Choices
Reasoning Behind Choices
I chose sound as the principal focus of the interactivity because I wanted to comment on how technology can turn traditional interactions on its head. We normally 'move to the music' where as with the The Thin Line our movement makes the music.
Originally I thought the lights would be a way to give the room an ambiance which would signify a separate space. But while I´ve been prototyping I´ve realized how awkward it can be to look at oneself in the camera while trying to trigger certain areas of sectioned off pixels. The lights will take away from this clumsy way of interacting.
Analog Lights: I chose using analog lights instead of projecting digital images/lights for two reasons. Firstly because I thought it would give a warmer glow more associated with the 'real' world and therefore more inviting. Secondly, I wanted The Thin Line to represent a space between the physical and digital realms, i.e. an ambiguous environment between the two.
Sounds: The sounds will be varied, but mainly consisting of musical instruments and human/ animal noises to simulate 'real-life' sound reproductions. These are things people are familiar with and should be therefore more engaged to interact with.
Number of Lamps: I find the four points on a square pattern quite human (think Da Vinci´s Vitruvian Man) and therefore another choice based on the analog/digital balance. As for area number 1 and 2, one could think of it as the cockpit of a car with a steering wheel. Each point should be far enough away from each other as to encourage strong gestures as the player moves between them.
Lights: Most lights will be white in color to reflect a certain sense of neutrality. White says that The Thin Line is a space that could be any space. The area of lighting that will change along with the users position within it shall pan between blue and red: the red a symbol of passion and emotion that comes along with playing in a new and exciting environment, the blue a symbol of sadness as this technology heralds a new epoch and therefore a loss of old ways and things we are familiar with.
The room is dimly lit to add to the idea that you are in a new and separate space. Something different from the users everyday experience.