only reason I found that out was because they asked about it in the survey, I didn’t hear it while within the experience. They meant to build a physical constraint with the use of the back bouncer holding the curtain closed, but because the bouncer failed, the experience was lacking. Although they had some flukes, over all the experience was the best because it was the most engaging and invoked many visceral feelings as well as positive reflective emotions.
Now to move on from the best to the worst. I thought Crikey! was the worst because it had no affordances what so ever was hard to use, and caused a negative visceral, behavioral, and reflective reaction. Crikey was located in room 190 across from our experience so I approached it on my way back from break. I saw these alligators sitting very low to the ground, which was intriguing but I had no idea what to do with them, there were no signs and no affordances to instruct the user. So I asked the general crowd “anyone know what were supposed to do with these things?” And someone, who didn’t look like he belonged to the experience because he wasn’t costumed, told me to stick my hand into one of their mouths. So I attempted to lower my self down to the ground, the usability of these alligators was very awful because they were so low. Finally I’m at the right level and I put my hand in one’s mouth and got bitten by the alligator. After the effort it took to get down there that was completely unrewarding. So the same guy said to try another one, so I did, hoping for better results. This time I got sprayed with water! Finally I said the heck with this and I stood up and walked away after only trying two alligators out of the four. I name this experience the worst because it had unpleasant visceral reactions, horrible usability, which caused me to be very negative when reflecting upon it.
Over all I think ours was the best 😉 but I know we weren’t allowed to analyze our own
~Sandi Wheeler
GREAT JOB EVERYONE!!! April 3, 2009
Posted by Milica Guberinic in Project 3: Activate!.3 comments
That’s all! 🙂
I have the juke balls!!! April 3, 2009
Posted by Milica Guberinic in Project 3: Activate!.add a comment
So don’t freak out guys, I took them and the silver fabric because we thought they might get stolen. I will bring them at 1130.
For actors in Love selection: Speed dating questions April 2, 2009
Posted by Milica Guberinic in All You Need is Love, Project 3: Activate!.1 comment so far
You’ll have 1minute with each person, provided that there are 3 users.
What do you do for work/school?
Where are you from?
When was your last relationship and how long did it last?
What are you looking for in a relationship?
Do you want to marry or have you ever been married?
Do you want to have any children? (these just get funnier and funnier)
What do you do for fun?
What is you favorite sport?
What are you most proud of?
Is religion important to you?
Do you follow politics?
Do you believe in love at first sight?
What is your favorite book, movie, season?
Do you like animals or pets?
In your wildest dreams, where do you see yourself in 5 years?
If you were an animal in the wild, what would you be?
If you have six months to live what would be first on your list to do?
If you won the lottery how would you spend your millions?
If you have friends coming over, what would you cook?
Describe a perfect holiday?
What TV show would you never miss?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Into which personality’s shoes would you like to step in for a day?
Music April 1, 2009
Posted by Milica Guberinic in Project 3: Activate!.1 comment so far
I don’t have the music files for the King, Mime and Money selections. Unfortunatley, as I am at work tomorrow morning your files will not be in the dress rehersal.
Who wants to sit in the wooden jukebox? April 1, 2009
Posted by Yinan in Project 3: Activate!, Service Blueprint Team.Tags: Jukebox, Music, projection, what the juke
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According to the set team, one person will be sitting inside this!
No it won't look like this! The set team are building it!
and operating a projector that will project the image of the user’s choice onto the front of this box/room which the user will see. And ideally the same guy will be operating the music when needed for backstage.
So anyone wants to take this job?
For the sake of break we can either have at least two people responsible for this or have someone from another position to take the job only when the main guy is out for her/his break, so depending on how many people can and want to do this.
p.s. we need to schedule your positions and breaks so decide and post asap!
-Service Blueprint Team
- UPDATE:
My selection team just saved one position, so I can be the guy or one of the guys for this job if not enough people want to do it.
