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The Design Observatory
Overview
The Design Observatory was completed with SRIF3 funding in early 2008 and is a facility that allows filming of activities carried out in a flexible space.
Four overhead cameras, noise cancelling microphones, and a floor to ceiling projector can be combined in a large number of ways to record a wide variety of design research activities. In addition the Observatory is partly powered by solar panels installed on the roof of the building, and which act as a datum for research into renewable energy systems.
Research in the Design Observatory
The flexible space of the Design Observatory means that it can be configured in a number of ways to record a wide range of activities. Meetings can be recorded, as can presentations. Studies of people designing and sketching are easily recorded with pan and tilt cameras that capture exceptional detail. Usability studies of products and interfaces are easy to set up and record while laptops, other computers, or flat screens can be plugged into wall sockets and the content they display captured.
The Observation space can be easily |
Furthermore, the quick recording capability of the lab allows activity to be captured and played back through the projecter and audio system for the original participants in the activity to discuss. Because the audio streams of the projected material and the talk of room participants can be isolated, this means that the analysis of discussion about previously filmed and viewed activity can easily be achieved.
The design observatory has also been configured to facilitate the monitoring and evaluation of renewable energy systems. A number of solar roof panels (maximum output 3.8KW) provide a datum against which other renewable energy systems can be analysed. A multi-channel data logger can be used to record environmental variables, which can in turn be displayed through the observatory's projector.
Using the Design Observatory
The control room has state of the art
recording |
The Design Observatory allows quick setup of filming with an intgrated range of high quality equipment all controlled through an easy to use touch panel system. People using the lab are able to set up and start filming within minutes.
Recordings are made to DVD, to Hard Drive, or to a Network Server in a variety of combinations. Any media shown through the projector system can be integrated with the room cameras as part of a four-screen DVD display. The audio streams from the observation space and the projected media can also be separated and played back through right and left stereo chanels.
This space is available to book on a half-daily basis. If you are interested in using this space for research activity please contact Rachel Sargent in the first instance.
Page Last Updated: 5 December, 2008