Evaluating the dimensions of the space

A focus group was conducted with 7 students and shown the prototype and our ideas were presented. One of the objectives was to evaluate the dimensions the space and some of the feedback and comments are featured bellow.

Social

The social dimension of the space was achieved by creating an inviting, exciting, comfortable and attractive lower tier level. This space allows for users to relax and gather in groups or individually. It was felt by the focus group that the location though being a central point to much of the campus facilities on its own did not have a sense of purpose and the proposed i-Browse could be used as a meeting place and as a place “to hang out”.

Interaction

The interaction was tackled from two levels namely Interactivity with the system and Interactivity amongst humans.

The i-Browse system offers a one to one experience where users will interact with the holographic display by voice recognition software. Interactivity also exists between students and with the surrounding environment in the expandable and moveable seating and a Jenga game. Excitingly the system is also interactive with the environment adjusting the display on the roof and i-Browse system to show flames on a cold day and water feature on a warm day. This is enhanced with the corresponding under floor heating or fan system.

Interactivity amongst humans has played a major function with the design. Students felt that the space captures the mood created on the grass outside the church/ library on a hot summer’s day. Here the enclosed space puts people in close proximity allowing for them to relax comfortably and interact between groups and amongst groups. This was achieved through natural colours, a clear roof and soft comfortable seating right around the lower level. This is further heightened by the Jenga game.

The response of the group to the prototype received exciting support and recognised the overall impact which the space set out to achieve. It was showed that the space does not necessitate interactivity yet provides a stimulus/catalyst for interactivity between people.

Emotion

When asked to agree on words which reflected their impressions of the designed space they chose intriguing, exciting, unique, useful and well thought out.


Collaboration

Various ideas were suggested throughout the design cycle which could provide a collaborative dimension to the space. The previous suggestions were also put to the focus group and although it was felt that some of the other systems that were proposed such as the Graffiti wall gave a greater collaborative experience it was agreed that it was more suitable to have a longer lasting useful feature for the system other than a novelty idea which perhaps would have been experienced only a small number of times.

The space was however likened to something which you’d expect to see in a modern Silicon Valley office which has “funky chilled atmosphere which encourages creativity” and it was thought that the Jenga game gave students the chance to work together on something fun building teamwork.

Communication

Communication stems from both communications with the i-Browse system and amongst individuals. The group saw the holographic display as an enhancement that could show 3D visuals such as maps in a more effective way than 2D images. The close proximity in the lower tier and the adjustable seating arrangements was also seen to promote communication allowing for groups 2 sit together an all be heard.

Fun

The group saw the space as fun filled and a great contrast to the existing space although it was deemed that this did not appear the primary function but more of a supporting dimension.