Just found out that it has been such a long time since I properly wrote something down. The midterm and assignment deadline, the reporter bootcamp and the Dutch Design Week (DDW) have taken a lot of time. From now on, I will maintain my blog better and will document the activities of the past weeks as well
DG505:
Making a report, while organizing a reporter bootcamp does not really fit together, but thanks to the dedicated committee it became very feasible. After I gave a warm welcome to the bootcampers, I immediately went to the meeting to create the final report. In the weekend I had already prepared my parts of the work, which resulted in a good thing; finishing my work quickly! This way, I could continue my support at the bootcamp sooner than expected. In hindsight, I think the team worked good all together, but sometimes a bit inefficient. I want to thank the guys for the dedication once more.
The final report can be found at: http://www.student.tue.nl/Y/R.Bootsman/Jesse/FinalReportDG505.pdf
My reflection at: http://www.student.tue.nl/Y/R.Bootsman/Jesse/FinalReflectionDG505.pdf
I put the files on the W-drive of Rik, because my computer denied my existence (notebook service centre fixed it in 5 minutes).
Several hours ago I received my first official feedback of this semester! I must say that it is pretty good. my understanding of the models themselves and how they are used is good. Everything which the assigner marked (in competencies and process) is marked as substantially. It is this sentence which makes me proud: 'Has acquired good insight in the use & integration of the models in the context of business decisions'. This is the reason why I signed up for the assignment; getting a more realistic approach on business and the influence of cost. There is (luckily) also something which can be improved; the translation of the plan into the number, still is vague sometimes. Next time, when I use these models and skills I have gained, I will try to make a better overview of the 'cost-translation'.
Saturday, 29 October 2011
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Project meeting; combining the ideas
7-10
During our coach meeting today, there was a slight emphasis on how we as a group intend to combine the concepts of the individuals into one room/area for the workplace. I will come back to later in this post, as there is some additional information necessary to explain how we combined them.
Mariette explained her ideas. One of them consisted of clouds, which people can use to be transported around. This proves how games can act as a very good source of inspiration, as this is related to the Mario games of Nintendo.
Jelmer had a very productive day on Thursday which resulted in a couple of ideas, his latest involving a waterfall which can be used as an interactive wall for a non-fixed purpose yet.
My concept, being the 'liquid light' idea (which is not a very good name for the concept actually) and those of Jelmer and Mariette can be integrated with each other pretty good. We have decided to present this during the mid-term exhibition. The clouds of Mariette will move around in an oval/circular shape. At one moment, they an animation will 'take 2D clouds upward'. Clouds natural behaviour is that they evaporate into rain, rain is water of course --> Waterfall. The water at the bottom will be used by people, at the midterm for my light activation. In other words, Jelmer's waterfall is the link between the concepts of Mariette and myself. The link will be clearly visible on the posters, which will be blend in with each other. Below you can see the poster which Jelmer made:
During our coach meeting today, there was a slight emphasis on how we as a group intend to combine the concepts of the individuals into one room/area for the workplace. I will come back to later in this post, as there is some additional information necessary to explain how we combined them.
Mariette explained her ideas. One of them consisted of clouds, which people can use to be transported around. This proves how games can act as a very good source of inspiration, as this is related to the Mario games of Nintendo.
Jelmer had a very productive day on Thursday which resulted in a couple of ideas, his latest involving a waterfall which can be used as an interactive wall for a non-fixed purpose yet.
My concept, being the 'liquid light' idea (which is not a very good name for the concept actually) and those of Jelmer and Mariette can be integrated with each other pretty good. We have decided to present this during the mid-term exhibition. The clouds of Mariette will move around in an oval/circular shape. At one moment, they an animation will 'take 2D clouds upward'. Clouds natural behaviour is that they evaporate into rain, rain is water of course --> Waterfall. The water at the bottom will be used by people, at the midterm for my light activation. In other words, Jelmer's waterfall is the link between the concepts of Mariette and myself. The link will be clearly visible on the posters, which will be blend in with each other. Below you can see the poster which Jelmer made:
Another thing we discussed in this meeting is that we could add a more practical dimension in our concepts. In my case, it could be a way to focus the light on a particular area of the room. There are a lot of different ways to include things like this, which I want to explore on the midterm exhibition by engaging discussions with people about this area.
Thursday, 6 October 2011
analysing frustration
Concept choosing day! Making the decisions which ideas have more potential is always hard, especially when having an opinion on them. This, again, was the reason to fall back on the QOC- analysis, something I learned in the UFP-Basics assignment. It is becoming a routine in my decision making process lately. As a start, I created 4 criteria. The first was the amount of playfulness, as this is the goal of the project. Secondly, the feasibility is an important factor at this point. I want to create the products of the concepts and test with them. Thirdly, I wondered how long people would be keep being interested in the interaction, as I want to have a connection to the process of creating with my concept. As the last criteria, I decided, at first, to go with 'How well does it fit the Atelier van Lieshout'. Later I changed into 'can it be used anywhere?'. The urge was that my final concept could be implemented in multiple places, not only the AVL.My goal was to cut down to two ideas.
