The author talks about the frustrations facing everyday designs. He illustrates a variety of examples of poorly designed products, making you wondering and analyzing objects around you. He believes: “When simple things need pictures, labels, or instructions, the design has failed.” The fundamental principles of Design for Understandability and Usability are providing a good conceptual model and making things visible. In the rest of his work, the author shares his observations critiquing daily used products.
The author continues by explaining the principle of “mapping” which is defined by “a technical term meaning the relationship between two things; between the controls and their movements and the results in the world.” Then, the principle of “feedback” is explained as the action of “sending back to the user information about what action has actually been done, what result has been accomplished.”
Before creating a perfect product it usually takes 5 or 6 attempts to get it right. The functionality needs to be tested and improve until entire satisfaction.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Stupid Pet Trick
“NO WAY”: Comical but yet a practical device.
This analog circuit is constructed using a Force resistor sensor and a LED. When the sensor is activated by the individual, the LED brightens up, lighting the little black box. We then discover the words: NO WAY. This device has been created to communicate a straight forward message. This would eliminate uncomfortable and potentially long lasting exchanges with undesirable people. In the context of a bar or other social venues, this device could prove to be very useful.
Preferably, I would have needed more LEDs or a much brighter one. This “Stupid Pet Trick” could potentially, with improvement, become a practical object.
This analog circuit is constructed using a Force resistor sensor and a LED. When the sensor is activated by the individual, the LED brightens up, lighting the little black box. We then discover the words: NO WAY. This device has been created to communicate a straight forward message. This would eliminate uncomfortable and potentially long lasting exchanges with undesirable people. In the context of a bar or other social venues, this device could prove to be very useful.
Preferably, I would have needed more LEDs or a much brighter one. This “Stupid Pet Trick” could potentially, with improvement, become a practical object.
LAb: servo/analog out
I couldn't make the circuit work. I'll have to try again, but here is the pic of what I did...
Reading review: “Design meets Disability”
The chapter starts with the history of mass-produced products by Charles and Ray Eames, manufactured by Herman Miller in the 1940s and 1950s. Charles Eames believed that “design depends largely on constraints”
Design for disability has traditionally been about attracting as little attention as possible. The approach has been less about projecting a positive image and more about covering it.
Fashion is concerned with creating and projecting an image. Its goal is to make the wearer look good and feel better. For examples, eyewear has become an important product in the fashion industry. Since centuries, glasses have been considered to cause social humiliation. Only in 1991, the design press declared that “eyewear has become stylish.” A recent research shows that “Today, 20% of some brands of glasses are purchased with clear non-prescription lenses.” In that case, “the term user becomes inappropriate. Wearer sets up a different relationship between the designer and the person being designed for.”
Hearing aid is another important disability device. “Apart from the singer “Morrissey”, few people have been known to wear a hearing aid for show when they do need one.” Today, people (users/wearer) are used to the cell phone earpieces, earplugs, sending a positive imagery for technology. Hopefully the hearing aids industry will gather designers and engineers to create new products that would improve the self-image of their “patients”.
Later in the chapter, the author discusses the glamorization of prosthetic by actress/model/athlete Aimee Mullins. Her wardrobe is made up not only of different clothes that make her feel a different way but also different legs made of carbon fiber, silicon and curved wood.
Design for disability has traditionally been about attracting as little attention as possible. The approach has been less about projecting a positive image and more about covering it.
Fashion is concerned with creating and projecting an image. Its goal is to make the wearer look good and feel better. For examples, eyewear has become an important product in the fashion industry. Since centuries, glasses have been considered to cause social humiliation. Only in 1991, the design press declared that “eyewear has become stylish.” A recent research shows that “Today, 20% of some brands of glasses are purchased with clear non-prescription lenses.” In that case, “the term user becomes inappropriate. Wearer sets up a different relationship between the designer and the person being designed for.”
Hearing aid is another important disability device. “Apart from the singer “Morrissey”, few people have been known to wear a hearing aid for show when they do need one.” Today, people (users/wearer) are used to the cell phone earpieces, earplugs, sending a positive imagery for technology. Hopefully the hearing aids industry will gather designers and engineers to create new products that would improve the self-image of their “patients”.
Later in the chapter, the author discusses the glamorization of prosthetic by actress/model/athlete Aimee Mullins. Her wardrobe is made up not only of different clothes that make her feel a different way but also different legs made of carbon fiber, silicon and curved wood.
Reading review: The User Illusion: “The Bandwidth of consciousness.”
In this chapter, the author presents his theory about human consciousness which processes only in 40 bits/sec. How much information we can take per second? Only one millionth of what we see, smell or hear. The discard information is far more than information present. “To be aware of an experience means it has passed”.
Consciousness is far slower than you inner mental life. We can’t stop thinking and absorbing information. The discard information is then transferred in the body language. We can communicate without words just by our physical reactions.
Consciousness is far slower than you inner mental life. We can’t stop thinking and absorbing information. The discard information is then transferred in the body language. We can communicate without words just by our physical reactions.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Fantasy Device- The Real Thing
I choose to create a device that would change my work environment. As I do a lot a research and writing for my thesis, I found myself spending hours in front of my computer. I would have my walls, ceiling and floor made of LED screen to project a desired environment. On my device, I choose a country, a city, an environment, and temperature. I can preview the 360 degrees panorama on a little screen before applying it to the entire room. With this device, I don't have to move and travel, with my studio to get inspired. I can change my environment depending on my mood and my work.
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