User Feedback (Part 1)

Fast City was distributed on CD-ROM among 12 different users to test separately. A selection of returned feedback is discussed below.

FEEDBACK "I think the writings in the CD-ROM are things observed and occurred in this 'Fast City', which I think is a metaphor of our society."
REFLECTION This user suggests a recognition of narrative unity in Fast City, as well as the intention to provide a degree of artistic commentary through the overall story experience.

FEEDBACK "The 'X''s itself does not only contain texts, but also has sound effects that add to the loop music you have in the 'speaker'. So there are interaction with the viewers audibly as well, as they are free to create their own music with the sfx."
REFLECTION This user acknowledges an appreciation of how the interactive units function, as well as the interactive behaviours associated with each button. This indicates successful induction into internal conventions of Fast City as a hypermedia story.

FEEDBACK "I like the overall design of the page. The colors are very nicely coordinated, and the graphics and fonts complimented one another. It is visibly appealing."
REFLECTION This statement of visual appreciation, focusing on design unity, reflects that many readers and software users today are already schooled in some degree of digital media literacy and aesthetics, as well as have a background in the use of interactive and hypermedia technology; enough to critique the effort at hand. However, this could perhaps also indicate that the user was more concerned with the appearance of the interface rather than its narrative potential.

FEEDBACK "It has a grunge feel, especially with its accompanying music track and sound effects. It helps if the intention of your message is about the filth of the society, exhibiting dissatisfaction and/or apathy towards it."
REFLECTION As this user indicates, various media elements here play an important role in contributing to the narrative themes, story material, mood, etc; and activate prior knowledge of popular music genres as well as other modes of popular culture. It is curious how this user decides that Fast City offers a rather negative thematisation of society, and a sense of "apathy", rather than, say, provoking a commitment to positive activism. [>]

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