Lab+Assignments

Lab 1 Compare and contrast a Sony Walkman with an Apple iPod, and describe the differences in their physical construction, interface design, technology and delivery of sound. Quick sketches are helpful for this analytical process.

SONY

- you have to rewind/forward to your song - carry a list of songs to know what plays next - No screen - uses more materials - bulky - huge headphones (on top of ears not inside) - lots of inputs - AA batteries - stop button - to many buttons (all around the walkman) = mechanical buttons (compression technique - up and down) - analog = cassette tapes

APPLE

- Choose which song you want (fast forward/rewind), start from the beginning in less time than rewinding - You have a list of songs - plays music digitally (mp3's) - Album art - Less material and small compact - small headphones (earbuds) - two outputs (headphones and charger) - no stop button - visual screen - every button (play, stop, forward, rewind and volume) is in one area only = click wheel = touch sensitive (operates from a system) - digital - lithium battery

= Lab 2 =

Tutorial Questions: For each category, describe how it is designed to alleviate poverty for the project's stakeholders. (6 categories x 1 paragraph = 6 paragraphs) = = = SHELTER = =Katrina Furniture Project=

The Katrina Furniture Project is a workshop that allows people to build furniture using the debris left by the storm. It allows people to rebuild what they have lost in the storm and help others replace what they've lost. Using recycled material such as wood, enables a cleaner environment and replace furniture like tables and stools that were destroyed in more than ninety churches. "The workshops train community members in making furniture and the fundamentals of business, and function as a neighborhood-based place of work and resource center while residents rebuild their homes." (http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/Design/katrina-furniture-project) The members gain skill of rebuilding what they once lost and it helps them put a roof over their heads.

= HEALTH = =LifeStraw=

The LIfeStraw is a water-purification tool that turns any surface water into drinking water. "About half of the world’s poor suffer from waterborne diseases, and more than 6,000 people, mainly children, die each day by consuming unsafe drinking water." (http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/Design/lifestraw) This straw is a powerful tool that is effective against waterborne diseases such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery, and diarrhea, and removes particles as small as fifteen microns. This enables people to live a healthier and longer life.

= WATER = =MoneyMaker Hip Pump=

"The MoneyMaker Hip Pump, launched in 2006, is a lightweight, easy-to-use pressure pump that can irrigate three-quarter acre over an eight-hour period, pulling water from a depth of six meters and lifting it to a height of thirteen meters above the water source." (http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/design/moneymaker-hip-pump) This enables easier access to water and a higher net income in just a few months. This is a effective way to help people out of poverty because it gives them access to water they need in order to survive and saves them money in order to buy things they need, to work themselves out of poverty.

= EDUCATION = =One Laptop per Child=

The One Laptop per Child (OLPC) (or $100 laptop) is a non-profit association that brings technology to developing countries, where it is not always easily accessed. " OLPC mission is to to create educational opportunities for the world's poorest children by providing each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning. When children have access to this type of tool they get engaged in their own education. They learn, share, create, and collaborate. They become connected to each other, to the world and to a brighter future." (http://laptop.org/en/vision/index.shtml) The laptops is an educational tool that brings learning, information and communication to the children.

= ENERGY = =Kenya Ceramic Jiko= The Kenya Ceramic Jiko helps reducing toxic gas and saving the consumer money. This is a portable charcoal stove that when used properly, results in better overall health. "The stove is now used in over 50% of all urban homes and 16% of rural homes in Kenya and is spreading to neighboring African countries." (http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/Design/kenya-ceramic-jiko)

= TRANSPORT = =Q Drum=

People have to travel great distances to get clean water in order to supply their families. Sometimes the distance leaves them no choice but to continue drinking and using water closer to home, however this leaves them vulnerable to cholera, dysentery, and other water-borne diseases. The Q drum is a durable container that is easily transported by rolling it, therefore enables the traveler to use left energy to lift. The Q drum enables the transportation for seventy-five liters of clean water. This portable water container enables people to supply their families with clean water, therefore prolonging life.

http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/Design/worldbike-prototype

2. How does stakeholder analysis enable sustainable and socially responsible design? (1 paragraph)

How does stakeholder analysis enable sustainable and socially responsible design by understanding what the stakeholder needs and wants. The stakeholder needs to analyze the problem in developing countries and why they occur. With the accessible resources and education we are able to develop easier methods to make people's lives easier. The designs are based on usability, low-cost and local material.

3. List five characteristics of socially responsible product design. (List of 5 points)

1. Affordable 2. Easy to use 3. Lasts long 4. Safe 5. Materials are local

= Lab 4 =

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 * Write three paragraphs on how Annie Leonard defines the system of the 'materials economy' and describes its interactions.**

Annie Leonard defines the system of "material economy" in five categories: extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. She points out that the system is linear. It all starts with extracting all natural resources, producing merchandise with toxic chemicals, the distribution of the products, the consumption and then finally the disposal of these products.

