Varun Khanduja - User Experience
WHY IS PLUTO NOT A PLANET-SOLAR SYSTEM MUSEUM EXHIBIT
Worked in a group of 3 to make a video prototype of a single interactive installation/exhibit at a museum. The challenging task was to make the prototype in a way that considers a experience of a disabled person using the design. We ended up making a solar system exhibit named "why is Pluto not a planet" utilizing the metaphor of the huge distance in the solar system while designing the interface and thus proving to the patrons visiting a museum the reason for Pluto not being a planet anymore. Interface critque were the other learning of this course.DESIGN PROCESS
MUSEUM EXHIBIT PROTOTYPE was to be designed having consideration of the fact that the exhibit could be used by disabled population as well. Another task was to effectively learn the implementation of metaphors while designing an interface. Our team started off by reviewing existing literature with regard to museum exhibit design followed by visits to museums like Boston Museum, and Wonderland, Bloomington. Following observation of people interacting with the museums we developed some understanding of the points we should consider ( like turning abstract into something physical). This was followed by every team member himself experiencing a disability by performing certain tasks in a time frame with the specific physical or mental disability ( Single leg or dyslexia). After developing an understanding of this experience disability we started with concept generation for the museum exhibit and body storming to define the design goals. Following this the team arrived at the concept of WHY IS PLUTO NOT A PLANET to leverage on the metaphor of the huge distance in solar space and explain the recent expulsion of Pluto from planetary system. Lastly we tested the design in two environments, a closed and dark room and an open playground. Open playground was the final version of the museum exhibit as the distance was clearly felt as a part of experience by the people experiencing the design interface as a part of usability testing as opposed to the distance in a closed room where people felt the metaphor to be more associated to darkness rather than distance.
USER RESEARCH
Literature reviewVisit to the museum
Ethnographic study
Storyboarding
TEAM AND PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION
Worked with Chad Chamara and James Schmittler during the 3 weeks project. Each team member designed the session for having the other team member perform a disability. Every team member presented ideas for the final concept.
Personally this was my first video prototyping project so I learned about the usage of Premiere-pro integrated with Photoshop. I assigned James, the disability of dyslexia wherein I asked him to read a paragraph with misspelled words. It was interesting to observe how James was getting frustrated at the same time adapting to the change. Please watch video for more details on the entire project.TOOLS
SketchingPremiere Pro
Photoshop
Prototyping with foam
FINAL VIDEO PROTOTYPE
Designing museum experience prototype Varun Khanduja.