-Yinan
OCAD event notice for ACTIVATE!! April 1, 2009
Posted by Greg Van Alstyne in Project 3: Activate!, Publicity Team.add a comment
Here’s the official event notice sent to OCAD’s communications dept. by VP Academic, Sarah McKinnon:
First Year Design presents Activate!! Experiments in Experience Design
Where: Auditorium (190), Main Lobby, the Lambert Lounge (Rm. 187), the Peter Caldwell/Stephen Mader Passage Way, and Butterfield Park
When: 2:30pm to 4:30pm, Friday April 3rd, 2009
First-year design students present work in experience design
First-Year Faculty of Design students invite you to participate in their experimental installations from their course “Introduction to Experience Design.” This colourful and creative event takes place in the Auditorium, Main Lobby, Elizabeth and Goulding Lambert Lounge, the Peter Caldwell/Stephen Mader Passage Way and Butterfield Park
Come by to applaud our students and support the Introduction to Experience Design Faculty whose inspiration and creative leadership contributed to such an exciting event.
Thanks,
Sarah
Last class before ACTIVATE! April 1, 2009
Posted by Greg Van Alstyne in Project 3: Activate!.1 comment so far
Hi,
I see great progress on the blog and look forward to tomorrow’s class.
Not to single anyone out — but where are the posters? Publicity and Documentation were to have a draft poster on the blog days ago, email me to look at it, print them, post them in all key OCAD places. Half a day before the event is way too late for publicity!! It should should have been done days ago. Let me know.
Ruth and I met and planned the following for tomorrow.
PLease come prepared:
tomorrow is a “full dress rehearsal”
all teams should bring all their results: bring the set; costumes; props; everything
good results will be praised and gaps will be noted
we’ll follow this rough agenda:
- set up the room with max. space at front and single tables to meet at near the windows
- we’ll use the room’s sound system, so the jukebox must go near the projection “box” each team will present:
-set
-costumes & props
-publicity
-blueprint - all discrepancies and probs will be noted and solved by rehearsing through the best solutions
- we’ll make a timeline for when people are “on” and when “off” to go see otehr projects (the project is on view 2-4:30 pm
On Friday, I’d like everyone to gather and set up starting at 11am and be ready to roll at 2pm (3 hrs)
Only if things go smoothly in rehearsal can we shave some time off this. It could be the opposite and we may need even more time for setup and bug fixing.
ATTENDANCE
You should have release from other classes. If you have an OCAD or work commitment you can’t get out of, please LET ME and RUTH KNOW before Friday.
EVALUATION
-tomorrow’s class and Friday both count for evaluation
-on Friday I will give everyone a Peer and Self- evauation sheet like before. You’ll assess yourself and your 2 teams, one ‘functional’ and one ‘performance’ team (you need to know who they are) your final grade for ACTIVATE! will be made by me, with input from Ruth and from your own evalautions.
I’m very excited about the project and I think we can make this a great event!
See you soon!
-GVA
Cast List (Update 3) April 1, 2009
Posted by Daniel Orellana in Project 3: Activate!, Service Blueprint Team.Tags: Cast
5 comments
There are still plenty of people who have yet to identify which group they’re in! The more that gets filled in by Thursday’s class, the better.
Love
– Dario
– Forrest*
– Sarah
– Milica
Notes: 30minute break each, needs at least 3 people at a time, [*] means more than 1 role
King
– Emily
– Ayesha
– Julia
Notes: More people needed, for bowing I assume. I don’t think it matters who goes out there,
Rock Star
– Forrest*
– Sandi (Unconfirmed)
– Adam (Unconfirmed)
Notes: Unconfirmed means I’m going off memory. Possibly needs extras like King for a day…
Oscar
-Alissa
-Yinan
-Wenhao
-Eric
Note: 30 Minute breaks each
Mime
-Sarah
-Brenda
Note: only 2 actors, need to figure out shedule!!
Money
-Priya
-Fran
-Lin
Bouncers
-Daniel
-Nhi
Notes: I don’t think there is a big issue with only have 1 bouncer for some time. We can do the regular 40 minute break here.
Set Team March 31, 2009
Posted by emilysoo in Set Team.1 comment so far
Hi Greg and Ruth,
For the feedback of the juxebox, when the person puts the chosen ball in the hole..
we need a projector, to project the image shown.
Could you help us book a projector? Thanks
Set Team
Some more ideas for icons March 31, 2009
Posted by dario in Project 3: Activate!, Publicity Team.Tags: icons
6 comments
MUSIC FILES March 30, 2009
Posted by Milica Guberinic in Project 3: Activate!.5 comments
Please send your music files to milicaguberinic@gmail.com before Thursday.
