Here is my final presentation/documentation for our Re-Invent the Switch project, I’m calling it “Do.Not.Disturb”
VIDEO:
Testing L.E.D. + potentiometer + arduino + processing
Testing prototype 1.0
Feb 13
Void interaction = if interaction + = media…then ++ ?w!t?f
Been keeping on wrapping my thoughts around the next assignent. Im not in the complete clear. I get the social / object component of it… but am not sure about the media component.
In the midst of processing it al, I figured I would linke/add a project I made last semester… I wonder if you would consider it to fall amongst the lines of the assignment ( minus the absence of internetting /online social network thang …)
I hope I’m on the right track of thought… I would like to take me phone booth as my precedence and move onto something more evolving/engaging . I’m thinking, components that need to be assembled, games, etc…
The big challenge:
I need to figure out a social media platform to link certain folk together …. i am not going to work with Twitter or Facebook. …Not hating on either. ..Just not choosing it to be the only way to keep on keeping on.
Feb 07
Switch Project: 1st Iteration
A switch which is embedded into a running jacket will enable a GPS tracking device that passively tracks a users distance. Once connected, an LED will turn on as a feedback loop so the user knows the device is working. Enables easier activation of a GPS system for runners as opposed to carrying a phone and programming a tracking application. After a run is complete, the user will plug the GPS tracker into their computer for analyzation.
After hearing feedback from the class on the mock-up of the running jacket, I made some design changes prior to construction of the first iteration.The most significant change is the placement of the button that is attached to the slim piece of fabric (which also acts as a reminder). Originally it was affixed at the bottom and in order the turn on the switch, the button would cross the zipper, however this posed an issue because it interfered with unzipping the jacket.
long fabric with button
fabric crosses over zipper causing interference
In order to keep the ‘reminder’ aspect of the button, but without having it interfere with the zipper, I chose to place the connecting button inside the jacket just below the chest. This will not interfere with any other functionality of the jacket and still accomplish the task of turning on the GPS accompanied with LED feedback. Below are some sketches of this process.
sketch of 1st iteration
sketch of 1st iteration
I documented the process of constructing the first iteration. Materials used were conductive string, a 3V battery holder, Velcro, and an LED light board.
'negative' side of conductive thread from LED to battery (inside)
LED on outside of jacket
battery embedded into long fabric connected to black velcro, 'positive' side of LED connected to white velcrow
switch connected on inside of jacket
LED feedback when switch is connected
Feb 02
Switch Project: mock-up and process
For the Switch Project I am creating a running jacket that passively tracks your GPS which will be activated when a button is snapped on the jacket. Once snapped, an LED visible from the sleeve of the jacket will notify the user that the GPS is on and can begin their run.
When a run is complete the user can plug the tracking device into their computer via a USB and analyze their distance and time. The focus will be on the actual functionality of the jacket and less about the GPS tracking device, however its placement is important in the design process.
The location of the button is important in order for the user to remember to use the tracking device. Therefore the button will be affixed at the bottom of the jacket to a slim piece of fabric, about an inch wide, and when not fastened will dangle below the jacket. This will act as a reminder that the button is not snapped.
hanging button
fastened button
Jan 31
Definition of Interaction
The simplest way to define Interaction is to say that it is a conversation between 2 entities.I recently read an article related to simplicity and interaction design. I think that simplicity can be a strong word to describe it: Interaction design is a simple , usable and expressive system. There are so many products out there that are so sophisticated but unusable or unfriendly for the user. The key thing in interaction design is too find a great idea and represent it as simple as possible . Making a simple product is the key to successful design. If the user succeeds in using the designed object intuitively that means that the designer has succeeded in his task. Making steps as simple as possible is also very important. The user will repeat the function without even thinking about it. Testing is also a key word in interaction design. It is so important to test a product on its users even before starting to built it. If the product was tested on people from different background and was used the way that the designer expected. This means that the designer succeeded in designing a simple interface.I also like to think of interaction as an experience between two people. A sort of play between a receiver and a sender. Finally I think that this definition is growing and being modified throughout the years. I guess that we will never have a standard definition of interaction.
Jan 31
response to “What is interaction design?”
