Throughout the course, we have learned how interaction has several ways of being perceived between two or more agents. At the beginning of the class, my definition of interaction was that: Interaction begins when certain things or organisms establish a reciprocal interrelation, through a connection, one body or item influences the other and causes it to respond in a relative (understanding) manner. Although my definition may seem complicated, the essential part of my definition is the part where I mentioned that there is a reciprocal relationship. I wanted to focus and evolve more my interpretation of interaction based on this reciprocal relationship. It is important to note that when I speak of a reciprocal relationship, I mean when a factor indicates a signal and another factor receives it and emits a message of understanding or reaction. This mutual exchange of signals and responses must happen in a consecutive and “fast” manner to perceive the interaction among these two factors. For example, something straightforward; when I turn on the switch and the light does not turn on immediately but in five minutes. In this case, I do not have any feedback that my action was understood and executed. In this case, I do not perceive a signal of understanding on the part of the switch. So, it is crucial that when I create a project, I have to create some feedback so that the subject perceives that my project understood its signal and will create a strong response.
Project 1
For my final project, I first got inspired by an object avoiding vacuum cleaner that I had spotted in a store in New York last summer. I remember finding it incredibly impressive that someone builds such a smart and functional wireless device. I wanted to add the wireless element and object avoidance function in my project as well, which is why I searched for similar, yet more personal interactive devices online. On YouTube, I found a wireless robotic car that can avoid any objects, including ourselves. For my final project, I want to use these two examples as an inspiration. However, I will make it more interactive by instructing the users to put obstacles near and around the robotic car, so that the user obtains the opportunity to interact much more directly with the device. I believe this project aligns with my interaction because the vehicle can respond in an understanding manner to other surroundings, and therefore execute a reasonable action. Also, the car can give coherent feedback by immediately avoiding the objects and look for alternative solutions
Project 2
I believe that every time I get the chance to create a new project, I want to create something that goes beyond fun something with a purpose. Although it might be challenging to create something helpful, having a plan with a purpose beyond a grade letter helps you boost your creativity and willingness to do it. Therefore, I found a video that I believe has a sizeable inspirational project that could help me create my final piece. In this interactive project, a person created a stick that when it detects an object it beeps. This stick apart from being simple has excellent use to blind people. I want to create something similar to them, but instead of making a sound whenever an object is detected I would like it either to vibrate and dodge any obstacle a blind person might have. For example, at the end of the stick, there will be four wheels that will move every time an object is detected. Therefore, the person can follow the movement of the stick and avoid any obstacles. I believe this project aligns with my definition of interaction because it is clear that there is a mutual relationship among the user and the stick (end both are codependent on each other to function).
After exploring various projects and based upon my experience in interaction class so far, one of the main things I would like to change in my definition of interaction is that based on the video showed in class (the one about the doors). Interactive projects must be prominent, meaning that the user doesn’t need any complicated explanation to interact with the project. The other main thing I would like to add in my definition is that my professor young taught us that an interactive plan must execute an instant type of feedback for the user to understand that the project is working or “interacting.” Finally, my definition of interaction comes to that, Interaction begins when certain things or organisms establish a simple reciprocal interrelation, through a connection, one body or item influences the other and causes it to respond immediately (quick feedback) in a relative (understanding) manner. Although my new definition is quite similar to the original one, I would like to add that I include two keywords: Immediately and Simple. It is essential to understand that the interaction must be a fast and straightforward process. The user should not think much when it comes to interacting, and it must also receive some feedback immediately (or within a short time).