Cast List March 30, 2009
Posted by Daniel Orellana in Service Blueprint Team.4 comments
Hello, I want to get a list down of who is going to participate in what experience. The more comprehensive by the list is by Thursday the better. So if you are already set on one, please comment below. If you know who else is in the group it would help. If you don’t know which one you’re in, just say so and I’ll find you a spot.
A couple of notes:
-The list isn’t permanent. I may have to change a few people around, because in addition to the 6 experiences I may need two or three other people to be the bouncers.
-I will also be scheduling your break time to go see the other projects.
-Include anything else you might think I need to know
With that, please begin commenting.
Music Files March 29, 2009
Posted by Milica Guberinic in Project 3: Activate!.add a comment
Hello all,
Please send your music files to milicaguberinic@gmail.com. Thanks.
Quote for Poster. March 27, 2009
Posted by dario in Publicity Team.4 comments
Publicity Group:
The best price we’ve got for 30 ( Colored) Posters 11″x17″ is $21.00
Consolidated Props and Costumes List March 27, 2009
Posted by Milica Guberinic in Costumes & Props Team, Project 3: Activate!.15 comments
All right guys, so this is what we need to collect(C), buy(B) or make(M) for each selection. Please post what you will take care of as a comment to this message.
LOVE
C 3 neck ties
C 6 drinking glasses
KING
BM crown
CB cushion for the crown
C 1 chair
B fancy decoration to decorate the chair
B cape
CB fake jewellery (perhaps some mardi gras beads)
B brownish makeup for the peasants
CB peasant-type clothing?
ROCK
B plain white mask
B black & white face paint
C black Nail Polish
B Black wigs
CB Any spiked/leather/Faux leather jackets
C Platform shoes/boots
C Microphone
BM Guitar
BM Drumsticks
AWARD
M oscar award
C Microphone
C neck or bow tie
C female accessory that can be put on easily (any ideas?)…maybe a feather boa? or a large piece of fabric that can be quickly wrapped around the person to look like a dress.
MIME
C 3 red scarves (solid red preferred)
C 3 berets (black preferred)
B 3 white gloves
B white face paint
CB waist high piece of cardboard
$
CB giant piece of foam core
C camera (real or fake)
C microphone (real or fake?)
B 10-15 helium balloons with dollar sign drawn on
B confetti
Love needs… March 27, 2009
Posted by Milica Guberinic in Project 3: Activate!.1 comment so far
love is cheap! all we need is:
3 neck ties
6 drinking glasses
3 actors (one must be male)- so far we have myself, Sarah, Forrest, and Sandi. So really we just need one guy who is willing to pretend speed date (dario?)
Rock Star March 27, 2009
Posted by Adam Brace in Project 3: Activate!, Projects, Rockstar!.add a comment
Okay guys,
So we need these things, me and sandi are in the costume team, but we will post tis just so if you guys can see if you have any of the stuff we need and let us know
Plain white mask
Black & White face paint
Black Nail Polish
Black wigs
Any spiked/leather/Faux leather jackets
Platform shoes/boots
Microphone
Guitar
Drumsticks
Cheers everyone.
test March 26, 2009
Posted by Ruth Silver in Project 3: Activate!.add a comment
does ‘parent category work’?
Saffer on Service Design March 26, 2009
Posted by Greg Van Alstyne in Project 3: Activate!, Readings.Tags: service blueprint, service design
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To all IXD students: Please read saffer_designing4interaction_ch8, which covers service design, including the concept of the service blueprint.
Jukeworld Poster March 26, 2009
Posted by Adam Brace in Project 3: Activate!, Projects.Tags: Activate, Jukebox, jukeworld, OCAD, poster, Project, Record, Retro
1 comment so far
Activate Poster March 26, 2009
Posted by Yinan in Project 3: Activate!.Tags: Activate, Jukebox, jukeworld, poster
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Activate Poster
image credit:
http://bmessina.deviantart.com/art/quot-REBIRTH-quot-95467555
Activate Poster March 26, 2009
Posted by dario in Project 3: Activate!.add a comment
Activate Poster Idea
R U Experienced? 