LIGHTING INTERACTIVE / ASMT 01

Naura / 0356798 / Interactive Spatial Design
GCD60904 / Interactive Design
Assignment 01:  Concept and Ideation

This assignment requires us to explore and implement interactive lighting designs, focusing on both technical and aesthetic aspects. It involves researching various lighting technologies, understanding how they interact with users, and applying creative concepts to enhance user experiences. The project may include elements such as sensor-based lighting, dynamic color changes, and interactive installations that respond to environmental or user inputs. We are expected to demonstrate their understanding through both theoretical research and practical applications, showcasing innovative and functional designs.

Additionally, the assignment emphasizes the importance of design documentation and analysis, requiring students to provide detailed reports on their design process, choices, and outcomes. Collaboration and experimentation play a key role, encouraging students to push the boundaries of traditional lighting solutions. The final submission should include visual presentations, technical documentation, and possibly a prototype or simulation to demonstrate the effectiveness of the interactive lighting concept.

I was grouped with Angel, Natania, and Renee. Before our consultation, we held a brief meeting to discuss our mindmap and generate ideas. Additionally, we decided to research at least two different case studies. Below is what we came up with:

Week 2 Consultation (10/02/25):

We had our first consultation with Mr Zeon. The key feedback and suggestions were as follows:

• Feedback:
• The mind map requires further development, as the "cycle of life" concept is already widely explored by other groups.
• We should consider integrating concepts such as the "butterfly effect" with themes of love or with the theme of animals, and human connections.
• The awareness aspect of the "love" concept needs better definition and refinement.
• Abstract visuals or a typical love story should be avoided for a more unique approach.
• Suggestions:
• Explore keywords such as "togetherness," "movement," and "dancer" to build a more engaging narrative.
• Develop emotional and visual storytelling that effectively ties into these themes.
• Next Steps:
• Create a digital mind map that integrates "love," and the "butterfly effect,".
• Decide on a story title that reflects the story we wanted to convey.

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Week 3 Consultation (17/02/25):

During our consultation, Mr. Zeon provided critical feedback, noting that our project still feels incomplete. He stressed the need for deeper research and a more structured approach to refining our ideas. Here are the key areas he advised us to improve on:

• Research:
• To select one key issue from Love & the Butterfly Effect for a more in-depth exploration.
• Conduct thorough research to ensure a strong conceptual foundation.
• Mindmap:
• Expand the mindmap with more detailed sub-branches, reaching at least four layers of depth.
• Provide stronger connections and insights to build a more comprehensive framework.
• Problem Statement:
• Add more background information to strengthen the clarity and importance of our chosen issue.
• Clearly define the context and significance of the problem being addressed
• Case Study:
• Watch a relevant film that illustrates the butterfly effect to analyze its storytelling approach (he kept mentioning Christopher Nolan's films)
• Reflect on the narrative techniques and how they can inform our own project.
• Materials:
• Distinguish between physical materials (e.g., tangible props, space in Muzium Telekom) and digital/software materials (e.g., animation tools).
• Explain the role of these materials in shaping the project’s outcome.

We then made several improvements based on his feedback, refining our content and enhancing the visual appeal of our presentation. Since we're design students, we focused on making it more visually engaging and polished to effectively communicate our ideas.

Submission:

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Reflection:

Throughout this project, working with Angel, Natania, and Renee has been an enriching experience, allowing us to explore different perspectives and refine our creative approach. Our journey began with an initial brainstorming session, where we discussed potential directions for our interactive lighting design. We aimed to create something immersive and emotionally engaging, ultimately settling on the concept of the butterfly effect and how it relates to love and human connections. Rather than relying on generic romantic themes, we wanted to craft a unique narrative that highlights how small actions can lead to significant changes in relationships and emotions.

Our first consultation with Mr. Zeon was eye-opening. He challenged us to think more critically about our concept and urged us to conduct in-depth research before finalizing our approach. His feedback emphasized:

1. Choosing a specific aspect of the butterfly effect to focus on rather than keeping it too broad.
2. Expanding our mind map with more detailed subcategories to ensure clarity in our concept development.
3. Creating a strong problem statement supported by real-world examples and contextual research.
4. Analyzing films that depict the butterfly effect, such as Christopher Nolan’s works, to better understand how narratives evolve through subtle changes.

Following his advice, we refined our mind map, ensuring that each element was well thought out. We broke down our ideas into physical and digital components, clearly defining how each would contribute to the interactive experience. This stage was crucial because it helped us distinguish between elements that would enhance user engagement and those that might overcomplicate the design.

One of the key takeaways from this process was learning how to balance creativity with practicality. Initially, we were eager to include multiple complex interactions, but through our research and discussions, we realized the importance of simplicity and clarity in delivering an impactful experience. We also examined case studies of interactive installations that successfully conveyed emotions through light, sound, and user interaction, further shaping our approach.