11 Practice-Based Research Methods for New Media Design in Museums

and Interpretive Interactive Environments ..

What practice-based research methods allow the design and

development of an interactive touch screen interface for children between

the age of 6-13 years, which is informative, engaging and exploratory

within the Powerhouse Museum Sydney?

By

Kylee Vogel

A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the

degree of Masters of Design by Research

University of Technology Sydney

2010

University of Technology Sydney

Faculty of Design Building and Architecture

Submission of Masters Thesis

Candidate's Certificate of Authorship

I certify that this thesis has not already been submitted for any degree and is not being

submitted as part of candidature for any other degree.

I also certify that this thesis has been written by me and that any help that I have received in

preparing this thesis , and all sources used, have been acknowledged in this thesis

Candidates Name:

Kylee louise Vogel

Signature of Candidate:

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank my parents, Marlene and Robert Vogel, for their support, belief, patience

and encouragement during the highs and lows throughout my research. I would also like to

thank my brother, Dean Vogel, for his guidance and direction.

I would like show my appreciation to those who have assisted me throughout my design and

research for this thesis including, Chris Bowman, Dr. lan Gwilt, Matthew Connell, Dr. Lawrence

Wallen, Catherine Nguyen, Pagna Ung, those from Games Lab and CCS, and all the people

that provided critical feedback or assisted in the progression of my work.

CONTENTS 1/ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................................... x

2/INTRODUCTION ... ........... .. ........................ .............. ..... .............. .. .................. .................................. 1

3/FORMATIVE RESEARCH ANALYSIS .............. ..... .. ........................ ........................ .............. .......... 9

3.1 /Introduction .......... ... ...... ... ... .. ........................ ...... ......... ....... ...................................................... 9

3.2/User Experience and lnteraction ..... ....... .................................................................................. 9

3.3/Testing and Evaluating Learning and Experiences in Museums ... .......... .... ..... .................. 10

3.4/lnteractive Museum Exhibition Spaces ... ............ ... ..... ............... .... .... ...... .......... ............ .. .. .. 13

3.5/lnteractive Interfaces .................. .................. .. ......................... .............. ..... .. ......................... 15

3.6/Current Interactive Touch Interface Design Analysis ............. ............. ................. .... ....... .... 17

3.7 /Conclusion .................................. .. ..... ......................... .... .......... ... .............. .............. ........... .... 22

4/METHODOLOGY: EXISTING FRAMEWORK ANALYSIS AND THE RECONFIGURED

FRAMEWORK .... ...... .... .... .... ... ........ ... ... ....... .. ... .......................... ..... ........ .... ........... ... ..... ... .... ........... 24

4.1 /Introduction .. .. .. .. .......... .. ......... .. ............. ................................................................................ 24

4.2/Perspectives and Fundamentals of Practice-Based Research ...... ... .. ..... ..... .. .. .. ...... ... ... ... 24

4.3/Three Approaches to Visualising Practice-Based Research Frameworks and Methods. 26

4.4/Why Current Practice-Based Frameworks Are Not Appropriate .... ........ ..... ...................... 27

4.5/Existing Practice-Based Research Frameworks Analysis ... ............................................... 28

4.6/A Reconfigured Practice-Based Research Framework for the Development of an

Interactive Touch Screen Interface for a Science Museum Environment. ............................... 32

4.7/Phases and Methods within the Reconfigured Framework for Practice-Based Research

for an Interactive Touch Screen Interface for a Science Museum Environment ........ .. ........ .. . 35

4.8/Conclusion ............................ .. ............ ..... ............... ... .. ....................... ................................. ... 49

4.9/PRACTICE-BASED RESEARCH METHODS WiTHihJ THE RECONFIGURED FRAMEWORK

AND REFLECTIONS ON THE METHODS .......... ........................... .. ............................................... 50

4.1 0/lntroduction ............................ ... ......................... ........................ .. .. .......... ..... ................. ...... 50

4.11 /Formative Research .... ........ ...... ... ..... ........ .... ... ..... .... ...... ... ........ .......... .. ........ ..................... . 50

4.12/Critical reflection .............. .. ....... ............... ... ........ ...... ............... ... ... ......................... ..... ...... .. 54

