Before we ran our actually exhibition, we wanted to do a trial run in order to see how it went and to gain feedback before exhibiting our final piece. To do this we created a mock board in order to showcase the controllers on

This was made by putting the paint on the board, and running the wires across it using duct tape. These were then connected to the arduino under the board.

We also decided to create small circles either side of each controller. These were connected to the middle wire that connects to A0 and A1. This was our way of getting round the problem of having to hold the wire. We also decided to write on the board instructions in order to make it clear how it worked.

For this set up we used one of the studios in the University of Lincoln building. We connected the laptop to a projector so that the sketch was large, and placed the control panel directly in front of this. This was as far as the set up went, but it worked effectively for the purpose of the mock run.

Feedback

We collected feedback after people had used it. Whilst all feedback was helpful, we found that;

• Sometimes users found the piece hard to use to begin with, but eventually got use to it after a bit of use.
• The instructions we useful on the board and clear.
• Users found having to co-operate with another person to get it to work challenging but made it more exciting.
• Everyone was happy to have their image saved and used as part of a larger piece of work.
• People enjoyed using it, with particular comments on enjoyment around the creativity they could achieve.
• They suggested changing to controllers so that left and right were the other way round on the board, so that they matched up with what was happening on screen
• Make the board stand out more than simply laying it down on another surface.
• A button to switch the colour.

Reflection

Overall from the feedback we received and observed, we were happy with the final product. From the feedback we decided to keep some features the same for the real run;

1. Keep the instructions on the board itself to make it clear.
2. Keep the save option in order to create a larger piece at the end.
3. Keep the open choice of what they drew, whether that be a particular object or just a random pattern – then they can be as serious or playful as they like.

What we decided to change due to the feedback

1. Creating a larger stand for the board to sit on in order to become a piece of its own
2. Change around the wiring so that the left and right corresponds with what’s happening on the screen
3. Add music to the exhibition to give it some atmosphere.