Minor Project

24.09.2024 -  (Week 1 - Week 14 )
Kelly Lau Jie Ning/ 0354839
Minor Project/ Bachelor of Design (Honors) in Creative Media

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INSTRUCTION

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Weekly Progression

Week 1

After listening to Mr. Mike's briefing, I started researching Warisan XR and their work. I also looked into the AR glasses that will be used in the exhibition. During the briefing, Mr. Mike mentioned that this project would involve Spatial Recognition and Volumetric Video (3D Capture Technology), so I conducted research on these technologies as well.

Here is my contextual research mindmap for combining all my research. 

To better understand the exhibition space, my teammates and I planned a visit to Museum Negara for an on-site investigation.

Week 2
This week, we worked on creating the user journey. Before starting, we conducted research to identify the groups that visit Museum Negara the most. 

Based on our findings, we categorized the user journey into three groups: local families, foreigners, and students. I worked with my teammate Ying Yi to create the user journey for students.

Week 3

To make sure our user journey is accurate, we created a Google Form survey. Everyone in the team brainstormed ideas and suggested questions. Then, we worked together to review and choose the questions we thought were the best.

Here are the questions to be picked out:

Survey Distribution Chart: 

Week 4

In this, we create the Google form and start to share it with our family and friends. Based on our research there are a lot of Chinese who go to Museum Negara so we also do a Chinese version pdf of them to fill.

Our target is to receive 133 responses in total. However, we overhit the target. Finally, we received 141 responses.

Week 5

This week client came and brought the AR glasses to school. We all try the AR glasses and observe the view with AR glasses. I observed that the view with AR glasses is quite narrow and when we stand at different angles to see the stuff in AR, we still see the front part of the stuff. We also asked the client some questions to know more about the exhibition.

Week 6

We do the insight discovered in Miro. We all come out with 5 ideas and pick the 5 best ideas to write the insight statement.

We also do the empathy map

Miro board:

Week 7

I do a design for the photo booth.

Reference:

Final outcome:

Week 8

This week we need to do our presentation for the proposal to the client. 

Before the presentation, we create a storyline to be the concept of our proposal. I decided on the storyline with my group members at school. Then, we come out with a storyline

 

Week 9

After the presentation, we tried to improve our thing depending on the feedback from the client

Feedback:

-  if in the screen maybe change the other animal, cuz bear flying funny, maybe something flying/floating (apply something like a pet?)

- 1.7 meter (door)

- 3 ppl in one booth (separate into different sections?) but ppl usually go to the first section first

   If 3 by 3 go in, it will exceed 20 minutes eventually, maybe change the layout to make it can be 15 ppl together to shorter the duration

- photobooth -  a bit too much, make it balance, find the design that fixes the user target

consistency of all the artwork, different kinds of artwork will be a little messy

- the colours 

- UI shows heritage needs to be spotted out

- maybe have some universal elements that foreigners are familiar with, maybe do step-by-step in sequence how it comes out (CNY)

- what elements can apply to it, without literally putting in the physical one

  make it a bit more universal 

  show harmony in different races

  find a hope to link everyone, the global audience not only Malaysian

virtual guide they mention:

Feedback from Mr Mike

Week 10

Because of the feedback from the client, I redesign the photo booth. I draw some drafts for the photo booth.

For this one, the design includes an inorganic-shaped frame at the back with decorative elements on it. The floor features a hibiscus-shaped stage, and our mascot will stand in the middle, ready to take pictures with visitors.

The photo booth features a hibiscus-shaped frame with decorative elements around it. The exhibition name is displayed at the top of the frame, and our mascot is positioned on the right side, ready to interact with visitors.

This one is the photobooth background design draft.

Week 11

We pick the first draft for the photobooth.

Progress

I do it in Adobe Illustrator

Because our mascot's colour is too dark, we decided to change to another mascot.

We do the poll for the mascot.

Most of us pick the fifth. So, This become our new mascot.

After, our group member, Jia Ern creates the 3D model of the new mascot. I help her to colour and render the mascot. 

The body of the mascot I render it to a glass texture.

Week 12

This week I continue to do the photobooth.

I change to use Photoshop to do the photobooth. The group leader Yu Tian gave me some inspiration.

After that, I come up with this design. However, it looks too messy. So, I tried to change the suitable colour scheme of the frame.