4.13/Design Intervention- (interpretation, conceptualisation, design reflection) ................... 56

4.14/User Centered Design ................ .. .................... ... ........................ .............. ... ..................... .. 59

4.15/Prototypes ........................ ....................... .... .................... ........ .. .... ....................................... 84

4.16/Testing and Evaluation ........ ... ........ ...... ........... ..... ..... ........................... .. ............. ............... . 96

4.17 /Conclusion ........................................................ ............ ..... ............ .. .... ... ...... ........ ....... ... ...... 99

5/RESULTS ....................................................... ............................. .............. ............ ....................... 100

5.1 /Museum and University Sample Group Comparative Analysis for Activity Pack Testing

..................................................................................................................................................... 100

5.2/ Museum and University Sample Group Comparative Analysis for Paper Testing ........ 137

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5.3/ Museum and University Sample Group Comparative Analysis for Digital User Testing144

5.5/Conclusion ....................... ............................................... .. ............ ................... .... ...... .. ......... 153

6/DISCUSSION ................................. ........................ ................ .. .................................................... 155

6.1 /Experience .......... .... ........... .. ................................................................................................. 155

6.2/Functionality ........... ................ ... ..................... ....... ... ....... .. .. ... ........................ ... ........ ..... ...... 164

6.3/lnteraction ...... ....... ..... .... ........................ ... ........... .. ............................................................... 211

6.4/Design Features ......... ...... .. .. .... ... ..... ...... ........... ... .. ... .. .... ... .. ... .. .... ......................... ......... ..... 212

6.5/Conclusion ......... ............................... .. ..... .... ............ ......... .. .... ..... ........... ... ..... ............ .......... 230

7/LIMITATIONS ... .... .............. ... .. ............ ...... .. ....... .. .... ..................... .. ................ ... ... ........... ......... ... 232

7.1/Technology, Time and Budget ..................................................................................... ....... 232

7 .2/Resources and the final design product .. ... .... ............................................. .......... .... ........ 232

7.3/Digital user touch table testing ......... ...... ... ... ... .. ... .. .. .. .... ...... .... .. ........ .. ..... ..... ...... ... .. ... ... ... 233

7 .4/Context of narrative ...... ........... .. .......... .. ............. ... ......... ... ... ........... .. ............ .. ........ ... ......... 233

7 .5/Culture ...... .... ... .............................. .. ............. .............................................. ........................... 233

7.6/Sample Environment and Context ...................... ................................................. ...... ......... 233

8/FUTURE RESEARCH ...... ............ .. .............. ... .......... .... .............. ............ ...... ............................. .. 235

9/CONCLUSION .... ..... ... .......... ...... .. .... ... ... ... ...... .... .... .. .... .... .. ......... ............... .. .. .. ......... ... .. ..... .... ... 237

9.1 /The need for data and knowledge in practice-based research frameworks .. ...... ....... .. .. 237

9.2/Cultural Probe and user centered design .... .... .... ..... ... ....... ...... ... ....... .. ... ... ...... .. ... ... ... ... ... 237

9.3/Mixed-fidelity prototype approach ..... .... .... ................ ...... .............. ....... ....... ... .. .. ... ........ .... 238

9.4/Adaptable evaluation and testing criteria ... .... .. .... .... .... .... .. .... ........ .. ..... ..... ........................ 238

9.5/0ver all outlook of the reconfigured framework ... .... .. .......... .... ... .. ... ...... ... .. ....... .... .. .. .... ... 239

9.6/Who benefits from the reconfigured framework? .... .......................................................... 239

9.7/Filling the gaps ........... .. ......... .. ... .......... .... ... ..... .... .... ...... .. ... .. ...... ........ ...... .... ....... .. ........ .. .... 240

1 0/BIBLIOGRAPHY .... .. .......... ...... ....... ... .... ... .. ............... ... .. ......... ....... .. .... ...... ... ......... .......... ..... .... 241

11/APPENDICES ............................................................. .. .......... .. .. ......... .... .. .... .............. ........ .... .. 246

List of Figures (Figure 3.1. Dangerous Creatures ' interactive at the Australian Museum in Sydney, Australia) 18

(Figure 3.2, Serendipity table at the Eureka Tower in Melbourne, Australia) ..... .. .... ..... .... .... ....... 19

