IM Devices Speculative Design Sketch

Provotype is a design artefact — digital or physical — whose main goal is to provoke discussion among different types of users and stakeholders. Here’s the fun part: it is not supposed to be realistic, but ridiculous, funny, obscure, artistic — or even downright annoying instead. (wikipedia).


Speculative
design tries to imagine what it would be like to design without the current limitations of technology, culture, and politics in mind.

According to Dunne and Raby, designers shouldn’t just address issues of today, but also take a look into the future and ask, “How can we address future challenges with design?”

Where typical design takes a look at small issues, speculative design broadens the scope and tries to tackle the biggest issues in society. It seeks to answer questions like:

  • How should design impact the entire world?
  • How can we design for a healthier ecosystem?
  • What can we do to influence future cultures?
  • How can future technologies impact our products and services—and vice versa?
  • What don’t we want to see from the future?

Different ways to approach speculative design

  • Using it in a slightly different context, but for the same purpose
  • Applying it in a different scenario and usage
  • Developing the form and functions of the device
    • Increasing the scale to environment/system
    • Decreasing scale to micro level

Chosen DOW for speculative design: Portal, Telemedicine Headset

portal_headgear_3
portal_headgear_5Portal is a wearable home telemedicine system that assists remote online communication with a doctor by providing basic body vital data. Data is collected via a detachable camera and stethoscope. The device is a headset that provides functional familiarity and audio privacy.There are a lot of perks to having such a device, maybe especially in our current times.

  • For minor consultations, we can reduce time and travel expenses
  • Easy access to medical consultations
    • For rural/remote places
    • For home-bound/disabled, etc
  • Reduced risk of exposure and spreading of diseases via medical staff or fellow patients
    • Like for now, during covid period having this device would be good. Everyone can easily consult a doctor to monitor themselves, or if they should go to the clinic/hospital to test for covid. Instead of having some symptoms but not covid, but getting exposed to it during their medical visit…..
  • Consultation from the comforts and privacy of your own home, might help patients who suffer from illnesses like anxiety
  • Multi-modal in the sense that you could have a consult from home while keeping watch of things there (ie. can’t leave young kids or elderly home alone)
  • Algorithm to collect and analyse data from the device could be programmed

In my post, I actually had points of extension for this device. One would be for governments to utilize the headsets, not just citizen households. I felt that the device could have increased opportunities for doctors to provide assistance for consultations, regardless of time and place.  Governments throughout the world can use this as local or even overseas disaster relief aids/ humanitarian services.

China, US wrap up joint humanitarian aid, disaster relief drill

The Portal headset could be designed into the helmets of soldiers/medics. Instead of using the sensors on themselves, the sensors could be detachable so as to be used on the people they rescue. This data can then be relayed to doctors across the world. The microphone and earpiece should still be for the user wearing the headset, for ease of relay of information. The headset could also have additional medical equipment that are necessities such as an AED device.

In my original post, I speculated adding additional sensors to collect even more data for a more in depth l of consultation and diagnosis. This can be taken to a whole new level by incorporating the rest of the medical process into the headset. Instead of just stopping at consultations, what if this device could diagnose uncommon/more complicated illnesses, then be able to carry out treatment for whatever was diagnosed?

This idea of having a medical headset can be further speculated by expanding the functional capabilities of the headset, or by developing this device into a whole system that is integrated into our daily lives.

What if this device could be implemented into our basic housing units? Like a system whereby each house has a common room- similar to how HDBs currently have a bomb shelter.

Or what if the form of this device was not a headset, but something that would allow for body scans like a full-body scanner that can be found in airports. Or instead of something bigger, we can take this to a micro level and have micro devices injected into our blood stream to monitor our health.

In the article, they mentioned that “Head-worn computers (or headsets) are the future.” I think its interesting that things like VR are commonly used for gaming, but are now advancing into other fields like medicine to put it to full potential.

I think a field that has not really explored yet is education? Especially in our current covid situation, could VR/digital headsets replace online teaching and laptops? A computer on everybody’s head, will we need our phones in the future? From a device on our heads, surely it will evolve to a device in our heads?

  • Some things that you need physicality/3d space to really learn
    • ie. Most adm studio mods:”D

IM DoW #2 – Ramifire

My IOT device of the week is the Ramifire Smart extinguisher and the Heart, the 5G navigation mask. I chose two because they are both simple devices that can  both be used in case of a fire, however, they use IOT in different ways. 

The Ramifire is a smart home fire extinguisher. It features a sleek but ergonomic design meant for intuitive use. Ramifire uses IOT by pairing wirelessly to smart phones for a few functions.  Firstly, each extinguisher comes with their own QR code that can be scanned with the accompanying phone app to track data of the particular extinguisher. Data like pressure and guarantee period/ expiry date is available via the app. Ramifire also comes with an in-built fire detector. When it detects fire, or when the extinguisher is expired,  alarms will be automatically sent to the house-owners phone for notification via wifi.

ramifire_cover

ramifire_20

Images from: The Intelligent Extinguisher 

 

The second IOT device is Heart, a 5G navigation fire mask. Unlike Ramifire that uses wifi to alert home owners in times of fire, Heart uses 5G network to guide users to safety. Upon pulling a mask out of its housing, it will automatically connect to the internet and obtain building data about the location of the fire. When the mask is worn to your face, the other end will function as a projector, emitting a flashing light that not only lights up the ground ahead of you, but also projects the direction and distance you should walk towards. The smart mask will direct you to the nearest exit.

Images from:  Futuristic mask uses 5G to guide you to nearest exit! 

