#environmentsprojecttwo

[albert-does-e]

BioSpace - A2 Reflection

While I found myself enjoying the work that I was doing for A2, I’m pretty disappointed with how the demo was executed. The idea of redesigning the studio space to create a new environment made me excited to think of how fun the hypothetical space would be. I’m overall happy I got to base my idea from the “Universal Principles of Design” book that we read for How People Work, since I’ve recently been trying to apply what I learn from other classes into studio. While my final concept was a bit different from my initial ideas, I was pleased with how I thought past my comfort zone and then toned it down to make the idea more feasible. My initial idea consisted of changing all the walls, the ceiling, and the floor to simulate a natural environment, but I changed it to just one wall to keep the idea of a studio, but still have a new simulated space to interact with.

I had a difficult time thinking of the interaction the user could have with the simulated space. Maybe it was a lack of inspiration or designer’s block, but I couldn’t come up with an exciting idea that wouldn’t feel frustrating or boring to do with a digital environment only visible by screen. I felt a bit overwhelmed since there were other projects due around the same time, so I don’t think I put in as much effort into this project as I could have. While I was motivated to work on the project because I liked the idea, I found myself hitting a creative wall over and over again with the interaction idea. Ideally I would’ve changed the entire surrounding of the studio (walls, floor, ceiling, etc.), but I ran into trouble showing that even through the use of Photoshop and AfterEffects.

I realized that a big part of my problems stemmed from a lack of planning, since I usually thought of an idea and just went with it. I also didn’t create a storyboard for my video, so I ended up just using photos that I already had taken before I even decided to do one. I learned that planning out step by step, even if it’s tedious in the beginning, helps a lot when I’m actually making a final piece. I tend to plan things out in the beginning as a basic framework, but I also improvise a lot towards the end and I think that that habit is detrimental to how my work turns out. I aim to plan a quick storyboard out for every stage of the design process rather than just use the beginning storyboard and roll with spontaneous ideas I come up with when I’m short on time.

[albert-does-e]

Demo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLgsp-_vjJc

My redesign of the studio space revolved around the idea of lowering stress in studio, thus making it a more enjoyable and collaborative place to work in. By incorporating a wall that creates a real-time feed of a natural environment, which increases focus and relieves stress according to the biophilia effect. When someone in studio is stressed, sensors attached to people’s desks are triggered, setting off a lamp which signals an upcoming change in scenery. The wall then changes to the natural environment, which students can interact with by walking in front of the screen. When this act is performed, the real-time feed moves forward as well, allowing the student to imitate the act of walking and exploring the space visualized on the wall.