Evaluation

I think that my group has worked well together both working separately, and colaborating with eachother very well. We have overcome problems such as missing members or others lacking in participation and been able to work around it, without it becoming a cause for concern which then would have haulted our progress.

We have changed our initial idea of the text to change the song device, to something which would be more beneficial to our chosen public location. We did choose a local pub, which was perhaps not an ideal place for us to base a group task on, although it was an intention that as we would probably be spending alot of time there, that it would be a good idea to maybe focus a task in there. However, socialising and work don't always work well together!

We did get alot of research and ideas done for the task but could have still done alot more, such as; taking more first-hand pictures, sketches, rough 3d models made from spare materials, mock ups of the design.

Overall, I think that we worked well in a group, however we were one member short due to one never attending, so we were more restricted to the amount of work we could do in comparison to other groups. ANother problem was how two of us were commuting to university, it also makes it more difficult to meet up in oru own time, but luckily with the hour gaps between lectures we used that time to meet up for the environment and contextual studies.

If we were to do a group task again, I would ensure that my group creates a schedule each week for tasks that we will complete, and to create blog posts more frequently, as I've found it hard to get back into the swing of blog posting everything. It's easy to forget to post any thoughts or ideas that you have along the way.

Equipment and material list

This is a list of all the things we will need to successfully deploy or installation:

Our devices ~ Small moblie devices encased in secure and waterproof containers, the containers will need to be linked to the device and the front screen much have a touch screen plastic sheet over it to allow users to interact with the device.

• Secure waterproof casing
• Touch screen sheet
• Fixture securing devices (Screws, nuts, bolts etc)

Anti theft system ~ The anti theft device will be a small gps device that is connected wirelessly too a sister device behind the bar, if the device goes our of range of the sister device an alarm will go off notifying the staff that the device is missing.

• Device itself
• Sister device with wireless accessRouter/modem

Van/Truck ~ To transport tables to and from the pub to be modified.

Power tools ~ To adjust the tables

Failure scenarios and backup plans

Within every installation there will be problems which occur, therefore we will need to have already prepared for common problems which could occur with this chosen type of technology. Our designed technology is an electronic, touch-screen ordering form, in the reach of every customer who will be located around a table.

The obvious failure scenarios would include;

1. Damage from liquid substance
2. Surface damage from objects
3. Power cut/damaged wires
4. Not enough power transferred to device

These can all be overcome, given that enough money would be funded for more features to be included to the device, otherwise the technology would cause to be more of a downgrade to the public process of making an order in the pub.

The failure scenarios can be overcome by applying the following to the technology;

1. Apply a water-proof surface to the screen, allowing visibility and touch-screen, but protection from liquids
2. Shock proof, allowing it to sustain a great deal of weight from objects such as pint glasses and plates
3. Enable a wireless version, in the case of wires becoming a hazard for customers. Although a wireless version could become worse for battery life
4. Install a stronger power supply/battery to the device, or enforce using a power plug to be used

Problems occurring is natural within technology installations, to have an installation to run smooth wouldn't be normal. Therefore you need to ensure that you have prepared for every scenario.

Backup plans?

In the case of our designed device not working, we will also need to construct a replacement, which will be quicker to install, and cost a lot less money. The reason for this is that you can test the device all you want to ensure that it works before the day, but what happens on the day can't always be expected to happen.

An ideal backup plan would be a slideshow presentation, which would include the content of the originally designed device but in briefer detail, so that customers can either; text in to a device which will record the orders (could be time consuming for a 'backup' plan), write the order onto paper and bring it up to the bar, with their table number (quick and easy to install).