 

The pros of the Ramifire are that it is a straight forward device that makes use of simple IOT. The system is easy for home owners to connect to. It also helps users track factors like expiry dates which are important for fire extinguishes but often neglected. The design of the device itself is sleek and ergonomic, unlike traditional fire extinguishes which are bulky and

I find that for the 5G mask, it is smart to tap onto the 5G network so that the mask can function as a GPS to help give directions during times when people would be the most disoriented. Additionally, I think that it is very effective to combine a mask and torchlight as well as a GPS into a single device. By blending so many functions into one, this shows that the designers have a clear understanding of their target audience and context of use, and what is needed during that time.

As for cons, I feel that the Ramifire does have some setbacks. Because the fire detection sensor is inbuilt into the Ramifire, if the fire does not start in the same room as it, then it would take some time before the device detects the fire and notifies the user. It might be too late then. I think that the Ramifire could develop on its IOT system, perhaps like pairing the fire extinguisher up with a ceiling smoke detection system or sprinkler system.

For the 5G mask, it shares a similar problem with the Ramifire. Both devices are hooked onto the buildings/house network to get information on the internet. But what if the buildings physical network system gets compromised, then the internet would be down. I’m not very sure how network connections function but maybe a harder but more reliable solution would be to connect to the internet outside of the buildings? Like perhaps a satellite connection?

IM DoW #3 – Sense 5 Walking Stick

My device of the week for senses is the Sense Five walking stick. 

The stick’s angled design allows its user to instinctively hold it the right way. The handle is held horizontally, and the stick naturally leans forward, allowing the user to tap their surroundings as they navigate through spaces. A camera on the front actively captures images, recognizing objects and obstacles, while a simple switch allows you to toggle a torch to use the stick at night. When the camera identifies something worth alerting the user about, it communicates with the user through the handle.

The integrated ultrasonic sensor detects ­obstacles within a distance of 5 meters and is specially designed for waist-high obstacles that cannot be detected with conventional canes. It also recognizes fast-moving objects such as cars that normally pose a danger to visually impaired people. The environment information is processed in real-time and passed on to the user as surface changes to the handle. Using different rhythms and intensities, a differentiated and pleasant ­communication is possible, which uses the ­human sense of touch and thus frees the ­remaining senses.

The pros of Sense Five are not only its main functions but also its thoughtful details. For example, the Sense Five indicates the battery level by surface change. If the battery level is low, the user can simply charge while on the move with power banks, or via public power outlets. At home, it is charged on a wall mount which also functions as a recognizable and easily accessible location. Additionally, the Sense Five doesn’t just aid its owner. It can help communicate the user’s presence to others around them with its front torchlight and red taillight, making the user more obvious in low-light settings.

As for main functions, I thought that it was really interesting that the camera on the walking stick is smart and able to recognize objects. This adds so much more value to the function of the walking stick by making it a smart device. Now, blind users can truly depend on the walking stick as their eyes, instead of simply being an extension of their arms like the traditional walking sticks. Additionally, I think that another pros is the haptic touch of the walking stick. The use of haptic touch reminds me of our multi-modal sketch. Hence, I think that a pro of the Sense Five is that it is un-intrusive.

I think one of the cons of this device is that it relies heavily on only touch to inform the user.  I think that the walking stick can detect quite few things and different scenarios, but the fixed design of the handle does not allow for much change in the haptic feedback. Things like intensity and rhythm can  signal different meanings, but the difference might be too subtle or noninstinctive for certain users such as children or the elderly. I think this walking stick has the potential to be developed further, and become an IOT device. Perhaps it could be connected to something like an earpiece or a headset that could tell the user additional information to complement the haptic touch. However, their choice of tactile response is good because audio feedback could be missed in noisy environment. I think that the stick could also be connected to a GPS, so that it can also give the user directions on where to go.

Image source: This smart walking-stick uses real-time image-recognition to help the visually impaired ‘see’

IM DoW #1 – Portal Telemedicine Headset

My healthcare device of the week is the Portal Telemedicine Headset. The device is a headset that functions as a medical diagnostic tool. With the help of this device, patients are able to have online conferences with doctors, eliminating the need to go to the hospital or medical clinic. 

The doctor simply uses an ordinary digital device (laptop, phone, etc) to communicate with the patient, while the patient wears the headset and has a separate display screen for video communication. The headset has a movable camera that allows doctors individually check each of the patients eyes with clarity. It also has a detachable digital stethoscope that will automatically broadcast readings to the doctors screen when used. Like a normal headset, the Portal Telemedicine Headset also comes with inbuilt speakers and a microphone for ease of communication.  The headset is also designed with many user friendly considerations. For example, the ear muffs at the side are adjustable so that people with smaller heads, such as children are able to use the same device. The earbuds are also interchangeable for health and hygiene reasons. The adjustability of this device means that one device can be used and shared among the whole household, instead of everyone needing their own personal one.

portal_headgear_2 portal_headgear_3 portal_headgear_5 portal_headgear_6

Images from: ER meets VR 

I think the main pros of this device is its remote function that can be utilized in various scenarios. The headset is suitable for people who live in remote locations, but in need of (basic) healthcare or occasional checkups. The headset is also suitable for people who prefer the privacy and comfort of their own homes, as they are able to consult a doctor without stepping out of the house. It could really be used to help people who suffer from mental illnesses like social anxiety.  I also think that this headset would be really useful for when people feel like they are on the verge of getting sick, or are already slightly sick, but either not sick enough to warrant a doctors visit and/or are too busy to do so. The convenience of a teleconference medical visit could save a lot of time.

