Class 9 + 10 | Notes | Dror + Mint

Final Project Brainstorming

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Notes

FINAL PRESENTATIONS
Wed. 14 Dec. 2016

Brainstorming

escape box - a box with unique shape and many faces, that people can look inside and outside of it. there’s backlight lighting. videos are being played on the box.
beat sync.
better content!!!
(if we keep the current interface) video that are not being played will be grayscaled.
background and foreground options for the visual and the sound.
buttons for sounds, not loops.
controlling the videos while they are playing.
modular system: playing component, speed componenet, video component, etc…
connecting devices with NFC chips + bluetooth / wifi + disconnect button.
light from the bottom of the box that will indicate that the device is connected to a specific group of devices.
analytics.

Sketches of the modular system for The Video Machine

Make things much simpler for the user

4 goals!!!

1. Reduce the learning curve: Make it easier to generate great results

Better content - Most, if not all samples should contain very good material for playing. Volume should be levelized. Content should be taken from YouTube.
Beat sync - When user clicks a button, the sample will be played in sync with all other samples.
Let users play music in a unique way - Add an ‘off beat button’ that will allow users to play their video not in sync with beat of all other videos.

2. Improve the physical interface, make it more responsive, in a way that will allow users to better predict outcomes

Make changes in runtime - User will be able to select a video, and make changes to it while it is being played.
Improve consistency - User a single pattern to operate all knobs. Improve the default states of the knobs of the knobs:
- Volume’s middle state will play 100% of the volume.
- Cut’s middle state will play 100% of the sample.
- Speed’s middle state will play the sample in x1 speed.
- Off beat’s middle state will play the video in sync with all videos.
Make it very enjoyable to use the knobs - Find a way to make the knobs easier to turn. Smoother, easier to hold. Users should not be afraid to touch them.

3. Increase the level of feedback: Make user interface clearer about the state of the playback, and more enjoyable to look at

Highlight videos that are currently being played - Unplayed videos will be grayedout.
Add digital feedback for physical interaction - Add an indication on the videos about their playback configuration (it could be an icon, preferably, it would be a manipulation to video, whichever is clearer to user).
Support more screens- Playing The Video Machine on big screens should be a great experience. The size of the interface will be responsive and will fit any screen.

4. Surprise: Add at least one feature that is way beyond what a user expects from this type of machine

Add new videos - SD card support will allow users to add new videos and use them immediately.
Utilize the video medium better - ?
Get rid of the wires - Wireless connection using bluetooth.
Share - Add a share button that will allow users to share a short recording of the screen (video + sound).

Components & Devices [ Google Doc ]

arduino x 2
half breadboard x2
bluetooth | wifi ??
pots ??
Rotary Switch x4
squishy buttons x2
sliders ?
wood ?
acrylic x2
3mm white LEDs x40
bolts + screws (pots)

Bill of Materials

System Diagram

Timeline

Week 3
Assignment

People Watching

Pick a piece of interactive technology in public, used by multiple people. Write down your assumptions as to how it’s used, and describe the context in which it’s being used. Watch people use it, preferably without them knowing they’re being observed. Take notes on how they use it, what they do differently, what appear to be the difficulties, what appear to be the easiest parts. Record what takes the longest, what takes the least amount of time, and how long the whole transaction takes. Consider how the readings from Norman and Crawford reflect on what you see.

Having read the Norman and Crawford readings, its hard to not look at how people use their hands. I have noticed that our hands especially the pinky finger has become our personal phone dock. It seems to me that they instinctively utilize their finger as a resting table while using the phone. I have also asked some ITPers if they realize that their little fingers are being used this way, nearly all of them said “no.” and that “it’s just easier to look at the screen."