Communicate

Captions

At the graduation exhibition, only a business-card-sized caption (affiliation, name, title information) is provided. You need to create the artwork overview, experience instructions, concept, and message yourself.

Caption Content

• Start with a single sentence that concisely describes the artwork.
• Describe the artwork's appearance in text --- what is placed/displayed (visual), what sounds are playing (auditory), and what happens when you do something (interaction/experience instructions).
• If the experience instructions are complex, separate them with paragraph breaks or under an "How to Experience" heading, distinct from the overview description.
• Additionally, use illustrated steps to make instructions easy to understand.
• Follow with the production method, background, artwork concept, and message.

Caption Production Notes

• Include touch OK/NG and photography OK/NG marks
• Do NOT just print on copy paper and leave it on the table
• Mount it on foam board, etc. (should be available in the lab cabinet)!
  • Nori-panel (adhesive foam board) and Hare-panel are standard products (similar products are available at 100-yen shops)
  • After mounting the printout, trim excess with a box cutter
  • Use a long ruler and cut in about 3 passes (1st: create a groove -> 2nd: cut to about 80-90% depth -> 3rd: finishing cut)
• Size should be approximately A5 to A4
• For printing, even for A4 or A5, we recommend the large-format inkjet printer in Studio A!
• Using thick premium glossy, semi-glossy, or matte paper improves the finish quality

How to Attach Captions

At the graduation exhibition, mounting on booth walls is permitted. However, only low-adhesive or easily removable double-sided tape may be used. Other options include placing them on the corner of the display stand, leaning them against a small easel, etc. Using a photo frame instead of foam board can create a different presentation effect.

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Tips for Smooth Exhibition Operations

Starting and Shutting Down the Artwork

• If launching an application, place a shortcut on the desktop for easy access
• Set up a dedicated exhibition user account that does not require a password at PC startup
• Use the PC's built-in scheduled start/shutdown features

Auto-Launching Applications

During an exhibition, manually launching applications every morning after turning on the PC is cumbersome and risks forgetting. Set up applications to launch automatically at login.

Windows:

1. Press Win + R to open "Run"
2. Type shell:startup and press Enter -> the Startup folder opens
3. Copy shortcuts of the applications you want to auto-launch into this folder

Mac:

1. Open "System Settings" -> "General" -> "Login Items & Extensions"
2. Add the applications you want to auto-launch to the "Open at Login" list using the "+" button

Automating Detailed PC Operations

Depending on the exhibition work, you may need multiple operations after PC startup, such as "open a specific folder -> double-click a file -> make the window fullscreen -> hide the mouse cursor." Doing this manually every time is tedious, so it is convenient to automate the sequence.

Mac: Automator

• A macOS built-in application. You can arrange actions such as "open application," "simulate key input," and "run shell script" in sequence and save them as a workflow
• Created workflows can be exported as "Applications," so you can execute the entire sequence with a single double-click
• Register it in the login items above, and the entire sequence runs automatically at PC startup

Windows: Power Automate

• An automation tool from Microsoft. It has a "desktop flow" feature that records and replays on-screen click operations and key inputs
• You can visually build sequences like "launch app -> wait 3 seconds -> click specific button -> go fullscreen"
• Combined with Task Scheduler, it can also be set to run automatically at login

Organizing and Concealing Cables

• Route cables through corners, inconspicuous locations, and areas where people don't walk
• Making cables less visible: cable raceways (floor/wall type), cable management sleeves, cable covers
• Securing exhibit items: double-sided tape, wire fasteners, screws
• Lighting: Beyond general booth lighting, consider table lamps, etc. In dark environments, captions become very difficult to read.