(Figure 3.3 Integrating Energy' developed by Meso Labs for Messe Frankfurt in Germany) ..... 20

(Figure 3.4 Floating Numbers' at the Jewish Museum in Berlin, Germany, by Art+ Com) ........ 21

(Figure 4.1. Liz Sanders Framework of Design Research) .. .......................................................... 28

(Figure 4.2 lan Noble and Russell Bestley's Framework of Design Research) ........ ... ...... ...... ..... 30

(Figure 4.3. Jen Visocky O'Grady and Kevin Visocky O'Grady's Framework of Design

Research) ......................................... .. .... ... ...... ..... .... .. .... .... .............. .............. ........... .... ............. 31

(Figure 4.4. Jen Visocky O'Grady and Kevin Visocky O'Grady's Framework of Iterative Design

Research) ........ .. .. .............................. ..... ................... ... ....... ....................................................... 31

(Figure 4.5 Reconfigured Practice-Based Research Framework) ..... ................................. .. ........ 33

iv

(Figure 4.6 Reconfigured Practice-Based Research Framework Methods) ................................ 35

(Figure 4.7 Cultural Probe Returns (Pacenti 1999) ........................................................................ 40

(Figure 4.8. Cultural Probe Package Example 1, ('Cultural Probes') ............................................ 41

(Figure 4.9. Cultural Probe Package Example 2, (Choukeir 2009) ............................................... 41

(Figure 4.9. Activity Pack Norms Question) .................................................................................... 64

(Figure 4.1 0. Activity Pack Question 1 - Memory of the Moon) .................................................... 65

(Figure 4.11. Activity Pack Question 2 - Future Moon) .................................................... .......... ... . 66

(Figure 4.12. Activity Pack Question 3 - Feelings) ......................................................................... 67

(Figure 4.13. Activity Pack Question 4 - Symbols) ........................................................................ 68

(Figure 4.14. Activity Pack Question 5 - Representations) ............. ............. .. ................................ 69

(Figure 4.15. Activity Pack Question 6- Your Sky) ....................................................................... 70

(Figure 4.16. Activity Pack Question 7- Postcard) ........................... ............. .. .......... ........... ........ 71

(Figure 4.17. Activity Pack Question 8- Perspectives) ............. .. ........... ........... .. ........... .... ..... .... .. 72

(Figure 4.18. Activity Pack Question 9- Star Chart) .... .. ................. ...... ........................................ 73

(Figure 4.19. Activity Pack Question 10- Re-naming) ............. .. ................ ... ..... ..... ... ................... 7 4

(Figure 4.20. Activity Pack Question 11 - Footprints) ...... .... ... ... .. ........... ... ......... .... ......... ..... .. ...... 75

(Figure 4.21. Activity Pack Question 12- Moon Speak) .. ....... ......... .......... ..... ......... .............. ....... 76

(Figure 4.22. Activity Pack Question 13- Moon Phases) ........ ..... ......... .. ... .... ........ ....... .... .. .... ..... 77

(Figure 4.23. Activity Pack Question 14 - Dark Side of the Moon) .... ...... ...... .. ........ .... .. ..... .. ........ 78

(Figure 4.24. Activity Pack Question 15- Moons of the Solar System) ............... ............. .......... . 79

(Figure 4.25. Activity Pack Congratulations Card) .. .... ............ ......... ......................................... .. ... 80

(Figure 5.1.1, Activity Pack Question 4, Participant 18) ...................... .............. ........................ .. 118

(Figure 5.1.2, Activity Pack Question 4, Participant 54) .. ............................................................ 118

(Figure 5.1.3, Activity Pack Question 4, Participant 55) .................. ............................................ 119

(Figure 5.1.4, Activity Pack Question 4, Participant 60) .. ................... .......... ... ............................ 119

(Figure 6.1.1. Activity Pack Question 2- Future Moon) ............................................................. 156

(Figure 6.1.2. Activity Pack Question 6 -Your Sky) ..................... .... .. ................................... ...... 157

(Figure 6.1.3. Activity Pack Question 9- Star Charts) ................................................................. 158

(Figure 6.1.4. Activity Pack Question 13- Phases of the Moon) .... ... .. ........................................ 158