I come up with a few colour schemes.

I pick the purple-blue colour scheme of the frame.

Week 13

I do the final version of the photobooth.

Example of visitor shot:

With AR glasses:

Without AR glasses:

I also put the colour of the 3D model of hibiscus.

Week 14

This week we do our final presentation.

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Reflection

Week 1

In the first week, Mr. Mike provided a comprehensive briefing on the module, outlining its structure and expectations. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and effective communication as we would be working in groups. Each group was required to have 5 to 7 members, and after discussing among ourselves, we successfully formed a group of 7. Mr. Mike then introduced the three group assignment options, which covered a range of topics. Only one of the projects, Warisan XR, involved the use of XR technology. After reviewing the options, our group decided to choose Warisan XR, as we found it particularly appealing due to its focus on applying immersive technology to preserve and enhance cultural heritage.

Week 2

In Week 2, Mr. Mike set up a meeting with our client for the Warisan XR project, along with another group. Before the meeting, we prepared by discussing key questions to ask. The client highlighted that their main focus is on the overall planning and structure of the XR experience, rather than the content. They also want our help in attracting 30% of the museum's current visitors to participate in the experience. This meeting was really helpful in giving us a clearer direction. We now understand that user experience is the priority, rather than just focusing on content design. Personally, I felt grateful for the chance to meet a real client and learn how to better communicate and manage expectations in a professional setting. This has boosted my confidence but also showed me where I need to improve, especially in my communication skills.

Week 3

This week, our group worked on creating user personas for local families, students, and foreign visitors. During the consultation, Mr. Mike gave feedback and suggested that the personas should be more general and represent a larger group. We were advised to focus on common needs and problems many users might face, rather than being too specific. This feedback helped me understand the importance of making our personas realistic and based on research, so they can guide our designs to meet more people's needs. I also learned that being flexible and open to changes is important when working on a project like this. In the future, I plan to use this knowledge to create useful and inclusive personas, helping to design better solutions for various users.

Week 4

This week, we worked on finishing and sharing a survey to improve our user personas. After getting feedback from our lecturer, we made changes to the questions to make them clearer. Each team member shared the survey with friends, family, and social media, and we collected 141 responses. This gave us useful information about what people need, want, and find challenging, helping us make our user personas more accurate and based on real opinions.

This process taught me how important it is to use real data when making design decisions. Looking at the responses helped us understand our audience better and create designs that meet their needs. I also learned how valuable teamwork and public input are when working on projects. This experience will help me in future projects and my career by showing me how to create designs that are more user-focused and effective.

Week 5

This week, our client visited and brought AR glasses for us to test. It was my first time using them, and I noticed the display was smaller than expected, and the glasses were a bit uncomfortable for people who wear regular glasses. We also observed how gestures and interactions worked, which gave us ideas for improving the user experience. Talking to the client helped us understand their needs and expectations more clearly, which will guide us in planning the project better. We also made changes to the user journey map and personas based on their feedback.

This experience taught me how important it is to test the tools we’re designing for and to consider user comfort and technical limitations. It also showed me the value of communication with the client to align our designs with their goals. I will use these lessons in future projects to create better, more user-friendly designs.

Week 6

This week, we continued working on the design process using the Miro board, focusing on creating user journeys for our three personas. Each team member brainstormed five creative ideas, and we discussed these to explore the best possibilities. It was exciting to see everyone’s ideas come together and think about how they could improve the user experience.

Through this activity, I learned how important it is to map out user journeys carefully to identify their needs and pain points. It also showed me the value of teamwork and combining different ideas to create innovative solutions. These skills will help me in future projects, as understanding users and working collaboratively are key to designing effective and user-friendly experiences.

Week 7

This week, our group worked on preparing the proposal presentation slides. We included important components such as research findings, the floor plan, material usage, a photo booth concept, content storyboard, and key visuals. Each team member contributed their part, and we collaborated to ensure the presentation was clear and detailed, reflecting our project vision.

Through this process, I learned the importance of planning and organizing ideas effectively to create a cohesive presentation. I also realized how crucial teamwork and communication are in combining everyone’s contributions into one unified format. This activity helped me improve my skills in creating professional presentations and structuring ideas clearly, which will be valuable for future projects and professional opportunities.

