Week 13

Final Presentation of the H-Ball can be viewed by clicking...

HERE!




You are also able to view our final take of our Role Playing Video below.

Reflection:

I feel as though our final presentation went really well. We got through everything we needed to within the given time frame and received positive feedback. It was also so interesting to see what the other groups had come up with. The result was such a broad range of solutions to the one design problem.

Prototyping

We first constructed a low-fi model that physical shows how the product will essentially work. However, we used a technique, devised by Nick, using syringes and water to experiment with input/outfit and sensing  the presence of another person. We wanted to see how it would feel for the user to sense the exact movement and pressure implied by another when separated geographically. 


Lo-Fi Mock Up

Interacting with the device without vision

Hi-Fi Mock up

The hi-fi model was created using a Solidworks file and then printed on the 3D printer in the workshop.

Week 12

During this week we finalised the physical design of our Haptic Ball... which is now affectionally known as the H-Ball.


These are some Solidworks renders of our product, created by Andrie.

The H-Ball sits on its nesting dock. 

The image shows the output being transmitted and one of the circle buttons extrudes.

The nesting dock features inductive charging to charge the product while it is not in use.

This image is the exploded view of the product highlighting the parts to be ABS injection molded.

Reflection:

Overall, i am extremely happy with the aesthetics of the physical form. The simplicity in design promotes ease of use and is non-offensive. While all have contributed in designing the form and colour aesthetics, however, Andrie has effectively and wonderfully brought these ideas to life.

Scenario development

User specific needs:


Our two main users for the product are very different due to the massive ages gap and different context for use. These diagrams we have developed show a cross examination of these user needs.

Emotional needs:

Physical needs:

A day in the life of...


Billy...

Zoe...

Week 11

Guest Lecturer: Gavin Sade
This week in studio we were introduced to the amazing design skills of Gavin Sade. He demonstrated some of his interactive designs, in the form of art, that effectively involve the viewer with real-time interaction. My favourite of his works was the Lyre bird sculpture, e. Menura Superba. This highly technological bird sculpture is able to sense what colours the viewer is wearing and then mimic this in its own physical form. What better way to involve the audience than to personalise the work just to suit them!? Amazing!

e. Menura Superba

Woman wearing purple

Reflection:
I am truly fascinated by this art based form of interaction design. It appears to me as it also evokes an emotional response from the audience due to the personalised nature of the work. By incorporating a colour into the work, that the audience obviously already likes, the artist has provoked the viewer to immediate come interested in the work. This association creates a positive response to the object. In terms of the Haptic Ball, I hope this concept is also become apparent based on the idea that by looking/playing with the ball the user will associate it with positive experience or relationship, thus enhancing the user relationship to an emotional level, rather than just providing a ludic experience.

Week 10

Alternative Contexts


Although the product has been designed with the parent/child relationship in mind, it is important to explore other possible scenarios for the Haptic Ball as it's potential is not limited to just one situation. Here are the 3 additional alternative contexts we have developed...

Reflection:
By developing these additional scenario contexts we are able to broaden our overall market appeal.  As our product is not gender, culture or age specific there are many possible users of the Haptic Ball. The product is also suited to all physical abilities meaning those with reduced bodily function can also enjoy using the product. I think that the spherical physical form also lends itself to numerous uses and user groups and it is non specific and a universally recognised shape.