university of oregon - school of architecture and allied arts - department of architecture
analog / digital studio – arch 484/584 fall 00 – prof. nancy cheng
Assignment 4: DESIGNING WITH STORIES
OBJECTIVES
-
To
understand how stories can enrich the design process
- To develop a concept for how technology can enhance community in Brookings.
DESCRIPTION
Develop a
story around two of your own fictional characters that reveals a concept for
how digital devices could bring unlike people together.
PART I: GROUP SCHEMING (in class):
Think back
to the session with the residents of the Brookings area and make a list of the
kinds of people who live there. Create
two different characters that you imagine living there and describe
them. Make up a story of how these
people might currently run into each other, how they might be engaged with
activities or issues and how the rhythm of their daily lives would shape their
activities in the town.
Brainstorm about how a device or space could
do some of the following:
-
raise
awareness about the other person’s presence and thoughts
-
help
them see the person in the context of Brookings' history
-
encourage
them to share ideas about critical issues
-
give
a sense of group identity or collective memory
-
foster
a cooperative spirit
The
digital devices could be wearable, hand-held or embedded into an
environment. Modify your story to show
how your strongest idea for technology affects these very different
people.
Document
your idea: At the end of Friday’s class, your
group must present one idea for something that enhances community in a graphic
storyboard: simple, clear sketches with
notes. For this first step, devising
and clearly communicating a strong concept is more important than the
actual “look” or details of the idea.
PART II: REFINING:
Each
member of the class should develop either the presented team idea or an
alternative as part of their design for Brookings.
For Monday, Oct 16
Consider
alternatives for
the look, feel and functionality of your design. Where would it be
most
effective? How would people become
aware of it or know how to use it?
Study
examples of
interface design and technology that you might need to use.
Create images
of your vision in context. Use
sketching or Photoshop collage to create at least two simple perspective
vignettes.
For Wednesday, Oct 18
Get feedback
about your idea from a classmate or friend,
Continue background reading,
Revise your design according to the feedback and create more polished vignette
perspectives or digital renderings for a pin-up. For the pin-up, bring building scheming from Assignment 3.
For Monday, Oct 22
Continue revising and post at least 3 images to your web page with your reflections (below)
PART III: REFLECTION
For Friday, Oct 20
Send e-mail to Nancy Cheng and Wendy March explaining
- how the group brainstorming went
- challenges of using narrative
-
advantages of narrative
-
things to try next time
CONSIDERATIONS
Strangers,
acquaintances or friends: Who are you trying to link together? With each, what sort of exchange is
desirable? Can we preserve privacy and
comfort, while creating the possibility of interaction?
Accessibility
vs. Uniqueness: Could you make the connection a natural part
of daily life? Or should it be more of
a novelty or periodic event? Could it
be implemented inexpensively in many locations or is its unique function suited
towards a special place?
Fun and
Delight: What will
encourage people to use it on an ongoing basis? How does it become part of
their lives?
Sensory
input: How could color, textures, sound, smells,
etc., enrich the experience? Could
people leave a trace of their thoughts for others through images or words?