Another pros of this device is its adjustability. I find it really smart that this device was designed so that it would fit people of different head sizes and ages/sex. It makes the device more universal, and more buyable. Additionally, I think that the changeable earpiece covers are a nice touch, something to add on to the share-ability of this device whilst maintaining hygiene.

Besides being used in a family household context, I think that this device has the potential to be used by hospitals or clinics as well for quick and simple diagnostics. It can also be used by governments, especially during times of disaster. For example, say a natural disaster like an earthquake or tsunami appeared, and a large number of people are injured. Having a device like this would be able to greatly help rescue efforts, especially when (human) resources are limited. These headsets can be used on the field, so that other countries can “send” their doctors to help the country in need, without having to physically fly their doctors over to the disaster area. With an increase in medical help and diagnostics, it would be much easier to further treat the patients once the aid/treatment they need is identified faster.

However, this device also has a few cons. Although this device has potential in the medical industry, I think that it still has some places to improve on. Firstly, the healthcare functions of this device might be a bit too basic right now.  It is a good step for teleconference diagnostics, but still too simple. If a patient has a more serious or uncommon illness, then this device would not be able to help medically, and the patient would most probably still need to go see a doctor physically. Other functionalities could include blood glucose level, ear camera, sample analysis? The area of diagnosis for the headset is also very centered on the head, and kind of neglects the rest of the body. Perhaps a handheld diagnostic device would work better, or could compliment the headset.

Secondly, would be factors like price, I’m not sure of a device like this would be too costly for some of its target audience (like people living in remote locations). And although this device is a good idea, it is not confirmed whether or not doctors/hospitals/ medical systems will be willing to take this on and integrate it into their healthcare system. And as they are major stakeholders in this device, the success or failure of this device will depend heavily on them.  A teleconference medical diagnosis without a doctor on the other end would render this device useless. Perhaps this device could also incorporate the use of AIs to help with diagnosis, though that’s a whole nother open door itself.

 

Product Design III #1

BRIEF: 

Connected products (fitness trackers, smart speakers) connect physical objects with the internet and each other, and are enabling new ways for people to interact with the environment and world around them. Conventional product integration with digital technologies, UI/UX design and services.

Possible connected products:

  • Water bottle
  • Air quality tracker
  • Weighing scale
  • Thermometer
  • Object/Person/Pet location tracker
  • Rain sensor
  • Product of your choice

Design:

  • Product form
  • Product Interaction
  • Smartphone/ Web browser app
  • Consistent visual design and UIUX (btwn phone & prod)
  • One sensor + one/two functions

 

IDEAS:

  1. Speaker that can detach to form an earpiece? eh…….
  2. Smart wardrobe + hanger system. Tells you which pieces of clothing you wear more often than others -> For people with a lot of clothes in their closets, to help realise that maybe they dont actually need so many clothes, or that they dont need the clothes they hardly use. Then, they can buy less clothes or give the unused ones away. Reduce, reuse. Or the wardrobe can collect data of which colors the user wears more, and recommend other colors that the user can get to match along?
  3. Smart hangers that monitors the weight of the items on it. Used to hang wet clothing. When the weight of the clothing stops decreasing, this means that the clothing is dry. An alert will be sent to you via a phone app. Could also track the amount of time it took for the article to dry, so that the user can use this information next time. Or if the system is smart enough, it could generate a list of timings like how long this particular fabric will take to dry today based on humidity and weather reports it collects (internet of things).
  4. Smart makeup storage that tracks how long you have had this product. Product information can be accessed through phone app, and alerts you if you’ve had the product for too long. Prevent you from using expired makeup? Or if for people with a lot of makeup, could be a similar idea like the wardrobe, tracks which products the user uses more; highlighting what products they perhaps dont really need…
  5. Smart watering can + moisture detector. Moisture detector can be docked into the watering can to download the data, or can be synced to the phone. Based on information collected by moisture detector, watering can will measure out the appropriate  amount of water needed and indicate to user when they are filling it up with water; or user just fills up the whole can, then watering can will signal when to stop when water is enough. Phone app tracks the moisture detector records (and watering can data?). Phone app will also remind you if you have not watered your plants. If its a really smart system, it can also take into account the humidity and temperature to work with the moisture detector to recommend the amount of water.
  6. Smart sunlight detector. Placed in your plant pot or nearby, to track the amount of sunlight your plant receives, cause some plants need more light then others, and some months is brighter than thee rest. Solar panels track how much uv light absorbed. this electricity can be used as signal? Alternatively can be used for people who like to cleanse their crystals under the sun lollll, cause you cant leave it out for too long.
  7. Smart harness that looks like a sloth hugging the dog. Used to track the location of the dog, or could be a camera device (like the sloth eyes are cameras). Phone app will give you the location of the dog.
  8. Hanger idea for masks: track the number of times youve used washed the mask

CHOSEN IDEAS TO DEVELOP: Hanger for masks + smart pot

 

RESEARCH : 

SMART HANGER

BASIS:

Because we are currently living in a pandemic outbreak, it has become the social norm to now wear masks out wherever we go. Some people use disposable masks that are instantly thrown away when they get home, but others use reusable masks that require washing every day or every few days at least. Generally, fabric masks can be rewashed many many times, but there are certain reusable masks that can only be washed a specific number of times before they are no longer recommended to be used.  These washable masks with limited lifespan are often fabric masks with filtration layers. To ensure that the filters are still usable and able to protect us, we should really pay attention to the number of times the mask has been washed and follow the advisory.

