Dissertation - Plan of Action

What are the next steps for my Dissertation?

Having learned to work in a certain while I was studying for my Industrial Design Degree,. I plan to work in a similar fashion this time around again. I found the format of research, conceptualization, development, final idea very helpful and it enabled me to work as productively as possible. Obviously there will be times where there will be two avenues being pursued simultaneously such as making sketch models / initial prototypes while conducting research or conceptualization etc. Also, iteration will be a big part of the design process, for instance with prototyping, I foresee many ‘tweaks’ being made!

Another important step that I will be addressing early on is looking into technologies more. I need to understand soon on what is technologically possible in order to create an interesting and successful interactive piece.

The Show & Exhibitions I am currently thinking of visiting are:
Eva, Limerick, March/April 2009
e v+ a presents the work of Irish and international contemporary artists in a range of venues and settings, formal and alternative, throughout the city of Limerick.
NCAD Graduate Show, Dublin, June 2009 TBC
Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology June 2009 - date TBC
RCA Show, London, 26 June – 5 July 2009
Graduate shows includes work by students from the following courses: Animation, Architecture, Communication Art & Design, Design Products, Design Interactions, Fashion Footwear and Accessories, History of Design, Industrial Design Engineering, Textiles. I feel that this could be a worthwhile show to visit.

I plan to write in my blog a lot more often! I feel it will be a lot easier to do this when the semester has finished and I can concentrate fully on my dissertation. I also think it will be easier in that, I am more clear on my area and can start researching and writing it in sections.
I think it will be vital to make sure I understand the users needs in order to preempt their wants and desires and predict the things they did not even realize they wanted. From studying the users I will be able to draw up the brief.

During my presentation, there was some valuable input that other members of the class contributed - both comments and suggestions. Miriam Lohan used a term that I really liked to sum up my idea - ‘Delight not Fright’, I think this gets across the point that the interaction should be natural to the user and not cause any anxiety at not knowing how to use it.
Sharon Le Gear also suggested to me that looking at Danish Interaction Design could be beneficial for me. Sharon also suggested that visiting Casey Furniture Store in Raheen could give me a feel for what is currently on the market furniture wise. She also suggested that it could be a good place to test out my design. I really like the idea of this and will definitely be looking into this.
Another suggestion was to look at Blogjects and see if my piece can interact and contribute information itself. I also really like this idea and think it could be very fun.

Dissertation - Research Methods

For my research, I would say I started out like most people with researching on the internet. From here, I started to move towards papers, and books. Other research I am planning to conduct, will depend on the stage of the project I am at.

We have come across so many useful papers in our two semesters here already that I feel are relevant to my project and am also coming across discussions on a daily basis that I am finding interesting for my area. With some of the papers that I felt were not as relevant such as Cultural Probes, I still found it usual as it helped me rule out research methods that were not relevant to my work.

I would like to get my information from as varied areas as possible. So not only do I plan to continue looking at papers, reading books, conducting internet research etc but i would like to visit exhibitions and shows that could be relevant or inspiring. I hope to visit a number of exhibitions and shows based in Ireland and the UK. I feel these could help to inspire me and start to get the creative juices flowing. One in particular that I would like to see is is the fashion exhibition by Hussein Chalayan.

Currently the Design Museum in London is exhibiting work by Hussein Chalayan, a British Fashion Designer. Chalayans exhibition includes designs using innovative materials and incorporating technology into his designs. Certain items use LEDs, aircraft materials that change shape by remote control, and lasers to create light shows. I am considering going to see this to in order to get inspiration, see these materials in a working form.

Other qualitative research that I am planning to carry out will include participant observations and how they react to the interactive system. Participatory design will be the approach I shall be taking when it comes to designing, I feel it is important that when one is design for people that people are actually included in the process and consulted in order to get a more appropriate solution. Keeping a video diary to record these interactions where possible could be quite useful in order to capture people physical reaction to the objects as it will give an indication to their feelings whether positive or negative. I also feel that informal interviews should be run in parallel to compliment the relaxed approach to gathering information. As the design intended is suppose to be enjoyable / relaxing and for home use, I do not feel it would make sense to have really structured and rigid interviews etc.

Throughout Semester Two’s Principles of Interactive Media module, I have found that the group seminars have been very helpful to me and my dissertation. With particular regard to the last one we participated in, Loraine Clarke’s seminar on Tangible Interfaces. This has been particularly relevant and I will be looking into the area more.

Dissertation - Challenges

Presently I see my biggest obstacle as being the electronics and programming side of the project. The reason being, this is something I have just started learning since coming to this course and feel that this is where I will need the greatest amount of help. Either I’m going to have to learn to love and understand electronics quickly or befriend someone who does know this stuff!