(Figure 6.1.5. Activity Pack Question 15- Moons of the Solar System) .................................... 159

(Figure 6.1.6. Activity Pack Question 7- Postcards) ................................................................... 159

(Figure 6 .1.7. Observational Example for Future Moon) ........................ ...... ...... ............. ...... ..... .. 161

(Figure 6.1.8. Observational Example for Your Sky) .. ..... ..................... ......................... ............... 161

(Figure 6.1.9. Observational Example for Apollo Mission) .. ...... .............................................. .... 161

(Figure 6.1.1 0. Birds Eye View of Division of Interface into Four Access Areas) ....... ... ............. 162

(Figure 6.1.11. Multi-User Access Points on the Interface- Birds-Eye View) ............................ 163

(Figure 6.2.1. Observational and Control Panel Moons Orbiting The Interface Development 1)

......................................................................................................... ..... ..... ............................... 165

(Figure 6.2.2. Museum Sample Paper Testing- Orbiting Moons) ................... .... ... .................... 165

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(Figure 6.2 .3. Museum Sample Paper Testing- Orbiting Moons) .. .................... .. ............ ....... ... 166

(Figure 6.2.4. Final Control Panel Moon Icon) ... ....... .......... ............ ...... ..... ... .......... .............. ........ 167

(Figure 6.2.5. Final Observation Moon Icon and Confirmation Animation) ........ .... ...... .... .. ........ 168

(Figure 6.2 .6. Control Panel Moon Activation Animation to Confirm Selection) ................ ... .... . 169

(Figure 6.2.7. Initial Interface Design Birds-Eye View) ..... .. ... ... ...................... ..... .......... .... ........... 170

(Figure 6.2.8. Information Text for Future Moon Activity) ...... ...................................................... 171

(Figure 6.2.9. Information Text for Your Sky Activity) ... ...... ..... ... ... ......... ........ ............................. 171

(Figure 6.2.1 0. Information Text for Apollo Mission Activity) ...................................................... 172

(Figure 6.2.11. Information Text for Control Panel Welcome) ..................................................... 173

(Figure 6.2.12. Information Text for Future Moon Activity) .... ........ .......... ...... .. ...... ... ................ .. . 173

(Figure 6.2.13. Information Text for Your Sky Activity) .................... ..... .... ...... .... .............. ........... 174

(Figure 6.2.14. Information Text for Apollo Mission Activity) ................................ .. ..... ... ............ 17 4

(Figure 6.2 .15. Information Text for Observation Moon Welcome) ........ .... ......... .. ... .. ...... ...... .... 175

(Figure 6.2.16. Information Text for Control Panel Welcome) .. ...... ....... ...... ..... ... .. .... ........... ... .. .. 176

(Figure 6.2.17. Information Text for Future Moon Activity) ..... .. ... ........... .... .. ......... .. ... ................ . 176

(Figure 6.2.18. Information Text for Your Sky Activity) ...... ............. ... ... ..... ..... ............................. 177

(Figure 6.2.19. Information Text for Apollo Mission Activity) .. .... ..... ... .. ........ ... .......... .. .. ..... ........ 177

(Figure 6.2.20. Information Text for Observation Moon Welcome) ..... .......... ..... ......... .... ..... ... ... 178

(Figure 6.2.21 . Physical Puck and the Interface Concept) ..... .... ..... ..... .. .. .......... ... ....... .... ......... .. 180

(Figure 6.2.22. Separate Digital Components within the Interface Concept) ...... ....... ..... .... ... ... 180

(Figure 6.2 .23. Contained Digital Components within the Interface Concept) ...... .... ........ ........ 181

(Figure 6.2.24. Tools Rotation) .... ......... ..... .. ...... .. ... ... ... .... .. .. ... ... ........ .. .... ... ..... ....... ........ ... ........... 181

(Figure 6.2.25. Paper Testing Museum Sample, Use of Elements 1) ..... .. .. .... ..... .. ..... ................ 182

(Figure 6.2.26. Paper Testing Museum Sample, Use of Elements 2) ........ ... ........... .. .. ....... ........ 183

(Figure 6.2 .27. Options Buttons Development 1) ... ......... .. ...... ...... ..... ..... ....... .. .... ...... .... .... .... ...... 184

