W10 — Here We Are
After the tutorial with Wan and Tiff, we have decided to stop ideating regarding the exhibition design but to focus on how to deliver the outcome through a concept video. Ideally, as part of a final outcome, it could have been great if we had time for us to design or build additional works of branding for the exhibition but it was time for us to realise there is not enough time to do everything. Alternatively, I thought we could deliver these aspects through animation in the video.
Fig.1 Storyboard. Image by Sue.
Before we move on to filming there was a lot of work to be done to finalise the prototype. As we had to build the structure and work out all the arduino work for the past few days, now it was time to implement all the work to sit inside the installation properly. We had many small tasks - soldering, lengthening wires, allocating and testing - to work on which was very time consuming.
Fig 2. Soldering. Image by Sue. / Fig 3. Connecting Wires. Image by Sue. / Fig 4. Organising Wires. Image by Sue.
Fig 5 and 6. Implementing each layers. Image(s) by David.
Fig 7 and 8. Setting up the clicker sensor for application layer. Image(s) by Sue.
Fig 9 and 10. Testing Proximity Sensors. Image(s) by Sue.
Since our design was heavily tech focused, we faced a lot of technical issues with arduino. The LED lights weren’t bright enough in the dark space, the sensors kept on losing connections and the wires were getting loose from a lot of testing. One of the disappointing failures was the Network layer. Our plan was to have a light effect that illustrates the distribution and synchronisation with strips of fluorescent tapes but sadly the tapes were not visible in the dark at all.
Fig 11 and 12. Network Layer Lighting up. Image(s) by Sue.
Again we confronted a major technical problem on the day of film shooting. The arduino board that was connected to the second layer was not working anymore since it was burnt inside. The input would not trigger the encryption process. If the encryption is not activated the code would not be generated and sent to the next Consensus layer. This means the whole operation would not be activated as we have designed the structure to run in order. The only way to solve this was to wait until Monday to replace the arduino board. This was very tragic news for us as we only had five days left until submission. After a lot of struggles to figure out the issues, everything is working great! Finally!
Fig 13 and 14. Consensus Layer LED Screen trials. Image(s) by Sue.
We filmed as we were doing the user testing. At first, we introduced the aim of the project briefly and asked the participants to interact with the installation freely. The application layer was fairly easy to understand as there were scenarios for each item for them to choose. However, as they were going through the experience they were getting confused with what each layer exactly represents. They needed further instructions in order to understand the system. Specifically, Damul loved the idea of materialisation and revealing the obscured system of blockchain as a cryptocurrency user. She agreed with the fact that the experience of current blockchain technology should be improved as she did not notice these structures and complex elements while she was using cryptocurrency platforms. However, she thought there should be more guidance throughout the journey, pointing out that the leaflet does not cover all the background information. She suggested having a curator if the installation lives in a gallery space. This was a similar feedback from Slyvester. He was intrigued by seeing the externalised attributes of blockchain but he needed more educational information to deeply reflect on the prompt questions.
Fig 15. Participants reading leaflet. Image by Sue.
Fig 16 and 17. User Testing. Image(s) by Sue.
Final
Overall, I consider the materialisation aspect was successful in our project, how we have externalised the obscured and complex system for people to experience in a tangible form. Yet, I believe our final aim was not entirely achieved as it was to provoke discussion and make people reflect on the criticalities. Surely, the communication aspect and delivering the criticalities were less effective. I imagine this project to be further developed in the future, perhaps as an educational purpose. We struggled a lot and it was tough but seeing all the things we have done throughout the project, I’m proud! It’s not only about the outcome but the journey.
Fig 18. Installation. Image by Sue.