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As my exhibition was scheduled toward the culmination of the academic year, I used G.UTs as an opportunity to conduct a comprehensive rehearsal for the demonstration of my audiovisual experience, which had been in development throughout the semester. Driven by its public dissemination nature, the exhibition allowed me to assess the real-world impact of the nearly finalised assets when exposed to an actual audience. It also presented an invaluable chance to rigorously evaluate the remaining variables detailed in my PDS table, ascertaining whether the practical performance aligns with the predefined values established in prior assessment tasks. In particular, my objectives were to gauge the level of contemplation and reflection evoked among the participants, to discern the extent of the sense of belonging and cultural depth manifested in the design, and to measure the participants' perceived well-being post-experience. Additionally, the exhibition served the purpose of soliciting additional feedback, advice, and recommendations from both my peers and supervisors, ensuring that the inherent final design would be as refined and impactful as possible.
The physical space arrangement was designed to maximise comfort and serenity. Bean bags and a picnic mat were included to put participants at ease during the experience. Additionally, the olfactory aspect, which had been a part of my proposed solution, was reinstated. In the pursuit of a tranquil and non-intrusive scent, I came across an interior fragrance oil named Green, a product sourced from MUJI. Comprising blends of refreshing scents like lavender and clary sage, this gentle fragrance provided a comforting olfactory backdrop to the experiential space. Notably, this information was intentionally withheld from the participants, yet it resonated positively with their senses, eliciting favourable feedback.
My relative lack of real-life setup experience led to an oversight in the preparation of the technical projection aspect, culminating in an unforeseen predicament. The majority of my time had been dedicated to crafting and refining the assets, leaving minimal time for the exhibition's logistical setup. The pressing reality of this
situation became evident one day prior to the exhibition when I discovered that the three projectors at my disposal, whether owned or assigned, were inadequate to realise the envisioned outcome. In the eleventh hour, I managed to secure an additional projector and set it up according to my requirements. Admittedly, the setup remained suboptimal. Despite my efforts to elevate the projector to an optimal height, it was perched upon a makeshift structure using a ladder, extending beyond my designated space.
Nevertheless, the experience was executed with a relatively smooth flow, experiencing only minor hiccups. This accomplishment allowed me to fulfil the core objective of the task—to conduct a public rehearsal for the impending final stage. Moreover, it successfully facilitated a collection of valuable audience feedback and insights that would assist in evaluating the feasibility of the PDS metrics, as well as contributing to the ongoing refinement of the final design to possess the highest quality and effectiveness.
The feedback garnered for the experience was predominantly positive. Initially faced with the challenge of assessing the subjective metrics outlined in the PDS, I was introduced to the use of the Likert scale, which provided a structured method for collecting external opinions on the design. The resulting data revealed that the experience successfully elicited a high degree of contemplation and reflection among participants, while also positively impacting their overall well-being. The consensus indicated a prevailing sense of belonging, while the evaluation remained neutral regarding the cultural component of the experience. It is important to acknowledge that the participant demographic included a higher proportion of domestic students relative to international students, which may have contributed to a potential disparity in the resonance with the message.
Within the dataset, an intriguing anomaly emerged as a singular outlier, notably deviating from the overarching trends encapsulated by the metrics. This outlier's response suggested a diminished emphasis on their home and familial connections, juxtaposed with a heightened sense of belonging in the foreign country. It served as a reminder of the diversity intrinsic to any given set of audiences, emphasising the intricate and multifaceted nature of human experiences. In light of this understanding, I learned that instead of striving to please everyone, a more prudent approach might be to create an experience that fosters inclusivity and engagement for a broad range of participants while embracing the inevitability of diverse human reactions, perspectives and values.