An exploratory collection of sketches, wireframes, photographs, and other design documentation recording thoughts and ideals. The UX Drawing Board also records experimentation with open-source hardware and 3D printing. It provides a space to reflect on design paradigms and to evaluate assumptions.
TELEXISTENCE NETWORK RESERVATION PLATFORM
Cedric Price was an English architect who influenced contemporary architecture through a majority of unbuilt work. Time, as a function of adaptability and impermanence, is a recurring theme of Price’s works. Notable projects include the Fun Palace and Oxford Corner House, among others. The Generator project by Price serves as the foundation of this project.
Generator is an unbuilt project for the Gilman Paper Company. The site of the project was White Oak Plantation in Yulee, Florida. Price’s proposal was an adaptable space for company activities.
For more information on the project image above, click here. The above image is courtesy of the Canadian Centre for Architecture.
Price’s proposal called for timber-framed structures with variable infill panels and cladding, along with screens. Each of these structures responded to the activity needs of the user.
For more information on the project image above, click here. The above image is courtesy of the Canadian Centre for Architecture.
Responding to the needs of the user, positioning of the timber structures occurred with the assistance of a crane. Data connections existed between the crane and computers. A grid ensured the placement of the structure on a concrete pad within the site.
For more information on the project image above, click here. The above image is courtesy of the Canadian Centre for Architecture.
Building from the work of Cedric Price, the Japanese company Telexistence recently deployed their TX SCARA platform into 300 FamilyMart stores across Japan. The platform enables an operator to control a stocking robot virtually. This also inspired the initial exploration of a telexistence network reservation platform. To watch the introductory YouTube video, click here.
A series of wireframes begin to explore the concept of reserving a space for activities. The ecosystem presents an opportunity to design experiences for multiple touchpoints. This includes the booking website, the reservation system, and space performance monitoring.
PROTOTYPING EXTENDED REALITY EXPERIENCES
How might rapid prototyping apply to extended reality experiences? This experiment uses inkjet transparency paper, acrylic dowels, and two 3D printed holders. The holder emulates the screen size of a device. In this instance, the dimensions correspond to the original iPhone. A sheet of transparency paper contains the interface. Holder component tolerances keep the transparency sheet in place.
The prototype corresponds with the ability to hold the device and collect user feedback. In this iteration, the interface contains greyscale elements. It necessary to test colors due to the impact of lighting conditions on interface elements. The interface replicates a 45 degree perspective.
The image above is an example of what type of image in printed on a piece of inkjet transparency paper. This image explores the relationship between information architecture and depth. The z-axis is a primary element under consideration for navigation. The Radar icon’s z-axis position indicates the active screen due the distance to the user. The Settings icon communicates an inactive selection. It is resting on the surface. The Notifications icon explores potential interactions on the x-axis.
Machine learning is a critical element in the development of extended reality experiences. VR headsets contain embedded sensors that measure angular acceleration, linear acceleration, angular velocity, and linear velocity. 3D printed glasses and an Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense provide a low-cost method of data collection for prototyping. The glasses 3D model is available courtesy of Thingiverse.
The device contains an LSM9DS1 9-axis inertial module. It includes a 3D accelerometer, a 3D gyroscope, and a 3D magnetometer. The data above reflects head movement from left to right. The x-axis of the image represents time (in seconds), and the y-axis represents angular velocity. A potential next step is creating a movement classification model based on collected data. This example indicates the importance of gaze estimation and prediction in extended reality.
Continuing, merging wearables, 3D printing, and extended reality is another element of prototyping. The image above contains 3D printed fabric samples. Using Ultimaker Cura infill pattern settings, each material sample tests flexibility for wearables. The material properties of NinjaTek’s Chinchilla 3D Printer Filament (75A) provide necessary conditions. According the NinjaTek, it is skin-safe from EpiDerm Skin Model testing data. The filament is a combination of TPE resins.
The image above represents the flexibility of the Chinchilla filament. The material sample is a few millimeters thick. 3D printing directly onto nylon fabric is another method for prototyping. This method also uses fused deposition modeling but through traditional filaments, such as PLA or ABS.
The image above illustrates 3D printing on fabric. PLA filament adheres to the surface of the nylon mesh. This creates rigid components that move with the fabric.
INTEGRATING 3D PRINTING, NFTS, AND THE METAVERSE