The missing pieces in this linear system is the little things that we do not pay attention to. We are more aware of the bigger picture then the small details. She points out that the corporation doesn't really care about the individuals and the effect of the consumptions but the money.

She wants to make the people more aware of the effects of consumption and try and minimize it. In addition, she highlights the effect it has on our natural resources and we should try and recycle and replenish what we take from our natural resources.


 * Define extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. (One paragraph for each term)**

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, //**extraction**// is the action of taking out something. In today's world, we can relate this to trashing the planet. Humans rely to much on natural resources and do not understand that it is limited and we are running out. People don't understand that because of it's high usage of natural resources that it will make things harder on them in the long run. For example, we have less than 4% of our original forests left.11 Forty percent of waterways have become undrinkable.12 And our problem is not just that we’re using too much stuff, but we’re using more than our share (Annie Leonard, 3).

//**Production**// is incorporating toxic chemicals in with natural resources to create toxic contaminated products. One reason they add toxic chemicals in products is to make fireproof. These toxics are found in couches, mattresses and even pillows. Therefore, we are constantly exposed to them and "these toxics build up in the food chain and concentrate in our bodies" (Annie Leonard. 5), putting us in danger.

"**//Distribution//** means selling all this toxic contaminated junk as quickly as possible” (Annie Leonard, 7). The goal is to sell products at a low price and keep the inventory moving. However, distribution comes with a cost. It's not expensive to buy a radio for your apartment but it does cost the people who make them their health and future. In Annie Leonard script, she points out that she was not the one that actually "paid" for the radio. "Well. these people paid with the loss of their natural resource base. These people paid with the loss of their clean air, with increasing asthma and cancer rates. Kids in the Congo paid with their future—30% of the kids in parts of the Congo now have had to drop out of school to mine coltan,41 a metal we need for our disposable electronics. These people even paid, by having to cover their own health insurance.42 All along this system, people pitched in so I could get this radio for $4.99" (Annie Leonard, 8).


 * //Consumption//** is the heart of production of stuff. After WWII, people started to bombard themselves with stuff even though they don't need it. This system was designed by these guys who were figuring out how to ramp out the economy. We have all become huge consumers and believe that buying things is effective when dealing with problems or covering other issues in our life. In addition, in buying useless things just because you want it is that products are not designed to last long. Products are now made to last a few months so consumers throw it away and are forced to go buy another one. A good example is technology. Technology is constantly evolving and people want to stay up-to-date with the latest gadgets. For example, kids used to have mp3 players and cd players, however, Apple has advertised iPod very well and kids are now throwing away their old players and buying iPods. In a few years, Apple will come up with a new music player, might be even smaller or will be able to carry more music and kids will want that instead. It's a viscous circle of consumerism that will never die out.

//**Disposal**// is the removal of the things we bought. In other words, we throw things away. These things later gets "dumped in landfills or burned in an incinerator and then dumped in a landfill" (Annie Leonard, 13). The main problem with burning products is that they are covered in toxins which is polluting our air that we breathe. Consumers could recycle the things they throw away but a lot of products cannot be recycled because it contains too many toxics or not recyclable.


 * How does her Flash presentation effectively organize the categories comprising 'the materials economy' in its interface design? (2 paragraphs)**

Her Flash presentation is very well done. It's very simple considering that the subject is a little bit more complete. The drawings are simple and represent well the different categories in the "materials economy". It's very good presentation for people that understand better through visualize rather than orally. Annie Leonard, uses good examples and if someone misunderstood they can rely on the images. The drawings are visually appealing and universal. In addition, she presents her arguments effectively through the drawings.

= Lab 6 = View the following three videos:

Part 1: Bodystorming - Experiencing a Disability []

Roleplaying to design the Prototype of the Voxpop Booth []

Bodystorming the Betacup through a Case Theatre Scenario []

Read the following page from Bodystorming the Betacup, in which Brynn Evans gives an explanation of the video at []/, the definitions of bodystorming by Ann Fairbrother at [] and the definition of bodystorming at Space and Culture at []

Write four paragraphs defining the term 'bodystorming'. (4 paragraphs)

Describe an issue that you would like to use bodystorming to research, analyze and investigate, and describe how you would develop a Case Theatre scenario to do so. (6 paragraphs)

= Lab 7 = //** Write four paragraphs to define the term 'physical computing'. (4 paragraphs) **//

Physical Computing means taking the human ways of communicating and incorporating it into computer interface design. Today's computer are limited in inputting and outputting data with a computer screen, a mouse, the keyboard and speakers. This limits people in communicating. Physical computers uses methods to facilitates people's expressions. " In physical computing, we take the human body as a given, and attempt to design within the limits of its expression. This means that we have to learn how a computer converts the changes in energy given off by our bodies, in the form of heat, light, sound, and so forth, into changing electronic signals that it can read interpret" (//Tom Igoe, 2004)//.