This worked out great! After adding a multiplier of 2 to the first and second criteria, I had clear division in points. The 'Vision Tree' had 22 points, the 'Pursuing Light' 21, the 'Wishing Well' 18, the 'Leave your mark Wall' 30 and the 'Liquid Light' 29. As one can see, there are two ideas with the most points were the mark wall and the liquid light. So far, so good.
Now, cutting down from 2 to 1. This took me 5 hours... After setting up a pro's and con's list of both of the ideas, I saw potential in both of them. Talking to a lot of different people, gave me even more insights of the potential directions and possibilities. After I talked to about 10 people, about two thirds of them chose the liquid light idea. Eventually, after doubting for a while, I was convinced that this should be the one I had to chose. This idea is more creative then the other one and will help me a lot in my goal of user-testing this semester. As we say in Dutch: 'Duurt ff, maar dan heb je ook wat'
This worked out great! After adding a multiplier of 2 to the first and second criteria, I had clear division in points. The 'Vision Tree' had 22 points, the 'Pursuing Light' 21, the 'Wishing Well' 18, the 'Leave your mark Wall' 30 and the 'Liquid Light' 29. As one can see, there are two ideas with the most points were the mark wall and the liquid light. So far, so good.
Now, cutting down from 2 to 1. This took me 5 hours... After setting up a pro's and con's list of both of the ideas, I saw potential in both of them. Talking to a lot of different people, gave me even more insights of the potential directions and possibilities. After I talked to about 10 people, about two thirds of them chose the liquid light idea. Eventually, after doubting for a while, I was convinced that this should be the one I had to chose. This idea is more creative then the other one and will help me a lot in my goal of user-testing this semester. As we say in Dutch: 'Duurt ff, maar dan heb je ook wat'
Coach meeting
05 - 10
I was excited and bit nervous for this meeting, having to present ideas is something which is fun and a bit scary at the same time. Most of the ideas that I have posted are, I feel, outside of the box and playful. Sam thought the ideas were a good as well luckily, which I was very happy to hear. He also mentioned that I am enthusiastic and sees that in my work. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had the feeling everything was 'gonna be alright'. With these ideas and this feedback, I feel very confident about my project and process. Next step, choosing a concept!
Drawing workshop
04-10
Some weeks ago, I signed up for a drawing workshop in the Green Space @ the TU/e. Today was the day of this workshop. Nikki Butter, a first-year student, gave it clearly and well. She taught the basics of sketching. It resulted in the construction of a cube with shade and a hollow cylinder with shade. It was my first attempt with markers as well. I realize it will take a lot of practice to be able to draw quickly and well at the same time.It also learned me that the paper I use, is only bleed-proof on one side, which is why the shade at the cylinder is so 'watery'.
Some weeks ago, I signed up for a drawing workshop in the Green Space @ the TU/e. Today was the day of this workshop. Nikki Butter, a first-year student, gave it clearly and well. She taught the basics of sketching. It resulted in the construction of a cube with shade and a hollow cylinder with shade. It was my first attempt with markers as well. I realize it will take a lot of practice to be able to draw quickly and well at the same time.It also learned me that the paper I use, is only bleed-proof on one side, which is why the shade at the cylinder is so 'watery'.
Brainstorming and Ideation
3-10 (with expansion of ideas on 4-10 and 5-10)
It was a very good brainstorm, which immediately gave me images. This was the confirmation that I am not stuck any more. This input is very useful as a base of conceptualisation. To express my ideas, I created some drawings of them:
I have started with the wishing well. This is would be an area of tranquillity. As can be seen on the picture above; there is a well in the middle of the which will be the object of interaction. When people need some luck, or when they are stuck, they throw coins in a fountain. I want to use this interaction to create a shockwave of light inside the 'Atelier Van Lieshout'. This is an indication that somebody is stuck in their process and could use help from different people (and thus different perspectives).
In this second idea, which needs two pictures to explain, the user walks through a giant representation of a tree, with unusual colours and material. This tree has a lot of different roots, going al the way across the workplace, showing at random places. When passing the roots, there will be light flashing through them. The user can use these object to play around, changing the coloujrs and speed while doing so. The tree resembles the vision of the workplace and the roots resemble all the different directions one takes from this vision. Other references could be made to the period of the 'Enlightment' and Newton.
This idea is about pouring the light into an object, which will switch the lights on. It is based on the torches which were necessary in the temples during the period before electricity. One torch was needed to light the entire room. I want people to need one glass of 'light' to light a certain area in the workplace. This is a reference to the idea of using light (and electricity) in a way without wasting it; while you are consciously enlighten the room or part of the room, you are consciously using light. This then again is a reference to designing, where designers use the things people consider to be normal and putting them in a different perspective.
Light which has a behaviour is a very interesting research area. Thinking about this resulted in the idea of a light pursuing a visitor. The visitor is challenged by the light to play with it; when the user, turns around the corner, the light will still have some speed and will spin out of the track one will leave behind.