Deployment overview

Time schedule for installation

1. We need to arrive early morning before the pub starts.
2. Purchase new tables a week before installation date to ensure delivery on time. This way the pub is not left without tables during the wait.
3. 7am – We get there, with touch screens in the van. Seeing as most pubs open at 12-1 that leaves us a lot of time to fit several installations. More time can be given for more installations.
4. 8am – we have made quick final checks of the area to ensure our installation can fit in and comply with rules and regulations.
5. 9am – we have installed the cables and electrical wires needed, ready for the installations.
6. 10am – the tables have been delivered with pre-cut sections for the screens and wires.
7. 10.30am – tables are positioned in correct places and wires are fed through.
8. 11am – by this time we have placed the screens within the tables, ensuring they fit with the theft and water proof devices.
9. 11am onwards (Pub/Bar Open) – time is spent testing each device works ready for the customers!

Here is a list of the things we need to carry out a successful deployment of our installation:

1. Top down Plans
2. Timetables and Schedules
3. Equipment and Materials List
4. Failure Scenarios and Backup Plans

 We have already covered the top down plans/birdseye view and the timetable so we've almost completed our list for a successful deployment and preparation.

Explanation of design

The idea of this device is to save time and hassle for the public who enter the pub from having to stand and que by the bar to order food and/or drinks. This will allow them to comfortable order from the seat of their table.

Image of storyboard design

So here is a rough storyboard of how the device would work in terms of processing an order from the customer. You would start with the home/display screen which would show the main menu, for either; the song list, or a food menu. Once clicked you will then have a comprehensive menu of the available choices, with a price and description (for food) and a list of artist, song and genre (for music). Once the choice of food is chosen, you will then have a detailed list of your cart, similar to the interface when you shop online, as it then allows familiarity to customers and ensures they don't feel puzzled when using the new technology. They will then be able to cancel anything which they initially ordered by clicking onto the product, to then click 'buy' to confirm the order and will be required to pay when a member of staff comes over to confirm the order and bring the starters/drinks.

Mockup design of system

Jamie created a quick design of how we intend the technology to work and look.

User Interface design

As you can see it should work effectively as a touch-screen interface, as the buttons are placed with enough spacing from each other, and are large. This means that even if you are semi-conscious then you should still be able to easily change song, order food and drink.

Here's an image created in photoshop to help understand how it will work;

Photoshop mockup of how the technology would look when installed

The device will be integrated into the surface for several reasons; the public will be eating on the surface and it would otherwise cause to be an obstruction, it will then be difficult to remove/take as it is closely fitted into the hole created into the surface. Having it fitted into the table can also have some cons, those of which we have already discussed and thought of some ways to overcome the problems. The main problem would be the risk of it getting damaged from general use, so it will need to be waterproof and scratch-proof, but also strong enough to withstand weight being hit onto it with force.

A list of requirements

After our research into the pub, it's surrounding area and the customers inside, we soon realised one big requirement that our installation had to do. That was simply get people away from the bar, to clear up that clustered space in the pub. So we decided to do create a multi functional touch screen application that allows customers to order the drinks from the table. We also thought that from this device the user could request to change the current song in the pub etc.

Firstly the obvious requirements that come with this are:

• It has to be waterproof (a pub constantly has drinks spilt on the table, on the floor, even on the walls) so this is the biggest thing we need to consider.

• It has to be theft proof. This is quite obvious, as no pub/bar wants there nice new equipment stolen by someone that after a few drinks thinks it would 'look lovely in there living room'

• Easy interface. Again very obvious, but with the constant effects of drink within the pub, using this must be simple – even after a few drinks!

• Will provide a simple lock system, so that it is not accidentally pressed when leaning on it. I.e System locks after 3 minutes of no use.

• Price must be below £100 for one of these LCD screens. As they have to be installed in tables. They won't be in all of the tables, as the use of the bar is still there, but they will be installed in a few. This is designed to simply reduce the cluster at the bar, as taking it away complete would remove the tradition of a pub.

These are just a few of the requirements for our system. They are only basic, but we need to begin the design process to help ensure these requirements are met.