(Figure 6.2.28. Options Buttons Development 2) ................. .... ...... ............ ... .. ..... ...... ... .......... .... . 185

(Figure 6.2.29. Options and Tools Buttons Separation, Development 3) ..... ............. .. .. ......... .. . 186

(Figure 6.2.30. Type Palette with Space Button at The End) .. ....... ........ ....... ... ............... .. .. ........ 187

(Figure 6.2.31. Close up of Space Button for Type Palette) ......... ......... ... .. ....... ..... .. .. ....... ..... .... 187

(Figure 6.2.32. Space Button Concept 2) ... ...... .......... ...... ................... ... ... ... .. ....... ............. ...... .... 187

(Figure 6.2.33. Type Palette with Erase Button at The End) .. ... ............. .. ... .. ... ... ... ..... ... ..... ..... ... 188

(Figure 6.2.34. Close up of Erase Button for Type Palette) ... .. ............ ............. ..... ... .... ... ... .. ... .. .. 188

(Figure 6.2.35. Erase Button Development 1) ... ... ... .... .. ... ..... ......... .. .. .. ......... ........ .... ......... .......... 189

(Figure 6.2.36. Erase Button Development 2) ........................ .. ............ .......... .. ....... ............ ......... 189

(Figure 6.2.37. Digital User Testing, University Sample, Drawing Erase Sequence 1) ..... ... .. .. . 190

(Figure 6.2.38. Digital User Testing, University Sample, Drawing Erase Sequence 2) .......... ... 190

(Figure 6.2.39. Digital User Testing , Museum Sample, Text Erase Sequence 1) ......... ... .......... 190

(Figure 6.2.40. Erase Button Final Concept) ..... ... .......... .... ... ... .............. .. ............ .... .......... .. .. .... .. 191

(Figure 6.2.41. Tools Button Development 1 Animation) ... ..... .......... ...... ............ .. ... ....... .... ......... 192

vi

(Figure 6.2.42. Tools Button Development 2 Animation) ............................................................. 192

(Figure 6.2.43. Tools Button Development 3) ............................................................................... 193

(Figure 6.2.44. Drawing Palette Development 1) .......................... .......... .... ...... ............. ... ........... 194

(Figure 6.2.45. Participants Representations of Craters from Activity Pack Testing) ............... 195

(Figure 6.2.46. Drawing Palette Development 2) ......................................................................... 196

(Figure 6.2.4 7. Drawing Palette Development 3) .......... ....... ........................................................ 197

(Figure 6.2.48. Type Palette Development 2) ............................................................................... 198

(Figure 6.2.49. Type Palette Development 3) ............................................................................... 199

(Figure 6.2.50. Type Palette Selection Effects) ... .............. .......... ....... ....... ................... .............. .. 200

(Figure 6.2.51. Type Palette Text Movement Feature) ............ ...... .. .............. .............. ................ 200

(Figure 6.2.53. Apollo Mission Symbol Development 1 ) .............................................................. 201

(Figure 6.2.54. Apollo Mission Activity Symbol Development 2) ................. ............. ....... .. ......... 201

(Figure 6.2.55. Apollo Mission Activity Vector Symbols References) .... ...... .. ...... ......... .............. 202

(Figure 6.2.55. Apollo Mission Image Examples) .................. ....... ..... ............... ............ ................ 203

(Figure 6.2.56. Apollo Mission Activity Symbol Development 3) ............. ................ ............. ...... 204

(Figure 6.2.57. Apollo Mission Activity Symbol Final Design) ... ............ .............. ........ ...... .......... 204

(Figure 6.2.58. Save Process Map) .... ....... .. .. .......... .. .. ......... ..... ..... ...... ... ... ...... ... . ., ... .. .. .. .... .. ... ..... 205

(Figure 6.2.59. Exit Button Development 3) ...... ..... ........... ....... .......... .. .... .... .... .. ... .. .. ........... .... ..... 206

(Figure 6.2.60. Exit, Save and Email Windows) .... ..... ....... ....... ... .............. ... ............... .............. .. .. 206

(Figure 6.2.61. Sound Allocation Map) .... .. ............. ......... ..... ........ .. .... .............. ............................ 207