Week 9

This week, we reviewed the feedback from our lecturer after last week’s presentation. Since there were no classes, we used the time to think about the feedback and plan improvements. The suggestions included reworking the floor plan for better crowd control while keeping the five-petal design, making AR elements more interactive and noticeable, and using the TeamLab project as inspiration for a more immersive experience. We also discussed how to improve the virtual guide, make the storyline more exciting, and simplify the photo booth by adding AR features and reducing clutter.

The feedback taught me how important it is to balance creative ideas with practical design. It also showed me the need to focus on user needs and client requirements to make the experience better. Moving forward, we will refine our ideas, finalize the plan, and work on execution to improve the overall project. This process has been helpful for learning how to create engaging and user-friendly designs.

Week 10

This week, our group provided a progress update and planned our next steps based on feedback. We decided to keep the five-petal floor plan and focus on creating fun and interactive content for the exhibition. Tasks were assigned, including researching the background of flowers and exploring the feasibility of projection mapping on curved screens. I focused on the photo booth station and continued working on drafting designs to incorporate AR elements and improve the user experience.

I learned the importance of teamwork and assigning specific tasks to ensure progress. Working on the photo booth station has helped me think creatively about how to make the design more engaging while keeping it simple and user-friendly. Moving forward, I will refine my draft based on feedback and collaborate with the team to ensure the photo booth aligns with the overall theme and vision of the exhibition.

Week 11

This week, we focused on planning the exhibition’s flow and ensuring all stations, including the photo booth, were connected to the storyline. Based on feedback, we kept the flow in groups of three to maintain a steady pace and avoid overcrowding. The photo booth was placed as the final surprise, making it a memorable climax for visitors. My role focused on brainstorming ideas to make the photo booth an engaging and appealing spot for visitors to take photos.

I learned the importance of tying every element of the exhibition to the overarching storyline for a cohesive visitor experience. The feedback about the photo booth inspired me to think creatively about how to make it stand out while fitting seamlessly into the flow of the exhibition. Moving forward, I will finalize the design by incorporating interactive elements and visuals that resonate with the exhibition’s cultural themes.

Week 12

This week, we focused on refining the spatial design of the exhibition and creating a clearer visualization of the space. To simulate what visitors would see, we used cameras to test perspectives and marked positions on the floor to determine where attendees should stand for the best experience. We also discussed designing different types of stages to prevent elements from appearing to float and began generating 3D visuals to represent the actual space.

For my part, I continued brainstorming for the photo booth, ensuring it aligns with the exhibition’s theme while being interactive and engaging. This process taught me the importance of spatial planning and how every detail, like floor markers and stage design, contributes to creating a cohesive and immersive experience. Moving forward, I plan to refine the photo booth concept further and collaborate with the team to ensure it integrates seamlessly into the overall design.

Week 13

This week, we received detailed feedback on our exhibition design and worked on refining various aspects. Key points included ensuring consistency in the lantern design, adding more background flowers, and enhancing the pedestal by incorporating projections or AR. The UI required adjustments for better readability, such as larger text and clearer visuals, and the photobooth colour needed to match the overall art direction. The final scene also required a tonal change to create a climactic ending. For the final presentation, we were tasked with including the problem statement, floor plan, and storyboard.

I focused on brainstorming improvements for the photobooth to make it more visually appealing and cohesive with the art direction. This process highlighted the importance of refining even small details to create a seamless and engaging user experience. Moving forward, I will apply these lessons in ensuring that all design elements are functional, visually consistent, and aligned with the project’s goals. These skills will be invaluable in both academic and professional projects.

Week 14

This week, I worked with my teammates on finalizing our project and preparing the final presentation slides. We ensured the slides were clear, visually appealing, and aligned with our project’s goals and key points. My focus was on improving the photobooth design by incorporating elements that matched the overall art direction and ensuring it complemented the key visuals. Additionally, I reviewed the storyboard and worked on ensuring the layers, such as flower animations and AR interactions, were well-integrated and consistent.

This experience taught me the importance of attention to detail and the value of collaboration in polishing a project for presentation. By focusing on clarity, organization, and consistency, I learned how to communicate complex ideas effectively. Moving forward, I plan to use these skills in future projects and presentations, ensuring they are professional, cohesive, and engaging for the audience.