Exhibit Design Update (in-class discussion)

The three of us spent most of class today talking about what our display will look like. The current thematic idea is to have a canopy of opaque/translucent/open panels to act as an attention grabber for the public around the site. This move from our original idea of having a wall lining the edge of the creek sidewalk will offer the visitors a more memorable experience.

What the canopy/display might also have:

• LEDs scattered throughout the canopy panels (color/intensity can be adjusted)
• A miniature model of downtown San Luis Obispo indicating other renewable energy displays and their locations
• Technology-based method of providing additional information to users (i.e. through smart phones)
• Process: [crank]--[water wheel]--[water pump]--[LEDs]

Some questions that came up:

• How can the canopy be seamlessly integrated with the hydropower display?
• What can be done so visitors will feel at ease walking through the site (instead of feeling like they're walking through a dark tunnel/alley)? How visible is the project from various points above the creek level?
• How can a sequence of effects allow the public around the site to notice users' activity underneath the canopy? How can the display extend to the public and draw them closer to the hydropower display?
• Will it be an issue if too much electricity is generated at once (i.e. blowing up LEDs)?

Next steps to our project include developing different user personas and scenarios to address the reactions among various people.