On Nov 15th I made higher fidelity versions of two low-fi prototypes that I had worked on during the 7-in-7 exercise. They were tested in class with the rest of the students in my section. I documented the testing using:

• photos and videos
• asked them key questions and tried out different versions/settings to see which they preferred.
• asked them to write their thoughts/suggestions/comments on index cards

Prototype 1 – The Leaf Pod

The making:

I collected fallen leaves from Central Park Park over the weekend and flattened them by placing them carefully in files.

I taped four clear acrylic sheets together to form the sides of my prototype. I then secured each leaf to the acrylic sheets and finally folded the sides to build the leaf drum.

  

This prototype was hung at average height level from the ceiling in D12 using string. It could have been better experience in a dark room where the backlit leaves would have definitely stood out better. I managed to block the light falling on two sides by placing cabinets between the windows and the prototype.

When backlit, certain parts of leaves appeared to ‘glow’.

Users testing in pairs, almost like a shared and collaborative experience.

When users controlled the light themselves, they went slower, pausing on certain leaves based on colour, texture, shape and form.

Many took selfies with the leaves as the backdrop – appreciating the aesthetics/ beauty of natural forms and colours.

  

Testing different lights to check which ones the users preferred.

When the leaves were lit from the front, they created interesting shadows on the flat background behind.

What was I testing?

1. intensity of light – phone flashlight/ emergency light / light from external source such as laptop
2. what kind of light users prefer: a spot light focusing on particular parts of leaves, or a flat bright light that lights up all the leaves
3. what kinds of shadows does the light play create
4. do they prefer controlling the light themselves – as a solo experience (adds to the sense of discovery and allows for self reflection)
5. do they prefer it if the light movement is programmed by a computer or is controlled by another individual? Do they like the act of verbally directing someone else as they focus the light?
6. users reactions to these various iterations
7. Do they stop and study/focus on any particular parts/ kinds of leaves or textures.

Reactions & Feedback:

User 1:

• too direct – don’t want to see the leaves at first glance
• bored after seeing the leaves – many are already used to collecting fall leaves
• thoughts you want the viewer to think about – include guiding questions/ statements, eg written or audio – ambiguity
• don’t use plastic – try using paper or fabric, also where the material is translucent and you don’t see the leaves at all until they are lit up

User 2:

• I wasn’t expecting such as an immersive prototype, but being in the centre is such a simple way of transporting the user
• I agree in the final prototype translucent material and light level of the room will make a big difference along with using the LED to see the leaves close-up

User 3:

• use more natural materials
• incorporate audio with some elements of surprise and provocation even
• does this installation speak to climate change and the saying that NYC has only two seasons?
• the light could be in the same movement as fireflies

User 4:

• I think a much stronger light would help with the analysis of the finer details
• maybe a wearable head piece?

User 5:

• I think this is really cool, I think it being dark would give it more of a drastic effect. I think its so cool.
• What if you added some sound? Could add to the experience. I’m excited to see this, it was fun to be in.

User 6:

• The idea is interesting and reminds me of nature more.
• Senses can be more involved, for example:
  • smell
  • taste
  • music/sounds
• a multimedia environment can be created

User 7:

• I like the immersive process, and the pattern of the leaves are amazing! Maybe you could test it out in motion capture too?
• I also think that adding music in the experience would be more immersive and build the whole environment.
• I appreciate the ‘real’ leaves since it could all give a bit of smell. Cool!

User 8:

• I like the experience of being around the leaves and seeing the details through the help of the light.
• Controlling the light in some way may be interesting so I can choose ti see particular leaves and focus on one particular one.

User 9:

• I think it will be better if you have a light box and I’m surrounded by this environment. It can also be larger and more dense. I think you want the audience to be shook by the beauty of these leaves.
• When I’m too close the leaves, I can see only little bit. Distance and scale give a better perspective.

User 10:

• The light shining from outside reveals more of the leaf’s cellular structure! I looked closely at that one leaf, ignoring others.
• The light from within casts shadows, but the leaves inside looked less luminous
• The plastic felt a but suffocating and close – consider rice paper or vellum?
• The arrangement made me think of tree standing still
• As a person with poor close vision, I needed to put my glasses on to see the leaf detail

What iterations can be done?

• need to change the material that the leaves are held against
• since there is mixed preference in terms of how the light should be – spotlight/flat or self-controlled/ coded path, in the next version, I can use monitors to cover all sides. These can be fully lit up to a white screen to give full flat backlight. Another option is to have a bright white dot move around. This movement can either be controlled by the user maybe through a remote/ mobile device or they can choose to have a pre-determined/ coded light that cannot control.