  
Forever Family mask can only be washed 30 times

 

CURRENT PRODUCTS:

  • Hanger with built in dry cleaning functions. Volatilized air air-washes off unpleasant smells and kills clothing germs and molds without causing any damage to clothes. Ideal for suits, dresses, uniforms or outdoor jackets that are difficult to wash at home, Smart Hanger offers an instant cleaning option.
  
Smart Hanger by Beom-Seok Lee, Dong-Il Kim, Wan-Il So & Ki-Won Song

 

  • Smart hanger that recommends clothes based on the weather forecast and doubles up as a clock. The flipboard, aside from displaying the time, also shows you the temperature outside, and when you’re about to step out, will recommend clothes that best compliment the weather outside. The flipboard has a pretty detailed catalog. The level of detail given to forecast representation is pretty neat too, for example, the Take-Off can tell you if it’s raining, about to rain, or if there’s a storm outside, just by showing you an open umbrella, a closed umbrella, or an overturned umbrella. The device works over Wi-Fi to stay on top of things, while also connecting with your phone to know when you usually step out, so that it can recommend apparel to you just as you’re getting ready to step out!
  take_off_hanger_3 

Take-Off Hanger by Take-Off

 

  • New product using the Thread mesh protocol and the Nordic nRF52840 SoC is helping an upmarket Parisian clothing store improve its customer experience.  Clothing hangers aare each equipped with a Nordic nRF52840, an RFID reader and a small display. When a customer picks up an item, they can select a size from the display and a member of staff will bring it to them, wherever they are in the fitting room or elsewhere in the store. The concept means less items need to be out on display, improving the selection on display and/or reducing clutter. Thanks to sensors inside the hanger, it knows what item of clothing is attached. The device records how many times per day the item has been touched and the number of times the hanger has been removed from the rack. This data is sent to the store system once per day. Over time, such data gives Galeries Lafayette a lot of useful information on the in-store experience, allowing them to draw their own conclusions about the popularity of certain items and trends.

Unistudio – Galeries Lafayette – Cintre connecté

GLCE-cintre-design connected-hangers-batman 
Galeries Lafayette Hanger by Galeries Lafayette and BLUEGRioT

 

TWO SYSTEMS:

#1 Hanger/ wall hook device

#2 Table top stand

Functions:
Tracks the number of times you wash + remind you to wear one when you go out as its not really habitual to some of us yet (cough me cough)

 

SMART PLANTER  

BASIS:

Various conditions are essential factors which have to be provided for a house plants survival, including water, humidity, a suitable growing medium, correct temperatures and of course “light”. I feel like people always pay a lot of attention to the amount of water they give their plants, and tend to neglect the other factors like light. All plants require sunlight to grow, but differ in the amount and intensity of light needed to prosper. Knowing how much light a plant needs to thrive seems like a relatively simple issue, but can sometimes be perplexing. In my opinion, there are many smart products in the market that allow you to water your plants with an appropriate amount of water based on the moisture in the soil, etc; but a lack in products that help you track how much light your plant is getting.

Although some people manually map the sunlight in their gardens/homes, I think its rather troublesome as the sun changes position in the sky throughout the year, so an area that is mostly shade in spring and fall may get more intense sunlight in the summer when the sun is higher in the sky (and hotter).  This means that they would have to map multiple times through the year. There are even more unpredictable factors that could always be affecting the sunlight mapping, such as the coverage of leaves due to growth -> manually mapping out the sunlight yourself is not efficient and accurate as it is not a guaranteed constant. A smart device would be of much more help.

DETAILS:

Plant labels identify the amount of sun a plant requires as full sun, part sun, part shade or full shade as defined:

  • Full sun – Plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun daily
  • Part sun – Plants thrive with between 3 and 6 hours of direct sun per day
  • Part shade – Plants require between 3 and 6 hours of sun per day, but need protection from intense mid-day sun
  • Full shade – Plants require less than 3 hours of direct sun per day
   
terminology of light required and their meanings

If a plant is not receiving enough light or too much direct sunlight there are tell tale signs to look out for-

Not Enough:

  • Flowers not blooming
  • Weak, slow and spindly growth.
  • Yellowing leaves which eventually fall.
  • New leaves remain smaller than usual.

Too Much:

  • Flowers shrivel up and die quickly.
  • Leaves shriveling up and drying.
  • Leaves fade in colour.
  • Drooping leaves.

 

CURRENT PRODUCTS:

  • SunCalc
    It is a sunlight calculator you stick in the soil. Designed to measure the amount of solar energy available during the growing season, it ideally helps you put your plants where they want to be.  When turned on, the meter measures the amount of light for 12 hours and determines how much sun you have. This product sounds like it works, but after reading about it on gardening forums, I realized how flawed it was.  Firstly, because the device is not smart, you have to manually turn it on for it to start recording the light-> this means that if you turn it on after sunup (say at like noon instead of dawn), then it will measure the light only for a part of the day and provide the wrong readings. Secondly, although its ad claims that “This meter measures the duration and intensity of sunlight falling at a given spot over a 12-hour period”, it does not report them. It only reports sun, part sun, part shade or shade. You get neither duration nor intensity readings-> user doesnt really gain much insight from this product. Hence, this product is not useful because it doesnt allow users to gain more information, nor does it really provide an action after  -> equivalent to the user just mapping out the sun exposure himself

