The Wave LED Table

This table was created by ‘Because We Can’ and ‘Evil Mad Scientist’. It is a motion activated coffee table. The table is embedded with LEDs which react to movement that occurs over the surface of the table. It has a clear glass top which allows the user to see how the light is changing. One of the reasons I really liked this piece was because it’s new interaction did not take away from its traditional and original function of being a coffee table. I also really like the fact you can learn to use this product without consulting a manual. The user learns how to use it by actually using it. This is something I would really like to incorporate in my design. Another interesting point is that it uses less energy than a traditional bulb. It has been described as ‘geek furniture’ which I find amusing.

Dissertation - Inspiration Continued... Squeeze

This product is a combination of two items, a camera encased in a soft, tactile shell and what is essentially a bean bag. The tactile camera is used to take pictures around the house by gently squeezing it. This was designed to connect co-located people and not to connect ‘virtual living together’ like the Microsoft Whereabouts Clock. Squeeze encourages collective and active engagement in the home and enables awareness and communication of the people who live there. When a photograph is taken, the picture is automatically displayed on the wall beside the chair. Movement on the chair is used explore the pictures that have been taken. What I like about this product is that it facilitates multiple users through having two active control zones at each end of the chair with pressure and flex sensors. Another reason why I like this product is that it is social, playful and integrates into family life and again, the user learns through use of the product.

Dissertation - Inspiration Continued... Fr. Repentium III

This was created by Lisa McEligott, one of the IDC’s own, in 2000. It is an interactive confessional box which combines a variety of elements to evoke the senses - pre-scripted responses and noises, combined with the theatrics of darkness and the intentional smells of beeswax marry together to form a very interesting pice.

Although this one is not does not strictly relate to the interactive design I have outlined above. It still has very relevant aspects to my dissertation such as the ‘reusing’ of an object, the creation of a new piece of interactive design that is already familiar to the users and the creation of an overall interactive experience.

Principles of iMedia Class - My Best Teacher Ever...

During our Principles of iMedia class yesterday, Gabriela asked us to think about our best teacher ever. It didn't necessarily have to a person but could be something else... Hmmm my best teacher ever. Where do you start with something like this? I think there have been many people and events that have guided me towards the path I am on now. At the moment I can think of three distinct people who have influenced and encouraged my creativity throughout my life. The first two people are family members - my mother and one of my brothers. From a very young age, I can remember having reams of paper in our house that a neighbour in the printing business gave us. I have so many memories of painting and drawing at the dining room and we were never repremanded for making a mess. First of all we always knew we had to clean up and the mess was never intentional, it was more of a by product of our creativity. Sure the paint was water based anyway! But secondly, my mother always encouraged our creativity whether it was painting, drawing, paper mache, music or bun making!  

The other family member that really encouraged me to be creative was one of my older brothers. Being the youngest and the only girl can have many advantages (as well as disadvantages too!)  but he really taught me a lot and more importantly, he taught me in a really fun and enjoyable way. Lego featured very strongly in our playtime and really helped me to start thinking in 3D and being creative in a different form.

I did not start to think about using my creativity for anything bar fun until towards the end of secondary school. I had assumed that I would study business or marketing at college but it was with the encouragement of my secondary school art teacher that I realized that I wanted to do something that involved using my imagination. 

For me, the people that I would say have  been my 'best teachers' are the ones that have offered encouragement, gave me confidence in my endeavors, helped me find the fun in learning and inspired me with own creativity in their lives.

Dissertation - The New Me

Interactive Media Masters

For all you interested on more information on the course, follow this link:Interactive Media Masters UL

Dissertation - Nextfest Interactive Video Wall

This interactive video wall looks really interesting. I like that it is simulating something that is completely natural - grass blowing in the wind, yet it is done using technology. I think it works really well in creating a very realistic s

IDC Wiki

The IDC Wiki is another lovely link if you would like more information in relation to the Interactive Media Masters course and also the IDC