Do Good Project Week 1 : Learning Plan & Project Proposal 1 & 2

For the first week of the proposal, I planned to create an interactive installation with a physical build to learn more about codings in Unity. Thus, there will be 2 projects proposed on building an interactive installation. 

Learning Goal

My learning goal is to create an interactive installation with a physical build. I hope to let people to listen, visualize and experience the message conveyed by the physical installation.

• To be able to hands-on and explore materials for the installation.
• To be able to deliver my message via the storytelling/ interactive experience
• To be able to combine and utilize my current and advanced digital media design knowledge (Coding, editing, optimizing, fabricating) to create an interactive installation 
• To be able to create engaging responses for the target audiences

What do I want to learn?

• Learn more advanced coding on Unity and Arduino 
• Learn using different tools and machines in the fab lab, such as Arduino, electric boards, LED lights, programmable LED lights, motors, etc.
• Learn using different tools and machines in the fab lab, such as Arduino, Lidar, electric boards, LED lights, etc.
• Learn to create an engaging interaction that meets the audiences’ meet

What do I know about it now?

• Basic coding in Unity using microphones, pitch detection, open cv
• Basic using of Lidar Device
• Sound production using Adobe Audition
• Digital Media Design skills such as motion graphics, Adobe XD, etc.

What needs to change to learn what I do not know?

• Exploration of tutorials and research on work samples or case studies.
• Need to strengthen my self-learning approach on codings instead of just attaining it directly from the tutors
• Determine the best art direction for the installation that fit the topic
• Ask questions on past installations that are similar to my work created by other people to have a better understanding of the technical part and working experiences

What can I do to make this happen?

• Seek for lecturer’s opinions on advanced coding when facing difficulties in coding
• More organized on my schedule to successfully complete my project.
• Seek advice from peers and encourage collaborative learning among peers. 
• Filter criticism and make improvements and changes from there

What can I do to learn what I do not know?

• Being initiative in doing research to understand the workflow and mechanics of the project.
• Seeking consultation from lecturers and people who are expertise in the current field
• Exchange constructive feedback among peers as it helps to branch out new ideas and inspiration for improvements

What could keep me from taking action?

• Panic and stress when my schedule is fully packed with things or things might go wrong in the process.
• Expectations from myself and failure to meet my expectations that would cause stress.
• The lack of knowledge, experience, and understanding in setting up a physical interactive installation.
• Difficulties in using the tools and machines provided in fab lab

What can I do to remove these barriers?

• Think positive and enjoy the process of iteration and make a better work
• Always plan things ahead and prevent completing work in last minute as this might cause issues when setting up the actual installation
  
• Seek consultations from lecturers or seniors who are expertise in this field when meeting difficulties on coding
• Record session when seeking help in coding so that I can replay the recordings and understand the logic behind it

When will I take action?

• Charting the learning schedule for 18 weeks to meet the 4 learning goals
• Week 1- 3: Research & Interview, Finding problem statement, Refining learning plan, and project management chart. Case studies
• Week 4-7: Refine framing of the proposal, Case studies, Technical research, group discussion with peers, visual direction, Content Planning
• Week 8-11: Fabrication, Technical Coding on Arduino for light installation, P5.js and record intonations samples for the teachable machine, Technical Coding on Arduino (motor)
• Week 11: Alpha Test
• Week 12-14:  Narration and environment, Sound Editing
• Week 14: Beta Test
• Week 15-17: Refinement on the project
• Week 18: Submission

Project Proposal 1-Scream Aloud

In this digital age, millennials, and gen-Z who are aged between 20-30 years old easily get burnout due to the excessive workload and high expectations of themselves as well as professional fronts. The reasons are also due to the competition and the need to compete with and outdo one another in the challenging environment. The accumulation of bad emotions might lead to self-doubt or loss of passion for their academics and work. 

The problem that I would like to solve is creating awareness for the public to prevent mental illnesses such as anxiety disorder, stress and etc. This is because mental health is predicted to be the second biggest health problem affecting  Malaysians after heart disease. According to the latest National Institute of Health 152019 survey, there are 40% of Malaysian adolescents aged between 13-17 years old found to be anxious, 18% depressed, and 10% stressed. 

Problem Statement

Burnout among millennials and gen-z is rising due to stressful working environments that might lead to mental illness such as anxiety disorder. 

Idea

The idea that I would like to propose is to create an interactive installation that encourages people to express accumulated bad emotions such as stress while creating awareness on mental illness issues.

Concept

The project aims to encourage people who get stressed out from academics and work to express their bad emotions through loud voices. Through the interaction, each loud voice will trigger LED lights that represent different levels of emotions. At the end of the interaction, users will get a message to be aware of their own emotions to prevent mental illness.