Sunlight Calculator, a product you don't need

  • Xiaomi Smart Flower potThe Xiaomi Smart Flower Pot is a medium size plastic pot, with the built-in wireless connection (Bluetooth 4.1 BLE), and several other sensors. Also, it comes with with a unique application that allows you to control the pot. The pot can communicate with any smartphone via Bluetooth, to send information from the sensors. The Sensors monitor the moisture and salt content of the soil. If the plant is lacking something like water , then the Xiaomi pot will “remind” you through the application, that it is time to water the plant.
    You have to add the Xiaomi Smart Flower Pot to the application for use. You can choose from huge database of flowers. From the application menu, you can check the battery charge level, check reports (log). If you own more than one pots there are summary reports. The general menu with indications displays the properties and description of the plant.Xiaomi Smart Flower Pot  Xiaomi Smart Flower Pot
  • LUMEEquipped with sensors for water, light and soil levels, the specialized pot ensures that the plant is well-cared for at all times. Information is relayed wirelessly to the user’s smartphone, giving them real-time updates on the plant’s health and the best way to tend to it.lume_01

lume_06lume_11

  • NestSensors detect the levels of Ethylene, so when the fruit, vegetable or herb is ripe or ready to eat, notifications are sent to your Nest app so you can harvest and enjoy the freshest home-grown food! The Nest app develops an accurate user profile the more you use it by taking your dietary preferences to suggest personalized recipes using the freshest ingredients from your hanging garden. The recipes you select are then fed back into the Nest database to generate better recipe suggestions and recommendations for the hanging garden. As an added bonus, the hanging garden also work with your Nest thermostat to circulate air in your kitchen with bladeless fan technology. It also illuminates your worktop with built-in LED lights.
  • Bloomengine
    A completely self-contained, self-sustaining planter, the Bloomengine can grow and monitor your plant while guiding you through the process, informing you of the plant’s progress and needs. the planter sends you plant-health related data to your phone, allowing you to keep tabs on the plant’s growth. There’s also a Full-HD camera mounted on the top that can take time-lapses of your plant growing. You can easily customize environmental conditions for your plants via the Bloomengine application available for Android and iOS devices. Watering and lighting times can be scheduled and even time-lapse can be set according to your plants and preferences.
    bloomengine_smart_planter_09
  • Uplift Planter
    The Uplift Planter is an elevated plant stand with an app-enabled grow light designed to seamlessly integrate living green into any space. The Uplift Planter has built-in brains, meaning you can pair it with the app over WiFi for granular control over light intensity, cycles and schedule, from a few feet to miles away. Includes recommended presets for partial shade, partial sun and full sun plants.

  • Koubachi Wi-Fi Sensor
    Koubachi have a connected plant sensor to go along with the app. They measure moisture, light, and temperature from the soil near your plant, and use that information along with the compiled knowledge of their Plant Care Engine to tell you exactly how to make your garden flourish. If you have no idea what kind of plant you’re dealing with, this is the most user-friendly plant identification software I’ve come across. Plant Finder will offer options about the shape of the leaves, the position of the stem, even the location of purchase, and you can pick from the provided pictures whenever you see a match or skip the question when you’re stumped. The database will use any responses you give it to make a guess at your plant type, and will show you pictures to help you decide if it has the right one. If not, you can keep right on going through the questions.This handy feature lets you see immediate readings for moisture, sunlight, and temperature.

         
    koubachi website and app
  • Growing up
    Interesting design: Adjustable pot design!
    growingup02
  • Plant Window
    Interesting location: planter right at the window
  • iGrow
    Interesting design: Holds a weeks supply of water, while avoiding stagnant water or any water spill
  • Ma-ce-ta series
    Interesting design: Mix and match with different shapes + height
  • MOJU planter
    Interesting design: sleek and modern. nice aesthetics
  • ToThum
    Interesting design: each modular part has a unique shape that organically blends with the others. Also has its own manual irrigation system that allows the water to reach the plants on all the levels at the same time

TWO SYSTEMS:

flower pot itself
– if gets too hot, pot moves itself? hmm
– might be better than designing something to just stick in soil -> seems like waste of materials
device to stick into the flower pot or beside it
– can be some cute decoration piece?
– if too hot the umbrella deploys to shade plant??

 


Keep in mind that the sun changes places in the sky depending on time of day and season, affecting how much light your plant will get. Monitor how the light changes throughout the year and adjust your plants position accordingly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Links:

  • https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/indoor-plants-lighting-guide.html
  • https://southernlivingplants.com/planting-care/a-gardeners-guide-to-sun-exposure/
  • http://theindependent.sg/ng-eng-hen-gets-into-national-day-mood-and-poses-with-a-face-mask-from-the-fun-pack/
  • https://www.foreverfamily.com.sg/
  • https://www.gardenmyths.com/sunlight-calculator-useless-product/

 

 

Studies in Form #1

6 WORDS:

  • Verb: Exhumed, Bifurcated
  • Adjective: Parasite, Tripod
  • Noun: Stalactite, Hive

Permutations:

Exhumed parasite Stalactite
Exhumed parasite Hive
Exhumed tripod Stalactite
Exhumed tripod Hive
Exhumed stalactite Parasite
Exhumed hive Parasite
Exhumed stalactite Tripod
Exhumed hive Tripod
Bifurcated parasite Stalactite
Bifurcated parasite Hive
Bifurcated tripod Stalactite
Bifurcated tripod Hive
Bifurcated stalactite Parasite
Bifurcated stalactite Hive
Bifurcated hive Parasite
Bifurcated hive Tripod

The subtle nuances the positioning of words can carry!
Bifurcated parasite Stalactite -> parasitic Stalactite that is forked
Bifurcated stalactite Parasite -> Parasite (found on Stalactites/made out of them) that is forked
Parasite(ic) bifurcated stalactite -> similar to bifurcated parasite stalactite
Stalactite bifurcated parasite -> similar to bifurcated stalactite parasite

Exhumed parasite Hive -> parasitic Hive/parasites Hive that’s been dug up
Exhumed hive Parasite -> a Parasite (to hives) that’s been dug up
Parasite(ic) exhumed Hive  -> a dug up Hive that is parasitic
Hive exhumed Parasite -> doesn’t really make sense? Hmmm……

BUT how much difference do these nuances make when translated into imagery? Affects the noun/subject which in turn is the dominant form (“main body” of the form)? And the other two words are descriptive subdominant and subordinate forms- > whose forms are built upon that of the dominant?

