Final Video

This is My Final Video

I know it doesn't have to be on the blog but its good just to keep record.

This Video is a mixture of bits of everything, half filmed, half flash animated.

seems all a bit random but it gets the point across.

Video Animations

Animations

My Interface - Actual Final

 Screen Recording of Interface + Flash Made Usage Video

Screen Recording (poor quality)

How One Would Use The Splatts Basics

How The Splatt Feature Would Work

Reflection

Making the interface has been a lot of work, I really didn't know how much time I would be spending on flash to try and make the interface as good as possible. I feel I have done well In expressing its Ideas even if every single button doesnt work.

Even though It was a lot of work I really enjoyed it, well at least at first, after a while I think I just used flash too much especially with my Video as well.
I think my work has come a long way, The interface seemed to be be forever changing, with everybodies suggestions.

I now have an Idea of what suitable colours are and how to use them after my bout eighth colour change.
My knowledge of flash has gone from absolutely nothing to knowing how to do most things (not the coding).

So overall I think this project was good All three Parts helped show me the design process from start to finish as this was alot about audience and solving a problem.

Problems - With Final Interface

The only problems with my final interface is that my 'info button opens when held down, so to click on anything else makes the info pop up. I've had to make the buttons reach around the outside so that they are just clickable.

Also for some reason after Id played the splat movie, only one button would work before the interface just stopped. do I made it that no button except for the logout button works. so that you can log back in and start again.

Improvements

The improvements I made to my interface were pretty simple, I still hadn't got the colour quite right. I went over the colours one final time with my tutor and we found the Colours That are in my Final Interface.
As opposed to being dull, like I had done previously, we made the colours brighter but a hint and darkness so that they stand out but look much more sophisticated and overall appealing.

Final Colour Scheme

Not Final Hand in

What I thought was Final hand in was just a presentation, we now have another 2 weeks to work on our interface and Video.

The Final Interface (no sound)

Again another bad quality video but you get the general picture

Animated Smilies

At the last minute I thought my interface could use some more animation so I decided to make the smilies move and blink etc. I think it ended up working well with the site.

Decision on Splatting - Make most of Touch.

By running the Ideas of slingshot or shaking past a few friends and classmates, I have decided that I will use The shake Idea, This utilises more elements of the touch interface and I think creates a much more interactive user experience.

It took a long time too make, I really had no Idea how much effort it would be but I have the basic outline of the splatting system. (below)

More Sophisticated Font

To make my interface more suitable for students from high school through uni., I have made the font of my interface more sophisticated. At first I didn't like the Idea but I think that it actually works really well.

Change in the graphics

Some more advice from Helen and also Angela was to improve my graphics so I have simply taken them into Photoshop I worked with them and tried to make them as effective as possible without being too detailed.

This is just trying to make my simple little graph look quite effective and I think my final product works well.

Also with my Smiley's, I think I have created a more emotional sense to them to really convey what they mean in terms of the interface.

Final Colours

Finally I have found the right colours to use, Although they seem a bit dim, the have the effect that I want and they are no where near as bright as they were before. To help get these colours I went over them with my tutor to find out what they were looking for and how to suit it to my interface with my wanted aesthetics.

The way the colour is now allows the informative are to stand out and for the user not to be distracted by the surrounding features.

the Splatt system

Now that I've come to actually making the splatt sytem ( as in the abilty to splatt your friends) I realised that I hadn't really thought about actual process of Splatting. Rather than having a simple touch the screen and splatt, I want something more interactive. I have two Ideas.

1. One would be a pull back (touch) sling shot so that you could aim and hit whre you want.
2. And the other is a power bar where you shake to fire tryig to hit the right mark. the coser you are the better the shot.

User Adjustment

I've decided to make to interface to be centred around students from the age range of approximately 13 to 20. I think that the idea itself might not quite be would older more sophisticated students are looking for, but I think there is still room for both high school students looking to help their families save and Uni students (who I think Splatt can still appeal to) looking to save power in flats. Aiming at a slightly younger age I think could result in a more family based operation where high school students can interact with both peers and family of which sibling rivalry could add to the competitiveness. Parents could set up reward systems for who can save the most power. just chucking a few Ideas out there.

New Thoughts

After our lecture today I've been thinking My interaction, and making the most of the available interactions of touch technology. The only aspect I've included so far is the the swipe to scroll between pages. now looking more into more touch interactions I'm going to include others such as the two finger zoom, and the shake.
The two finger zoom I will use to zoom in on profiles and the shake could be used quite well in terms of the Splatting your friends aspect.

