If we consider the previous hacks on Play, Critical Play, Software, and Remixing as “alpha releases,” what would the beta release of that project look like? This is what Hack #5 is: a revisit, reimagining, and reworking of one of your previous hacks.
The goal is to transform one of your previous hacks through critical reflection and iterative design, developing a more conceptually rich and technically sophisticated version of your earlier work.
The Reimagining Process
For this final hack, select one of your previous projects to revisit. However, rather than simply making the project “bigger” or adding more content, fundamentally reimagine it by considering:
- Conceptual Depth: How can you deepen the conceptual foundation of your project? What new theoretical frameworks or critical perspectives could you incorporate?
- Context Shift: How might your project change if placed in a different context? Consider how shifting the audience, environment, or purpose transforms your work.
- Critical Reflection: What limitations or assumptions were present in your original project? How can you address these in your reimagining?
- Technical Evolution: What new technical skills or approaches can you apply to enhance your project’s functionality, design, or user experience?
- Cross-Pollination: How might incorporating elements from your other hacks strengthen this project?
Design Documents and Artist Statement
Separate from your Artist Statement, you should prepare, collect, and share documentation of your design process. This documentation might include:
- Reflections on the original hack that you are reworking
- Sketches/notes showing the evolution of your thinking
- Technical and conceptual challenges encountered
- Key decisions and pivots made during development
As for the Artist Statement (500-750 words), be sure to consider the following:
- Explain your conceptual approach to reimagining the project
- Analyze how your beta version transforms and reimagines the alpha
- Reference at least 2-3 relevant theoretical concepts or critical frameworks that informed your reimagining
Criteria
I’ll approach your hack using the following criteria:
- Revisioning (the extent to which the project reworks the original project)
- Craft (the degree of style, technical virtuosity, and craftiness of your hack, as well as the sophistication and polish of the Artist Statement itself)
- Intention (evidence of deliberation and iterative design)
- Conceptual Depth (effective use of relevant readings and concepts from class)
- Critical Awareness (the degree to which you demonstrate understanding of the implications and context of your design choices)