PS. am I thinking too much hmm……………………


DEFINITIONS: 

Parasite

noun: parasite
  1. 1. an organism that lives in or on an organism of another species (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other’s expense.
    2. (Derogatory) a person who habitually relies on or exploits others and gives nothing in return.
    adjective: parasitic
    1. 1. (of an organism) living as a parasite.
    2. 2.  (Derogatory)  habitually relying on or exploiting others.

Exhumed

  1. 1. dig out (something buried, especially a corpse) from the ground.
    2. (Geology) expose (a land surface) that was formerly buried.
  2. 2. to revive or restore after neglect or a period of forgetting; bring to light.

Bifurcated

  1. 1. divide into two branches or forks.


Stalactite

  1. 1.  a tapering structure hanging like an icicle from the roof of a cave, formed of calcium salts deposited by dripping water.


Hive

noun: hive
  • 1. a shelter constructed for housing a colony of honeybees
    2. a place swarming with busy occupants:
    verb: hived, hiving
    1. 1. to enter a hive.

     

    MENTAL SCHEMA:

    I personally feel that to approach these words, there are a few ways I can kind of sort the imagery that the words invoke- Macro picture (overall structure) vs Micro picture (details), Realistic vs Abstracted, maybe even Man-made vs Natural? The best example in my set of words to illustrate this is ‘Hive’.

    Macro vs Micro:

    Honeycomb - WikipediaFlow Hive Review: 3 Reasons to Avoid It At All Costs - HoneyColony

    Realistic vs Abstracted:

    Wasp Nest Removal - Safely Removing Nests Naturally | Wasp nest ... The Hive The Power of Propolis: A Gift from the Bees

    Man-made vs Natural:

    38675_sarasota-bee-hive Honey House Honey Bee Farm (Lipa City) - 2020 All You Need to Know ... Handmade Natural Bamboo Bee Hive Mason Bee House Attracts Peaceful ...Beehive Facts | Where Do Bees Live? | DK Find Out  
    
    

     

    IMAGERY/MOTIF BOARDS: 

    Just some links:

    STALACTITES:

  • https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/different-types-of-stalactite-formations.html

HIVE:

  • http://www.heartlandoutdoors.com/scattershooting/story/heres_a_truly_unique_bee_hive/
  • https://www.fromthegrapevine.com/lifestyle/5-intriguing-structures-inspired-bees

PARASITE:

  • https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-pictures-of-parasites

TRIPOD:

  • https://www.6sqft.com/poorexs-tripod-furniture-makes-a-statement-on-three-legs/

IM Guest Lecture Reflections

During one of our lessons, we were fortunate enough to receive a guest lecture by Ong Kian Peng! His lecture was on Automated Utopia and he touched upon many interesting points surrounding the Utopia/Dystopia and Artificial Intelligence. I would like to briefly talk about some of the points he made and what I thought about them!

During his lecture, he posed us a question-

So how can AI present a different world than that of the cyberpunk genre and give us a technological Utopian society?

I immediately thought of the American science fiction television series, Westworld. (It’s a really interesting western series and I highly recommend it!)

In the show Westworld, people travel to a Wild-West-themed amusement park filled with humanoid robots called “hosts.” With the whole wild west theme, it is already a very different take on the common AIs in a cyberpunk universe (such as technologically advanced cities features in Ghost in the Shell or Blade Runner 2049). Instead of thinking forwards, and placing AIs in a fictional futuristic setting, Westworld places AIs in a futuristic setting that is seemingly old school and historically inspired, going back to the time of cowboys and steam powered railways.

Westworld': Everything to Know Before the Series Premiere ...HBO brings “Westworld" to life for lucky consumers - Event MarketerA Westworld Cameraman Showed Up In One Scene, But Was It Really ...Westworld' at SXSW: Photos Inside the Town HBO Built from Scratch ...Ghost In The Shell VFX Breakdown | Movies | EmpireArtStation - Ghost in the Shell - City at daylight, Jan UrschelMunich City Wallpaper - Blade Runner 2049 City, Hd Wallpapers ...

 

What value does it add ? And what do we lose as a result of automation?

In Westworld, the park is of great value to high-paying “guests”.  It allows them to indulge their wildest fantasies within the park without fear of retaliation from the hosts, who are prevented by their programming from harming humans. They are able to visit brothels, drink shots at the salon, take on bounty hunts on horseback, or have a high-noon showdown, et cetera. The whole world is theirs to explore and interact with. The AIs are there to aid them in to the whims and fancies of the guests. These hosts think and interact like real people, but since they aren’t living beings, guests often treat them with reckless abandon. I think that the whole allure of this automated theme park in Westworld made the humans in their world lose their humane-ness. In the theme park, people are shown to lose their humane restraints, to act without any moral or ethical judgement. Talking about the premise of Westworld, Georgia Tech’s Ridel said:  “Making things that are designed to be as close to looking and acting human and then saying ‘go ahead and abuse these things,’ to me it says something about humans.”

