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.