Updates

On this page

1. Update 1: Embroidery Machine Training
2. Update 2: Intrepid Museum Visit
3. Update 3: Project Goals 
4. Update 4: Identification of Patches for Digital Embroidery Prototypes
5. Update 5: Design Sketches
6. Update 6: Frist Prototype Creation
7. Update 7: Touch Tour Observation
8. Update 8: Updated User Test Plan
9. Update 9: Embroidery Prototype Iteration
10. Update 10: User Testing at the Intrepid

Weekly Update 10: 4/30/24 (user testing at the intrepid)

1. Does being able to touch the objects enhance your learning experience? 
   (Total of 15 responses)
   Yes: 13
   No: 2
2. Would you like to be able to touch reproductions like these patches or view only the original pieces?
   (Total of 15 open responses)
   Yes, touch the patches: 12
   Either: 2
   Both: 1 
3. Does knowing that these are reproductions rather than original artifacts affect your interest or learning experience?
   (Total of 15 open responses)
   No: 10
   “I think there’s something exciting about touching the originals but I understand reproductions are necessary”
   “I think it’s even cooler to have reproductions as it shows that there is lots of effort put into it”
4. Any suggestions for improvements or changes for future exhibitions like this one? 
   (Open responses)
   “Give out samples”
   “Make some for selling”

Ideas and considerations for future user testing and interpretations:

• Visitors were attracted to the devil patch’s flames, but this isn’t necessarily the best patch for tactile legibility. We are considering adding different color stitches to the patch that match the original so sighted visitors would be attracted to them when the designs are simplified. 
• An Intrepid staff member liked that we included Swell Form because some visitors may have sensitivity to the texture. Another Intrepid staff member noted that the inclusion of both Swell Form and digital embroidery helps address intersectionality with individuals who may have conflicting accessibility needs.  
• Explore the use of a higher quality thread as there were issues with the thread breaking or splitting apart while embroidering. 
• Include hand sanitizer and encourage use of this prior to visitors interacting with the patches as an infection control measure. 
• Consult with the educational staff at the Intrepid to identify the primary languages most frequently used by visitors and offer information in multiple languages. 

Weekly Update 9: 4/23/24 (Embroidery Prototype Iteration)

We worked on the prototype iteration, finalized the final version for user test.

Weekly Update 8: 4/16/24 (Updated User Test Plan)

We worked on the embroidery prototype, and update the user test plan here. 

Weekly Update 7: 4/9/24 (Touch Tour Observation)

This week, we met with Dr. Lynda Kennedy, VP Education and Evaluation, to discuss the initial plan for our user test at the Intrepid Museum. Also, Tami participated in a touch tour to observe the event. 

A touch tour in a museum is a specialized guided tour designed primarily for visitors who are visually impaired or blind. These tours allow participants to physically touch and feel objects, sculptures, and other tactile exhibits in the museum, which are typically off-limits to the general public. Touch tours provide a sensory experience that enhances understanding and appreciation of the artworks or artifacts through detailed descriptions and hands-on interaction.

Attending an Intrepid touch tour was important to better understand how a trained guide would incorporate the digital embroidered patches into a historical context. Throughout the tour, there were multiple tools/strategies used to create a rich, engaging, and informative experience for the visitors. 

1. The tour guides provided visual descriptions of themselves immediately upon introductions.
2. Auditory directions were provided for visitors to orient themselves and navigate through the museum space safely and independently. This was especially for wayfinding within narrow passageways, steep ramps, stairwells, uneven flight deck surfaces, confined spaces, and high traffic areas. 
3. Replicas and models of the ship were used for visitors to touch and orient themselves to their current location within the entirety of the ship. These helped to convey physical properties and details of the ship which might otherwise be communicated through visual observation. 
4. Guided touch interactions allowed for visitors to touch parts of the ship which are typically restricted. The guides ensured that touch was done in a way that is safe for both the visitors and the artifacts. 
5. Visitors used their personal devices and apps (e.g., “Seeing AI”) to have an overview of the environment describe aloud to them. This not only provided a description of the ship to the visitors but also supplied information about the interactions of other visitors on the ship. Additionally, it highlighted how the Intrepid’s flight deck offers views of New York City. 

Weekly Update 6: 4/2/24 (First Prototype Creation)

This week we made the first prototype of the tactile patches, and later completed the mid-term presentation. During the development of our embroidery prototype, we encountered some challenges related to the design’s density and complexity.

Problem 1: Design Density Issues

Challenge: The initial design’s high density led to issues during the embroidery process. Specifically, when stitches were placed too close to one another, it resulted in the paper substrate tearing. This not only compromised the structural integrity of the prototype but also detracted from its aesthetic and functional quality.

Solution: To mitigate this issue, we adjusted the design to reduce stitch density. This involved spacing out the stitches and, in some areas, simplifying the design to ensure that adjacent stitches did not cause the paper to rip. By doing so, we maintained the design’s integrity while ensuring durability and tactile quality.

Problem 2: Complexity and Tactile Legibility

Challenge: The original design’s complexity, while visually appealing, posed challenges for tactile legibility. The detailed elements were too closely packed, making it difficult for users, especially those with visual impairments, to discern individual features through touch.

