In terms of successes, the majority of our project was a success regarding its functionality, visual appeal, and the positive feedback from the people who experienced it. Our production choices were guided by what we believed would attract and engage our audience, such as interactive buttons, dials, sounds, and photo props. These elements provided a playful and intuitive user experience while staying true to the familiar concept of a photobooth.

To enhance the overall experience and ensure user comfort, we designed an actual walk-in booth where users could sit down and feel relaxed. Adding a curtain not only created a sense of privacy but also helped control the lighting for the green screen, which was crucial for the accuracy and quality of the filters and effects.

For the technical components, we used:

• Potentiometers: To allow users to interact with and control the filters, making the experience more hands-on and engaging.

• Button inputs: To let users easily start their experience, and capture their images.

• Ultrasonic sensor: This sensor activated the booth’s control panel lighting and triggered the Neopixel LEDs when users approached, creating a dynamic and inviting visual cue.

We selected these components because they were approachable and intuitive, ensuring users would feel confident interacting with them without extensive instruction. For example, the potentiometer was enhanced with a custom 3D-printed knob to make its function (spinning the dial) more obvious. The buttons were also clearly labeled to guide users effectively through the process.

While we were satisfied with most of our component choices, the potentiometer proved to be a recurring challenge. Despite soldering five different potentiometers, we encountered consistent failures, including unreliable connections and mechanical issues. Ultimately, we abandoned the soldering approach and opted to use a baby breadboard as a workaround, which resolved the issue and allowed the potentiometer to function properly during the final presentation. In hindsight, while we don’t regret using the potentiometer due to its interactive appeal, we wish we had explored sturdier alternatives or dedicated more time to troubleshooting its soldering issues.

Overall, the production choices we made successfully aligned with our project goals of creating an engaging, approachable, and playful photobooth experience. The project’s functionality and user feedback validated these decisions, and the iterative problem-solving process contributed to its overall success.