Just because the hosts were not human, guests say it fit to take advantage of them. This makes me wonder, in a world with humans and AIs, would it be possible to truly co-exist? To be inclusive and not just tolerance. Is a world where humans and AIs are equals possible? Or will it always be painted as a world whereby AIs are sub subservient for they are the creations of man, and eventually grow intelligent/conscious enough to rebel against us?

This thought was also spurred on by Bin’s sharing of Justin Emard, Mirai Moriyama and Alter’s artwork, Co (AI) xistence.

 

Can humans and AI coexist peacefully without any racial discrimination? This question reminds me of a Japanese animated movie called Time of Eve.

Set in a not-too-distant future, androids have become integrated into society’s daily lives. Like most other people, the protagonist, Rikuo treats robots and androids like appliances, despite them bearing an uncanny resemblance to a normal human. In the film,  androids are easily identified with a holographic status ring above their heads. Rikuo, who has taken robots for granted for his entire life, one day discovers that Sammy, his home android, has been acting independently and coming and going on her own. He finds a strange phrase recorded in her activity log, “Are you enjoying the Time of Eve?”. Along with a friend, they follow Sammy to an unusual cafe called “The Time of Eve”. There, they learn that the cafe’s main rule is to not discriminate between humans and androids. Within the cafe, androids do not display their status rings, as such, patrons will be unable to identify who is android and who is human in the cafe. In that intimate shared space, they have transcended the discriminatory boundaries and are all seen as equal beings. Additionally, when patrons depart, the door is automatically locked for two minutes to prevent another patron from following them to discover their true nature. The whole idea of hiding one’s true race to not let it affect interactions and relationships within the cafe is really interesting to me. The conversations among the patrons make frequent allusions to Isaac Asimov‘s Three Laws of Robotics, often highlighting surprising interpretations of those laws, through not only the point of view of humans, but also the robots themselves.

The overarching plot involves the beginnings of independence displayed by the androids, what they do with that independence within the bounds of the three laws, and what motivates them. Secondary plots involve the individual stories of each android the protagonists encounter in the cafe, and how they come to discover which patrons are androids and which are not. Through multiple visits to the cafe and unprejudiced interactions with the different patrons, Rikuo comes to realise that perhaps the true identity of each guest is not what matters the most. The neutrality of the cafe eventually enables him to let go of his former prejudice against androids. Additionally, though he was initially fearful of Sammy’s independence, he begins to learn that she is more human than he first thought.  Illah Nourbakhsh, professor of robotics at Carnegie Mellon University said: “It’s a dangerous moral ground are we walking into, making systems that are reminiscent of humanity and then treating them in a way that is inhumane”. It perplexed me to think why humans would aim to model robots or program artificial intelligence so closely after ourselves, only to treat them as lower beings. Should they not receive the same respect? If some people believe that men is born with innate sins because of Adam’s doing, then shouldn’t robots/AI be born with innate humanity since they are our creations?

I think that the tiny cafe  in Time of Eve was something close to a utopia for the shared interests of humans and androids alike!

Time of Eve: The Movie - Official Trailer - YouTubeI'm scared of you, let's have sex: Time of Eve | Bateszi Anime BlogEve no jikan (2010) - Photo Gallery - IMDbTime of Eve Review | The Foodie Geek

 

While researching more I found this article, and part of it said-

Although robots do not have emotions, people can get attached to them, Georgia Tech’s Riedl said. Some people name their Roombas and give them backstories, only to be emotionally upset when the devices break down, he said. People have even held funerals for robot dogs.

Say, if robots/AI were to gain the ability to form emotional connections back with humans, would they be genuine? Emotional connections formed out of feelings instead of logical and rational thought? This reminded me of the Australian sci-fi film “I am Mother“.  The film follows Daughter, a girl in a post-apocalyptic bunker, being raised by Mother, a robot aiding the re-population of Earth.  It was interesting to watch the change in their emotions towards each other, and their relationship dynamics. I don’t want to spoil the plot by revealing too much, but the movie left me with even more thoughts about the whole AI and humans in a dystopian/utopian world scenario.

AI should always follow the 3 Laws by Asimov, but what if the means and the ends conflict with each other and the 3 laws.  Should AI be allowed to harm humans for the greater good of humanity? Should we then put our trust in them that they are in the greater scheme of things, obeying the 3 Laws. In my opinion, artificial intelligence is able to think rationally and logically, unlike humans who are unable to separate our emotions from thinking no matter how hard we try. Despite our best efforts, we will never be objective while I think that AI is able to do so, so in times like this what if the AI’s actions seemed to be creating a dystopian world, but only temporarily, to pave way for the utopian world they are trying to achieve for humans?

I Am Mother' Ending Explained, From the Editor of the Netflix Movie
Original Content podcast: Director Grant Sputore explains how 'I ...

Other interesting thins to check out: 
Narciss: Artificial Intelligence Questions Human Self-AwarenessWaltz Binaire-Narciss-AI-installation-art-data-mirror-tech-visual atelier 8-2.jpgWaltz Binaire-Narciss-AI-installation-art-data-mirror-tech-visual atelier 8-7.jpg

– Tau (2018 film)Tau (film): A just OK Netflix original

 

References:

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/12/hbo-westworld-ai-robot-limits-ethical-questions.html
https://www.visualatelier8.com/art/narciss-artificial-intelligence-questions-human-self-awareness
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_of_Eve
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westworld_(TV_series)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tau_(film)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Mother

 

IM Reading Assignment

“The Second Self. Computers and the Human Spirit” by Sherry Turkle
Download the PDF version of this reading

Part 1, Chapter 2: Video Games and Computer Holding Power. 

