Ignite the Sparks

Date

Team

Design: February - May 2023

Implementation: In progress

Helena Cui, Esther Hou, Mika Liu, Cheyenne Wu

My Responsibilities

User Research

UX Design (Partial)

Code Development

Usability Testing (Partial)

Tools

Figma

Photoshop

Processing & p5.js

Project Overview

Located on the picturesque shores of Lake Macquarie, MAP mima (Multi-Arts Pavilion) is a beacon of artistic potential nestled within a lush recreational park. This cultural hub, though strategically situated, has remained largely undiscovered by the public. To attract more attentions to the site, Ignite the Sparks leverages the existing Catenary lighting structure outside the mima hub, transforming it into an interactive lighting installation.

Background Research

Research on the site -- its physical environment, the culture background, existing visitors and their attitudes towards the site.

Strong Cultural Bond

Prior to the European settlement, the area was a favoured meeting and gathering point for the Awabakal people. The area not only provides physical recourses, but also holds significant social, cultural, spiritual, and economic importance (Lake Mac Libraries, 2023). Today, Lake Macquarie is still a city with a lake at its heart. This land has borne witness to the creation of indelible memories, the unfolding of momentous events, and the simple joys of coming together and enjoy the beautiful view of the sunset. Even a brief family gathering becomes a moment worthy of acknowledgment and celebration, underscoring the enduring cultural connection that binds people to this land.

Pleasant Natural Surrounding
The well established Speers Point Park right next to the site has been regarded as a large, lush natural playground, highly rated by the visitors. It holds the potential of bringing more visitors to the MAP mima.

Minimalist Architectural Features

The West-facing promenade provides a neatly framed view towards the sunset over the edge of the cube every evening.
While the minimalist cement exterior of MAP mima and the concrete promenade allow the space to be easily transformed to suit the exhibition and art pieces, it sometimes leave a cold and intimidating impression.

Design Concept

At the heart of Ignite the Sparks lies a design concept focused on capturing the ephemeral beauty of transient moments like sunsets and fireworks. The project is designed to be a source of playful exploration, evoking positive emotions, warmth, and a sense of connection. As dusk falls, the installation illuminates, extending the beauty of the sunset with a dynamic display of light. Through a user-friendly mobile app, visitors become co-creators, personalising and collectively illuminating the Catenary with digital fireworks. The installation enhances the outdoor space, attracts visitors and creates a vibrant and inviting atmosphere for MAP mima's minimal design.

Iteration Process

Following the ideation stage, the team developed initial sketchy digital prototypes and physical model and engaged in multiple rounds of iterations. Our iterative process loosely resembles the scrum framework, where the final design output is divided into smaller, manageable tasks, and we make incremental changes.

Two major rounds of user tests were conducted using methods including Think Aloud, Single Ease Question (SEQ), and System Usability Scale (SUS). Heuristic evaluation was conducted within the team. While the initial rounds focused on the technical realisation and usability of the design, the later ones emphasised more on the smooth interactive experience.

Design Outcome

The design features an engaging mobile interface that empowers users to interact with the lighting installation seamlessly. The controlling signals are sent to the backend of the installation through wifi.

Passive Mode

In moments of inactivity, the lighting installation gracefully transitions into a fluid sunset backdrop. The vertical poles gradually illuminate in a rhythmic breathing pattern, casting a warm and inviting ambiance that encourages exploration. These gentle breathing lights serve as a focal point during passive mode, intuitively guiding visitors and enticing them to engage further.

Individual Interaction Mode

When a user selects a launch point and chooses their desired firework colour through the mobile interface, they have the option to ignite the fireworks in two ways. They can either hold the button for a continuous display of fireworks or click the button to set off a single firework. Each ignition results in a unique firework display randomly generated in one of three modes: rings, rays, or sparkles. This unpredictability adds dynamism to the visual experience, ensuring that each interaction is a creative and captivating event.

Collaborative interaction Mode

The design fosters collaboration among multiple users, offering the option to join someone else on the same launch pole. In this scenario, each subsequent user selects a different colour, contributing their distinct individual input to the collective display. As more people join, a more colourful combination of firework will be created. Our design encourages collaboration among the visitors and aims to create an atmosphere where people can together enjoy a moment of fun and happiness.

Design Value

Playful

Unleash Creativity with Digital Fireworks

Our goal is to craft a distinctive and enjoyable lighting environment that ignites joy, creativity, and self-expression. Through an accessible electronic control page, people of all ages can design and launch their delightful digital fireworks. This playful feature encourages everyone to delve into their imagination, fostering a sense of delight and wonder in the interactive experience.

Connective

Strengthening the Bond with MAP mima

Sparks further strengthens the bond between visitors and their surroundings within MAP mima. Our design will play the role of sunset transition from evening to night, showing the lighting effect of the sunset tone in passive mode. The sunset palette is extracted from the real sunset photos of Lake Macquarie. Ignite the sparks will keep the real sunset view when the evening comes, and provide a continuous flow of sunset lights for the night.

Practical

Illumination and Aesthetic Visual Effects

At the same time, our designs also focus on pragmatism. The Catenray is an important lighting installation on the main road of MAP Mima. Our design Ignite the Sparks is carefully crafted to ensure that it not only provides sufficient lighting but also creates aesthetic visual effects, providing a pleasant and charming event atmosphere.

Coorperative

Building Community Through Interactive Experience

Cooperation is also a vital cornerstone of Ignite the Sparks, particularly in the design of group interactive modes. We firmly believe that lighting design can forge connections among individuals, and therefore, Ignite the Sparks aims to foster a sense of unity within the Lake Macquarie community. By inviting visitors to join together in creating innovative and enjoyable lighting interactive experiences, this project endeavors to promote the cohesion of the community.

Potential Enhancements for the Design

Diverse Interaction Methods:
- Integrate sound and vibration for a richer sensory experience.
- Incorporate movement sensors for intuitive interaction if the budget allows, reducing smartphone dependency.
- Enhance inclusivity and engagement, accommodating varying preferences and abilities.
Social Media Engagement:
- Establish a designated social media tag, like #LakeMacSunset on Instagram.
- Encourage visitors to contribute sunset photos, which influence the nightly display.
- Strengthen community ties, attract a broader audience, and promote the local arts scene.