DSDN 112: Interface Inspiration!

I looked at a few different 'futuristic' game menus and navigation systems to get ideas for my interface.

Dead Space:
This is the menu that I probably took them most ideas from, as it is a simple but effective layout that is easy to follow, which is what I want for my interface.

Assassin's Creed:
this holographic interface has very faint lines and code in the background, which could be interesting in my final video.

Batman: Arkham City:
Arkham city has a bird's eye view map, which is actually quite easy to read and navigate with, even though it is so simple. It lets users zoom i to get a better view of certain parts of the city if required, which is definitely a feature I need in my project.

One thing I noticed about all of these systems (and most other ones I saw) is that the colour blue is used a lot. I think this is because blue is a 'cool' colour, and gives a sterile, futuristic feel. I will be using a blue colour scheme for my interface.

DSDN 112: FrogPad!

I have chosen to go with the "FrogPad' style keyboard, as it is designed for one handed use, and is compact, so it is the most suitable option. I will alter it slightly though to make it work better. It will have two pages of characters, one page with letters and commonly used symbols, and the other with numbers and the no-so-common symbols.



Also comparing my original screens with my newer ones:


New                                                                             Old

DSDN 142: Storyboard

this is my storyboard for my interactive application in DSDN 142.

DSDN 104: Sketches

These are some of my sketches for ideas in DSDN 104.

I am thinking of having many layers in my model, each with a small part of the pattern of a butterfly wing on it. These parts would look like a random line pattern when looked at from most angles, but when observed at the right angle they would resemble a butterfly wing pattern.

I am also considering making models of all of the different stages of movement the wing goes through during flight. These different stages would be attached together at one end, and would give the illusion of movement. I have been looking at videos of butterfly flight in slow motion to try and get an idea of what the model would look like.

I was also thinking of having a layering system that would involve each layer looking the same except for an engraved or painted part of a butterfly wing pattern. This method might not work as well because of the small size of the model. If the model is very small, it will be difficult to paint. ink small parts of the model, and it will be difficult to see the effect.

DSDN 104: Test Render

Here is one of my test renders of my 3D model. The texture I used on it is a magnified view of the scales on a butterfly wing.

I'm not that keen on the texture: even though it fits the context it doesn't really look effective, and looks out of place.

DSDn 104: Starting in 3DS Max.

I traced the outline of a butterfly wing to start with in SolidWorks, which I then transferred to 3DS Max.

Trying out some different angles and bends for the wings

I also traced some of the more specific parts of the wing, so I could out them together in different ways.

DSDN 104: Precedent Images

when I fisrt searched for precendents, I looked up 'Patterns in nature', and foound a lot of really interesting patterns, mostly in animal coats and patterns in sand, rivers and dried mud. I also found some pictures of butterfly wings with interesting patterns on them, so I decided to narrow down my searches, and focus more specifically on them.

Some of my origial precedent ideas.

 I have been looking at butterfly wings, as I find the patterns on the wing really interesting. Each butterfly wing is unique, but they all have a pattern than almost matches up. 

Left: This image is a magnified view of a butterfly wing under a microscope. I could make an interesting texture.

I plan on using some sort of stacking technique which could also let me include the details on the underside of the butterfly wings.

DSDN 112: Wristband Design

For the mock up wristband I will need to make for my video, I am looking at doing something with a similar sort of aesthetic to the Portal gun from Portal/Portal 2. The simple design and monochromatic colour scheme of the portal gun makes it look really futuristic and sleek: The kind of look I am going for with my wristband.

I will be using a black and white colour scheme, with white plating around the outside of a black material band, For Science!

DSDN 142:Shaking Mouse.

Rather than just clicking to release the glowing orbs from the mouse, I have been thinking of maybe doing something else like shaking the mouse around to remove them. If you shake harder, they are thrown of faster/more forcefully.

DSDN 112: Keyboards?

I was given feedback in the interim about my choice of QWERTY Keyboard, and whether it would be the most suitable option for one handed typing, on such a small screen. I have been looking into some other input/typing options and found these:


Datahand: 
This keyboard as a 5 buttons per finger, with each button representing a letter. I could use something similar (a keyboard with 5 letters per finger) on my interface. This method of input could also be difficult to implement as it would require two hands for input, unless I had some way of switching between two keyboards.

Datahand keyboard.






Layout of the datahand letters for one hand.







FrogPad:
This key board was designed for one handed use,which would be ideal for my project. the keyboard is made up of a total of 20 keys, 15 of which are actual; letters, and 5 extra keys along the bottom (SHIFT, SYMBOL etc). Each key has two letters and two symbols, which can be selected by using the symbol and shift keys.




A more modern take on the FrogPad Keyboard.





The original FrogPad Keyboard, clearly showing each of the buttons.






Steam Big Picture Keyboard:
The Steam big picture key board is designed for use with a game console controller. It splits the letters into groups of four. The user select which group of letters they need, and then selected the specific letter with the use of the four main buttons on the game controller. This could be an interesting way of typing in locations on my navigation system, as it wouldn't take up much space, and could easily be used with one hand.

You select which four letters you want with the toggle/stick (as seen in the below image), and then use the four buttons on the controller to select the letter you want.

DSDN 142: Idea!

My idea for DSDN 142, Project 3 is 'Star Collecting'. This involes orbs or stars being scattered across the screen. When the user moves the mouse over a star/orb it is absorbed by the mouse/a small circle around the mouse. As the user collects more 'stars' the circle around the mouse begins to glow brighter and brighter or grows in size. When the user click the mouse, the circle around the mouse explodes outwards and scatters orbs.

DSDN 142: Idea Sketches

These are some of the ideas I have sketched for DSDN 142, Project 3.

DSDN 112: Paper Models of Interface

I combined my different interface screens into one file, and added arrows, so it is easier to see what is happening.  

Click here for a map of my screens

(Open the image in a new tab and zoom in to see it properly)

DSDN 112: Ideas!

My original idea was to have a phone application that implemented augmented reality (AR) technology. The user would point their phone camera in front of them, and a line on the screen would show the user which way to go.

I have now changed my idea, as it would not be particularly helpful if the user had to walk around with their phone held out in front of them all of the time.

Now I am making a futuristic Navigation Wristband. It will still have the 'Guide Line', but now rather than being shown on the screen of a phone, the line is projected on the ground by a laser/projector in a wristband. This wristband will also have a holographic touch controlled interface.

DSDN 104: Final Model Image

This is a high resolution photo of my final model. I've have changed the white balance (as the tutors suggested in the crit).

If I could have made some adjustments to my design, I would have tried to take the change in slot sizes when I melted and bent the acrylic, so they slotted together better. Also having longer acrylic strips would have been easier to manipulate.

The above image is the earlier image before I adjusted the white.

DSDN 104: Working with Acrylic

 I used a heat gun to shape my acrylic. This was quite a long process as pieces kept breaking due to their small sizes.

DSDN 104: Project 2, Final Render

This is my final render for DSDN 104, Project 2.

DSDN 104: Test Renders and Photos.

 These are a couple of my test renders and photos for DSDN 104. I adjusted light levels and positions for my final render.

DSDN 104: Final Laser Cut Pieces

These are the final laser cut pieces for my model. I am using both acrylic and cardboard. I made sure to get multiple copies of the acrylic pieces copied as backup , as I knew they would be quite hard to get right.

DSDN 104: Acrylic Testing (Sketch Models)

I tried melting and twisting acrylic earlier this week. I was using a heat gun, which was very effective for making acrylic malleable. I mainly tried twisting the test pieces of acrylic, as that is what I planned to do for my final model.