Experience Design
Chicago Public Library Project, YOUmedia Experience
January - May 2009
Abstract
CPeLevated was a client-sponsored project team designing a multimedia, multipurpose center for teenagers at The Chicago Public Library. Funded by the MacArthur Foundation and in partnership with Chicago Scenic Studios, we aimed to create an environment in which teens can get excited about creating and not just consuming media. The room within the Chicago Public Library houses YouMedia, a workshop-based program run by scholars from the University of Chicago and taught by volunteer mentors from the community. The space also provides a place for teens to hangout, explore new media and develop a greater awareness of the library as a resource. CPeLevated: Designing a new level of experience for teens at the Chicago Public Library.
A brief promotional video about the project.
My Contribution
The CPeLevated team consisted of me and six other graduate students from the Entertainment Technology Center. As a collaborative effort over the course of 15 weeks we designed the physical experience in the space and assisted in the logistical planning for implementation. We talked weekly with our client the Chicago Public Library and our design mentors/contractors at Chicago Scenic Studios. My role in this project was extremely varied, but my primary missions were based in the physical layout design, visualization and handling logistics.
The design process for the space was an extremely iterative process. Although our initial iterations were hand sketches and whiteboard work, we quickly needed a more concrete way of designing the space. I personally did a majority of the work implementing both a physical model we used to design the space as well as a more dimensionally accurate virtual model in Solidworks. The physical model helped my teammates and I iterate quickly on large scope design issues. It was also extremely helpful as a prop for describing our project and the design. The virtual model was less focused on large scope design, but rather detailed design and giving a more accurate representation of the room and how it was being filled.
Results
The CPeLevated Project took place during the spring semester, from January - May 2009 and the space was completed and opened to the public in July 2009. The students and mentors have given us positive feedback and it has been rewarding seeing the space bringing people together. As a team we published an extensive post motem that can be found on our website and the YOUmedia experience has been subject of the press.
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California Academy of Sciences Project
August 2009 - December 2009
Abstract
The Entertainment Technology Center and the California Academy of Sciences have teamed up to enhance the experience of guests at the Academy's new building in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California. The ETC hopes to apply its expertise in entertainment and technology to fulfill the Academy's mission "...to explore, explain and protect the natural world." With a planetarium, aquarium, indoor rainforest and a state of the art green facility, the Academy offers a myriad of topics and a plethora of content that is the cornerstone for creating a meaningful experience. Conveniently located at ETC Silicon Valley campus in Redwood City, California, the team will have unparalleled access to the Academy and its resources. For the Fall 2009 semester the team will focus on identifying areas for enhancement and evaluating feasibility. Using this research the team will be able to prototype and lay the groundwork for these enhancements. This paves the way for polished products to be produced in following semesters.
UPDATE: The continuation of this project has developed a successful prototype, congratulations to Project SPIKE.
ZooXXI / Emotique Project
January 2010 - May 2010
Abstract
In Spring 2010, my final project while at the Entertainment Technology Center was a joint project with a Emotique and La Salle Universidad. Located in Barcelona, Spain, Emotique is a digital boutique who excels at digital projection in exhibits, shows and television. La Salle Universidad offered mentoring and workspace in their Media Technology department. One of Emotiques current developments is creating a zoo/animal experience for the 21st century. Our job as a project team was to explore and prototype various interactions and themes between guests and virtual animals. The project website has details on the concepts and prototypes developed. With a variety of prototypes my role on the team was varied; working on mechanical design, exhibit layout, programming (web development and SQLite database work) and creating minor art assets.
A brief video about our work and process.