Kevin McCourt Olvera

• Phase 1:
  A re-working or refinement of design and programming i.e. to produce the release version of each project. (The software for both beta versions is open source).

Having performed various public experiments we have identified the following problems with the Beta Versions of Riverrun and Colourwall:

• Riverrun and Colourwall. The number of participants is fixed. This rigidity is problematic. People may leave unexpectedly, ruining the dynamic of the event. Others may find themselves having to queue in order to participate. The solution is a more fluid programming. Story /image should expand and contract should people enter or leave the story.

• Usability on Riverrun seems fairly good. Participants find the interface quite easy to understand. By necessity the design needs to be simple, but perhaps improvements could still be made here. There is quite a lot here already which could act as a guide to the new programming and design process. Usability and the design look on Colourwall need to be addressed. Can we do this without the participants having to download an app.?

• Riverrun only. Participants should not be restricted in the amount they can write. They should also be able to see the whole content of those within their radius have written or drawn. Some kind of scrolling system or other design element should be developed to resolve these problems. Again, the solution for this lies in the programming.

• Colourwall only. Participants should be able to import and use a broader range of visual elements, such as found images and even, for example, mobile camera video. Again, a programming issue.

• Riverrun only: Visualisation (for non-participants) of the entire story, as it evolves, could be improved. This is a design (graphics and typography) and programming issue.

• Riverrun only: Options for outputting the entire process as video after the event are required. A simple sequencing application which automatically orders the timing and placement of contributions and sets the typeface to be used is required.

• Phase 2: Perform experiments and present exhibitions. We plan to project the evolution of each story or image on a screen in an exhibition space in real time, so that the public present can witness the ongoing outcomes of the creative decisions taken by the dispersed online collective.

• Phase 3:
  Scientific analysis and publication. Publication of theoretical texts.

• Phase 4: Publicity. The results will be presented to diverse institutions, with the aim of organising future international and intercultural creative events.

• Phase 5: Expansion. Owing to their online nature, there exists a clear opportunity for national and international collaboration. Experiments could be undertaken as, or form the bases for, practical workshops. We would gratefully accept invitations to develop such events.