Cube & Catenary
MAP MIMA
Project Type: Group Work
Project Length: 13 weeks
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About Our Team
Contributions
My contributions to our Map MIMA design revolved around the Catenary concept. My responsibilities included conducting background research, developing design solutions, and shaping the overall concept. I created the storyboard, managed the visual report layout (for both Cube and Cat), and handled lighting effects using P5 processing. Additionally, I set photo editing requirements, developed the Cat model, and actively participated in concept iteration, brainstorming, and user testing.
Xinyi Zhang led the Cube project, focusing on design solutions, audio editing and mixing, coding, Cube texture, and user testing. Xinyi also worked on bodystorming and developed models for both the Cube and Cat. Keyu Zhang contributed to the Cube by overseeing evaluation, coding, poster design, Cube texture, and establishing the design's significance. Keyu was also involved in user testing, bodystorming, and concept iteration. Xinnan Wang supported the Catenary project with design evaluation, significance, and creating user frames in Figma. Xinnan contributed to audio editing, short videos, AE animation for the Cat, concept iteration, and user testing. We brought a unique perspective and skill set, resulting in a cohesive, well-rounded project highlighting our collaborative efforts and individual strengths.
Skill Development
Through this project, I refined various technical skills essential for creating immersive and visually engaging experiences. In Traces of Time, I expanded my model-making expertise in physical and digital formats while advancing my Photoshop skills to produce high-quality renderings. For Lumina Dash, I deepened my proficiency in HTML and CSS to design intricate lighting effects, strengthened my capabilities in building interactive models, and enhanced my storytelling through clear and expressive storyboard illustrations.
Photoshop was leveraged to create high-quality renderings that accurately conveyed the project's aesthetic and spatial vision. Hand-drawn storyboards structured the interactive elements, establishing a foundation for a seamless user experience.
Photo Shop
For report and presentation design, Canva facilitated visually cohesive layouts that showcased vital project components in an engaging and structured format.
Canva
Visual Studio Code served as the primary environment for coding, where HTML and CSS were employed to bring dynamic lighting effects to life. This toolkit fostered an integrated, holistic approach, seamlessly realizing the project's visual appeal and interactive functionality.
Visual Studio Code
Key Using Tools
The design process for this project was grounded in a cohesive blend of visualization, coding, and layout tools, shaping each stage from concept to completion.
Challenges and Reflections
In developing Lumina Dash, my primary responsibility was to design an intuitive and engaging user experience, a task that presented distinct challenges. User testing revealed that the connection between color choices and the relay race concept needed to be clarified, underscoring the need for more precise instructions and visual guidance. Initially, we assumed that users would naturally interpret the design intent, which led to undervaluing early feedback and missing critical opportunities for adjustment. Additionally, time constraints and my learning curve with Processing Five for coding lighting effects delayed testing, affecting the prototype's quality. Moving forward, I am focused on strengthening time management, integrating user feedback at every stage, and maintaining a balanced emphasis on intermediate milestones and outcomes to elevate user experience and overall project quality.
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This project reimagined the user experience at MAP mima by integrating interactive, short-term engagements with strategic, long-term designs. The result was an immersive digital art experience that enhances community connection and aligns with Lake Macquarie City Council’s commitment to cultural enrichment and impactful, real-world applications.
In the IDEA9202 Experience Design Studio, this collaborative project with the Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP mima) in Lake Macquarie, NSW, explored the fusion of local heritage and contemporary design within a vibrant cultural precinct. This initiative presented a unique opportunity to develop immersive digital interactions that embody the Pavilion's distinctive character. The project focused on crafting a user-centered experience that aligns with MAP MIMA's mission and fosters lasting and meaningful engagement for all visitors.
Our Story
