I continued exploring options for the UI panels and buttons. I definitely am using Art Deco, but want to solidify the colors, patterns and golden accents in each station in the rotating room.
I also implemented the black and white filter, that user can activate at will (for now) by pressing the "A" button on the XR controller. Additional user research will help solidify this decision.
Also started working on the first interactive learning part: the 3 main types of vinyl records that were available in the early 1900s.
Custom icon set used (so far). Most are universal icons, and some are context specific (e.g., the shrink to go inside, flying record tour, etc.). User testing will help validate these icons, or make changes as needed. the goal is to create pictographic shapes that can work for users who speak different languages.
User Research Insights at a glance:
Users are open/curious to a vintage music learning experience in VR.
I conducted an unmoderated online survey, that was distributed across LinkedIn, and reddit forums, with the aim of gaining qualitative data and users opinions and expectations of a VR experience focused on teaching the era of the gramophone and early vinyl records. The results were mostly positive, with a few users expressing that VR can never replicate a museum-like experience and interacting with physical objects, which is true. But the goal of this project is not to keep people from buying a record player/ gramophone - it is actually to encourage them to do so! to get them inspired and get into vinyl, and learn more about music technology.
As expected, most users are familiar with newer tech like music streaming, and CD players (people younger than 30 may consider them vintage already). But it was surprising to see everyone also familiar with the term gramophone, but not as familiar with the 'phonograph (gramophone predecessor), 8-track player, etc. My focus is on the gramophone, so its reassuring that at least my sample size is aware of its existence, albeit perhaps they think all record players are the same - I'm here to show them where it all started.
Insight: Users associate vinyl records with 'vintage' more than they associate it with sound quality/analog sound.
(Click on the image to zoom in)
(Click on the image to zoom in)
Title screen with VR app name: Sonidify XR: Gramophone
credit source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jybwcm1tnoA
credit source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jybwcm1tnoA
credit source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jybwcm1tnoA
Class Feedback 1:
1. Be careful with 3D assets that may bulk up the file size and affect performance in deployment - (NK)
2. For the intro video, consider adding a chair or something so user doesn't feel like they're floating in a vacuum - (Prof. C)
3. Improve the Art Deco environmental design; get better 3D assets (they sent me a link, I'll check it out) - (XX)
4. Improve AI narrator clips quality - (ES)
Action Items for Week 2:
Action Item: deploy this iteration to test UI and scale of 3d objects to ensure the frame rate is good, no lag.
Status: (DONE)
Action Item: Find better 3D assets for the main hub (and music store/recording studio respectively) perhaps low poly for the main hub, and higher res for the others.
Status: (IN PROGRESS)
Action Item: Find a good art deco chair for the intro part where user watches video, and consider whether they should skip video or not (user testing will inform).
Status: (IN PROGRESS)
Action Item: Fix rotating platform scripts so that after user finishes learning the vinyl records part, that trigger a flag to start 90degree rotation thens top (currently keeps rotating endlessly).
Status: (IN PROGRESS)
Action Item: Redo all AI narrated clips (including tutorial ones)
Status: (NOT STARTED) - will be moved to later weeks