The meaning of interaction shifts when we are discussing it in relation to design. As defining and bringing relative meaning to interaction in of itself can be an obtuse process; it becomes better defined when discussing it in terms of design. Based on the reading, we want interaction design to focus on what a potential user’s capabilities, interests, wants, needs, and backgrounds are then begin building design on the basis of these characteristics.
This approach also seeks to enhance or improve actions and daily routines that a user is already engaged in usually involving some new technological developments. It is important to understand this at the beginning of a project in order to establish what outcomes to expect. This method can also bridge the gap of what designers working together on a project perceive as the design objectives.
As students in this program, it is important to develop working habits that relate to team or group projects. Once we reach graduation, most of us will be seeking jobs, and the majority of us will end up working at a start-up or agency with a group of people. As important as it is to develop individual skills, working on teams at companies is a place many if us are going to be finding ourselves, and the reading address this issue to a degree. Not only are we going to be working on teams as designers, but we will also be working with users.
Since potential users are a very integral part of the design process, they will be involved throughout all phases of the design. Once user experience goals are established, then we can begin what the reading refers to as the four basic activities, or the design process. In class, we discussed a fifth activity which involves iterating the final design and seeking improvements and future iterations. No design or product can ever be fully completed, there will always be room for changes or future improvements.
Jan 31
Interaction and stuff
At this point in time, I have failed to consolidate an understanding of ‘interaction’ which is meaningful to me. Forget dissecting the word into constituents and battering it from every angle, I need a modern, concise, encompassing, and absolute understanding of this word, free of ambiguity and subjectiveness. It would be convenient, although unlikely, if this understanding became widespread, leading to a mutual agreement between designers, marketers, and the like, that interaction/interactivity was simply this. Of course, that kind of narrow-minded and absolute thinking makes the squarish buildings outside look even more square. We have been asked to describe what interactivity means to us. If you asked me to describe what ‘organic’, ‘green’, or ‘sustainability’ means to me, I would suffer a comparable frustration as these marketable words fall into a similar category as interaction; buzz words, ones which become used so often they act as a vague allusion rather than a real and meaningful word. Subjectiveness can be scary when it threatens our fundamental mode of communication, language. But as you can probably tell by now, I have diverged well off track and must realign my thoughts in order to accomplish the assingment in hand: What is interaction? I do, of course, have some vague impression of interaction, and it is this which I would like to share with you.
Likely, we can agree that the hype around interactivity emerged alongside digital technologies. Humans are spending a great deal of time engaged in technology and a word is needed to describe this engagement. We are not talking to technology (yet), we are simply communicating with it through various simple switched and sensors. We expect the technology to react to our input, and if it does not then of course ‘something must be broken’. It is a simple protocol between man and machine – man acts, technology reacts. This, in short, is my simplified understanding of interactivity.
I should also mention that this understanding of interactivity could become disused in the coming years as technology (AI, neurofeedback, voice recognition) becomes more intelligent and advanced.
Jan 29
Notes From Class Interaction Definition
No difference between and object and a system
an object or system has an interaction between another object or system
languages, physical interactions, combination
Physics
Human – Interacting with a computer – language interaction
Ignore it because it has no meaning anymore
more commonly associated with digital media
invitation to become engaged
Information passing through 2 things
passing some form of information between them
enabling effects to happen
Must respond to you
Can’t interact with a TV show
The only time there is a true interaction between a human and a machine is when it breaks
meaningless word – if you have free will you can interact with whatever you want
transferrable interaction.
When is something is overly interactive
levels of interaction – degrees
Sound is important for interaction – Feedback Mechanism
Jan 26
Definition of Interaction
Interaction is the action which let you know what you are supposed to do. Indeed, there are many different types of interaction. I would like to take the Human-computer interaction for example. When people are using their keyboards, they are hearing knocking sounds from the keyboards, and then we will know there is supposed to be some words on the screen. Also, when we are using our Microsoft Word and editions essays, a small vertical line always blinks that has two things to tell you. First meaning is that tells you the software is working well. Secondly, you will know where you get started. Don’t think the blinking line is useless, it’s very important for the user experience of Microsoft Word.
In summary, How to define interactions could be as the same as how to define the actions are suggestive and introductive. If the suggestions or the introductions can course an action, we can tell them interactions.
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