I asked clients about different aspects of my idea and then evaluated the responses and how I can change my project to suit them. My comments are highlighted.

 

Brainstorm of initial ideas – with clients

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From this initial brainstorm of ideas I refined my project concept. I wanted to make a virtual art gallery that allows the viewer to move around and see all faces. I didn’t want to the user to be restricted by things in the natural world i.e. gravity, so the viewer will be able to spin in any direction. I also wanted the user to be able to personalize their gallery, upload their own images and artworks and then show it to their family and friends. I realised at this stage that I had two user groups, the curator/artist and the viewer/audience. The curator would choose the gallery name and shape and then upload image their images. The user would see the gallery on the Internet or from a friend or family member.                                                                                                                                                                          

 

I conducted a survey asking specific questions about my idea/project; these are some of the results.

 

Question: Do you own a smartphone, tablet or computer?

Results: 100% said yes

 

From this I immediately gathered that there was an audience for my product. The users have a device available to use my program on and there would clearly be a percentage of these people who would be interested in creating a gallery.                                                                                                                                                                           

 

Question: What do you think of being able to view an art gallery from your computer, tablet or mobile phone?

Response: Majority said it was a great idea (on a scale of terrible to great)

 

Backing up the last question, this proved that from the market they would be happy and willing to view an online gallery.                                                                                                                                                                       

 

Question: Would you like to create an art gallery on your computer and then send/show it to your friends?

Results: Out of a mixture of Art, D&T and students when do neither 53.85% said yes, 46.15% said no.

 

Unfortunately from this question I found that there was only a small majority of people who were willing to create the gallery. This either means that there is no need for the project, people wouldn’t want to put in the effort or that I need to look at a different client base. I think that the people who said they wouldn’t make the gallery were the ones not interested in art or design and therefore have no interest in exhibiting artworks.                                                        

 

Question: What ideas come to mind when you hear 'Virtual art gallery'?

Responses:

“Art on the computer such as photo shop, cool cartoons and drawings”

“Easily viewable, easy to make, not to computer intensive.”

“A virtual art gallery that looks like an actual gallery and you can customize it and make it in a way to express yourself.”

“Virtual sounds lazy. Art galleries are a place that provide quiet time to reflect, and putting art online is almost like a waste of pure talent.”

“Computer, being able to touch it, feel it (metaphor), but feeling like you're already there, when in reality you're not :P”

“Easy interface, massive variety, kinda instagramish but only if there was a series of options to change the color of the art. Comment sections/forums, art of the day”

“Some kind of digital gallery, like a slideshow”

“A 3D tour! Like Google Maps where you can have a little click around and it's like walking through! And an audio of quiet footsteps in the background! Or maybe that's a bit too far. Still, though, sounds fun!”

“At least I won't physically be dragged to an Art gallery”

“An art gallery that exists on the Internet”

 

“Audio of quiet footsteps in the background!” – I thought this was a great idea, it would make the gallery seem very realistic and the user would be completely submersed in the experience. I was also encouraged by the fact that people would identify with what would be involved in a virtual art gallery. There was an evident emphasis put on it still being realistic; they didn’t want to eliminate the atmosphere of an actual gallery. Being an art student I know the importance of mood created by music, lighting space etc. so I am aware that this is a concern.                                   

 

Question: What do you think about the design below?

Results:

Answer Choices	Responses–
Fun	84.62%
Exciting	46.15%
Boring	0%
Dull	0%
Interesting	38.46%
Horrible	0%

 

Most people thought that the design was fun, exciting and interesting. However I knew from the next question that they had some concerns and changes to be made.                                                                                                     

 

Question: What do you like and dislike most about the design?

Responses:

LIKE	DISLIKE	SUGGESTIONS
“I love the colours!!!” “I love the colours behind the black, it really makes them pop :) i find the choice of colours superb too” “Nice modern design, Good choice of colours” “The background colours, with the black display so my eyes wonder to the colourful write.” “Its fun to look at!” “I just realised your background isn't just colours, they're awesome artistic shapes... very well thought out!” “Its really cool, cos its artistic and ur promoting art stuff!” “It looks good, quite colourful” “The colours are attention grabbing and fun!”	The black box is too big for the writing” “I like background but the words are a bit boring” “A bit plain” “I have no clue what the *** poly- art is so im feeling a little lost” “The menu seems a bit to linear and the pure function of this program doesn’t really pop out even though it looks very arty it has a childish quality.” “The menu bit is a little weird though, layout wise” “Empty space in the black at the bottom is a little out of place.”	“Should be 3D and more colourful.” “Maybe patterns or little drawings in the letters.” “Maybe a little more info would help, or like a website where u can get more info?” “Better to have outlined text” “I feel like if you centered the text or picked a different font it would be better.” “Maybe either spread the text evenly throughout, or reduce the length of the black textbox?”

 

I got some very interesting responses from this question. I thought it was very constructive and honest. I went back and changed the design of this screen. I added boxes around the text, added an information pages (“what is poly-art?”) and reduced the size of the black box. The design is much more interesting and clearer. This question had the most affect on my design. I found that doing the survey online as apposed to face to face gave the responder a feeling of freedom of expression, allowing them to extensively express their opinions honestly.                            

 

Question: What do you think about a virtual art gallery where you can display and view images/artworks on a electronic device?

Responses:

“I think it would change art completely (it would be a different kind of art! like the art of technology!)

“I like the idea of one!”

“Pretty good, but then again im no artistic gal, im just a normal city gal with a dream.. HOLLYWOOD HERE I COME! Anyway, yeh i think its a brill idea, and it would appeal more to the youngsters who love art rather than oldies, who prefer the oldies ritual or visiting an art museum or gallery.”

“I doubt that I would need/use it, but seems like a good idea”

“Good idea!”

“I've never put much thought into it. I imagine that for someone who appreciates art it would be a great idea.”

“It would be very interesting but it would take away from the experience of visiting an art gallery and being in the atmosphere of it”

 

From this question I gathered that I need to do further research aiming it at a more specific audience i.e. artists, curators, art students, SDD/IST students and design and technology students. I realised that many people are concerned that it may take away from the experience of being in a gallery; I therefore need to ensure my program creates not only an interface but also an atmosphere. I think adding the footsteps/audio idea would be a great addition.                                                                                                                                                                  

 

I have gathered client input and come to the conclusion that many ideas can be added later i.e. in version 2.0. The most effective way to produce a high quality result is to create a simple software solution addressing the immediate needs of the client and upgrade it if I have time. I can add more features if I want to later in the maintenance stage.