Prototype 2 – Plant Control System  

I set up this prototype on a shelf of a mobile cabinet. The solid grey walls helped observe the lights better.

The sound sensor of the Arduino (Grove Kit) was connected to LEDs on a breadboard.

This is the Arduino code to control the LEDs based on sound input. By tweaking the soundState > ___ if-statement, we can control the minimum volume required as input.

What was I testing?

1. what users said/played to the plants
2. how they began reacting when the lights began to glow
3. what other ways users interact with the plant or planter – do they touch/smell/try listening?
4. how do they talk:
   • volume – loudly / whisper
   • tone of voice – gentle / commanding / playful, etc
   • proximity – how close are they to the plant? do they lean in?
   • gestural – where do they look – the plant / light / somewhere else? do they move their body/ hands?
5. do users prefer it if the lights blink in real time or with a delay? Do they find it disturbing with constantly flashing lights and instead prefer to have something stable as they talk?
6. do they prefer changing colours? is the purple glow from LEDs okay?

Reactions & Feedback:

User 1:

• create a ‘zen’ space at home where people need to be close to the plant
• scenario: on phone, sitting on chair just talking to someone else on the phone while sitting next to the plant , like a talking nook/corner
• similar to how the yoga mat is reserved only for yoga, the space would be a zen talking space
• use soothing, consistent light
• create connection to people who are using the same setup or technology

User 2:

• plants seem to like classical music
• I appreciate using a plant as a medium for communication emotions and charting that with recording audio and using Arduino with the lights – this has a lot of potential as a prototype – an app that makes the connection between plant care and mindfulness.

On further research, I found this article which outlines:

• • Plants thrive when they listen to music that sits between 115Hz and 250Hz, as the vibrations emitted by such music emulate similar sounds in nature.
  • Plants don’t like being exposed to music more than one to three hours per day.
  • Jazz and classical music seems to be the music of choice for ultimate plant stimulation.
  • Some sounds can make the stomata on plants stay open longer (the tiny pores that act like lungs on plants) which means they take in more air and grow faster.

User 3:

• This concept could be about long distance connections where someone on the phone would each have a plant and the same tech
• could prove a designated area in your home where you would do your phone calls
• make the lighting more soothing?
• connect it with an app to motivate more long-distance connections through points – etc

User 4:

• I like the concept but I think the lights should be triggered by a specific frequency so that you have a more specific objective

User 5:

• I think the Arduino with light on the plant is a really powerful project. I would love to see the long-term outcome this.
• It will be interesting to make a time-lapse video if you take a picture everyday and see the difference.

User 6:

• You could use speech to text and document/ keep a record of what users say to their plant like a journal
• This could be a medium of self refection where they could always go back to the app and see what they’ve said/ confided in their plant over time
• you can try tweaking the settings to control the lights
• As I lean in, it feels like I’m telling the plant a little secret

User 7:

• looks fancy with the lights
• “I’m looking like an idiot talking to you”
• played Taylor Swift to the plant and watched the lights flash

User 8:

• “Plant, I hope you’re happy/ healthy”
• thought the prototype plant was a fake one

User 9:

• “Grow faster”
• find a way to keep the light on the entire day, when I’m’ gone by playing music. Similar to my grandparents who would play music for their dog whenever they left the house
• I think you should stick to just working/tweaking audio and not use other inputs

User 10:

• I like that the lights flicker when I talk
• I wish the colours changed with pitch or maybe have changing patterns, that would be cool

What people said to the plant:

Plant, do you speak?

I am Groot

Are you happy?

*beatboxing* to the plant

What iterations can be done?

• try out different versions/ shapes/positions/size of the lights
• test and code different colours and light patterns
• is there a way to include different modes such as – talk/whisper/eavesdrop/play music/ambient noise
• how would the planter be designed?
• how to incorporate the feature of ‘touch’ as an added layer of ‘care’
• developing the features of the app and how users would interact with it – what features to include

Reflection:

Both the prototypes, though rooted in human-plant relationships, addressed opposite sides of the same with one being more experiential and the other more interactive.

The leaf pod, in fact, could also be called Fall Collection 2021 as it involved:

• found objects – ‘fallen’ leaves in Central Park
• seasonal changes
• public space
• looking at the ephemeral from a different lens, by changing its context completely
• more a piece of art than a designed product/concept for intervention

. On the other hand, the grow light controlled by sound input is all about:

• care & maintenance
• companionship
• growth and plant needs
• relationship between humans and plants
• houseplants in particular.

I will be taking forward the Arduino plant control system as this is more relevant to my research inquiry and directly facilitates the interaction between plant and human.