Remember that survey some of you took a few months ago? Well, that was to create a user profile to help me develop a diorama game for my Human Factors Methods class. We had to design a product based on user feedback. We had to do a user profile, task analysis, a prototype, user testing, and write a final report.

What you see here is a prototype of a diorama flash game that I made in PowerPoint with a macro that allows one to drag and drop items. It is a screenshot of only one of the biomes of the Nature Diorama game. Right now, it includes the Forest, Desert, and Savanna biomes with animals and plants to manipulate. The buttons on the bottom "glow" when you're at the diorama biome.

In case you're curious, human factors is a domain that blends principles of cognitive psychology and engineering and applies these principles to design with early and frequent focus on the users' needs. More information can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_factors. I am currently working on my Master's in Human Factors and Ergonomics/Applied Cognitive Psychology.

I am thinking of doing another iteration of this design and doing more user testing. After that, I might put it on the Internet and invite user feedback.

Here is a screenshot of one of the diorama screens. The shapes were done using a mouse and photoshop. Keep in mind that this is a prototype:


http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu128/Redkora/eco1.jpg

Also, if you are interested, I can send you the final report. It's pretty big, as it is 75 pages long. I got a 99 on it, so I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Hey gang,

The new semester started, and that means I won't be on here as much. As some of you may know, I'm a graduate Master's student (Human Factors/Applied Cognitive Psychology). This entails being held to standards that exceed those when one is getting his or her Bachelor's degree. It can get especially hectic when project deadlines come up because my advisor likes to pile on extra work or change her mind about something at the last minute. XD

Anyway, here are the places where I may post stuff other than here:

The Life and Times of an Old Stag (my stag's diary)
Redkora's Deer Art Thread (skip to the last few pages--the first couple are crap)
My Vinovas Portfolio

See you in the Forest!

[Hey everyone! I have a diary for on the Forums. When I feel like a diary entry is good enough (meaning, it touches me in some way), I post it here. Enjoy! If you like some music while you read, click here.]

Today, after praying and having a drink, played with a fawn that bore a God's name. He appreciated the playfulness of the blessed ones, and how the Gods were speaking their truth, love, and power through such behavior. Although the Gods were rarely, if ever, severe with the deer of the Forest, had a sense of the Gods' absolute power over this corner of time and space and that they alone had the power to dissolve it. The kindness and mischief of the blessed ones were a reminder that, while all-power over the affairs of the Forest, were intimately connected with it and loved its components down to the atoms that made up the dust.

{More Under the Cut!}

As some of you may know, there was a show on TV for ten years called Mystery Science Theater 3,000, created by Joel Hodgson. This show was a huge success, and the fanbase is gigantic. The show's idea is simple enough: Play a bad movie, and have someone make fun of it. Let's take a look:



You're probably thinking, "Okay, that's funny, but what's your point?" Well, Joel once answered a question I posted that would be included in an interview that is posted here.

Me (Sensoria): "Hey, Joel. This isn’t a question (so it will probably be promptly thrown out), but I just wanted to say that your work in MST3K and Cinematic Titanic inspire me to be creative, even if I’m not the best artist in the world."

Joel: "Being creative even though you’re not the best artist is my story in a nutshell. Have you ever seen the MST3K pilot at TV 23? When I was working on MST3K I was always wondering where the creative fans were, and where were all the people we were hoping to inspire? It’s nice to see that emerging now. Creative people know this and I’m sure you’ll agree, there is so much pleasure in making things. It’s sort of its own reward."

Point being: Even if you feel like your skill in creative endeavors is sub-par, remember why you do it in the first place: For yourself!

The song is "Troll Lullaby" by Jarboe, who did a variant of the song for The Path.

See the movie under the cut. Warning: While not violent in any way, it may be disturbing to sensitive viewers. As they say, "Viewer discretion is advised."

was at a loss. A few days ago, he found that he could not cast effective enchantments where he could before. He was growing restless and often paced around the forest. When he was near another deer, felt an urge to jab his antlers into a nearby tree. In all his years of existence, he had never experienced a period when the enchantments he cast did not show up on another deer.

Hey, this is really neat! It's a browser-based sketch pad. I did this one of Quad with a mouse from a university computer:



If you can't see the animation, click here.

Edit: Whoops, forgot his mask tie. Let's just say he's wearing a magic mask that doesn't need one.

I'm deleting my Facebook account. There has been a lot going on in my life recently, and I really need to make time in my life for other things. While I could simply spend less time on Facebook, it is just something else that I have to keep track of. I need more simplicity in my life.

Besides, I want to be able to spend more quality time on TEF.

I wrote a note on Facebook. I'll delete my account on Wednesday.

Hey gang,

I was itching to do something with clay, and I made an incense burner last night. It took me about a hour to make and bake it.

Made with Sculpey.

What do you think? Would you like to see stuff like this for sale?

I am in love with the music of Kate Bush. Been in love with it since age 10. She is often filed under rock and/or pop, but her music is something phenomenal that transcends the usual genres and challenges you. It’s beautiful, edgy, and deep. Listen, won’t us? (Videos under the cut).