Surveying the public location

Last week we visited our chosen location to construct a survey of it and to gain some information and data of it. As it's just a pub/restaurant there isn't a lot of data that you can take which you don't already know. By simply sitting inside the Roundabout and thinking about the area and problems within the pub, and the current technologies installed, you can easily gain a better insight as opposed to simply thinking "It's a place to drink and have fun, what more could be said about it?".

Initially we noticed that the table and chair spacing was spread throughout the bar levels, but the area near the bar was quite small. This would mean that there would be a large line up of people at busy times waiting to order. This then supports our change of direction with our idea for the technology that we were going to implement. Initially it was going to be a device that would let you text in to change the song, but after realising the cons of this establishment, we decided to change our idea to some sort of touch screen interface where people can order their food and drinks without having to walk up to the bar and order. This could be more difficult in terms of the upkeep, but it would make the process a lot smoother and there won't be a large que of people waiting to order at the bar. Due to the location also having three floors, walking all of the way down and back to make an order can become hassle to do, especially as the pathway from the second floor down is quite small, therefore there won't be a lot of room to navigate, hence the idea of including touch screens to order on each table would be a lot easier.

 

Audio clip taken from time within the Roundabout

Taking an audio clip of the location helps to gain an understanding of what happens within it, and how loud it gets in there, should we consider to implement a form of sound with our technology. If you listen to the file above, although it wasn't majorly busy when it was taken, it is still too noisy to implement any form of audio which the technology will be dependent on to work properly.

Birds-eye view blueprint of location's layout

By drawing the layout of the location it helped to give us a good idea of where we can install our technology, how many we can install and where. In the uncertainty of changing our mind on the technology for whatever reason, we can easily adapt due to having experienced the area and a drawn blueprint of the area being at arms reach to us should we need it.

Here's an image which we took of the location during our visit to the Roundabout during the day;

Image of the Roundabout pub during daytime

The idea of this was to get an understanding of the location which we are working with an how successful our device would be, given that it would be used here to replace the existing process of what it will replace. We quickly noticed how there was little room by the bar, and would easily become claustrophobic given a busy Friday night, so a new idea to resolve it would be considered greatly by them.

Jamie then visited the Roundabout during a busy night, to see whether our assumptions were true. And to our relief they were, people were crammed around the bar, and becoming annoyed with waiting to order for so long. Our device would then be ideal to help push this area further into becoming more populated, earn more money and become an overall efficient and more enjoyable place to socialise, due to the technologies installed for ordering being far quicker to process and easier to use.

For a brief overview of the study of the location, take your time to look at;

1. Contextual Study
2. Environmental Study

Or for another team member's overview look at;

1. Jamie Pates 
2. Nathan Gibbings

Updated the wiki page

The wiki page seems to be very tempermental when trying to edit it with the features within the wiki page, so i've had to edit it elsewhere and copy the code in, which is a pain.

I've updated it with the research that Nathan has done while being on holiday, and also included the information I then researched to help him with the academic area, which he was struggling to find any information with.

Research attempt was a success!

I decided to further the work of Nathan and dig up some information regarding academic features within pubs. Oddly, I did manage to find something out that mentioned having 'free schools' being given the ability to educate lessons within social premises, such as pubs, cafe's, cinemas etc;
http://www.mikebakereducation.co.uk/blog/298/free-schools-in-pubs-cinemas-or-bookies

There is also news that Dr Neil spencer, from the university of Hertfordshire aided to create a formula for how many pubs each region should be allowed to nominate;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/2962120.stm

Keeping contact with group members on holiday

I decided to stay in contact with Nathan while he enjoyed himself in America, by tasking him some work to do! Last week we saw a triangle diagram which showed what areas our research should cover;

Triangle of research areas to cover

As you can see, the project is in the center, which then branches off into three separate areas; Industry, Academic and Arts Practice. We had already covered the industry side of things from the initial research that I had done when we created the wiki page. As Fergus wasn't in, me and Jamie decided to split these tasks up, we'd give the Academic to Nathan as he was asking for something to do, and Jamie would focus on the research of the arts practice.

