Posts Tagged Labs
Box UK and the BBC – the beginning!
Over the last week or two we’ve started work on the initial stages of our project with the BBC, which we’ll be keeping you up to date with over the next couple of months.
The initial stages will be very much R&D related and will involve experimenting with the BBC’s existing data. One of the issues that we’ll need to deal with is coming up with amazing, sexy but useful applications that users won’t be able to live without. Dan’s previous posts go to show some of the scope that can be covered with just travel data.
When we were picked to take part in the Labs we went in thinking that, by restricting ourselves to just looking at travel data , that we had a fairly limited scope, and I’m happy to admit that there was a slight feeling of jealousy at the companies sitting in the room with us talking about ARGs and interactive television shows.
However, when we sat down and started looking at the sheer amount and variety of travel data that’s available, the platforms and media that it can be pushed out on to, and the other data that can be mashed with it, we’ve come to realise that there is huge potential to develop applications that are sophisticated, fun, useful and visually stimulating… and we’re getting very excited about the whole thing!
So we’re going to regularly write about all the cool stuff we’re doing and if you have any thoughts or comments along the way please let us know…
*** Claire
1 comment July 15, 2008
BBC Labs Day 5 – Pitch Day and Tips
So I’ve just got back home from the week-long labs… We’re both mentally worn; can hardly think, but are very pleased with the commission result!
We worked some long days this week (in excess of 18 hours sometimes), so can’t really make much sense at the moment, but I thought I’d jot down some tips for future labs-attendees (if it runs again), while I can think of them. Then, I’ll leave you with some photos…
Some Tips:
- Your idea WILL almost certainly change, possibly completely. Be prepared.
- Don’t expect to have any spare time during the week; it’s work, work, work. This includes the evenings.
- The ‘big’ ideas are the toughest to get through; remember that the BBC will initially only release a small amount of budget for the idea, so think about phasing or prototyping if your idea is big.
- Be prepared to iteratively pitch over the week.
- Be prepared for much criticism, and constantly finding problems. It’s psychologically grueling.
- React to the criticism, by changing your idea/pitch. It’s mostly accurate.
- If a commissioner even slightly hesitates about something, it’s probably worth changing! At the end of the day, it’s your commissioner who you need to feel comfortable with the project.
- Remember the BBC have some particular bug-bears which can SERIOUSLY affect the viability or direction of your project. Consider, with A LOT of thought:
- Copyright Issues: The BBC don’t fully own the rights to much of their content…
- Licensing: If you’re working with web-data – and probably other data too – remember that it may have been provided to the BBC under licensing conditions which may prevent your idea from happening.
- Commercial Impact – If you’re idea is similar to something that already exists in the private marketplace, or is likely to impact the revenue of an existing private marketplace, it’s very difficult for the BBC to proceed
Add comment May 2, 2008
BBC Labs Day 4 – Onwards and upwards
As the sun sets over the sleepy hills of Powys and day four of the Wales and West Midlands BBC Innovation Labs 2008 draws to a close, you’d be forgiven for thinking that there was peace and tranquility at the Lake Country House in Llanmmarch Wells… but you would be wrong. Listen a little bit closer and you will hear the rumbling of keyboards and the almost inaudible buzz of stress, frustration and yes, mild panic… that right folks, it’s pitch day tomorrow.
As luck (or fate) would have it, we are pitching first tomorrow morning and despite the minor curve ball thrown our way yesterday, which resulted in us ripping up our original idea and starting almost from scratch at 11am this morning, we think we’ve done OK. But there’s nothing like adrenaline to help you pack two months work and preparation into 22 hours!
Today mainly saw us left alone to push on with our pitches and the Box UK corner was a hive of activity (well almost) as we worked on our new idea, but has it been enough…?
I suspect the real reason for putting us in such a remote location is not that the distant bleating of lambs and twittering of birds will calm your nerves, but probably more to the fact that no-one can hear you scream. Despite all of our research, one thing that didn’t expect is the lack of spare time you have once you’re here. Every day this week we have worked from 9am through to 7pm and then had homework. It would be fair to say it has been a bit of a slog, but we have met some great people and learnt a lot in a short space of time.
So all that leaves me to say, before I *attempt* to get some sleep, is thanks to the BBC for a fun, challenging week and good luck to all the great teams that have worked so hard over the last couple of days.
I hope you’ll join me tomorrow for the next exciting installment…
*** Claire
Add comment May 1, 2008
BBC Labs Days 2 & 3 – Users, the BBC and a mind reading bat called Plasma…
It’s nice to be on Welsh turf and as with many Welsh web related gatherings there are some familiar faces. The guys from Cube are here with their idea for following news stories, and are also blogging their experience and Peter Gill & Associates are here trying to bring ‘new music to the masses’.
Day two was spent focusing on the users, we worked on personas, their experience of using our service and how it effects and works with their day-to-day life.
Working with a mentor and another team (we had the help of Matt Cashmore who is organising the labs and CMS Video with their ‘Play Music’ project) this exercise gave us a real insight into what the user needs and stands to benefit from signing up to our service. However it also gave us a couple of things to think about and demonstrated that we still have a bit of work to do before Friday.
We also found out yesterday why the BBC warned us about our idea being pulled apart. I think two days of ‘constructive critisism’ started to take its toll on a couple of the teams (ourselves included!) but we’ve been assured that by Friday we’ll be glad that it happened and will see the benefits…
Day 3
Day three of the labs, the sun is shining in Llangammarch Wells and it’s commissioner day. This morning we split off into our teams to go to and do a bit of fine tuning before we get a half hour with the commissioners this afternoon. The attitude today is slightly more positive and I think that some of the teams are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel!
As for us, our idea is growing…
We’re also learning a little bit more about our mentors, Frank Boyd (who has been great) did a magic act involving a mind reading vampire bat called Plasma once upon a time, who I’m hoping will make an appearance later today as I’m sure mind reading skills could be quite useful for the rest of the week!
*** Claire
Add comment April 30, 2008