(Figure 6.2.62. Panel Title Design Development 1) ............................ .............. .................... ........ 208

(Figure 6.2.63. Panel Title Design Development 2) ................................. ............... ... ... .. .............. 208

(Figure 6.2.64. Panel Title Design Development 3) ........ .. ............... .............. ............................... 209

(Figure 6.2.65. Control Panel Title Design Development 4) ............ .... ...... ..... .. ..... .... .................. 210

(Figure 6.2.66. Observational Panel Title Final Design) ..... ...................... .................................... 210

(Figure 6.4.1. Interface Orbiting Paths- Birds-Eye View) ... ...................................... ..... ...... .... .. . 213

(Figure 6.4.2. Basic Panel Circular Design Development 1 ) ....................... .......... .. ..................... 214

(Figure 6.4.3. Basic Panel Circular Design with Buttons Development 2) ............ ...... .... ... ........ 214

(Figure 6.4.4. Basic Panel Circular Design with Media Development 3) .. .................................. 214

(Figure 6.4.5. Initial Control Panel Concept Sketches) ...... ............... ..... .... .. .. .. ............................ 216

(Figure 6.4.6. Control Panel Concept 2) ....................................................................................... 217

(Figure 6.4.7. Control Panel Concept 3) ..... .. ............................. .. ................................................. 217

(Figure 6.4.8. Control Panel Division of Sections Development 1) ............................................. 218

(Figure 6.4.9. Control Panel Division of Sections Development 2) ... .............. ........ .... ... .......... ... 219

(Figure 6.4.1 0. Initial Observational Moon Icon Design Development 1) ................................... 220

(Figure 6.4.11. Observational Panel Basic Design Layout Development 1 ) ............................... 221

(Figure 6.4.12. Observational Panel Design Breakdown Development 2) ................................. 222

(Figure 6.4.13. Observational Panel Design Breakdown Development 2 Screen Shot) ........... 222

(Figure 6.4.14. Interface Colour Scheme) ................... ... ............... ......... ....................................... 223

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(Figure 6.4.15. Exit Button Development 3) .................. .......... ..... ................ ................................. 224

(Figure 6.4.16. Reset Button Development 3) .............................................................................. 224

(Figure 6.4.17. Save Buttons Colours) .... ........................ .............................................................. 224

(Figure 6.4.18. Background Image Exploration Development 1) ................................................ 225

(Figure 5.4.19. Background Image Exploration Development 2) ................................................ 226

(Figure 6.4.20. Final Interface Background Image, Solid) ........................................................... 227

(Figure 6.4.21. Final Interface Background Image, Circular) .................................... ......... ...... .... 227

(Figure 6.4.22. Image Quality Comparison) ... ............................................................................... 228

(Figure. 6.4.23. Vector Image Research Examples) ..................................................................... 229

(Figure 6.4.24. Vector Scientific Line Work) ............................................................................ ..... 230

LIST OF TABLES (Graph 5.1.1) .................... ..... .... ..... ............ .... ....... ..... .... .. .. ... ............. ........ ............. ....................... . 101

(Graph 5.1.2) ................ ................................ ....... .. .......................................................................... 102

(Graph 5.1.3) ... .... ...... .. ... ..... .... .. ....... .................................................... .... ......... ... ... ...... ...... .. .......... 102

(Graph 5.1 .4) ... ...... .. ......... .. .. .. ................. ....... ....................................................... .... ............. ......... 103

(Graph 5.1.5) ................................................................. ........................... ... .................................... 103

(Graph 5.1 .6) ... ... .. ... .. ... .................. .. ............ .. ............ ........ .. ........... ..... ........................................... 104

(Graph 5.1.7) .................................... ... ......... .. ....... ....... .... ...... ... ..................................... .................. 105

(Graph 5.1 .8) ..... .... ........ ... .. ... ......... ....... ......................................... .. ............................................... 106

(Graph 5.1.9) .............................. ............ .............................................................. ... ........................ 107

(Graph 5.1 .1 0) ........... ... ... ......... .. .................. .... ........................ .... ................... .... .............. ....... ... .... 1 08

(Graph 5.1.11) ... ... .................................................. ........................... ........ ...... ... ...... .... .. ................. 109

