Week 11 - Set-Based Design and the Pugh Matrix

Today's contact was about Set-Based Design. There was an interesting Pugh Matrix that applies to web pages and web sites using criteria on a 7 point scale.

For Set-Based Design there are several principles to follow:

1. Map the design space (define feasible regions and possibilities, and explore trade offs)

2. Integrate by Intersection (look for intersections, conceptual robustness)

3. Establish feasibility before Commitment (gradual convergence, stay within agreed sets)

As compared to point-based design, which is defined up front, and designed before developed, and can require repeating of iterations.

This contact taught us a different way of thinking design which hadn't been talked about in previous contacts.

Exercise:

The exercise is about the Theremin, a remarkable electronic musical instrument that can detect movement of the users hands/arms in 3D space and reproduce sounds based on that positioning. The user does not need to actually touch the instrument itself.

The Pugh matrix is useful for comparing different input methods in playing a Theremin duet/orchestra. The input methods I have chosen are:

Xbox Kinect: it can capture movement in 3D space, such as hand movement, which is very suitable for the function of the Theremin.

Joystick: A joystick maybe able to control in different directions through different controls, in order to allow the Theremin to be controlled.

GPS: The GPS positional data can be transferred to a computer in order to control the Theremin in 3 dimensions.

Several lasers in a grid can pinpoint positioning of objects that are in the lasers' firing lines.

Criteria for each of the input methods are:

Accuracy - Playing the correct note on the Theremin

Responsiveness - the time it take for the signal from the input method to reach the Theremin

Affordability - the cost to set up the input method. Higher score mean less cost

Ease of use - Whether a user is able to pick up and use the input method immediately or, requires learning beforehand

Portability - the size of the input method

Ease of implementation - the ease of setting up the input method

The Xbox method seems to be an effective method to control the Theremin that models the movement in 3D space, but the Joystick also seems to be an effective method.