Our concept to this point has focused on creating a play experience with the use of a projector in various ways. This week we tested out a standard throw projector with 3000 lumens (Casio XJ-A257) on the Hex Box structure, and some challenges became clear.
- Regular projectors do not cover much of the Hex Box structure, but it sort of works if we only need a small part to be covered
- Short throw projectors are not available for hire through the university, and are expensive to purchase
- Shadows may be easily cast from people standing in the area
- The structure casts it’s own shadows in each cavity
- The structure has a strong pattern that needs to be worked with, but doing this well with projection mapping might not be feasible given time and budget restrictions. Software that facilitates projection mapping has a steep learning curve in addition to other technical skills that we will need to learn, and most of this software comes at an additional cost
- Colours weren’t as nice as seen on a computer screen, and the light from the windows did wash out the projection by a small amount
- The fan on this particular model was quite loud and distracting
Whilst considering these limitations, we noted that having colours in each of the Hex Box cavities could be achieved through programmed LED’s or other hardware, without a projector. These could still be controlled with a device and used to create a playful interaction as discussed in our previous concepts.
Confirming the Design Goal
Background research for this project identified that ludic play or calming ritual can be utilised to enhance the space and provide an escape to students studying inside the Masters Homebase(MHB). Calming rituals such as mindfulness and meditation are widely acknowledged as effective ways to relieve stress, but also require specific actions and dedication to take effect (Chwe, 2013; Robins et al., 2012; Pagis,2015). This project focuses on providing a moment of escape, rather than a deep experience and for this reason we have focused on ludic play.
Playfulness is core to human nature, health, and wellbeing. It can encourage human connection, learning, generosity, fitness, and allow us to better notice our surroundings (Donoff & Bridgman, 2017). Playing games has also been associated with stress relief and fun, where those who engage in them do so to experience an escape (Colwell, 2007; PR Newswire, 2006). One study even proved that therapeutic play reduced anxiety in children going into surgery (He, et al. 2014). Offering a playful interaction is a good approach to provide a moment of escape to students studying in the MHB during a stressful part of the semester.
A potential addition to this approach is the role of music. Several studies have proven that relaxing music is a safe and effective method for treating stress and anxiety. It achieves measurable results, where respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels are improved (Howland, 2016; Linnemann, et al.,2015). Music may also distract those studying inside the MHB, however, and will need to be carefully considered.
Next Steps
Our design direction is clearly focused on ludic play, and most of our concepts to this point focus on manipulating a pattern with a gyroscope sensor. This pattern can be created via projections or hardware, this does not really matter. However, one of these will be more achievable than the other and a decision is required before we can confirm the details of our concept.
The next steps for this project requires detailing what will be required to execute each of our current concepts, including costs of components and learning required. We also need to detail how well each of these concepts meet the design challenge of creating a moment of escape. This information will be used to inform a decision matrix that confirms our medium and concept direction. Once we have a clear medium to work with, it will be possible to detail the concept design and work towards a prototype for testing.
REFERENCES
Chwe, M. (2013). Rational Ritual: Culture, Coordination, and Common Knowledge (pp. 13-23). Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press.
Colwell, J. (2007). Needs met through computer game play among adolescents. Personality and Individual Differences, 43(8), 2072–2082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2007.06.021
Donoff, G., & Bridgman, R. (2017). The playful city: constructing a typology for urban design interventions. International Journal of Play, 6(3), 294–307.https://doi.org/10.1080/21594937.2017.1382995
He, H., Zhu, L., Li, H., Wang, W., Vehvilainen-Julkunen, K., & Chan, S. (2014). A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of a therapeutic play intervention on outcomes of children undergoing inpatient elective surgery: study protocol. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 70(2), 431–442. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12234
Howland, R. (2016). Hey Mister Tambourine Man, Play a Drug for Me: Music as Medication. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54(12), 23–27. https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20161208-05
Linnemann, A., Ditzen, B., Strahler, J., Doerr, J., & Nater, U. (2015). Music listening as a means of stress reduction in daily life. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 60.
Pagis, M. (2015). Evoking Equanimity: Silent Interaction Rituals in Vipassana Meditation Retreats. Qualitative Sociology, 38(1), 39–56.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11133-014-9295-7
PR Newswire. (2006, 13 September). Study: Women Choose “Casual” Videogames Over TV; 100 Million+ Women Now Play Regularly, for Different Reasons Than Men; Largest-Ever Survey of Casual Game Players Yields Surprising Data: 76% of Players are Female, 89% Are 30 or Older, and Nearly All Women Derive Stress Relief From Play; Psychologist Dr. Carl Arinoldo Explains. PR Newswire, n/a. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/453946073/
Robins, C., Keng, S., Ekblad, A., & Brantley, J. (2012). Effects of mindfulness‐based stress reduction on emotional experience and expression: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 68(1), 117–131. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20857
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