(Graph 5.1.12) ...... ...... .. ............................ ... .... ... .. ....... .... .................... ....... ......... ..... ......... ...... ........ 110

(Graph 5.1.13) .... ... ..... ... ... ........... ..... ......... ......... ......................... .. ................................ ............ ..... . 111

(Graph 5.1.14) ........... ............. ... ...................... .. ..................... ..................... ................ .. ............... ... 112

(Graph 5.1 .1 5) ............................................... .. .................... ... .. .. .... .............. .............. ... ............. ..... 113

(Graph 5.1.16) .......................... ....... ....... ... ..... ................... .. ..................... ............................ ...... ..... 114

(Graph 5.1.17) ...... ... ...... ..... ......... .... ... .......... .. ..... ................ ............ .. .................. ...... ............. .... ..... 114

(Graph 5.1.18) ......... ....... ....................... .. ... ........ .................. ..... .. ........... .... .. ..... ..... .... .... ............ ..... 115

(Graph 5.1 .19) .......................... ......... .. ............ ........ ...... ............ .. .................................................... 116

(Graph 5.1.20) ....... .... ............... ... .. ....... ........... .......... .. ...... ... .. ...... ..... .... ............. .......... .. ................. 117

(Graph 5.1 .21 ) .... ........... ............ .......................................................... .. ... ... .... .. .... .................. ... ..... 120

(Graph 5.1.22) .. ..... .. ..... ... ..... ... ... ........ .. .. ..................... .. .. .... .............. ...... ... ... .... .... ... ...... .......... .... ... 121

(Graph 5.1.23) ....... ..... ............ ..... ........... ................ .. ....... .... ............................................................ 122

(Graph 5.1.24) ..... .. ... ..... ... ... ....... ...... ........ ................... ...... .............................................................. 122

(Graph 5.1 .25) .. .... ....... ......... ... ....................... .. ......... .. .... ... .. ... ... ........... ... ................ .. ..................... 123

(Graph 5.1 .26) ..................... .. ... ........................ .. ... .......... .. .. ........ ... ... .. ............... ... ............ ...... .. ... ... 124

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(Graph 5.1 .27) ................................................................................................................................. 125

(Graph 5.1.28) ................................................................................................................................. 126

(Graph 5.1.29) ............ ... ................................. .. ................ ........... .. ........................................... ....... 127

(Graph 5.1.30) ................................................................................................................................. 127

(Graph 5.1 .31) ..................................................................... ...... .. ............ ... ..... ....... ... ...... .... ... ......... 128

(Graph 5.1 .32) ................................................................................................................................. 129

(Graph 5.1.33) ......... .................................................. ............. .. ....................................................... 129

(Graph 5.1.34) ................................................................................................................................. 130

(Graph 5.1.35) ................................................................................................................................. 131

(Graph 5.1.36) .............................. .. ............ ..................................................................................... 132

(Graph 5.1.37) ............ .. ....... .... ......... .. .. .................................... ......... ................................... ........... 133

(Graph 5.1 .38) ................................................................................................................................. 134

(Graph 5.1.39) ................................... ................................................... .. ..... .... .... .... ....... ........ ... ...... 135

(Graph 5.1.40) ..... ....... .................................... .. ...... ..................................................................... .... 136

(Graph 5.1.41) ................ .. ... .. ....... .. ......... ........................ .. .............................................................. 136

(Graph 5.1.42) ..... .. ............. .......... ..... ............ .. ......... .............. .............. ...... ........ .... .......... ............... 137

(Graph 5.2.1) .. ........... ... ............ .. ............ .. .. ......... .............. .. .... .... .... ..... .. .. .. ...... .. ........... .... .............. 138

(Graph 5.2 .2) ......... ................. ... ..... .... ....... .. .. ......... ........ ...... ........ ...... ... ... ..... ... ... .. ... ......... .. ............ 139

(Graph 5.2 .3) .... ....... .............. ... .......... ..... ... .. .... .... ............ ..... ....... .......... .. .. ......... ..... ....... ........... ... .. 139

(Graph 5.2.4) .......... .. ..................... ......... .. .... .. ...... ..... .... .. ... ..... .... ........ .. .. .. .. .................................... 140

