My capstone idea is to create a social media application based around the Kinect as the primary mode of interaction and the Cave screen setup as the primary mode of display. I want to at least be able to show all the data presented in a program such as TweetDeck, with the ideal being able to use the application to compose messages for Twitter and Facebook.
The four key components I'm looking for in a mentor are as follows:
1) Technical background - I will be working in a programming environment I'm not exprienced in, and someone with that type of mind would be useful in helping me get my bearings.
2) Usability background - I'm developing an interface for a peripheral too new to have a defined set of design guidelines
3) Flexibility/Innovative - This is an application will be using technology that very few people have any real experience in. I would want a mentor to be excited by the idea of working in a relatively uncharted area where s/he and I may not be able to get structured or fully-formed answers to the questions we have without discovering them for ourselves.
4) Design background - Ideally, this application would be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. I'm confident that I could make it look nice enough, but I want more than "nice enough." I'm currently exploring collaborating with some designers I know online, so this isn't as crucial as the other three.
My survey of MAS faculty brought me to Todd Shelton, Polly Baker, and Mark Pfaff.
Todd has a web development background, giving him technical acuity and at least some semblance of usability and aesthetic design strength. I remember hearing about his capstone using the Wii remote to interact with a 3D space, so he would have at least some knowledge of how to work non-standard controls with existing ideas.
Polly has a very strong technical background, which can prove to be crucial to providing me guidance on this project. On her biography page, she mentions an interest in Visualization and Interactive Spaces, the benefits of which seem self-explanatory.
Mark Pfaff makes an interesting choice as I knew he has a background in usability studies. If I want my application to be worth using, I know I will need assistance in finding out the ideal ways of using Kinect to interact with it. Even if he doesn't have experience with Kinect, knowing general usability best practices will be useful in getting a rough prototype and he would likely know of some ways I could test aspects of it or have ideas as to where I could look for that information.
Interview 1 - Todd Shelton
What do you feel is your area of expertise?
I am primarily in web development, AS 3/Flex/PHP/HTML etc.. and audio.
What do you expect out of capstone students?
I think the student should have a well thought out plan on how to proceed with their capstone and be ready to do a lot of research on their own. The mentor is just that a mentor and to provide guidance not do a persons Capstone or assignments.
What would your availability be for mentoring next semester?
Available
Do you have any project types you are not interested in working with?
Interactive, web, games, mobile applications, audio, but NO Video that is not my expertise. [I presume that he IS interested in working with everything but video.]
Given the capstone premise above, would you have anyone in mind to be a secondary mentor should I decide to work with you on this?
Well given that you want to use the Cave I would recommend someone from the AVL lab like Chauncey Frend
Interview 2 - Polly Baker
What do you feel is your area of expertise?
I specialize in application development, especially interactive experiences with interesting user interfaces.
What do you expect out of capstone students?
I expect students to be able to work with a reasonable level of independence and to make steady progress with their project.
What would your availability be for mentoring next semester?
I would be available for mentoring next semester.
Do you have any project types you are not interested in working with?
I would not be interested in projects that could be described as a static Web site.
Given the capstone premise above, would you have anyone in mind to be a secondary mentor should I decide to work with you on this?
This is hard to answer without knowing more about your plan. But I can say that if you wanted to add another technical person, Todd Shelton might be a good choice. If you wanted another voice to advise on the design of the user experience, then Beth Lykins, or Steve Mannheimer, or mat Powers might all be interesting choices.
Interview 3 - Mark Pfaff
What do you feel is your area of expertise?
Audio production, interactive design
What do you expect out of capstone students?
To generally be self-sustaining and self-motivating. I provide guidance and feedback, but I expect the student to do 100% of the work.
What would your availability be for mentoring next semester?
Very limited. I might have one remaining opening for a capstone in the spring.
Are there any projects that you simply do not want to be involved with?
I prefer to avoid video projects, as this is not my area of expertise, yet many seem to come my way.
Given the capstone premise above, would you have anyone in mind to be a secondary mentor should I decide to work with you on this?
Polly Baker is the first name that comes to mind for such a project – in fact, I'd recommend she be the primary mentor, with perhaps myself as the secondary one.
