Concept Brainstorming

Feb 26^th meeting summary...

To begin with, we were not sure if we should focus our brainstorming on the hardware or on the software. We swapped back and forth between both approaches. We debated the pros and cons of designing software to fit hardware. We quickly realised that since we have been given open creative freedom on this project it makes more sense for us to base our concept ideas around the software. We went with this approach. With our software concept and designs in place we can custom build whatever hardware we need later.

We discussed the fact that students in previous years were given a pre-school toy as their starting point. They circuit bent that toy into their final product. On the one hand we felt it may be easier to get started if we had a toy to look at. The colour, shape and texture, and material of the toy may inspire us to generate concepts that we were struggling to conceive. On the other hand, with no physical attributes to limit us, our imaginations and resources are open ended. For this reason we decided not to circuit bend a specific toy. Or at least not to form our concept ideas based on a specific toy. The plan is to source a number of toys and electrical equipment, and use their parts to construct our own unique product. We went full circle in our thinking i.e. without a toy as a starting point we are in a stronger position.

So what ideas did we trash out?

Well, Annie had the idea of a hardware station to house our homemade switches, and some ideas on interactivity and social culture based themes read more..., James built on the idea of the hardware station by making it into a 4 ring cooker hob. The switches would take the form of pans and kitchen utensils. The software would be a cooking tutorial package with recipes and cooking tips for traditional worldwide cuisine. The software would open as a flat world map, and take the user to anywhere they wanted to go. Audio and graphic elements would portray a local ethnic feel to each country/dish. It was this idea that really got us all talking and thinking out loud. The idea had potential, we could clearly see our new project roles falling into place now. We talked through several variations and considered the hardware involved which lead to a few other ideas too.

Although we all liked the recipe idea, we didn't go with it because we agreed our product should reflect our knowledge of multimedia principles or practices. We unanimously liked and agreed on Alannagh's typography gaming idea. It seemed everyone in the group could see that going somewhere. Needless to say, we're not exactly sure where that will bring us yet.

Initial Concept

Our group had a very productive meeting yesterday :)

Rather than randomly producing a product theme, we want to bring another aspect of our creative multimedia course into this project. So, we have collectively agreed on Alannagh's idea of typography and the rules of graphic design.

Where we're at with our concept development...

Physical Interface
A station or console to hold/house our switches and buttons. We will make both the station and switches from scratch. These will included, but are not limited to, the arrow up, down, right, and left keys. We may hack toys or other objects for parts. We have yet to decide on the aesthetic direction they will take. This will probably flow from the design of our software game screens. In the meantime we will represent the hardware station in our storyboard as a rectangular box.

Software Interface
There will be three typography-based games and four intervening screens, each with a different message about graphic design principles. We will explore design principles such as white space, proximity and unity, and contrast etc. The user moves in a hierarchical manner through the screens i.e. the user will complete Game I to move onto Game II and so on, thus building on the hierarchy of design concept.

Game Development
The games will focus individually on repetition, balance and fonts. Fonts, for example, will show how each font has a voice. Our first stab at a game denoting balance brought about the idea of letters falling from the top of the screen while a character (controlled by the user) will catch them and balance them as they pile up. Throughout the software letters will be personified e.g. each letter will have its own typeface and may be given its voice in speech bubbles.

For now we are working on the site navigation map and storyboard due Feb 24th.

Project Roles

Multimedia Skill Set	Member
Hardware Construction	everyone
Software Programming	Annie
Project Manager	Annie
Analyst	everyone
Audio	James
Writer	everyone
Video	Ronan
Graphics	Alannagh

1st Meeting

This project literally is the 'first meeting' for some of our group members. Today we met casually in the canteen for one hour.

The group roles are half assigned and we made a start on exploring concept ideas. Tomorrow we will decide on a concept so that we can start working on our first deliverables.

Although we are only getting our group together today, this is week 5 of 12 on the group project calendar.

Up until now, in tutorial classes with our lecturer, we have learned how to approach this multimedia project.

The lecturer covered areas such as keyboard hacking, basic switches, and circuit bending. We saw examples of what others are doing in their multimedia projects. We looked at projects from students who have gone before us, technology junkies and fashion designers, exhibition projects and alternative musicians.

So, what will we be doing?

The idea is to build a multimedia piece with an alternative method of control to the keyboard and mouse, that places equal focus on both the hardware and software, both of which forming the complete user experience.

The theme of the project is completely open, and it should provide an engaging user experience.