Half Way Point - User testing

Now that I have the basic page layouts and buttons with the basic animations all in working order (excluding the Splatt page which is still in progress), I decided to get a few people to see if the could find their way through.

First I asked my girlfriend Brooke to see if she could navigate the pages. She managed to find her through all the main pages, finding the buttons wasn't an issue (except the ones that don't yet work). She did struggle to find the invisible buttons for the slider but im thinking that doesnt matter too much as the application is touch phone based, and the notion of sliding becomes more obvious. This is similar to my friend James who trialled it out, easy navigation except for slider.

I also asked my design design classmates Joe and Kat to test it out, they easily found their way through, but that might be because they watched me trial it plenty of times.

All found the visuals good I think, except for some of the more tacky pop ups which I was told didn't fit in  with the rest of the aesthetics.

Video of Progress

This is a very bad quality video of what I've done so far.

My Options

After talking to Angela I think I need to look at my options before I proceed. From the start my idea has been to make this fun, touch interactive, colourful and bright interface, that students would find easy to use.
Now I've been told what I have so far is too bright even after adjustments and that everything needs to be more sophisticated.

1. One option is to go ahead and change everything to even duller colours which in my opinion would give off a much duller atmosphere, make everything more sophisticated and see what happens. 
2. The other option that I though might be a better in terms of my Idea would be to change my target audience  Changing the user group to younger students, maybe that of intermediate or secondary school level, maybe younger. this might work, although I might get told again that my colours are too bright. 

I will email my tutor and find out what she thinks.

More Feedback

Today in studio I talked to Angela the 112 course co-ordinator as my tutor Helen was away, and it turned out she had a lot to say about the colours and the graphics. Even after dimming down my colours I was told that they were still too bright (including that of the buttons), she said the eye was distracted by all the colour and that she didn't know where to look. she also made comments on my font, saying that it needs to be more sophisticated if its aimed at uni students, as currently my font is rather bubbly and fun. She also said that my graphics are to basic in terms of my smiley's and that they are also too bright.

After this I was a little annoyed as my whole Idea from the very start was to have this bright and colourful interface that would be fun not necessarily sophisticated even though the target was uni students.

New Layout and Colours

After a bit of playing around I came up with this new look for for Splatt using a few more modern looking colours and getting rid of outlines.

I think this is quite successful in terms of aesthetics but ill talk to my tutor add get more feedback on what needs to be improved.

My User-Centred Approach - a few changes in colour

This Idea I'd previously decided was aimed at flatting University students wanting to save power and finding a fun easy way to monitor, compete and in the end save power. I think that most of my idea is user appropriate in terms of content and interaction, but as my tutor pointed out, my colour scheme leans towards younger children with all the bright colours. my tutor suggested using colours that were a bit more user appropriate to teenagers and students. I have an idea of going towards almost navy colours, like navy green and blue, maybe maroon and possibly a darker yellow, border-lining orange. Although possibly i'll head away from these colours altogether and look more at some more modernised colours.

Buttons - Brief Developments

 My original idea for the main buttons was these bright coloured circles with basic icons in the middle that would be white. And that when on a certain page the button would become inverse and become of the pages splat in that pages respective colour. Like planned in my prototypes my buttons were red - Home, yellow - Power, green - Profile and blue - Peers.

Original Idea

Before Click

On respective page

But after our lecturer talked about the icons and imagery we were using for our buttons I decided to see if I could develop those ideas further. I took away the outlines made the background grey and gave the images the colour instead. And instead of inverting the colours I gave page button a white background and a grey icon.

Developed Further

Before Click

On respective page

I like this one allot more. it seems more aesthetically pleasing and somehow more sophisticated.

Starting on Flash

Before this project I'd never used Adobe Flash before, so starting to make something that would resemble an interface I thought would provide quite a challenge. After the first tutorial where we learnt how to make buttons and do shape tweens I quickly began to pick it up. After that I went home and began the basic layout that I had thought up in the paper prototype.  In the second studio, with the help of my tutor i managed to get multiple buttons working on the same page.

At this point the only pages made are the login page, Home, and the layouts for Power, Profile and Peers with  the addition of the info pop ups on the later three pages. For having never used the program before I think I have done well. I still have yet to make any animations or add any fancy interactions or sounds.