Physical Computing is incorporated in museums, art, product design, commercial and scientific applications. A commercial application example is Dance Dance Revolution. Dance Dance Revolution involves a person stepping unto a mat and following the sets on the screen. Their motion on the mat is then shown on the screen.

Physical computing eases people interaction with things. For example, with complex technology one can open and book and the sensory can scan the page and tell you more about what's on that page or information about a particular person that is being mentioned on that specific page. It easy because it allows the person to get all their information at a given time without needing to research it themselves.

"Physical computing applications tend to depend more on people for input, and amplify that input into another form, like an animation, a sound, or motion. Physical computing tends to extend what robots can do, leaving the human brain and body at the center of it all" (Tom Igoe, 2004). It lets us get information on the stop in any form that we desire.

Igoe, Tom. "What is Physical Computing." 4 June. 2004. Web. 27 Feb. 2010. http://www.tigoe.net/blog/what-is-physical-computing/
 * References**


 * // Here are two links to videos describing new authoring devices for prototyping, which include software and technical information. Write two paragraphs each describing their prototyping methods, and describing what they are enabled to do. (4 paragraphs) //**

D. Tools is a system that integrates support for design, testing and analyzing. In the design process, the user connects physical components which show up in the screen. The user can then try out his interacting models by using attached hardware inputs or simulating hardware on the PC.
 * d.tools: Reflective Physical Prototyping**

After trying it out, he builds a more durable prototype to try out different interaction. In the test mode, they record the users interactions (time synchronized video stream) which state transitions and inputs. In the analyze mode the user can analyze which transitions were taken the frequently and replay the users interactions and videos recorded. In addition, there's a video spread sheet to compare usability (on a timeline) across all users

Exemplar is a authoring sensor-based interactions by demonstration with direct manipulation and pattern recognition. It involves testing through trial and error. The designer first demonstrate a sensor based interaction and reviews and edits a visual representation of the actions.
 * Exemplar**

An example of exemplar is a bicycle helmet with sensors. If the person tilts its head to the right, the right blinker blinks. If the person tilts its head to the left, the left blinker blinks.

= Lab 8 =

//Biomimicry: Janine Benyus and the Biomimicry Institute and Guild//


 * High-Speed Train**

In Japan, they build the fastest train in the world, 200 mph. They wanted to make the train very efficient, fast and quiet. The designers emulated different birds in order to get the quietest and fastest train. They made reference to the owl who is the quietest bird and made the front train look like a kingfisher's beak. The kingfisher's beak permits less air resistance and therefore faster flight.


 * Self-Healing Pipelines**

When there's a problem occurring in pipelines, it is very difficult to find the source or the problem and the location. In Aberdeen, Scotland, "the company's "Platelet Technology" adapts the technique for industrial applications such as oil pipelines. The flow inside a pipeline delivers specially designed "platelets" to cracks and leaks. These stick against the pipe wall, sealing the leak" (Business Week). The natural principle behind this design is the bloodstream. When one gets injured our body beings to heal with the help of the platelets in the bloodstream. "These platelets in the bloodstream patrol veins, seals cuts and wounds" (Business Week).

Business Week: http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/02/0209_green_biomimic/index_01.htm


 * Bone Furniture**

Bone furniture are made out of bone like material. It is strong and light and makes a great design. "This polished aluminum chair was created using software that mimics the process by which bones grow over time" (Business Week). It's a very creative way of looking at furniture and is practical because of the material being used.

Business Week: http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/02/0209_green_biomimic/index_01.htm


 * Toxin-Free Glue**

A lot of materials and glue use toxins that are harmful to our environment."The company's researchers developed an ultrastrong glue that contains no toxins by mimicking the composition of the secretions mussels use to cling to surfaces underwater" (Business Week). This is a more environmental friendly and less harmful to humans.

Business Week: []

Jaine Benyus is a natural sciences writer and innovation consultant. In her book, "she detailed how companies could study nonpolluting, energy-efficient manufacturing technologies that have evolved in the natural world over billions of years, delivering in the process a lesson on the importance of living in harmony with nature" (Vella). People were able to survive back in the day with natural resources.

Nature has its own resources that enables people and animals to survive. There's no need to pollute the environment with additional materials and toxins for things to function or stick together. Using the natural resources enables the same result and is more user friendly.

"Biomimicry is an idea that just acquires people," says Benyus, from her office in Missoula, Mont" (Vella). "In other words, the simple, elegant mechanics developed by nature often make sense in a human context, too" (Vella). The creation of mechanics developed by nature and humans is a vicious circle that ends up going back to the environment.

Vella: http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/feb2008/id20080211_074559.htm?campaign_id=rss_innovate

= Lab 9 =

According to the slideshow by Sylvain Cottong, who is an employee at [], what is the definition of 'service design', and why is it so important? (5 paragraphs)