Domain Map Presentation

On the first day of class we were asked to make a mind map based on our areas of interest. I then further developed the ideas generated in my mind map, for a short presentation on the domains of my studies and interests.

Domain Presentation

View more presentations from Operation:CMYK.

Rapid Prototype

Today in major studio we needed to create a rapid prototype of a Bifocal Display. With the time constraint of 30 minutes, we were to build this prototype based off a prototype created over a decade ago. This prototype is used to show the potential with which computers might be able to create “zoomable” previews of files and documents. Obviously, this technology already exists, introduced most popularly with Apple’s Leopard OS.

So with 30 minutes, some foam board, tape, scissors, an exacto knife, newspaper and some chopsticks……Phill and I made this:

Rapid Prototype from Adam Scher on Vimeo.

This process was really meant to show us the ways in which prototyping is highly beneficial to the design process. It is quick, low cost, and allows you the freedom to create many many iterations. All in all, this assignment was very fun!

Weiser, Winograd, Zimmerman Response

Reading these three articles in chronological order was a fascinating look at the historical trajectory of technology and more specifically “interactive design”.  Even though each article touched on specific ideas regarding design and technology, they all emphasized the importance of technology’s roll as a communication tool. Our inherent and intuitive response to using and utilizing is becoming based more around “communication [than] computation” (Winograd).

In his article “From Computing Machinery to Interaction Design”, Winograd actually predicts the emergence of interactive design as a new area of research and application. Written 13 years ago, he postulates this new field will develop out of the need to design “spaces for human communication and interaction [which] will lead to expansion in those aspects of computing that are focused on people, rather than machinery.” (Winograd) At the time, the skills to build technology with such capabilities were held by engineers and computer scientists. Minds that were capable of problem solving in areas regarding communication, psychology, and visual design seemed crucial to this design problem.

Over a decade later, the title “interactive designer” is being used, and not surprisingly is regarded crucial to the design process. The Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCI) interviewed well regarded interactive designers, to help refine their methodologies and practice of design research. What they found was the integration of interactive designers throughout an entire process, not just at the end, was enriching and beneficial. They note that designers integrate “ideas from art, design, science and engineering, in an attempt to make aesthetically functional interfaces.”(Zimmerman) What I found most interesting in their research was the understanding that designers bring empathy to the process. It is not just about what it looks like or how it works but why and how it’s used. This notion of considering the human connection to design is the future foundation on which we are currently building on.

In Mark Weiser’s essay, “The Computer for the 21st Century”, he writes about the incorporation of “invisible” and integrated technologies are in our everyday lives. He writes, “By pushing computers into the background, embodied virtuality will make individuals more aware of the people on the other ends of their computer links.”(Weiser) By creating and using, what Weiser calls, “ubiquitos computers” individuals can more seamlessly integrate technology, information, and communication into their flow. His ideas of the future involve hundreds of computers ranging from the size of a post-it to a bulletin board.

These reading made me start to think about the direction that I see technology and personal computing traveling in. I agree with all the readings, that personal communication with others is an inherent desire. It is most natural this to shape technology’s growth. There has been such a huge trend in content creation, and lots of the current technologies emphasize the ease with which we can create and disseminate content. It has become second nature, and the fact that anyone can “tweet” from anywhere, really makes the technology seem invisible. I don’t think about the fact that a cell phone was able to run an application which was able to wirelessly send data to online database which I then can access.  More simply put, “Successful interaction design requires a shift from seeing the machinery to seeing the lives of the people using it.”(Winograd)

An overhaul update

As I failed to update my blog over my first semester of gradschool, I am hoping that in this next week I can post some highlights of the work that I did.

Yes I know that defeats the purpose, and all of my entries will be made at once….but at least i’ll have some documentation of the things I accomplished.

Don’t hate.

Web Media: Week 1

a link of a previous version of my portfolio site which I made using flash

Here are some links to flash sites that I like:
Neon Bible
monoface.com

Link to my MadLibs homework assignment

DESIGN: Assignment 9

Game Design Process:

Anthony, Eric, and I were given the task to design a game that used coins and had to be played with one hand. A very interesting challenge. I think that we tackled this task extremely successfully.

We started by brainstorming and making lists, of games we knew that involved coins. We decided that the most successful coins games, were ones that we similar to sports. We all agreed that a coin based version of Shuffle Board would be great.

We drew up a game board prototype on some notebook paper, and started playing with some coins we had in our pocket. We then had an idea! What if each coin had a specific property attached to it. This would include our one-handed rule that we were given. We decided that there would be some coins with handycaps, and others with bonus points.

We then got user test our game with some of the students in another section. Because we had our directions written out, we didn’t need to explain anything to them. They played the game almost exactly as we had wanted! How fantastic! There were however a few questions about our rules that arose in the testing. “Was 100 points too high of a goal?”, “What should be the maximum and minimum amount of players?”

We were also given the task of using the laser cutter here to help with our prototype. We laid out the entire game board, coins, and rules to be cut out on masonite. It looks AMAZING! Also, the material helps the coins slide.

CODE: Assignment 9

Link to LOLCATS sketch

DESIGN: Assignment 8

First of all I love the TED talks. They are always so inspirational, and so informative. It is great to hear amazing speakers (who are in my industry) speak about amazing things.

Tim Brown’s talk about the importance of creativity and fun in the workplace and in our lives was so wonderful. It’s true that as adults we judge our own ideas, and censor them. This inhibits us from freely generating concepts. I feel that as we get older we think more and more “inside the box”, mostly due to fear. But if we are constantly encouraged, but our peers and our environment, the possibilities are endless.

CODE: Assignment 8

Psuedo-Code for Final Project

Create a time-lapse image:

1. Connect camera to computer

2. Detect camera

3.Open window which displays picture

4. Save image

5. Print image with 50% alpha channel

6. Save another image a half second later

7. Print image with 50% alpha channel

8. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for 60 seconds.

9. Save final image as a high resolution .jpg

photography examples:

WEB: Assignment 7

The content layout didn’t turn out as well as would have wanted, but alas I made an attemp.

Link