PROJECT 2 PART B starts here

Photos of Paper Prototype

Here are some images of the Prototype. What I really tried to show with the prototype was the sideways touch scroll (Bottom Four). I think as a paper model It works well at giving an idea of what an actual working interface might look aesthetically.

The 'Splatt' 200 word description.

For this Project I am planning to make an interface compatible with Android for Smart Phones. My interface is called ‘Splatt’ – Saving Power Literally All The Time. Using Touch technology alongside Future technologies that automatically track the usage of any household, I plan on creating an interface that allows users to compete with friends and other users from around the globe. I chose to use touch as this is where I feel technology is going and the ease of use is incomparable. 

This Phone Interface will be based at university students attempting to keep flatting power bills to a minimum. Using bright colours and a consistent paint splat type theme, I will try to visually appeal to the student body and along with the easy touch movements, the interface will supply the information I feel budgeting students will need. To keep students wanting to use this application, I have incorporated some unique features. These features include a ‘quote of the day’ system to keep users inspired and thinking, ranking worldwide and between friends, and also a point saving system that allows you to ‘Splatt’ your friends profiles providing saving at an entertaining level.

Paper Prototype - Laid Out

Pre - printing, will have photos of prototypes up soon.

From left, Login Page, New Account Page, Home Page and Notifications.

From left, Info, Power Usage (side scroll feature) and the Cost page (would apply to each section of the Power Usage page).

From left, Profile Page, Profile Info and Edit Profile.

From left, Friends Ranked and World Ranked ( only 12 places shown on each, but would show all friends and World top 50.)

From left, Peer Profile, 'Splatt' page and Profile Info.

How the Splatting' System might work

My Idea with the ability to earn 'Splatt' points is that Users will begin the day with the ability to earn Four 'Splatt' points, If your power saving on a particular day is better than normal (interface shows a happy face) then the user will receive all Four. If the user is around about average (straight faced) then only TWO will be received and if the user goes way over and is labelled bad ( sad face) then the user will get ZERO.
Users will then be able to use these 'Splatt' points to Splat their friends, staining their profile picture.

Before                                                After

Getting Prototype Ready

My Interface as I have planned it requires allot of different pages so I have done a range of drawing that I will then take on to Photoshop to colour and piece together. I have it all planned out in my head but whether it all comes together will be another story.

Energy Monitoring Diary

ENERGY MONITORING DIARY

DSDN112 INTRO TO INTERACTION DESIGN

COORDINATOR: ANGELA BLACHNITZKY

Student name: Oliver Lodge                                    

Place:    Hostel

 
Device(s) used for monitoring:

Edapt’; Electronic Timer

Living in a hostel means that there are limited household monitoring is not possible. Also moving around allot during the Holidays meant I was unable to keep proper surveillance. By mistake I got a timer instead as they looked very similar and I was in a rush. I haven’t been able to keep track of my usage but I was able to set up this EDAPT; Electronic Timer which allowed me to track my hours and set up times that the timer would cut off the electricity going through it.

Day One

             

After the long and tedious session of setting my device up my attitude is rather lacking. I realise I have the wrong device, It’s slightly annoying but anyway. I set it up and tested some things just turning things off after a couple of minutes. I mucked around with it for a bit but the device is so bulky that it won’t fit in the socket if other things are plugged in next to it. I gave up pretty quick.

             

Day Four

             

Attitude

I had another go with my device, figures I might as well test it, the timer is still a device that can help ave power. Last night I left my radio on as I went to sleep, I set up the timer to cut off after a couple of hours, this morning sure enough the radio was off. The product has only four buttons and I really have no idea how to set it up as a permanent system.

             

Day Five

Attitude

Haven’t really played much more with it, didn’t really spent much time with it and started too late I think, tomorrow is the hand in.

From Using this Device I have come away with 2 very important pieces of knowledge. When designing something you want people to actually use… make it simple and make it a reasonable size, not so bulky that it takes up all the room in a power port.

Developments - S.P.L.A.T (SPLAT) - App for Android

The Idea that I have chosen to develop will be a Application for Android That I call Splat (S.P.L.A.T. - Saving Power Literally All the Time). The idea, originally put together from the word splat, I feel I have developed into a fun way of competitive power saving. The App is based at University students living preferably in flats to compete with other students.

First Development Sketch

Final Developments Before Final

In this interface I want to include features such as...

• Touch interaction
• Household power usage data
• Usage cost $
• Goal setting
• Reward system - earn 'Splat Points'.
• Peer Interaction - compare power usage, use 'Splat Points' to splat you peers profiles, and a ranking system between both peers and worldwide.
• a Quote of the Day - where Users will be able to see quotes in relation to power usage, global warming and more.

