This final blog post aims to create a summary of the work done on the project dedicated to the Responsive Environments module at Edinburgh Napier University. It will work as a reflective report on the process of creating a prototype of an interactive intervention meant to improve the way one Edinburgh based park is used.
There were four main learning outcomes that this project was aiming at:
LO1: Design multimedia projects that make appropriate use of physical, aural, visual, time-based and interaction components to convey a message and reinforce its content.
LO2: Identify the appropriate technology to design a product or installation.
LO3: Develop working prototypes to appropriately augment an interactive product or installation.
LO4: Appraise their work in relation to current practice and theory.
This blog and the prototype itself have helped their creator achieve the first learning outcome. The blog has been updated on regular basis and made good use of the video and photo uploading services offered by Tumblr. On the other hand, the prototype of an interactive screen, created using Max/MSP, has also contributed to the successful completion of the tasks included in this outcome. Although there were a few obstacles along the way of the project and it has been a great challenge, it has also shown the amazing variety of things you can do with this software. The blog and the prototype effectively work as one multi-level multimedia project, highlighting important issues in the environment we all live and work as well as solutions to the worst problems it has.
On the other hand, the second outcome has been achieved again by choosing Max/MSP as a main software solution for the creation of the prototype. The end product aims to work as an interactive screen which will make one public space more exciting, informative and safe.
The third outcome has also been achieved by finishing the prototype developed with the help of Max/MSP. It has been an interesting opportunity for the researcher to communicate an idea born as a result of extensive observation of real-life situations.
The fourth learning outcome of this module has also been achieved as part of the creation of this blog and the prototype. The work on both these projects has highlighted the importance of up to date knowledge about the way public spaces can be improved, as well as interesting ideas on the ways Max/MSP and similar software programs can make design interventions available for the general public. The lectures and tutorials as part of this module has also been a great inspiration for the exploration of other interactive projects such as this one.
As a result of the work on this multimedia project, all four learning outcomes have been given equal level of attention which gave better value to the final products.
Working on a blog like this one has proven as a great challenge to this project. The most difficult part of it was the concept that this is a live, evolving document which would be read by different readers. However, once the first observation part of it was finished, it has become more clear and precise that the blog will not only describe the work done on the project, but it will share with its audience some interesting ideas on how things should be done in order to improve the public environment we all use on daily basis.
Certainly, creating a working prototype by using Max/MSP has been the hardest part of the project. It is a wonderful piece of software which allows you to create exciting interactive projects, but it has been at times overwhelming and very hard to use. For the creation of the prototype, sometimes interesting solutions to some of the problems have been scrapped because of their unavailability for non-iOS users. At the same time, it has become obvious that the final prototype should consist of less complicated parts in order to work smoothly and present the general idea which has been developed right after the observational part of the project.
Looking back at the final products of this project, it seems obvious that more work can be done in order to create more complicated prototype which can have real impact on the environment it was aimed for. However, the more important bit was the realisation that the public spaces we use every day affect the way we live and that we all can make some changes in order to make them more interesting and pleasant for everyone. There is a little bit of effort needed in order to define the needs of a public space, but such observational projects offer a great way of helping these environments become more user friendly, safe, secure and enjoyable.
There are probably a lot of ways we can make our own life better – by making some changes to the way we do things; but there is a lot more that we can offer to the environment we use and live in. We have to be more open to the ways the technology can improve these places and we should not be afraid to implement even our craziest ideas as working products or prototypes. We are the designers of our future and being able to appreciate the world around us is one of the greatest things we can do. One day our work can make people’s lives easier and this is definitely a cause worth working on and developing even further than this academic module.
The Responsive Environments module has proven as a real challenge but also an eye opener for the great opportunities a person has to improve the responsiveness of every environment.
