Design-Research-2: Prototyping
The aim of this course is to facilitate a prototypical and experimental exploration of the topic covered in the first semester. Through the completion of the first 10 blog entries, I have delved deeply into the challenges in theatre organisation and the overall theatre experience.
My initial sketches focus on optimising organisational tools to enable a smoother workflow for theatre employees.
Sketch 1: Digital Planning Tool
The first approach describes a classic digital organisational tool designed for rehearsal scheduling. Currently, many processes are paper-based, which complicates quick changes and planning of rehearsals and performances. The tool also aims to streamline employee organisation. For each production, both rehearsals and performances require backstage support staff. In the costume department, this occurs on a weekly rotation. In cases of absence, quick replacements are necessary. A digital tool allows for swift identification of available staff, determining when replacements are needed, and assessing the impact on work hours. It aims to accurately track hours and determine when staff need to be present in the venue before performances to prepare costumes and other tasks.
Sketch 2: Digital Costume Repository
Costumes are often stored in repositories until needed again or repurposed for new productions, sold, or recycled. It’s common practice to borrow costumes from other theatre repositories to support sustainable production. Connecting costume repositories nationwide to offer a wider range of reusable costumes could be intriguing. Theatres would have a broader selection of costumes for their productions, available either for borrowing or exchange. This approach allows costume designers to leave their creative mark and recycle existing costumes to create new ones. Such a repository would also appeal to external parties. Worn-out costumes could be made available for sale, encouraging donations from external sources to theatres. Well-preserved clothing could be reused rather than discarded.
Following brief feedback from my fellow students, the aspect of costume rental was particularly emphasised. Since acquiring high-quality costumes at affordable prices is often challenging, theatre costume rental could be an enticing option. Additionally, there was discussion on how such a tool could be extended to support costume rental for various sports, especially for competitions requiring expensive costumes.
Sketch 3: Mirror Arm
My final sketch concerns the theatre experience itself. During my last theatre visit, I had a very poor view of the stage and had to lean forward significantly to see anything without constantly staring at a pillar. While these seats are cheaper, they diminish the theatre experience when one can barely see the performance and instead experiences discomfort. At that moment, I wished for a live transmission of the stage that I could see directly in front of me. What if this live transmission could be individually controlled? Would it finally offer the opportunity to not only view the entire stage but also details of costumes, stage sets, and the actors‘ performances? Personally, I find it disappointing to only receive an overview without the ability to examine details, as is possible with film, and to be able to select them individually. Would this enhance or hinder the theatre experience? Would it cause too much distraction? So far, this is just a vague idea.