In terms of aesthetics, each of the four main pages has their own Splat layout with their own individual colour. All interaction within these main pages takes place within those four set layouts. I have chosen a bright colour scheme as I think it gives it more fun feel  and goes well with the Splat theme and using the touch system of Android will make this interface very interactive and hopefully an application people would want to use.

Research - Mobile Touch Interface

As the Idea that I ave chosen to develop is for a touch phone, I just figured I'd better do some research on what I'm actually designing for. So below I've looked into three big interfaces or Operating systems for Smart phones. the iPhone Operating system, Android and Windows Phone 7.


Apple's iPhone Operating System (iOS)
The user interface of the iOS is based on the concept of direct manipulation, using multi-touch gestures. Interface control elements consist of sliders, switches, and buttons. The response to user input is immediate and provides a fluid interface. Interaction with the OS includes gestures such as swipe, tap, pinch, and reverse pinch, all of which have specific definitions within the context of the iOS operatign system and it's multitouch interface. Internal accelerometers are used by some applications to respond to shaking the device (one common result is the undo command) or rotating it in three dimensions (one common result is switching from portrait to landscape mode).

Info from Wikipedia.com


Android
Android is a bit like the software that runs on your PC, Only it's been specifically created for mobile phones with some really cool apps. And even though its only been around for a short time, the backing from tech-giant Goggle means it's already making headlines.
 It has rapidly developed a reputation for being smart and very easy to use and that, combined with word of mouth from customers who love it, means it's now the fastest growing mobile operating system worldwide.Which means it's made especially for use on small screens and designed to be driven by a fingertip.


Info from Telecom.co.nz


Windows phone 7
With it's simple design, Windows Phone 7 organizes and brings together everything yo love and care about. The new and improved tiled start screen provides an easy glance and go experience so you can stay up to date instantly. Windows phone 7 makes things easier to organise with hubs, so you can movve seamlessly to contacts, apps , web and anything else that's important to you.

Info from Telecom.co.nz


Taking into account that all Smart Phones, including iPod Touch can use Android and as an operating system I have used myself, I've decided to go make develop my idea into an app designed for Android. Android I have found easy to use and as most apps are transferable I'm sure more than just android will be able to use it.

Reflection - Tring

When we were showed the 'Tring' interface for the First Light project I really liked the use of bright colours and simplicity. I think it was really effective in terms of aesthetic and navigation. For my project I'm going using similar use of colours, and try come up with some similar simple navigation. Although I want mine to be more network based I think the group came up with some very inspiring work.

Reflection - 'An Inconvenient Truth'

Today I rewatched the film we watched a few weeks ago 'An Inconvenienet Truth' with Al Gore about Global Warming and is impacts on the earth. When I reflected on the video I thought about how it relates to our project and how it can influence it. What I got from it is that the amount of power and energy that the world is using is destroying the world pretty much, levels are rapidly increasing. I think as a former vice president, Al Gore has a good veiw of the politics behind it, and the fact that they are trying to pretty much ignore it or at least were in 2006 when the film was made. Al Gore pretty much explains that if we, the world doesnt change our energy habits then the world as we know it could rapidly fall apart.

Gore being the well respected and known figure that he is, used it to his advantage and went around the world researching global warming and he shows alott of this in his film. I was really shocked to see just how much landscapes all around the globe have changed just in the last few decades, I really had no idea. The graphs shown about our usage the its relative and almost paralel effects on the world all showed an increase at an exponential rate with the introduction of technologies. When projected into the near future it shown the continuation of these trends.

According to Wikipedia this film stirred a great reaction and small changes have been made all around the country, but still more needs to change which is where I think our project comes in. Although we are making assumptions about the technology used I think the basic technology is not far away. Even though more than just power usage in the home is in need of change I think it is a good start to get people interested in a change. Possibly my project could include something that relates your power usage to global warming and the good that the users power saving is doing. Like a notices like maybe 'Thi smonth you increase the earths life by 2 weeks and together with you world wide peers you increased its life by a wopping 6 years... something similar to that. (numbers arn't acurate).

Another Idea I had from this movie is a global warming or power usage 'quote of the day'. where quotes from famous global warming scientists or people like Al Gore, would help incourage people using my interface.

