Group Research Project Report
Our group chose our artifacts based upon which would be most viable in building from one single story we chose. In this case we decided our artifacts from “The Plague” were viable for building. For my artifact, the airfield helmet, it resonates with my definition of interaction in that technically there are many components that work together to make the airfield, in which is only activated with the help the user pressing a button to activate it. I also feel this is the case with my teammates’ artifacts, as all requires some kind of human aspect to them to work. I originally wrote in my “Read” section that my artifact would be a device that would be able to generate an airfield as seen in the story, but I eventually thought it can take the form of a helmet as I think it would be fitting for the kind of world the story takes place, as well as a base for my other teammates’ artifacts to be able to attach to, with the idea to try to combine them all to make a sort of exoskeleton suit. However, it would sadly be too complex to make and so we had kept our artifacts separated. In terms of successes of my artifact, I felt like the design was simple but effective enough in conveying what its purpose is. The artifacts of my teammates also succeeded in their designs and conveying their purposes. In terms of failures, I felt like the designs could be better streamlined in their designs, but that would be difficult to do considering we were using cardboard. Teamwork wise, we were all pretty clear in communicating with one another via WeChat, and we were all willing to meet with one another in person to discuss ideas, write, and practice performing. Tasks wise we each would be responsible for building our own artifacts, as meeting together to do so was not possible. This did allow us to build what we imagined without interruption, but lack of feedback while doing so may have played a part in some of the designs of our artifacts. This was except for Bella whose artifact wasn’t possible to make, but in exchange she would play a major role in our performance. But in the end, we were able to meet after we were finished making our artifacts to come up with how we wanted to perform.
The group I want to provide a critical analysis and assessment to is the group that had the replaying memory VR headset. The description of the project is just that, a VR headset that is able to recreate the past memories you have, allowing you to relive and enjoy said memories as much as you want. It is relevant to the story of “The Veldt” in that it is able to create scenarios from your mind, and also has the potential to be also addictive much like the nursery room from the story. I felt like the only nonrelevant thing about it is the actual technology level of the set, in which I feel like the technology in the story is far past the need to use a VR headset in order to create scenes, as the nursery room is able to create them to be basically lifelike. Despite this I do feel that it does meet the criteria of the assignment well as the group performance showed how it worked in a clear way, and the use of it fits the story it is based on and it being interactive. The design of the artifact is rather simple, that being of basically being a VR headset, but I do like how they used different materials other than cardboard to make it so that it looks unique. Once more, the performance is able to show it’s function well as the dialogue and actions done make it clear as such. In terms of improvements, I’d say the design of the actual artifact would be made into something more than just a VR headset, something like a projector that makes life live scenarios like the nursey room.
Script: Performance Script – Google Docs
Performance: 125
Questioning and Feedback: 126
My Artifact:
Jason’s Artifact:
Joyce’s Artifact:
Luna’s Artifact:
