For this project, my group and I invented, designed, and prototyped an interactive artifact that could exist based on “The Plague” by Yan Leisheng’s fictional story. The story occurs in an apocalyptic society where a rapidly spreading deadly virus is. Turning anyone who comes into contact with it into stone. The process of being turned into stone varies from person to person, which means there are some cases where people are entirely stoned and already petrified, while others may act like normally functioning members of society but partially stoned internally. The device we invented assists in detecting the virus and how far their “stone” condition has progressed. Our invention can be considered an interactive artifact since it fits my definition of interaction in that our device scans someone’s body and decides based on what the sensor detects in the person’s body. So there is an exchange of actions between both participants during the scanning process.
Designing process:
One of my ideas for an interactive artifact for the third story was a holographic medical bed. When the patient lies down, it projects holographic anatomy above them and visually displays any discrepancies, such as the deadly “stone virus.” However, we thought the applications were very limited since they would have to accommodate a whole person and be quite large. So we transformed it into a smaller, hand-held device. I based it on iron man’s rocket arm launcher, where the forearm piece on top is motorized and, when activated, reveals a missile. It is essentially similar; however, instead of a missile being fired, a camera is revealed and is used to scan patients for the results rather than pop up on the screen in the back. Our successes in the project include our teamwork. We worked well together to build the artifact and then develop a script. If there were any problems, we would easily talk them out to resort them. Communication among our group was essential to our success.
My main contributions to the project were the interactive artifact idea and the assembling of the artifact. I used 3-D modeling software to get mock templates to assemble the artifact. My teammates and I then cut out the templates from paper, giving paper templates which we then traced onto cardboard. We then cut out the pieces, and I assembled them. I then used cardboard, hot glue, and paper clips to create a hinge system so the top part could detach. Once assembled, we then drafted a script and started rehearsing.
Performance:
Script:
Different group analysis:
I would like to analyze the virtual therapy group project. Their project-based it on the second fictional story where the rest of society would experience a utopia that could only occur if one child were suffering. The device would put the user into any place they would like and allow them to interact with their surroundings. This would alleviate the user’s stress and put them in a better state of mind. The device is very relevant to the story since the isolated child could wear this device so that they wouldn’t be suffering as much. I think it meets the criteria of the assignment since they researched, read, made a prototype and performed with their artifact. The device’s design is really cool; how they created gloves that fit around the users’ hands, allowing them to interact with the virtual world. The performance was fantastic in assisting in my understanding of the artifact, especially when they showed drawings to the audience of what the user sees in the device. Overall, they did a great job presenting, and I will post the link to a short clip of their performance below.
Virtual therapy:
Leave a Reply