10/12/2023

HYPOTHESIS

An educated guess on what you think the results of the study will be. 

If we can create a wearable device that is able to recognize sign languages and analyze the emotions of the user based on an AI model, then it may help them to effectively communicate with people who do not understand sign languages. In the case of the Sensorium AI, with a pre-set movement, content, and voice output, it may allow Thomas to express the context with the sign language as triggers and translate it into voices while he is performing on the stage.

RESEARCH GOALS

1. Help individuals with speech impairments communicate with others and express their emotions more effectively. 

2. Specifically focus on performers in opera with speech impairments to help them express emotions effectively and timely on stage.

METHODOLOGY

Number of participants: 5
Location: NYC
Age range: not limited
Gender: not limited
Disability Identity: speech impairments
Experience: prefer people with performance experience

PROCEDURE

Data collection: Bodystorming, feasibility testing  Find more methods here
Length: approximately 30 mins
Location: Unknown

TESTING SCRIPT

INFORMED CONSENT

Hi, my name is <XX>. Today We would like to invite you to participate in a research study designed to explore the potential benefits of wearable devices in aiding non-verbal performers in conveying content and emotions on stage. Before you decide whether or not to participate, it is important for you to understand the purpose of the study, your role, and your rights as a participant

Please let me know if you’d like a break, have any access requirements, or need any accommodations. There are no right or wrong answers and we can stop at any point. Do I have your permission to video and audio record? Quotes will be anonymized and all data will only be shared internally with my team, stored on a secure, password-protected cloud server, and will be deleted after the study is completed.

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

1. What’s your first impression of this wearable device?

2. Do you feel any barriers from this device?

3. Will anything from this device affect the costumes and stage design?

4. What is the safest way to have this device attached to you by considering your interactions with other performers on the stage?

Card Sorting

USER TASK FEEDBACK

Mary:

It will be Cool to wear on stage.

There might be some kind of conflict between recognizing movements and the freedom of performers on the stage.

To ensure the wearable device, I might need to move in a very specific way.

Maybe the speed of movement should be considered.

Cindy:

This looks very futuristic.

There might be some unintended activation.

Nicole:

The appearance of this device kinda aligns with the story background.

The device may make the performer concerned that their movements will damage the device so that they cannot perform as well as they used to.

I am concerned about the learning curve of this device. 

Are there any tips I need to learn or remember by wearing this device?

Josh:

Will sweating and makeup influence the circuit?

Potential risk to the body’s security since it’s an electronic device.

Fanny:

It’s the solo device for each individual? The construction of relationships is inevitable on the stage/in the opera, multi-player might be the concept that you can dive in.

Edward：

I like the design because it expands the expression of dancing and movement on the stage. As a dancer who performs at large theaters, we are concerned about how to affect audiences far away from the stage. I think the design would help us express and visualize our emotions more dramatically. I am looking forward to your next step! The one suggestion I would like to make is that be sure to pay attention to the comfort as well as the beauty of design. It’s quite hard to imagine wearing a winter glove all the time while dancing. Find some breathable material and try it on yourself for several hours before you decide to use the material.