Strategic Prototyping

Dev Grad Lab | Elise Co | Media Design Practices

Media Design | Physical Computing | Interaction Design | Systems Prototyping

Tools: Arduino, Studio Collider, Python 3, Miro, Raspberry Pi, Projector

Role: Self-Directed and Partner

A prototype is something we make that manifests all or part of the interaction we’re designing. It can range from a paper screen mockup to a fully functional test of a system - usually it’s somewhere in between.

Strategic Prototyping will introduce students to the variety of thinking and making that go into deciding which parts of a system to prototype, and how. We will break complex concepts into smaller interactions, mechanisms and moments; evaluate which are most important based on the context of the prototype; consider the range of fidelity from low to high; and try different methods of prototyping, including paper, video, technological/functional, and wizard-of-oz.

Process:

This week of prototyping involves an overview of wizard-of-oz prototyping, props+paper, and tech research. After reading the system description, review and fill out the prompts:

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION:

Calliagnosia Neurostat Programming Helmet

Core Functional Mechanism of the Device: Allow people to see faces without interfering with their visual preferences. Calliagnosia blocks the neural pathways dedicated to evaluating features that indicate a beautiful face. Agnosia simulates a specific part of the brain and uses Neurostat — to activate and deactivate specific parts of the brain (without physically changing anything) — and Selective Anaesthetic — which activates and targets dynamic control.

Discuss and diagram a system breakdown, states and transitions and design an audio for each. [audio-only prototype]

After a discussion on inputs and outputs, create a video prototype of the physical prototype of the device — including a switch and LED. [hardware/switch prototype]

diagram of calliagnosia’s technical feasibility

hardware presenting a switch (button-input) and an LED (output)

video of button and LED functionality (LED extended off of the breadboard)

creation of prototype's second design (framed stick for user to look through the opening and experience calliagnosia)

hardware presenting the function of the button and LED (button HIGH, LED HIGH, button LOW, LED LOW)

prototype of device's first design (button extended off of the breadboard for easier functionality. the LED is placed in the front for the user to easily see if the device is on and off)

functionality of second prototype design (button extended off of the breadboard for easier functionality)

Group Project

Process and explanation video

Collaborators: Alison Chang & Kaiyuan (Enzo) Li