First Concepts

Concept One

The idea for this was an Interface that would connect to a Projector and maybe and Alarm (or speaker). Using future technology to automatically get the data from the appliances to the interface, the user would be able to view their usage and the cost. They would be able to set a monthly goal, either Usage or Cost.  The interface would be able to average the daily usage so that the user could check up on how they are going. The Projector and Alarm would go off and flash when the power is at an excessive amount or about to reach the daily limit. The Projected image would flash and inform the user of the problem while the alarm would abruptly alert the user.

The Downsides of this would be that a projector in general uses a lot of power to run. So this wouldn't really be helping the situation, Its a problem that could be fixed and still a possible option.

Concept Two

This Idea originated from my Idea of SPLAT (Saving Power Literally All the Time). Although a bit cheesy I think this could be quite fun and colourful and with a bit of thought I came up with some ideas that could make this quite fun and competitive to play with, an interface that users would want to use. Using the stereotypical image of a paint splat and using different bright happy colours I think I could a fun aesthetic.
 The Idea is this would be made as a phone app for an iPhone or any touch phone, using future technology to get data from appliance to interface.
Originally I though of just showing usage and possible savings but talking to my tutor this want much of an incentive for people to want to buy or use. I then thought adding a networking interface as part of splat. A system where you could compare usage and cost to your peers. People would be ranked and a reward of Splat Points would be given for increases in saving or the progression of a rank. 

 Another fun and innovative idea I have is to use the Splay Points as something to interact with friends. Users would have a profile with a profile picture and users would be able to use their points to Splat their friend with the idea being colour splatted on their profile pic that would fade after a few days.

I like this Idea and I think it could an innovative idea in terms of peer interaction and incentive to save power.

Concept Three

This Idea is really just a quick thought that I had in my head, A watch that, using future tech once more, would be able to tell you the basic information needed to start saving money.

 This watch would obviously tell the time but then using a touch screen users would be able to scroll the information such as the house monthly power use and cost averages, how much you've used and spent that month. I like the Idea of being able to set a goal so this interface would give the user the option of setting a goal that once set, the watch would inform you of over use and how the power usage is going in respect to your goal.

I think this would be a good idea but the lack of information a watch could give is very limiting but with a bit more thought is a great possibility.

Research - Energy usage in New Zealand

Over the years since the introduction of power and electricity, the usage has dramatically increased along with the increasing population and use of electrical equipment.

Here is a link to view global energy usage scales. http://bit.ly/qMDxrh 

New Zealand is a net importer of energy, and that energy is in the form of oil products. However approximately 35% of our primary energy is Renewable.

New Zealand is one of the 13 OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries that do not use Nuclear Power. Approximatly 35% of our primary energy is from renewable resources.

In comparison with the rest of the world our consumption is rather central and in terms of energy intensity, New Zealand is just a little lower than the global average.

Research - Competitive Social Networking and Applications

Competitiveness is a major factor in keeping people interested in anything in any society in the world. people are naturally competitive. People want to beat someone at something no matter how small and pointless it really is. I think it is the lack of competitiveness that keeps so many things from going big.

A good example is Facebook. The reason I think Facebook is pretty much the biggest Social Networking service around the globe, is because everything about it is, if you think about it, competitive. Whether it's who has the most friends, who can get the most comments or likes, Facebook to most people is about looking good and impressing others which is a competition in its self. Above all this is the Facebook games/app's where people can play games of their choice and interest and compete with both friends and family and people from all around the world. There are games where you can trade items and give gifts and games where you can play one on one or games where you simply compare high scores.

The Game Farmville is a good example of a game that incorporates friendly competition by the comparisons between you and your friends. There are high scores for different aspects and the ability to change your farm to look how you want while earning money to but better things. This game can become rather adictive which in the case of power saving would be an important factor.

This game can become rather adictive which in the case of power saving would be an important factor.

Another important point to take Facebook in terms of our project is taking something classic and old and making it competitive and not just with yourself. Games like Snake and Bejewelled become highly addictive and competitive, the game stays practically the same but with high scores of your friends and then the top scores in all of Facebook, people begin to play that little bit longer and try that little bit harder to move up their rank.

Research - Existing Energy Monitoring Devices

There are literally hundreds of already existing energy monitoring devices, and most are very boring and and have very little output. However there are some that are very informative and efficient but not so interesting and some that are very creative and both are very good examples of what this project is looking for.

A good example of an good efficient energy monitoring device is the TED 5000 series.
According to the TED website it has been proven to help reduce electricity by an average of 12.6%.        (How TED works (right) >)
It also says that the system...

