Week 14/15 - Final Submission

The Final Presentation Boards came up really nicely using the great renders that John was able to produce and the images of the Levi-Mate in context that Kahlia Photoshoped for us I was able to create a coherant presentation.

The following are a selection of the images that went into the final boards:

Levi-Mate deactivated and not in use

Levi-Mate being activated

Levi-Mate in action

Levi-Mate in action (close-up)

Levi-Mate being deactivated

Levi-Mate's Heat Fan resting on the glass due to a power failure (safety feature)

Levi-Mate Section View

Levi-Mate gass release mechanism

Levi-Mate gas release mechanism (close-up)

The following images show the progression of the boards as renders were completed over the last last week:

 

 Draft 1

 

 Draft 4

Final Boards

As seen in various parts of the final boards the following QR Codes were used to provide the audience of the boards with a direct link additional information:

Final Levi-Mate Scenario Video

Behaviour Blog (links to this blog)

Object Blog

Scenario Blog

Using your smartphone and a QR code scanner to scan each of these QR barcodes will take you directly to one of the blogs or the final Scenario video.

So to sum up... The final submission requirements being submitted tomorrow are:

• Blog Links
• Project Brief
• Product Specification Report
• Bill of materials
• Unit Costing Sheet
• Technical Drawings
• A2 presentation boards
• A CD with all of the videos that were used to demonstrate our proof of concept model

Well, this semester has certainly been an exciting one and having been able to work within the Behaviour domain has given me a whole new insight into this area of the design process. On top of this, working through new mediums for prototyping and presenting through videos has added a whole new and fun dimension to the design process (I almost feel like we had too much fun!). Even though the three areas were quite different I feel as though each of the team has been involved in all three aspects of the project. Though challenging and frustrating at times trying to prove the worth of our product, I have enjoyed working on this project and am happy with the our outcome.

A BIG THANKS to Marianella, Yasu and Tim for all your help throughout the semester. The challenge was certainly welcome and appreciated! Until next time!...

Week 13 - Final Presentation Completed

So this week was focussed on completing the presentation. The following are the parts from this semesters work on the User, Interface and Prototype Behaviour that I presented.

Intro page

User Behaviour Findings

Product interface overview

Flame Dial interface overview

Heat Fan overview

Heat Fan storage details and user input description

Video to demonstrate levitating Heat Fan simulation

Heat Fan interface description

Magnetic levitation proof of concept demo

Heat Fan spinning up and down proof of concept demo

Flame Dial interface description

Flame ignition proof of concept demo

Prototype overview

Sylvia's Levi-Mate profile

John, Mike, Kahlia and Dave's persona representation

Prototype Flame Dial video to be shown on large screen while I run through the actual prototype on the table up front.

The presentation seemed to go well on the day and I was thankful that the Proof of Concept Prototype did excatly what it was supposed to right on cue.

Click on the link below to view the final presentation. (The prezi includes the better quality Scenario video at on the last view)

Levi-Mate Final Presentation

Week 12 - Prototype Construction Finished

To complete the Proof of Concept Prototype I needed to move the reed switches (located under the protective yellow foam in the first image) from where the crosses are to where they are now. This allows the magnets on the persona figurines to activate the reed switches signifying to the Levi-Mate that that person is 'Working'.

Reed switches moved from the crosses to their correct positions.

The completed Proof of Concept Prototype.

Demonstration of the Proof of Concept Prototype.

This proof of concept prototype demonstrates very accurately, how the Levi-Mate would opperate in a real life setting. Even though we didn't end up using real flames this time around the intention is very clearly communicated. This is the first time that I have used prototyping to this extent and I have found it extremely beneficial to my learning. This it something that I hope to make more time for in future projects.

Week 12 - Prototype Construction Phase 4 (persona boards)

As discussed in my past blogs the following is a sketch of the prototype concept.

Prototype concept sketch

Prototype Persona board sketch and Personal Profile details.

For the purpose of the final presentation and the prototype the Levi-Mate within the prototype was labelled as belonging to Sylvia.

Sylvis's profile details

Each of the other Personas were assigned a figurine and a space on the Persona Board with each space including a position for being 'Off Line' or 'Working'.

John's profile details

Mike's profile details

Kahlia's profile details

Dave's profile details

At this stage I haven't moved the magnetically activated reed switched to their correct locations under the 'Working' slots for each persona. I will do this tomorrow.

Week 12 - Final Senario Video

The following formed the plan for our Scenario Video using the same footage that was used in the behavioural analysis:

For a full plan of the scenario video please visit Kahlia's Scenario Blog (Week 12: Planning for the scenario Video)


And here is the resulting Scenario video to be incorporated into the final presentation:

A better quality video file will be part of the final presentation... Please view it there if you wish.

Week 12 - Final Behavioural Analysis

Today I managed to view the behaviours of each of our personas and analysis all the nuances that appeared between the individuals. It was interesting to note how even a slight variation in response or interaction indicated a potential design opportunity or issue.

 Time slip version of the videos used for the behavioural analysis

 Analysis of Sylvia's interaction with the Levi-Mate

 Analysis of John's interaction with the Levi-Mate

 

  Analysis of Mike's interaction with the Levi-Mate

 Analysis of Kahlia's interaction with the Levi-Mate

 Analysis of Dave's interaction with the Levi-Mate

After viewing and analysing the users behaviour footage I compiled a list of commonalities that we can use to further inform our design. Some of the following have already been addressed in the Object design however it is important to state how the changes are backed up by the behavioural analysis.

The following is a list of key commonalities:

• Varied set up process from user to user:

              - Before study set up (High enthusiasm)
              - Integrated into study set up (Medium enthusiasm)
              - After study set up (Low enthusiasm)

• Varied ways of gripping the fan at various stages:

              - No hesitation in gripping the fan while spinning
              - Short hesitation before gripping the fan on removing
                 (design improves this by providing larger grip surface area see object 
                  design alteration Thursday, 6th of October 2011 - Fan: form and symbolism )

• Varied fan attachment approaches:

              - Some users hesitated in letting the fan go
                 (design provides positive tactile response to fan attachment)
              - Some users are less careful in placing the fan
                 (design affords for this so that it can continue operating)

• Varied positive and negative responses to the indication that people were signing in and signing out:

              - Body language
              - Posture
              - Speed of actions/work

Although many of the design features have been finalised it would be important to keep these observations in mind should we wish to develop the concept further in the future. Each observation presents the concept with opportunities for positive future development.