Locative Media Application
The Elephant and Castle Shopping Center Project:
An Experiment in Crafting Experience
Intro Video
Concept
The primary goal of this project was to create an interactive locative narrative that incorporates the use of an iPhone in raising the interest of a target audience about the area of the Elephant and Castle. Targeted at visitors to the E&C Shopping Centre, the idea was inspired by the impending demolition of this historic centre for the planned regeneration of the area. The idea was to create a scrapbook of videos, still images, sound clips, and texts to memorialise this oft looked-down upon urban centre.
This art project was an experiment in the exploration of a landmark through crafting of experience. Creating a hybrid space, we encouraged users to physically interact with the space within a digital platform, and supplied specific tasks to unlock content within mapped areas of the shopping centre. An ever evolving patchwork of mini-stories, users were encouraged to browse the gallery for others experiences with the option to generate their own content.
Research
For our preliminary research we found reviews on the internet that indicated visitors opinions towards the centre were generally unfavourable. Further research through one-on-one interviews and surveys confirmed our findings, though interestingly enough people were curious about the planned demolition. From these findings we concluded that most people go there out of necessity rather than enjoyment. Because of this, we wanted to engineer an experience that would leave users with a positive experience of the shopping centre.
Paper Prototyping
Interaction Task Flow
Interaction Diagram
1 Users begin anywhere within the shopping center by orienting themselves to the map.
2 From the main screen there are 3 floors to explore.
3 The ground and 1st floor has 5 main sections that needs to be unlocked with a locative task to access content. Each task involved a question in which the answer was to be found in the immediate vicinity.
Example: Enter the phone number of the payphone in hall to unlock this section.
4 Once unlocked users were then routed to a screen that presented 3 additional tasks which encouraged participation with the space. Content was organized by the task in the form of text, sound, photo or video and was intended to provide framework and context.
5 Users had the option to perform the task or browse the content after unlocking a section.
6 Users were also given the option to return to the main or help menu at anytime.
Sample Wireframes
Welcome Screen
When users first open the app they will be greeted with the Welcome Screen. To access the app they will need to register and log in. This is required to ensure that the users progress is saved since users wouldn’t be able to access unlocked content unless saved. Additionally, accounts would need to be created to ensure posts can be moderated against abuse.
Floor Level Map
After leaving the Welcome Screen users land on the map of the shopping center and are instructed to orient themselves to the map.
Section Unlock
Because current GPS technology does not allow for the granular detail of specific shops in the shopping center, we assigned locative tasks that required users seek out answers within the immediate vicinity.
Section Tasks
Each section of each floor has three unique tasks that the user can add as content or browse in its gallery. With a total of 11 sections spanning three floors there are 33 unique tasks in the application. Each task is categorised into four media types–photo, sound, text or video which is indicated by the icon.
View Task
This screen displays the task in a larger font size for readability. Users have the option of adding content right away or viewing the gallery first. The Add Content button will appear different according to the task category (camera, video, pencil, or microphone icon) Once selected it directs you to a Content Posting screen.
Image Gallery
Two galleries views are available. Task Gallery and View All. The View All gallery displays all unlocked content and allows users to filter images by view all, media type, task, favorites, or by user account. Content is separated by task.
Image Detail
To view the image detail users browse and selects an image in Gallery View. Users also have the slide show in full screen option to quickly look through them. Information about the image such as author, date, and task keywords is auto generated and tagged.