Solution: Some minor details were completely removed to prevent overcrowding and to simplify the tactile experience. For remaining details, we increased spacing to ensure that each element could be distinctly felt, allowing users to appreciate the design’s features through touch alone.

Weekly Update 5: 3/26/24 (Design Sketches)

This week we started the design sketches for patches. Here are the design files for:

Apprentice Petty Officer First Class Rating Badge

Attack Squadron VA-65 Patch

Postal Clerk Third Class Rating Badge

Weekly Update 4: 3/13/24 (Identification of Patches)

We focused this week on reviewing the Occupation Patches and Liberty Patches which were shared with us by Charlotte, Director of Accessibility Initiatives, at the Intrepid. We have identified 3 patches which we will start with:

Attack Squadron VA-65 Patch

Fighting Squadron 18 (VF-18) Insignia Patch

Apprentice Petty Officer First Class Rating Badge

Postal Clerk Third Class Rating Badge

As we continue our work on digital embroidery prototypes of these patches, we are keeping the following in mind: 

• Design Complexity: To create designs that accurately convey information from the patches through touch alone requires our careful consideration of texture, layout, and scale.
• Material Selection: To choose the right materials that can withstand frequent handling while maintaining their tactile integrity is crucial.
• User Feedback: Engaging with the blind/low vision community to receive feedback on the effectiveness and usability of tactile representations is essential for meaningful design.

We acknowledge that, as designers who have not lived the experience of blindness, there are inherent limitations in our ability to create tactile designs fully attuned to the needs of those who are blind. While working on our prototypes, we will attempt to mitigate these limitations by engaging directly with individuals who are blind throughout our design process. We wish to also better understand tactile perception and the needs as well as preferences of those who are blind or with low vision.

Weekly Update 3: 3/5/24 (Goals)

project Description: 

This project aims to create digital embroidery tactile patches that can be used as educational tools for vision-impaired individuals. By focusing on the occupation patches and liberty patches—this project will provide a tactile learning experience that highlights historical and cultural aspects of naval life.

• Occupation Patches: These patches represent various roles on a ship, with each design indicating a specific job or rank. They were crucial in identifying an individual’s duties and responsibilities.
• Liberty Patches: Worn by sailors during shore leave, these patches allowed individuals to express their personality and differentiate themselves. The patches were sewn into the inner side of the sleeves and could be hidden or displayed as desired.

Project Timeline:

team member responsibilities: 

Kianna – Project Manager and Design Coordinator

• Coordinate the project timeline, ensuring that deadlines are met.
• Manage communication between team members, stakeholders, and partners.
• Participate in the design and digital embroidery process to produce the tactile patches.

Tami – Educational and Accessibility Specialist

• Develop educational materials that accompany the patches, explaining their historical and cultural significance.
• Ensure that the patches and accompanying materials are accessible to vision-impaired individuals, incorporating feedback from the target audience to improve the design.
• Collaborate with organizations and institutions that serve vision-impaired individuals to distribute the patches and gather feedback.

Yuanqing – Design and Production Lead

• Lead the design process for the patches, ensuring they are historically accurate and visually appealing.
• Oversee the digital embroidery process, ensuring the patches are tactile and easily distinguishable by touch.

Meeting Updates:

This week we met with our project mentor Stefanie to see the paper-embroidery demo Notes. After visiting the museum last week, we discussed the opportunity for our project, and we want to focus on the embroidery tactile design for the vision-impaired, especially the occupation and liberty patches.

Weekly Update 2: 2/27/24 (Intrepid Museum Visit)

Meeting Updates:

This week we visited the Intrepid Museum. Kianna and Yuanqing met with Charlotte to learn about the Touch Tour and other info about the museum. 

Here are the insights of what we learn from this museum visit:

Kianna’s insights

Tami’s insights

Yuanqing’s insights

Next Steps:

We will discuss our insights together, and figure out the project goal, objective, and deliverables.

Weekly Update 1: 2/20/24 (Embroidery Machine Training)

Team Name: 

SensiStitch – Our team decided on this name because it combines the two main components of our project; touch and embroidery. 

Main student point of contact:

Kianna will be the main point of contact for scheduling meetings and managing emails. 

Regular meetinGs:

Tami, Yuanqing, and Kianna will meet regularly on Thursdays at 7:00pm-8:00pm via Zoom.

tools and expertise:

• What does your team already have a good understanding of
  Pfaff Embroidery Machine Training Notes
• What additional tools / expertise will you need to complete the project?
  Craft raised line graphics using dense satin stitches on fabric.
  Experiment with various stitching pattern swatches.

Meeting Updates:

This week we met with our project mentor Stefanie to discuss her previous work on the project. Tami, Yuanqing, and Kianna successfully completed the NYU MakerSpace embroidery machine training and gained some basic knowledge of digital embroidery. Our group also reached out to Charlotte Martin, Director of Access Initiatives at Intrepid Museum, to inquire about the Touch Tours the Intrepid Museum runs.  

Next Steps:

In order to familiarize ourselves with the Intrepid Museum our group would like to make a trip to the Museum. We also plan to read up on some of Stefanie’s research and work she had previously conducted on the project.