Last, but not least is the, as I have easily put it, 'leave your mark wall'. There are a lot of people who are unconsciously (damn that word is hard to type..) touches the wall or bars on the side of the path/where-ever. I came up with an idea of using that in the workplace to put oneself consciously into contact with his/her unconscious mind. By lighting the touched area on the wall, this is triggered. In a creative part of design, it is important to be aware of every decision one takes (even if it is only in ones mind). This would be a tangible experience; with my first idea to work with fibreglass LED's.
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Detailed Business
04-10
The assignments are almost coming to an end. This semester, only DG505 was on my program. Before it started, we needed to finish the presentation today. Actually, Daniel finished it. He was also presenting today. Looking back, we did a good job. Even though we got the feedback of going to the presentation a bit too fast, I do not think this is a problem, as we did this on purpose. We did assume that the people still knew about our products, while this is not something we can just presume. In the business life, people making the decisions get multiple presentation in a day, so assuming they have absorbed all the information which we gave them is impossible. All the information we presented, was accepted as credible, which of course is the goal of these pitch presentations.
Looking at all the different costs involved in the process of creating and maintaining a business is making me realize why it is so hard to have a business of your own. Making sure the prices are low enough to compete, but high enough to have a wage worth fighting for. Looking at the different processes, how they could be combined to create more value and maybe could be left out, all can have such a big effect on the turn over. I have certainly achieved my goal for this assignment, getting a more 'real' picture of costs and how they influence the decisions which need to be made in the 'life after the education'.
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Plannings and SDL weeks
3-10
Today I made not one, but two plannings! They were initially requested by Sam, but very useful in these upcoming weeks. Especially with the midterm exhibition coming up next week. During my SDL-weeks, I want to read a book/ watch a documentary on the design/art-history. It is something I do not know a lot about and I think will be very useful in terms of communicating about a certain feeling or look. I think it will also help me to understand how society's changes influence design and can really change the way people look at things.
I am currently starting a project with Rik Bootsman. We are creating a clock which shows the time by a variation in the brightness/colour of (a lot of) RGB LED's). During the SDL weeks, we want to build/program it. We have already created a set-up; explored shift-registers and looked at the different components. Next step: ordering and creating the layour of the PCB. Down here is a video in which the result of the shift-register fiddling is seen. I especially like the 'wide rainbow' in which the colours gradually change.
During the SDL-weeks, there is a lot of time to see interesting and new products, people and visions. This weeks is also a big week, as it is my first time on a big exhibition with my project. I hope to impress a lot of people and show them my capabilities as a designer.
Saturday, 1 October 2011
Good start, bad end
Today was another busy day.On the planning was an EduCie meeting and a brainstorm session with my project mates. While I had little time for research the past week, I conducted some extra in the morning to use in the afternoon. Reading articles was not something my state of mind was ready for in the morning, so I decided to work more visualized. As it is the goal to create a creative workplace, I searched for images of those on the internet, printed them and marked the good/bad points of it on a big piece of paper. This resulted in the picture below.
The analysis gave me good insights in the unused moments of play and the static and straight-forward actions that are being conducted within 'normal offices'. Having all those straight lines makes me want to combine the static actions with an abstract layer.
The EduCie meeting was interesting and while I cannot say too much about it, the activity we are currently focusing on in very nice and very different from previous year. I am already excited!
I did not even have time for my sandwhiched or the next brainstorm already was about to start. The idea was to go brainstorming together with the project-group, but Mariette thought it was a better idea to have a group-discussion first, about our findings during the research. She definitely had a valid point, as we all conducted research the previous days.
The discussion was about a number of interesting things that we found out. For me it was also a moment of finding out what the research I conducted could add to my process. I clearly saw a connection between the first chapter of 'Homo Ludens' by J. Huizinga en a ted.com talk by Tim Brown (the powerful link between creativity and play). Huizinga says that playing has three main characteristics:
- it is played voluntarily
- it needs rules
- it is within a given moment and a given time.
Tim Brown had said during his talk something like: 'We need rules to break the rules'. I think that creating these rules, within a creative workplace is a good starting perspective for my final concept. This, in combination with the workplace-analysis has lifted me out of my 'idea/concept-dip'. I think, to quote Bob Marley and many others, that everything is gonna be all right!
After the discussion, Bruno, Jelmer and I did have a short brainstorm on 'how to keep things interesting'. This subject was chosen because it is necessary to keep things interesting, to keep being inspiring with our ideas. We threw around the whiteboard marker to force each other to add something to the mindmap. This worked pretty good to get this started and after this, the discussion started to flow naturally. Having a set time for the brainstorm works really good, as I also found out during the brainstorm with the other project group which Sam coaches. The brainstorm resulted in the following picture:
Bottomline, what we concluded t is that things need to be different/changing (think of breaking patterns). This was not a real surprise, but nonetheless it is a good dimension to take into account with my concepts.
In the afternoon I tried to finish the LED-controller for the Alice- box, but I did something wrong while soldering, so I need to take a second look at it. It feels like a waist of time, but of course I did learn about electronics and programming.
In the afternoon I tried to finish the LED-controller for the Alice- box, but I did something wrong while soldering, so I need to take a second look at it. It feels like a waist of time, but of course I did learn about electronics and programming.
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