Two hour in the radio recording booth and we managed to get all our audio recorded. One thing we quickly realized was the difference between reading something in your head and reading it out loud. A lot of simple grammar or spelling errors which we automatically correct and understand become big obstacles to trip over. A few times we had to stop and restructure the sentences or add or remove words.
We had a few interesting things which came up we hadn't considered. For example, a lot of the descriptions had Maori words in them which was important to get these right. As the tour would be documenting the permanent collection of the gallery, many words would have links to Maori culture and significance, especially as the collection tells the story of New Zealand. Ashlee was familiar with the language so could make sure the pronunciation was correct. Leif's European language was useful in getting the names of some of the more foreign artists right.
On this note, we also made the observations that many people from overseas would't understand Maori terminology and in a lot of the works, the usage isn't explained. This creates the opportunity in the app to create perhaps a glossary of Maori terms so within the written text the user can tap on such a word and get a definition or explanation. This works only to enrich the gallery experience we are creating as it reinforces the meaning of the work in relation to the historical and cultural context of New Zealand art and heritage.
Ben and Ashlee were very professional and familiar with the equipment and the proccess which ensured it all went smoothly. Their voices were authoritative and friendly and they kept good pace for Leif to understand and not so slow as to be boring for native English speakers. It was also good to differentiate between the voice used to read the description and the quotes, as the quotes were to sound more like a conversation with the artist so didn't have to be as formal.
Even though I'd read through the descriptions of the artworks before, it was really completely different hearing them read out. It is too easy to skim when reading words on a page and makes more sense when you have a voice telling you about it. I feel Ashlee and Ben did this really well, I could've listened to their voices all day.
Even though I've been interested in art for a few years and been to many galleries and exhibitions, I have never taken an audio tour. I found myself considering what the reason for this might be and realized it was because I like to explore and learn at my own pace and whim. I've learnt about art by studying it through books and discussions with friends, teachers and classmates. This is what I feel is the most enriching experience and never felt the appeal to take an audio tour. So it was interesting that by recording the audio for our tour, I already felt like I was experiencing the works in a different way. It made me look forward to going to actually see the works when the gallery opens.
By having to voice the audio, I think Ben and Ashlee also got a better understanding of the project. At one point when Ashlee was reading and Ben was recording, the description reference another artwork than the one being talked about. We explained to Ben that for cases such as this, the referenced artwork would be linked to within the app within the space if it was also part of the exhibition or an image shown. Ben described it as 'hyperlinking' in real life and I think this is a very good way to describe and approach it.
So with the audio recorded, it will be cut together into the appropriate sections, ready to be input into the app. Ben and Ashlee have gone above and beyond to help us out and it has been good learning a bit about their department works and what they do. They even have a radio station, Static 88.1 so have a listen and support them!
So with the audio side of the audio tour well underway and the app being pieced together, the 3D Unity navigation interface needs also to be completed and implemented. With one week left until study and exam weeks, the end of this project looms ever near.
We had a few interesting things which came up we hadn't considered. For example, a lot of the descriptions had Maori words in them which was important to get these right. As the tour would be documenting the permanent collection of the gallery, many words would have links to Maori culture and significance, especially as the collection tells the story of New Zealand. Ashlee was familiar with the language so could make sure the pronunciation was correct. Leif's European language was useful in getting the names of some of the more foreign artists right.
On this note, we also made the observations that many people from overseas would't understand Maori terminology and in a lot of the works, the usage isn't explained. This creates the opportunity in the app to create perhaps a glossary of Maori terms so within the written text the user can tap on such a word and get a definition or explanation. This works only to enrich the gallery experience we are creating as it reinforces the meaning of the work in relation to the historical and cultural context of New Zealand art and heritage.
Ben and Ashlee were very professional and familiar with the equipment and the proccess which ensured it all went smoothly. Their voices were authoritative and friendly and they kept good pace for Leif to understand and not so slow as to be boring for native English speakers. It was also good to differentiate between the voice used to read the description and the quotes, as the quotes were to sound more like a conversation with the artist so didn't have to be as formal.
Even though I'd read through the descriptions of the artworks before, it was really completely different hearing them read out. It is too easy to skim when reading words on a page and makes more sense when you have a voice telling you about it. I feel Ashlee and Ben did this really well, I could've listened to their voices all day.
Even though I've been interested in art for a few years and been to many galleries and exhibitions, I have never taken an audio tour. I found myself considering what the reason for this might be and realized it was because I like to explore and learn at my own pace and whim. I've learnt about art by studying it through books and discussions with friends, teachers and classmates. This is what I feel is the most enriching experience and never felt the appeal to take an audio tour. So it was interesting that by recording the audio for our tour, I already felt like I was experiencing the works in a different way. It made me look forward to going to actually see the works when the gallery opens.
By having to voice the audio, I think Ben and Ashlee also got a better understanding of the project. At one point when Ashlee was reading and Ben was recording, the description reference another artwork than the one being talked about. We explained to Ben that for cases such as this, the referenced artwork would be linked to within the app within the space if it was also part of the exhibition or an image shown. Ben described it as 'hyperlinking' in real life and I think this is a very good way to describe and approach it.
So with the audio recorded, it will be cut together into the appropriate sections, ready to be input into the app. Ben and Ashlee have gone above and beyond to help us out and it has been good learning a bit about their department works and what they do. They even have a radio station, Static 88.1 so have a listen and support them!
So with the audio side of the audio tour well underway and the app being pieced together, the 3D Unity navigation interface needs also to be completed and implemented. With one week left until study and exam weeks, the end of this project looms ever near.
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