The interaction will have narration which allows user to choose their occupation, causes of stress before entering the interaction. Through the screen, it will guide user steps to interact. At the final stage, the user will have to scream out loud in order to release all the bad emotions away. 

Case Studies

1. Scream Booth

American Heart Association gave people a unique way to release all their stress. When the stresses of life get to be too much, sometimes people just want to scream. Once the user presses start the screen, it will ask you what stresses you out. It hears what you say, and the words appear on the screen. The words will only go away once you scream. It was very therapeutic to watch the stress bursting out from the screen. 

2.VoxBox

Developers Yaroslav Ploshko and Alexander Smirnov studied scream therapy and adapted to the concept to launch a project named VoxBox. The VR application involves a cloud of particles that look to the user like smoke. Each particle reacts to sound levels, thus the louder the person screams, the more particles are destroyed, revealing a lovely image behind the particle smoke. A peaceful spot on the beach is engulfed in thick smoke that can only be extinguished by crying. When a person screams, the environment changes: the black background is replaced by light, and when the person is finished screaming, the screen is fully cleaned — the patients are on the beach.

                                                

3. Let it Out!

Let It Out, a recent international tourism campaign launched by Iceland, encourages locals and tourists to scream their post-pandemic frustrations loudly. This time, though, into Iceland's gorgeous landscapes. Screaming, or releasing all of one's sentiments out into the abyss, according to the participating psychotherapist, Zo Aston, might assist to relieve a build-up of feelings that one doesn't know how to process otherwise.

Project Proposal 2 - Lend a Hand

Animal welfare organizations, which rely on public and corporate donations have been impacted by the Movement Control Order and lockdowns, and are appealing to Malaysians for help. The animal shelters are running out of space and food with the drop of donations. Besides,  activities such as charity events and outdoor adoption drives have been forced to stop in the pandemic. 

Problem Statement 

People are lack of awareness the problems faced by stray animals in animal shelters. 

Idea

An interactive wall installation that illustrates the bad situation of stray animals are facing and encourages people to do fundraising for animal shelters. 

Concept

A rich storytelling of problems faced by stray animals will be illustrated on the wall through projection mapping after users interact with the wall. Users will get to experience and understand the lack of food, shelter, and adoption of animals in the animal shelters in Malaysia. By touching the wall, users a more likely to lend a hand to the virtual animals on the wall to help out the animals. Lastly, a QR code will be placed for the public to make donations after interacting with the wall. 

Case Studies

1. Hidden Stories

I was inspired by some of the wall projection mapping installations that projects a strong storytelling for the users to interact. One of the installations is called Hidden Stories. “Hidden Stories,” explores the secret lives of inanimate objects and the power of listening. A custom-made "listening gadget" reacts to sensors embedded in the wall to expose the story. The digital equivalent of putting a glass against an apartment wall to eavesdrop on neighbors is the cup-shaped device. Using the device on each object activates a different story and uses projection mapping to light up the drawing. As people listen to the stories within, the wall gradually fills with light.

Feedback

Overall, the proposal has to be validated with the problem statement that I've addressed. For proposal 1, I have to seek more information and clarification from professionals such as therapists and NGOs regarding the issues of mental health. Both topics are very challenging as I have to create an installation that responds to the needs and issues that I've proposed. Thus, I need to figure out the exact issues of the locals are facing and come out with a valid solution. Primary research has to be done in order to find out the problem statement.

Reference

• Daim, N. (2020) Animal shelters hard hit by pandemic. New Straits Time. Nov 23. Available at: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/11/643461/animal-shelters-hard-hit-pandemic 
• Hassan, H. (2021) Covid-19 lockdown sees rising mental health concerns among teens in Malaysia. The Straits Time. Aug 9. Available at: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/covid-19-lockdown-sees-rising-mental-health-concerns-among-teens-in-malaysia  
• Jordan, L. (n.d) Scream Booth. Available at: http://www.lanejordan.com/scream-booth 
• Riddle, H. Scream It Out: This Unique Form of Meditation and Therapy Could Be Just What You Need. Nov 17. Flow. Available at: https://www.flow.is/post/scream-meditation 
• Red Paper Heart (n.d) Hidden Stories. Available at: https://redpaperheart.com/work/hiddenstories 
• See, B. (2021) Hard times for animal shelters. The Star. Feb 2. Available at: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/02/02/hard-times-for-animal-shelters 
• UM Specialist Center. (2021) Resolving mental illness issues in Malaysia. Available at: https://umsc.my/umsc_news/resolving-mental-illness-issues-in-malaysia/