In relation to the other areas of computing such as the 3D modeling and animations etc, I do think they will possibly a bit time consuming and in some ways a bit difficult but achievable at the same time.

Another area where I feel I may need help will be in the physical modeling stage. While I do feel confident working with machines such as lathes etc, it will be more the access to these machines that I feel will be necessary.

Dissertation - Skills

Skills that I think I will need for my dissertation (apart from keeping a bucket load of patience!) are so far:
3D Modeling
Image Manipulation
Animation
Computer Programming
Electronics
Physical Prototyping

More specifically program wise, I think I may be using software such as:
Solidworks, 3D StudioMax, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Java, possibly PureData and Processing. Currently, I see there being a need for using Arduinos in my project so then Processing could come into it.

I have also been looking into Papervision3D - a really interesting real-time 3D engine component which can incorporate 3D models into Flash. You create 3D models in 3D Studio Max (or other programs such as Maya or Blender). Then use a plug-in to create a file that contains information on your 3D model’s set-up, textures and animation. Finally, you can use the Papervision component to import your 3D model into Flash CS3. While I am not sure if I will need this in my actual prototype or not yet, it would be very interesting for presentations to show the capabilities of what the design will be able to do.

I don’t see this list as being complete and I think I will be adding to do it, the further into the project I become and depending on how the idea takes shape.

Dissertation - Technology

Technologies I am interested in looking into more for this project are to do with heat, noise / sound detection, motion / movement and pressure / load sensing. I like the idea of using naturally occurring triggers to setoff reactions. I don’t want to disrupt daily living so I like the idea of using peoples ‘discarded motions’ or using actions that are already occurring for another purpose such as walking, sitting etc.

I like the idea of using noise levels / chatter to set off a lighting event. For instance, if there is only a few people in a room talking quietly then the lighting could be very different if it is filled with people laughing and talking loudly. the light could be brighter, stronger, a different colour or more intense.

I also like the idea of using music as the sound trigger. For example if a retro record player was hooked up the a lighting installation, depending on what ‘record’ is played affects what lighting display occurs.

I would like to be able to use one of these as a trigger to cause a reaction that would possibly be visualized in light using combinations of its intensity and colour.

Dissertation -Scenario of Use

I see this design as being an everyday item that would be integrated seamlessly into the twentieth century home. This product should not be intrusive or obvious in someone’s personal space. It should enhance the home, to create a relaxed environment. The interactive piece would be aimed towards the whole family and I feel it could be something they could all interact with together. Another scenario I could even see it being used in, is a home with young professionals in it. I see this design not as a disposable piece of furniture but something that grows with the family.

Dissertation - Inspiration Continued...

Other areas of inspiration for me would be Japanese Architecture, Scandinavian Design, and certain brands such as Apple. What I like about them and what I would like to bring to my dissertation would be the fact that they are clean, clear, minimalistic, functional, clever, fun, beautiful to not only look at, but to engage with also. I also feel that they blend into my life and enhance it without overpowering it.

What I see as being the common thread between these styles is that they only contain what is necessary, or when things are included that may not be deemed necessary, the user is not frightened by them.

They appear simple, balanced, well designed and most importantly intuitive. For me, the best designs, don’t need a manual to start off using them, but use peoples pre-existing skills to interact and operate.

Dissertation Inspiration Continued... "design doesn't always have to look forward..."

“... design doesn’t always have to look forwards...”

What I mean by this is, my inspiration is not just drawn from all of the amazing technologies that are being worked on at the moment but that much of my inspiration has been drawn from older sources such as twentieth century designs. This is where I started looking at older products or older models of products such as 70’s tvs, gramophones, record players, radios. I also liked the idea of looking at products that maybe we don’t use anymore such as a teasmaids and along those lines.

The images above signify connecting people, using music as an activation key, entertainment - this should be fun, different - that this should be interesting. One of the reasons I picked the teasmaid is because I think it is a really interesting design. The fact that an alarm clock and a kettle were married together I think is really fun and a a really interesting way to solve a problem.

One of the reasons I was interested in looking at furniture or domestic appliances is that generally they apply to the masses. In all homes there will be some sort of seating, lighting or appliance so I really liked the idea of using something like this as it would not be alien concept to people and hopefully they would be more comfortable with it.

Dissertation - Interactive Inspiration

Interaction design that has really caught my eyes has been predominantly objects that have used motion / movement, noise / sound, pressure / load sensing or heat detection to trigger off a reaction. I have been particularly interested in light reaction whether it is cause to change intensity, colour etc. We covered some of them already in our discussion this week on Tangible Interfaces.

Dissertation - Origins of Idea

How did the idea come about, why do I want to study this area ?

