9:00 AM, November 18th, 2024
Major Studio 1 | PGTE 5200
MFA Design & Technology
Parsons School of Design | The New School
Advisor: Harpreet Sareen
I wasn’t able to fully test out the prototype that I initially planned on presenting during the cohort-wide user testing. On my final iteration before the testing, I shorted my circuit and burnt a relay and a peristaltic pump. Instead of presenting a functioning prototype, I had to test out using a wizard-of-oz method.
Since my pump wasn’t connected to a 12V power supply, I just connected it to a 5V output on the Arduino, just to make it look that it is connected to the circuit. I still had the atomizer connected and running through the Arduino.
When the tester requests a ratio of 2 scents they want, I told them to close their eyes for a little bit, and manually poured drops of essential oil in the given ratio.
I made an input field using Figma so that the testers could write the ratio they want to mix the two scents.
Step 1.
Tester writes a number between 0 to 10 for each scent.
Step 2.
Tester closes their eyes and waits for the scent to be mixed.
Step 3.
Essential oil drops are manually poured in to the water tank, following the ratio given by the tester.
Step 4.
Tester tries out the scent they made.
Some testers mentioned that the scent mixture was better than they’ve expected it to be. Which I thought was a positive signal, since it brings interest and curiosity.
Testers also asked, just as in the mid-terms, about how and where this product could be used. I did explain some of my ideas which they understood and agreed, but it could have been good if I had it pictured or visualized in some sort of way. Feedbacks suggested some new ways of utilizing this scent machine.
Some testers suggested having an analog dial as the input for this device. Since I was trying to move away from visual interaction, I thought this could be a good idea to consider.
I didn’t have enough knowledge on connecting circuits. This was my first time using an external power supply for my pump. I accidentally connected a 120V power cable to the relay to run a 12V peristaltic pump. I should’ve done more research on how to safely connect and close the circuits.
I wasn’t really feeling well before starting the user testing, since I had a better working prototype just a few hours before. I almost gave up presenting and just thought of trying out other classmate’s works. However, thanks to my advisor who recommended me to just present what I have, I was able to at least deliver the concept of my project to get more ideas and references.
It would’ve been great if I had a back-up plan for the presentation. To be honest, I gave up a little after the circuit shortage. I had enough time to come up with something that was testable, which could’ve gotten me more useful feedbacks and ideas on improvement.