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Concept Exploration (sketch model) Reviews
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Brian Hack
Losing Nemo
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Overall rating from peers, based upon 4 reviews:
1-marginal     2-ok    3-good     4-very good    5-outstanding

Reviewer 1: I am very impressed with your attempt at a ...
Reviewer 2: I really like your idea and concept model. ...
Reviewer 3: Both the 'works like' and 'looks like' ...
Reviewer 4: I like the exploration of the idea and ...

 

Reviewer 1:

I am very impressed with your attempt at a "looks like" and "works like" model combination. However, because you did both, I think that you fell short of an "outstanding" rating. The looks like is nice, and a great effort, but I'm not completely convinced that I could actually see this in a 5-Wits exhibit. Even if the colors were a little truer and the gold was real brass, it still is a little boxy and out of place. I understand what you were getting at, but I was not "wowed" by the aesthetic quality of the "looks like" part of the model. I think that you didn't really accomplish anything by tackling the looks like, since it must go through a huge revamp of looks anyway. In my opinion, you should have not done the "looks-like" part at all, and concentrated on the "works-like" part a lot more, since this is the most exciting and critical part of your project (as well as the part of the project in which you have the most expertise). As far as the "works-like" goes, it also fell short of an "outstanding" rating. I completely understand the concept, even though I have no background in circuits, and that part was really great. However, I was not convinced that the coupling between the LEDs and the motor can (and will) actually work. I also don't know how you are going to keep the lights lit even after you stop turning. Although I am sure that you have thought extensively about both these issues, and probably have a million solutions to these problems, none of them were presented in your model. I feel like the time spent making the model look "alright" in the visual sense, could have moved the "works-like" component from "alright" to "awesome". I feel sort of cheated because instead of a "looks like" or "works like" model of the concept, I got a "sort of looks like" and "kinda works like" model.

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Reviewer 2:

I really like your idea and concept model. I think that the look is great on the light fixture. The activation button maybe should be a little bigger and more exciting. Maybe it can flash when ready! Did you do a background search on this type of thing? It seems to me that there may be other concepts implemented in arcade games that are simpler than a back driven motor. I like the idea of speed and strength being used to light the LEDs. Maybe there are stations increasing in strength, and people can choose their challenge. If it is too hard, they can ask a partner to help spin teamwork!!! Then a time limiter can allow for faster charging if taking too long. Or, maybe it is like the Teapots in Disneyworld where it is hard and slow at first, and then it gets faster and easier. You can increase the strength needed to start the wheel spinning. Did you look at the ergonomics of the spinning wheel? Also, height of the machines versus height of the people might be a little tricky. It may greatly influence how hard and fast you can require one to spin the wheel. You can also make adjustable height machines, or put an optional footstool (one that slides into the "box." Both options not ideal for the realistic effect, but they may be necessary. I don t know how people will react to killing monsters. Maybe the shocks will scare it away.

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Reviewer 3:

Both the 'works like' and 'looks like' aspects of this model are well done. You obviously spend quite some time getting all the components to make this functional. The challenge seems like it would be entertaining for a large group of people of different ages if they feel that they are under pressure. Why did another member of your team not work on how discharging the capacitor and firing at the creature would feel/look like? I think this would be an interesting concept to move forward with if it incorporated more of the human experience. Ideas for improvement are also a good sign that this model is being tested and analyzed. The presentation of the website could have been more appealing. Including more photos, or images of people using this, or even a video would have been helpful. But that's just details.

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Reviewer 4:

I like the exploration of the idea and alternate implementations, but a setup more similar to the way you want it implemented probably would have been more helpful as a proof of concept. The visual look also seems more "pirates" than steampunk. Google images search is a good place to find inspirational images.

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