Nathan then got back to me and said how it was very difficult to find any information regarding anything Academic happening within a pub, which is understandable, as; 1. to be in a pub you need to be 18+, 2. pubs aren't for education, but for socializing. I'll do some further research to back this up however, just in case I manage to find something which Nathan was unable to.

Feedback of current research on the wiki page

Our wiki pages were presented to the rest of the group, to show how much each other had progressed and then for suggestions to be made for improvements and to mention the good points. The overview of ours was that it had some good research, but they all needed to be a little bit more descriptive rather than just a title and a link, so that it can help to describe what you'd be clicking to view. Also due to our research focusing more on technology, we would also need to try and cover Academic and Arts Practice.

The art side of public interactive installations

This week our lessons that would be with Simon Locke have been replaced with Hannah Drayson, to give a more 'arty' side to things. A suggested book to obtain was "The Fundamentals of digital art" by Richard Colson.

 We watched a pesentation fro a group called Grey World http://greyworld.org/

This group visit public areas and place certain technology features there for the public to interact with, which highly links with my brief as we have to do something similar.

Projections seem to be a very popular form of art in public places recently, as they are now more affordable. We also learnt about culture jamming, where artists vandalise other art/advertisements for a good intention, rather than an act of anti-social behaviour.

Our very own wiki page!

Due to half of our group not being in during last week's lesson, it was possibly not as productive as it could have been, but we were still able to discuss ideas and create a wiki page with some research that we did during the lecture. We created our very own wiki page!

This will act as a portal for us to post any research that we find out or progress on ideas. So far we have stuck up some technology and ideas that other pubs have used, such as a 3D television, a blow up pub, Wi-fi, and also a book that contains the "Strangest pubs in Britain". It should be one worth reading, as it said that one pub uses human skin as a door!

Our first set of research information includes;

Wi-Fi in pubs
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2829257.stm

3D TV's in pubs
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8483136.stm

Book of the strangest songs in britain
http://www.walking-uk.com/strangepubs.htm​

Inflatable Pub - Your very own portable pub
http://www.walyou.com/blog/2010/07/30/inflatable-irish-pubs/

A bar made completely out of ice
http://www.urbanpath.com/london/cocktail-bars/ice-bar.htm

I also found a cool style for the text that I'm going to use for the title. It gives a shadow and also looks like it's glowing;

 It's a little cheesy but it looks good! Don't you agree?

The start of the brief

We were split into groups, for the brief that we were given. This will be until the end of term, where we are tasked to plan and design an interactive installation for use in a highly social/playful space. It will need to include some form of media, and interaction so the public can use it.

My group is with; Nathan Gibbings, Jamie Pates and Fergus Casbon-Belson. We decided to choose somewhere that we could easily visit often, and that has alot of room for media interaction to be placed, that will get used alot. We agreed on the Roundabout Pub in Plymouth, as it suits those needs, as any pub would. The only worry about this choice however, is that having a task located around a pub could lead to distraction, but also the public that the interactive installation will be used on may be unfit to actually use it most of the time due to being drunk!

According to the lecture notes, there are four different working models that could be used;

• Peer

• Specialisation

• Subcontracting

• Advocate

Due to our small-sized group and the brief itself, the peer model would best suit it. This is because we are researching and designing, rather than implementing, so alot of the specialised areas won't be needed, and we will need to work closely together so that we dont disperse into doing a completely different design.

Hopefully this will be successful, we'll know within the next few weeks.

A quick introduction to blogging!

So what is blogging?

The idea of blogging is to keep track of progress for something you are doing.
It can become tedious though, keeping track of what you are doing throughout the project or journey.
There are ways to make it more interesting though, like including multimedia.
Without any images, video or audio it can feel empty, and unfinished.
As long as the multimedia is relevant, it can help make the blog more interesting.
Including colours can also help, and by making it short and simple, so here's where I end the introduction to blogging!