Digital Bulletin Board Prototype

Physical Computing
A platform provides basic school information and program information for freshmen or current students.
Team
Xinwei Li
Candy Zeng
My Role
UX Research
UX Design
Physical Modeling
Tools
Paper
Arduino
P5.js
Duration
4 Weeks

| About this project

This world map allows users to pin the selected blocks anywhere on the map and it will speak that countries language.

The main idea is to have users connect the block to the country where they come from and make them feel reminded of their original language and culture. Also, it does not restrict users, as they are able to connect the blocks to anywhere on the map and learn another language.

| Challenge

How could we create an interactive device that connects people to have a different cultural background?

| Main goal

•   Show the representation of multiculturalism.
•   Increase the sense of belonging of each user.
•   Encourage users to place and introduce their home country.

User Experience

Users can learn about different country languages and possibly learn to speak it as well.

Users can put the connector blacks anywhere on the map. This is activity is meant to bring enjoyment to users.

Creates a sense of belonging when the user finds their coney and hear their native dialect and encourages the user to introduce their country to their friends.

| Project Detail

Materials Used
•   Colorful LED light
•   Acrylic board
•   Conductive material
Location
•   College/ University
•   Community centre
•   Company
Target Audiences
•   Students
•   Staffs
•   Visitors
•   General public
Program
•   P5.js (Speech library)

| Prototype 1 _ Wizard of Oz user experience test

We decided to use the Wizard Oz technique to illustrate a clear example of how our product works. This helps to guide the use and allow users to pick out any faults or changes that are needed.

| Problems:
•   The lines and string don’t have significance.
•   The user might confuse what to do at first.
•   The starting point doesn’t make sense.

Video Demo

| Prototype 2 _ Looking & Feeling

It shows the overall design of the product and how it will look when the user is interacting with it. This is the finished version. When users are curious about the lights on the map, they could actively walk in to observed and interacted.

| Problems:
•   LEDs and background board doesn’t mix well.
•   When uses first see the device, they won’t know how to interact with it.

Video Demo

| Key finding

•   For the user experience side, it’s often better to scarp features to less complex, rather add too many details.
•   The visual effects can better create a good first impression for users.
•   Reasonable division of labor and communication are necessary for cooperative work.