• Is sensitive to one watt of electricity.
• Is accurate to within 2%.
• Can project monthly bills.
• Has an optional wireless display.
• Stores up to 10 years worth of data.
• Measures voltage and kw/hr.
• Data can be viewed remotely.
• Provides charting, graphing and trending.

This device is an example of efficient data collection and sufficient output info to help you make changes in your electrical usage, It provides good interaction but not in a way that I think will keep people interested for very long.

A good example of good user interaction in a power monitoring device is the Wilting Flower.
The Wilting Flower is a device that resembles that of a flower. The flower changes colour and shape according to the energy consumption, The less power you use the taller the flower stands, as you use more power, the colours will change and the more it begins to droop.

This is a well thought out product made for fun interaction. it doesn't give you the figures that are needed to actually cause change in your lifestyle. It provides no real incentive, no cost indicator which I think is essential.

With the creativity of the Wilting Flower combined with the informative response of the TED 5000 series, you could be looking at the future of power saving and some great inspiration for this project.

PROJECT 02 ^^^

Reflection.

Looking back over the project I think I would like to have improved some things and maybe add some things I didn't have time to add. If I had had more time I think I would have tried to find a way of incorporating the different material so that the project was taken away from the sort of Instrument that it now is. also the idea of colour coding the interactive points, I began to do this but I ran out of time. I managed to cover the arrows but the tuning peg and pick are a slightly different colour. the string I would have liked to have matched.

Final Device - the 'String Control' - Basic Instructions

• Hold the device as you feel comfortable, generally you have one hand where you can pluck the string and the other where you can bend the string or move the slider.
•  Use your finger (or guitar pick) to pluck the string either side of the slider. 
• Between or during plucking, move the slider back and forth along the neck to change the length and output of the string. Move the slider side to side to bend the string and the sound it outputs. 
• If you wish, use your non-plucking hand to bend the string on one side as you pluck the other.
•  Also adjust tuning peg as you wish to get more variation

Final Device - the 'String Control' - User Experience

The aim of the ‘String Control’ is to be able to manipulate the string to create different sounds and to activate ones sense of hearing. When Using this device the user should be able to find ways of changing elements to control the output when played. Moving the slider up and down, and side to side, the user is able discover different sounds as the use a pick to pluck the string. The string on either side of the Instrument is able to be played, giving different sounds depending how far the slider is along the neck. Also by applying different amounts of pressure to the string opposite to the side being plucked the user is able further able to manipulate the tone and consistency of the sound. With the addition of a tuning peg the user is able to tune the string as they desire. With the ability manipulate the hearing output in so many ways; the ‘String Control’ gives the user a fun filled experience that could keep anyone entertained for hours and allows creativity through the sense of hearing.

Final Device - the 'String Control' - Images

 An over view of the device.

Focus's on the detail of the tuning peg as an important part of the device.

Shows a possible way to hold and suggests the sliders movement up and down the neck.

Focusing in on the ability to bend the string at will.

Showing the sliders ability to move side to side.

Resolution - Discovering the Excitement

With the below problems being major hurdles, I decided to discard them completely. This decision was aided by my discovery that although the foam muffled the scraping of the materials, plucking the strings with either fingers or a guitar pick created quite tuneful notes. I spent quite allot of time mucking around on it, I found that moving the slider up and down change they key either side of the string, moving it side to side would give a vibrato effect. Also something I found by mucking around was that when plucking one side, if you put pressure on the other side you can change the pitch and if you do it fast you can create the vibrato effect once more.

Problems

Different Materials

Materials; Metal, Plastic and Sandpaper

With lots of new ideas, I went back down to the workshop a made the head, I managed to to successfully attach the peg and get it working. I trialled this with the trial metal piece on top, and it worked but not the way I had hoped, it made a rather annoying fingernail on chalkboard type sound. I then trialled this with plastic and wood covered in sandpaper. They did the same thing, the sounds were noticeably different but just as annoying. Also it wasn't as smooth a transition between materials as I had imagined, it would continually get caught and just bend the string to the side.

Adding Foam

I took Paul's advice which I discussed with Byron who agreed, and I added Foam. I cut pieces of foam for either side of the neck as it slid through the slider. I used glue so that it would hold, At first I thought it had worked rather well and in many ways it may have worked out for the better. The Foam helped center the slider which could still move side to side as the foam would just compact. But to make adjustments I had taken off the string and when I put it back on a tightened it, the foam I discovered muffled the sounds that the slider made when it actually scraped along the string.