Research on Prototype Design Methods and Systems of Interactive Media Art in Public Space

Abstract

The prototype design of interactive media art in public space is based on social place, and it is a kind of prototype design on systematic. The methods and systems of prototype design are not only design and construction in cultural, but also transformation and relational design of complex space. In this paper, I have taken Gaochun international cittaslow in Nanjing of China as an example, by using description framework, situation creation, visual mapping and other methods, described the prototype design methods and systems of interactive media art in public space.

1 Introduction: Prototype Design of Interactive Media Art in Public Space

The prototype design of interactive media art in public space, is based on social places, and it is built on the support of digital media and new social networking on the initial stage of design. It forms an active technology, art and social participation network. It designs and manages media space with interactive design ideas, methods and tools. This is a systematic prototype design. It involves the symbiotic relationship of interactive media art, people, community and urban space, and also relates to system of information physical and human computer interaction. The methods and systems of prototype design are not only design and construction in culture, but also transformation and relational design of complex space.

2 The Ways of Description on Methods and Systems

Compared with traditional design, prototype design methods and systems in public space, these new ways for describing, which are more tend to comprehensive arts, environmental science, architecture, communication, sociology, ecology, behavioral science, and experimental data in the process of solving problems. The prototype design methods and systems of interactive media art in public space, which involve such aspects as the regionalism of public space, the field character, community behavior design, city image, urban texture and so on, as well as interactive relationship between the phenomenal space, the personal space and the cultural space.

In prototype design of interactive media art in public space, I usually use the following methods:

• The method of relational construction: Integration of interactive design methods, based on 4 steps and 8 themes¹, I introduce the design thinking and sources, conceptual metaphor and scenario description, modeling and task, design implementation and operation technology.

• Framework description of design: Public space is established as an eco-circle model, in which, people, media and tools promote and symbiotic with each other.

• Scenario: I transform complex social relations into humanistic narrative. With story scenarios, I explain the attention and promotion of continuity and effectiveness on design.

• Mapping visual presentation: A method about design projecting into a region.² Combined with drawing geographic location (street information), it marks areas which integrate with media art and micro transformation design in space. And it provides design themes of possible space location, including media installation arts, media sculptures, media facades and so on.

• Details of amplification design: This method designs for conceptual, including some possible operations, potential social behavior, and the action features of space interaction. For example, it is joined virtual character roles, it describes some complex and associated design tasks by using roles. For the media art design in public space, it will be confronted with validity of design and inclusive design.

3 Case Description

The prototype design methods and systems described in this paper, are from my practical experience. The prototype is drafted with using the above methods. Individual practice design of interactive media art in public space, is located in my hometown Nanjing, which is also the first Chinese cittaslow-GaochunYaxi. The project designs from the theme of “Slow City, Slow Life Space”, which aimed to explore the combination and interaction of local culture and interactive media art, and to promote innovation of communication.

3.1 Thematic Elements of Interactive Media Space Design

The “slow” in Yaxi, is one of the main traditional features in this area. “Slow” is embodiment of the living and geographical environment about this region, not sluggish, but easy and leisurely, which means to enjoy the expression of life and time.

There is “Jinhua Festival” in Yaxi from March to May each year. Jinhua, namely rape flowers, are widely planted in Gaochun. Its roots are tough, flowers and leaves are dense, and its flowering time is longer. It is easy to survive, bright and lively, and has the same simplicity and rugged as farmers who planted them. In traditional Chinese culture, the image of rape flowers symbolizes the simple ordinary life, which has the cultural characteristics of simplicity, cordial and easygoing. “Rape Flower” as a symbol of the mainly festival in Yaxi, it also represents the traditional thinking of “simple and pastoral traditional home feeling”. It can be more aptly to reflect Yaxi regional features and geographical environment, besides, it is suitable for thematic elements of interactive media design in space (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1.

Jinhua, namely rape flowers, is widely planted in Gaochun.“Rape Flower” is a symbol of the mainly festival in Yaxi. This figures shows the designing from the realistic to geometry of rape flower gradually. Finally, it is suitable for thematic elements of interactive media design in space.