The idea of this area came from a combination of both personal and professional interests. Before coming to study Interactive Media, I had already completed a degree in Industrial Design. This education not only helped develop my design skills but at the same time feed my passion for product design in particular.

Furthermore it also gave me many of the basic skills that I will be bringing with me in my approach to my dissertation. Not only the technical skills of using computer programs such as Photoshop and Solidworks and being able to build physical models - through my degree I gained much hands on, practical experience through making my own models, stands and exhibitions. I also learned the equally important soft skills of learning to work to tight deadlines, managing time, breaking the project up into different sections of research, conceptualization, sketch modeling, development, final prototyping. 

I am not only interested in design from a professional viewpoint, but also as a consumer and as a user of products. I have always been interested in particular with the design of home appliances, furniture and lighting so I decided that if it was possible, that I should try and working within these areas.

Another area I am also interested in is the idea of sustainability, recycling and repurposing . Where possible, I have always tried to incorporate this into my personal life by recycle and repurposing object but now I would like the opportunity to do it in a professional capacity. The combination of all the factors above have lead me to where I am currently at...

Dissertation - What is the Idea Now

‘ ... to create an integrated piece to enhance living spaces ...’ 

For my Dissertation, I have now decided to investigate the area of Interactive Living for the Domestic Market. I would like to create an integrated and interactive piece for the home, which enhances your time spent there. Nowadays, everyone is busy so I would like to create something that evokes the senses in a natural, seamless way while at the same time ensuring that it is not intrusive or overbearing. Functionality will have a big impact on this design, in that I want the interactivity to create added value, as opposed to taking away from its original function, i.e. if it is a chair, it should function as a chair. 

It is also vital for me that what is created is something the user will want to interact with and feel positive in relation to the piece. It is important to that is not just adding to the mass of already excessive products but that it actually adds something positive to peoples lives and that they enjoy using it. Going forward I think it will be very important to ensure that whatever solution I come up with still has its function and that the ‘novelty’ doesn’t wear off.

I would like to design an interactive piece that either incorporates furniture or domestic appliances. Where possible, I would like to use either pre-existing products and adapt them to be twenty first  century versions of themselves, or using them for a new purpose / ‘repurposing them’.

Dissertation - From Dissertation to Now...

What changed? How has the idea grown...

Coming from my proposal at Christmas, my scope for my dissertation area has changed considerably. With nearly our second full semester of iMedia under our belts, I really feel that it has given us not only more knowledge of the area, but more importantly, opened up our minds for what can be possible in interaction design. Through modules such as Foundations of Interactive Media and my chosen elective of Programming Languages, it has really given me a greater understanding of the possibilities.

Dissertation - Original Area

Where did I start? Why here...

Originally I had proposed looking at the area of sports tracking and performance. I was interested in the fact it can be quite hard to judge how exercise is actually affecting your body. Are you doing the exercise correctly? Is it putting pressure on certain areas of your body? How can you improve your technique? How have you progressed over time? 

Another aspect of health and fitness that I was interested in, was in relation to the actual equipment used. For instance with a treadmill, the information that is give back to the user can sometimes be quite irrelevant or basic. It can be hard to know if you are actually achieving what you set out to do, whether that be specific targeted muscle enhancement, general fitness or even weight loss.  People who are participating in sports more seriously ,will generally know the effect it is having on their body more-so than people who are doing as a leisure pastime. It’s possible for many of these sports people to have someone tracking their progress and continually pushing them to achieve their goals. While people who are using sport as a leisure time pursuit, are relying on themselves for this information.

I had been looking into perhaps creating something for runners or team sports such as rowing, especially since the University has such strong clubs and sport science programs. I felt that this would make for strong research and a more well thought out design. Having said all that - I’ve since moved towards another area...

Dissertation - Where to go now...

Since my last posts (which I didn't get to finish anyway!). I have looking to possible go back to one of my original areas but taking it on in the form of interactive furniture, perhaps a coffee table. I like the idea of turning everyday objects that are not traditionally interactive in the media sense into more advanced versions of themselves.

Dissertation - Performance Tracker

Nokia has created a GPS tracker that stores information such as speed, distance and time to do with your exercise. 

Dissertation - Music link to exercise

Another option to use music as a motivational tool would be to have it linked up to your heart rate and breathing. This could trigger up tempo music to help you increase your activity. 

Dissertation - Music

Since my last post about my dissertation area, I've been looking into the idea of using the movement of your body during exercise to create your own motivational music. Studies have shown (Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology) that music can enhance performance by up to 15% and improve the attitude of the participants. The idea of having sensors in your shoes maybe like insoles that would assess the pressure, frequency etc and if heartrate and breathing were also monitored that were linked to beats to create music that could spur you on / relax you (depending on the stage you're at in your exercise.