Description

Tricky Putt is an interactive object which engages with the tactile sense, touch. In making an object which engages with touch as the primary sense I wanted to create a fun and interesting interactive way to see how people judge textures by the way they look and feel.

My object is based on the same idea as mini putt, or golf. But instead of having a level surface like golf I thought adding various textures would make it more of a challenge as our perception of how the ball would travel changes when we are given different surfaces.

The 3 surfaces consist of fine chip stone, corrugated card and a fine wire mesh. The idea is to make the user understand and judge the surface through touch and then to make an estimated guess on how far the ball will roll when rolled down a ramp. The green zone is when the user has succeeded.

Final Photos

In my final photographs i have tried to clearly show the variation in textures between the 3 lanes. There are also photos of my object in use which demonstrates the simple steps of using this object. I have tried to emphasise the difference in textures and the connection between the ramp angle in my shots, becasue that is the key to scoring the maximum points, in the "green zone".

Crafting development and images

This was a small mockup i made to show how i intended on using textures and materials to vary the speed and alter the sense of touch.

This is a ramp being made for my final design, made from cardboard.

These images show the process and craft in making my object, it also shows how i selected materials and developed a better understanding of what materials would give a good variation in speed and texture.

Development Images and Sketches

 

Again this is development on my final idea, having 3 different lanes with different textures in each, varying from smooth to rough.

 

This is another early concept which uses water or other liquids to generate sound. This was the very start of my research into making something fun to use.

 

This skectch shows the thought process in creating a challenging surface difference, and a way to create a way to make the user want to interact with this object. In making this a fun and successful object i needed to have a system similar to golf, where the ball drops into a hole, or has an area where you try to land it.

 

My original idea was more focused on the sense being sound, and using metal balls against different surfaces. I changed my idea after i thought of mini putt and how i could play with surface and perception mpre than just generating a tone.

Ideas chart and research

 This chart was a class acticvity and shows the initial ideas that went into my design, and the connections between various senses. As i developed a better understanding of where my design would go i started to link in the clear connections between different senses.

Here are a few images i found that have inspired me to make a similar project, with my own additions using touch and perception to make a mini putt like game.