Thesis - Teknisk Design

Oskar Karlsson, Petter PolsonMaster Thesis 2011 at Chalmers University of TechnologyDiscussionwas a good decision. All the aspects of the concepts wereinstead explained vividly and it is not necessarily needto personally be subjected to an experience to be able toassess its potential.Since the scope of this project did not include any deeperstudies in the usability of the products no empiricalusability studies have been performed. Some nonempirical usability studies such as Hierarchical taskanalysis, Cognitive walkthrough and/or Predictive HumanError Analysis is advised to consider for the continuationof the project to ensure a sufficient level of usability.6.2 Result discussionThe final results are divided into three parts and each partis discussed separately below.6.2.1 Temporary exhibition platformThe modular concept provides flexibility to the exhibitionconcept, which is a very important feature to a temporaryexhibition platform. The use of digital information fromprojectors and screens enables the content to changewithout adding new equipment to the exhibition and themobility of the modules makes it possible to adapt thefurnishing and interior to different topics. The case andsolution display module is also flexible and can be used forany type of products and topic. Both the case and producttemplates and the product display table are designedto have a standardised method for presenting Siemenssolutions regardless of topic. The multi touch table withobject recognition used for the SimGrid challenge in thesmart grid exhibition concept is probably the least flexiblepart of the temporary exhibition platform. However,this table can be used in many different ways besidesthe proposed game concept. The object recognitiontechnology enables human-product interaction in aninnovative way and can be adapted to either explain thetheory of a topic or to showcase products by using bothphysical models and digital information.One possible problem that may occur when usingprojectors is that the lighting conditions are too brightfor the projections to be clearly visible. The solution tothis problem would be to shade out the sunlight andto use a low level of indoor lighting in the room. Thescreen modules are adapted to fit the ceiling height inthe suggested office space of the Urban SustainabilityCentre and will thus form walls and sub-spaces andshield the sunlight if placed in front of windows. Anotherpossibility is to use blinds in the windows to control theamount of sunlight and thus create the desired lightingconditions. Another issue that needs to be solved is tofind an optimal placement of the projectors to createthe desired atmosphere, with pictures surrounding thevisitors, without anyone blocking the projections. If thisturns out to be a problem when letting projectors on onemodule projecting on an opposite one, a solution can beto project from below. A projector can be placed in thebase module and project onto the screen above withoutanyone or anything in the way.The choice of location in the centre was made afterconferring with Siemens and the architect firm. Therewere other suggestions of possible placements for thetemporary exhibition, e.g. the Street in between theCorporate and Exhibition crystals or one of the meetingrooms. The chosen office space and breakout space hasmany advantages, e.g. the reception and cafeteria isalready planned for and the location is well separatedfrom the permanent exhibition. However, the temporaryexhibition concept can be used in other locations as wellbut the layout would then have to be redesigned.6.2.2 Temporary exhibition on smart gridThe smart grid exhibition concept presented in thisproject is one possible solution out of many. The finalconcept design depends on both the messages that shouldbe presented, and on the different ways to communicatethis information. The content of the smart grid exhibitionconcept is meant to give the visitors the right backgroundinformation and sufficient knowledge about the topicto be able to discuss it with the other visitors and withSiemens personnel. The topic of smart grid is presentedin a broad way to reach all different visitor groups and theobjective is to have the visitor to start thinking about newpossibilities with smart grid development rather thanlearning about technical details. By creating a meetingplatform in the exhibition, the visitors can learn fromeach other and gain a deeper understanding of the topicin other ways than by just reading information.The areas of the Exhibition Content Description (See )that needs to be developed further are ones regardingSiemens cases and solutions, and the steps that differentactors need to take in the smart grid development. Theprojects that Siemens participate in and the products theydeliver will change over time and this part of the contentwill have to be updated throughout the exhibition period.67