(Graph 5.2 .5) .... .......... ............. ... ... ........... ........... .. ............. .................. ... ... ........ .............. ... ........... . 141

(Graph 5.2.6) ....... ....... ..... .. .... ............ .. ... ... .................................. .................. ................... ..... .... .. ... . 141

(Graph 5.2.7) ................... .. ............ ....... ....... ..... ... .... .. ............ .. ..... .. .......... ............. .... ........ ............. . 142

(Graph 5.2 .8) ......... .. ....................... ........ .......... .... .. ............. ............. ... ... ........ ...... .... ....................... 143

(Graph 5.2.9) ................................................. ........ .................... .............. .... .......... ... ... ..... ... .. .......... 143

(Graph 5.3.1) ............................... .. .... ....... ..... .......... .. .. .. .... ............ ..... ............. ..... ..... ..... ...... .... ... .. .. 144

(Graph 5.3.2) ........ .. ......... ...... .......... ... ........... ... .............. ... .. ....... .... ...... ... ........ ....... .......... .... .... ....... 145

(Graph 5.3.3) .. .... .. ....... .... .... .... .. .. ........ ...... .. ........... ....... ... ............................................................... 146

(Graph 5.3 .4) .................................................. ... ................ ............. ... ... .... .......... .... .. ......... ............... 14 7

(Graph 5.3.5) ..... .......... .... .............. .. ...... .............. ... ......... ..... ...... ... ... .. ..... .............. ....... ... ... ............. 14 7

(Graph 5.3.6) ............................. .. ... ..... .. .............. .... .................. .... .. ............... ........ .... ............ .. ....... 148

(Graph 5.3.7) .. .. .... ... ................. ... .................................. ... ... .... .................. .. .... ................................ 149

(Graph 5.3.8) .................................................................... .................... .. ..... ....... ... ... .... .. .......... ..... .. 150

(Graph 5.3.9) ......... ... ............... ........ ... ..... ... ............. ... ..... ... ...... ..... .................................................. 151

(Graph 5.3.10) ... ...... ................................. ....................................................................................... 151

(Graph 5.3.11) ................................................................................................................................. 152

(Graph 5.3.12) ... .......... .................... .. ........... ...... .. ..... ... .................. .. .......... ........... .......................... 153

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1/ABSTRACT Design and research methods specifically for the development of interactive touch screen

interfaces in a museum contexts was limited to and relied on summative evaluation to

determine the effectiveness of the design. Further more, curators were relied upon to

determine content and structure narratives within the exhibitions. This resulted in a subjective

narrative and a design that doesn't necessarily engage or appeal to the audience.

The objective of the research was to develop an interactive table touch screen interface about

the Moon for children between the ages of 6-13 years within the Powerhouse Museum in

Sydney. The interface was developed using a practice-based design and research approach to

discover the necessary methods for effective design. Therefore the interactive touch screen

interface was developed from a user-centered/participatory iterative design approach, which

included a diverse range of methods.

The methods of research required for the design development were structured within a

reconfigured framework in which multiple methods of research and design were practiced to

inform and justify design decisions. The methods of research operated within an iterative cyclic

process in which a mixed-fidelity prototype was util ised. The reconfigured framework not only

provided a structure in which the design was justified by data, it also allowed for basic design

practices to be incorporated into the structure, these included critical reflection and

intervention to interpret and inform the design .

The reconfigured framework allowed qualitative and quantitative methods to feed into design

decisions. As a result of the hybrid approach a series of statistical data analysis, observation

and interpretation were necessary to decipher testing results and raw data from cultural probe,

low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototype testing and evaluations.

As well as these methods observation, unstructured interviews and cultural probe testing were

carried out informed by literature and formative research methods. These methods were

broken down into phases and roles in which the structure and relationship between each

practice is visually represented and directed. The framework was visualised to allow future

designers to utilise this structure.

The study revealed that the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods and user-

centered design was essential and unavoidable for the design and development of the

interactive touch interface. This was represented by the successful design and development of

a high-fidelity prototype that proved to engage, inform and allowed an exploratory experience

for the target audience. This development was a direct result of the reconfigured framework

X

and the focus on user participation as a key component in which data, reflection and

interventions were utilised to inform the design.

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