To go a step further, we compared the results and the attributes of three prototypes to figure out the mapping between design attributes and the effects. What design attributes we used could be one of design techniques that designers refer to in co-experience design.
Based on the results of design techniques and the effects, we discussed the meaning of different design attributes so that designers could refer them to do the co-experience design.
According to the field testing interview and the attributes of three prototypes, there are some valuable and significant findings in terms of the medium applied to the design or the means for sharing experiences.
1. medias of sharing
In the first place, both static and dynamic information are important and indispensable.
Written words or photos belong to static information while videos or voice recording being categorized as dynamic ones. Photo is the media that users feel interesting and recreational because when can see other photos through the other perspective and they can enhance the effects of experience sharing through it. Color or numbers could play the role of information representation. People would easily to understand the meaning of it and react in very short time. For users, they think videos are more eye-catching and interesting;
words are more meaningful. (see table 5-1) Both of static and dynamic information keep different levels of experiences, so that designers should consider its effects and meaning.
To explain their different roles, one of the informant’s statements is quoted here:
“Videos are used to record the most glittering sections, they was much more novel and eye-catching. They would be more interesting to share with friends; on the other hand, words are used to write down my extended ideas, comments or what touched me the
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most. For me, they may be much more meaningful. If I want to share my experience of show-watching, I would share the photos and the words on my blog, and the videos would be an extra point that attracts blog-viewers…
Table. 5-1 The effects of different medias of sharing
Media of sharing Effects
photos Record the interesting and memorial second Color or numbers Represent and show the meaning of information
words Record more deeply impression
videos Record dynamic live atmosphere
2. physical artifacts
In the second place, from the effects of with or without physical artifacts, we found that physical products would be helpful to the expression of emotions or the surrounding atmosphere. (see table 5-2) One good example of physical products is the bell provided in The East Gate which makes sounds or radiates to cheer the performers. “It’s like the
“refueling stick” we used when watching a live baseball game. It worked the crowd into a frenzy.” Meanwhile, any physical artifact such as a stub of the ticket also has the function of preserving memories, when it became a souvenir. On the contrary, yet without physical artifacts, it also became a block to give feedback and preserve memory.
Table. 5-2 The effects of physical artifacts
Physical artifacts Effects
Without (prototype A) Not so easy to give feedback With (prototype B) Highly emotion expression With (prototype C) Memory preserving
3. Remainder after sharing
Something visible remained after sharing experience may prolong the sharing process and therefore allows co-experience to come into existence more easily. (see Table. 5-3) For example, photos shared on the blog can be downloaded by others for several times. They could see their efforts being appreciated by others and a sense of accomplishment would be generated to encourage them to share more. Moreover, if there was something preservable continuously, it could be a self-reminder which recalls the memory easily. For example, one of the informants mentioned:
“I would treasure the post car I got from my friend, because it was very special and meaningful. It maybe preserve my friends’ memory and it also maybe our common memories…”
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Table. 5-3 The effects of different length of remaining
Length of remaining Effects
Remain for a while Influencing more users to generate interests Visible for long time Generate more intersection of experiences Preservable continuously Could be a self-recall easily
4. time and location
Time and location are two important aspects in experience sharing. There are four different combinations of the time and location. (see Table. 5-4) The intensity of experience sharing in the same place and at the same time was most strong. Some informants said that the feeling of co-experience in prototype B was most obvious. And some informants said that they like to share their emotions at once since the emotions decreased after they went home.
However, it doesn’t mean that other combinations would generate bad effects. Take prototype A for example, the photo-sharing action took place in the same place, but at different time. Sharing photos can be done whenever they want. And it still has different meaning for users. If it was in different time and place, users would be freely to share, and it could generate more deep experience sharing.
Table. 5-4 The effects of time and location
Time / location Effects
Same time / same location Highly emotion expression, shallow experience sharing Same time / different location Highly emotion expression, Immediately
Different time/ same location interesting Accumulated experience Different time/ different location Freely to share, deeper experience sharing
5. reality and virtual space
In Table 5-5, there are three kinds of situation, one is in real space, another is in virtual space, and the other one is both in real and virtual space. (see Table. 5-5) They also play different roles in the process. The real platform could be a space for immediate display and express emotion easily. However, the virtual space could show more related further information about the show and deeply impression. In real and virtual space, they carry different levels of experience sharing. In the meantime, it also provides mo limitation by time and location. Users could share their experience freely in any time and any place.
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Table. 5-5 The effects of virtual or real space
Space Effects
Real space Highly emotion expression
Virtual space More related information and deeply impression
Real + virtual space Different levels of experience sharing, no limitation on time and location
6. Ease of giving feedbacks
The ease of giving feedback is proportional to the intensity of emotions expressed. (see Table. 5-6) The easy and instant way to give feedbacks generates high and immediate emotion expression. For example, one of the informants mentioned that they want to give feedback at once, or they would forget after going home. If they can just draw something or simply press a button to express their feeling or opinions, the willing of giving feedbacks would be increased. We found that the easier the interaction, the more users’
desires to give feedbacks. With ideal interactions, people express emotions more often and stronger. However, if it was not so easy to give feedback, it may also gather deeper experience sharing. Because they need to think deeper then give feedbacks, such as through websites.
Table. 5-6 The effects of ease of giving feedbacks
Ease of giving feedbacks Effects
Easy and instant Highly emotion expression, immediately easy High emotion expression, more interaction Not so easy Less interaction, more deeper sharing