We are preparing for our first day with an audience. We are going to run a number of different tests with a number of different groups. Our focuses will be on:
- The structure
- Visual and Audial Content
- Narrative content
We will test based on single user experience and group user experiences.
Below is a number of considerations that we have researched and made before starting our testing.
Testing Day One – Solitude –
12/March/2013
Considerations:
The design of environment and the
effects of the setting:
We are
testing in the room where the piece will be displayed at the end of the
project. We are going to be using a prototype structure so the footage won’t be
projected onto the final structure. The prototype structure we are testing on
is an old design and is scaled by to 1/5th of the actually size.
Evaluating/assessing the aspects of
being directed or left free
During the
display of the narrative/visual content the audience will be left free. They
will be questioned on their experience
Narrative content
The
audience will be asked to rate different narrative symbolic scenarios based on
a particular mental illnesses. This will be done on a number basis and will give
results that suggest which symbolic scenarios the audience relate to the most.
Coherence, clarity
The
audience will be tested on many different areas of the installation from the
narrative content to the visual content and the structure itself. This means
that the testing won’t be running in the same order as the final piece.
Simplicity/complexity
The
audience will be asked about their involvement with the piece based on whether
they found it simple to experience or were there any levels of complexity that
needs to be taken into consideration.
Aesthetic aspects
The
audience will be asked for feedback on both the aesthetics of the footage/sound
design and the structure itself.
Social aspects
Testing
will be based on both a single user experience and a group experience. In the
case of the group experience, we will be monitoring whether the piece causes a
debate between any members of the audience
Duration, and involvement in the
design experience
The first
round of testing will have set durations and the only involvement between the
audience and the piece will be experience the visual/audial content and the
structure.
(Three levels of testing) - attraction,
engagement, experience
Our
questions will be structured around these three main areas.
Modalities (sensory experiences)
The impact
on the audience’s mood based on their senses
Art as communication (expression)
Has the
piece communicated a certain message to the audience, does the audience feel a
communication with the prisoners of solitary confinement or the message from
the creators of the piece.
Anticipation (anticipatory/reactionary
system)
Monitoring
the levels of anticipation and any views or reactions evoked in the audience.
Astonishment (aura & kitsch)
Monitoring
the audience’s reaction to the visual content being displayed to them.
When (if) does emotional affect happen?
At what point if any does the audience make an emotional connection
with the piece.
