Some notes on the choice to use QR codes rather than maps on the StoryCube.

In recent days I've been thinking about what it means for us to have turned-away from showing a map on each face of the StoryCube, prefering to use the QR only. Even though this does not preclude revealing a map through the QR code link, we have nontheless chosen to hide the map from the user in their initial interaction with the cube. The consequence of this is that the user will not be able to immediately see that the cube relates to route-information; even when engaging with the cube through the QR reader, the information from one face only, after another, will be revealed. The entire route will never be represented in map form on the cube. A further consequence will be that the user will not have an overview of the route  and will not be able to have a complete view of either what of the route lies ahead or behind them.  NB. These notes are superceded by the following posts, written after meeting GL on 16/3/11

Initially our plan was to wrap a map around the StoryCube, showing the entirety of the route. We soon realized, in our first trial, the level of utility of this removed any aspect of surprise or suspense. The route could be grasped in several glances and the end of the route - or the end of the story told by the route was revealed before the walk had started. This acted as 'spoiler' in one sense, although it did work as a useful navigation aid - as well as a transportable and novel one.

Once we had decided to hide the map information from view, to hide all/any information behind a QR code, we were faced with a different choice: what to reveal at each waypoint.
We now saw new potential in this work to unveil a narrative, to reveal it step-by-step. We were now able to focus on the unravelling of a tale, mapped to a route. Freed from the strict route defined on a map, our limited number of waypoints, (4 in total, plus start- and end-points) also suggest a self-direction  on the part of the user as they make their way between them.

The QR code could simply replace the map which would have been drawn on each face. However, we have potential to add images, texts or audio, revealed under each QR code at each location.

In recent work I have been interested in processes of negotiation and how these have been understood as spatial models. My ideas at present range around the ways in which our users will start and end at the same point, yet may choose different paths to get there.  Users start at the same point though may coincide momentarily and incidentally as they walk towards the final destination of the route.
Perhaps there are features of the city that could perform the function of randomizing or diverging of the walkers? The waypoints, for example, could be junctions or intersections which do not suggest a narrow or constrained path forward. Rather than perform a symbolic function, they might be primarily an engine to compel a divergent movement - or present a turbulent experience for the walker. This would be a field of chaotic energy, rather than a channel of uni-directional flow.

Perhaps the QR code could be in the middle of a junction? This would not indicate which side of the road of the intersection to walk on, or in which direction the destination lies.