3.2 The Spatial Level of Interactive Media Art in Public Space

In “Having an Experience” of John Dewey, his understanding of “art”, was focused on the appreciation of entire creative process of consciousness, namely “an experience”; especially Dewey put forward three kinds of experience: Practical Experience, Aesthetic Experience, and Intellectual Experience.³ The level of experience can be expanded to three levels of space (environment). Moreover, the spatial level of interactive media art in public space, that can also be understand from the progressive level.

The prototype design of interactive media art starts from the thematic elements and extends from the point to the physical space, the social space and the cultural space. I use the designing framework to describe the hierarchical of interactive media art design in public space (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2.

The spatial level of interactive media art in public space

The Interactive Media Art Design in Traditional Physical Space

This is physical space. At this level, the prototype of interactive media art in public space embodies designing about “objects”. It shows the cognition of tangible environment, physical environment and objects, which is the cognition of objectivity and scientific, and it is influenced by art and aesthetics. It is necessary to make an effective design and an inclusive construction of organization. In this case, I use the details of amplification method to put some possible designs, that can reflect the environment and culture into the public space of traditional streets, such as rape flower designing, the physical environment public space for rest and so on.

With the mapping visual presentation method, some modern urban culture and small gardening design are added to highlight the countryside pastoral flavor with rape flowers. More demands on the quality, much more needs about spirit of life and social, are enable interactive media art design to identify social values in public space. With the development of technology, the scope and depth of interactive media art design are expanding in public space, which are seeking the balance between the world and natural synergy by all creation (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3.

The prototype of interactive media art in public space embodies designing about “objects”, by using the methods of mapping visual presentation and details of amplification.

The Prototype Design of Interactive Media Art in Social Space

This is social space. At this level, design thinking is expressed as a factor of concern for “human”. This kind of “human relationship” can be understood as the extensive design for interpersonal activities. It embodies multiple levels, such as the unity and harmony between man and environment, the relationship between human and products, and further to the design of relationship between human.

For the cultural and environmental features of Yaxi, interactive media art design needs to pay attention to social behavior and conceptual designing of cultural heritage in public space, through the simple media design or application. Meantime, APP application can be a greater range of promotion and information for social activity of Yaxi local culture. In the designing of APP applications and other information for virtual environment, I added some design elements about “Jinhua Festival”. I designed APP application with bright color, I took watercolor painting of rape flowers as the main form (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4.

APP application designing, with bright color and rape flowers as the main form

Design of Interactive Media Installation Art for Rape Flower Fields in Yaxi

This is for cultural public space. The interactive media installation art located at the main rape flower fields, which located in wooden pavilion (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5.

The interactive media installation art located at the main rape flower fields, which located in wooden pavilion.

The theme of new media installation art is “Jinhua Festival. The Feast of Flower “, which focuses on the performance of rape flower as a symbol. It shows symbol and metaphor, 21 triangles with bright yellow, which means, rape flowers in the fields billowing in the wind. It helps transform rape flowers scene and local culture into tangible art in public space.

The device will be about three-square meters, it will metaphor and display the art scene narrative- rape flowers billowing in the wind, to audience, by using integration of mechanical and electrical, 21 metal triangles are propped up with the thin steel wires and animated with the help of mechanics, electronics and code (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6.

The interactive media installation art

In terms of technology design, the work will use mechanical and electronic components, consisting of matrix metal erection devices. Each triangle will be sculptured by thin steel wires and independently controlled by motors. The construction and undulation of this media installation art, are performed in a choreographed sequence. Moving individually, it will gradually evolve from the beginning irregular movement to a definite form that appears later. The final shapes then emerge from this process, such as geometric and abstract rape flower petals. The continuous shapes will show fascinating changes. This narrative is repeated, it will look for visual thematic changes in the art of media space.

4 Summarize

The prototype methods and systems design of interactive media art in public space, on the initial stage of design, which need new methods and new thinking. In the processes of design description, it reflects symbiotic relations between media art and physical space, media art and community, media art and culture. It integrates information systems, human-computer interaction and art of performance. Not only to design for culture, but also to deal with complex transformation of city space and relational design. At the same time, the prototype methods and systems design of interactive media art in public space, can not only promote change of design behavior, but also perfect the social value and behavior orientation in public space.