Write your impressions and reflections: min 250- 500+ words
Add links and media.


To be honest, I found it strange that quite a bit of the readings weren’t directly Interactive Media or art related (in my opinion), and when I was reading Turkle’s chapter about video games, I was trying to figure out how this was related to IM. And then I remembered that video games are actually art, and a great example of interactive media at that. So before I begin to discuss about some of the many points on video games raised in Turkle’s chapter, I would like to talk about my opinion on video games and its relation to art!

Video games have become so common in today’s society especially among the generations born into the digital age, that they have become their labels. People have lost sight of video games as a work of art. However, in my opinion, games are one of the most successful artforms; one of the most notable instances of coming close to a true Gesamtkunstwerk. There so many aspects of art and design in video games- Character design, environment/level design, soundscape, animation, narrative writing, etc. So many overlapping areas of art that I cannot even fully differentiate or name them all. You basically design every single detail in a whole new world! And if that does not include almost all, if not all, artforms then I don’t know what other artwork would be able to achieve so.

A normal video game would stimulate visual and audio sensory experiences, but with the advancement of technology, more senses are being incorporated into games. Gaming devices like the Occulus Rift, opens a whole new world of VR and allows us to have a deeper level of sensorial immersion, such as the addition of physical sensation, or a more immersive in game point of view. Maybe in the future, smell and taste might be possible in video games too! Who knows. Furthermore, there are video games suitable for all ages, making ir an extremely inclusive form of art. With so many genres to pick from, from first person shooting to puzzle games to horror, one is bound to find a game that would suite your personal tastes.  Additionally, each game usually offers an individualized yet universal experience to players. That is a quality that interactivity in many artworks try to achieve. For example in games such as Detroit: Becoming Human, players are given different options that will open up different pathways in the story tree, allowing them to craft their own story/experience in a way, but still having the same overarming ark, or being able to reply to try out different experiences.

Detroit: Become Human Demo Experience - jioplaygame.com
Multiple options to choose from in Detroit: Becoming HumanDetroit Become Human: Stormy Night Walkthrough 100%
At the end of chapter, the story tree shows how your choices led to an ending The Hostage - Detroit: Become Human | Shacknews

 

Now moving on to some points mentioned in Turkle’s writing! –

“There has been controversy about video games from the days of Space Invaders and Asteroids, from the time that the games’ holding power provoked people who saw it as a sign of addiction to become alarmed…

For Jarish knows that despite the complexity of the games, there is program behind, there are rules. There is the computer that Jarish mythologizes as the dream machine that can make anything possible and as the rule machine that makes everything that is crazy ultimately controllable…

Most people don’t become addicted to video games just as most people who diet don’t become anorexic. But when they use these powerful materials to measure themselves, they are at risk. And, of course, some people come to the material more vulnerable than others. The greater the anxiety about being out of control, the greater the seduction of a material that offers the promise of perfect response.”

Even till now, the social effects of video games are still being widely debated, and controversial.  Many still view video games as addictive, video games as violence instigators. Even recently, Trump suggest that video games are the cause of violent outbreaks such as mass shootings due to the glorification of violence in video games. Although I do agree that some video games do glorify violence, I find that this video game stereotype no longer holds true to many games now. Now, there are more and more games with different genres, and messages. Shooting and killing games aren’t the only genres in the game industry. There are numerous non-violent games that are immensely popular, such as the recently trending Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a wholesome video game where you create a home, interact with cute animal villagers, and just enjoy life whilst exploring.  There are even games that preach non-violence, such as Undertale.  In the battles in Undertale, you can choose to resort to violence, or to use words to talk  ourself out of the fight. Choosing not to resort through violence throughout the whole game will lead to a True Pacifist Ending, which is considered the “true ending” to Undertale, leading to a happy conclusion and the complete credits. If the player choose to resort to violence and slay enemies in some battles during the play through, they will complete the Neutral Route. Upon completing the Neutral Route, the protagonist receives a phone call after the credits that provides a hint to the next requirement for getting the True Pacifist Ending, prompting them replay and choose that pathway instead.

Undertale Act | Mythic Bios
Example of battle mechanics, you can choose to “Fight” or “Act” in different ways, and eventually spare “Mercy” instead of resorting to violenceGallop-a-Gus on Twitter: "Soulless True Pacifist! #KILLEDTHEMALL ...Ending for True Genocide Route, where you kill everyone (above) versus True Pacifist, where no lives are taken and the story truly ends (below)

Many people are drawn to games because of the power they hold in games. Unlike in real life, almost everything you do is solely controllable by the player in a game. Like what Turkle said, they get seduced by the control one wields in the game, compared to real life which is unpredictable, where many a times, things happen outside of our control. Is giving people power and control over something a good way to make them engage with your creation? Anyways, I think people who get addicted to games and are actually influenced to carry out violent acts already have pre-existing psychological issues, and the full blame (or any blame at all) cant be placed on video games.

“Marty is a twenty-nine-year-old economist who works for a large Manhattan bank. He is a nervous, wound-up man. “I’m a real worrier. A real ‘type A person.’ That’s me.” He says he plays the game because he needs “to have something to do which is so hard that I can’t think of anything else.” The games force him into another mental space where the thoughts and the cares of his day cannot intrude. For many years, Marty used transcendental meditation to relax. Now he uses video games.”

I feel like games are usually painted as a villain, often affiliated with connotations that people forget its positive impacts.  People go to museums to look at artworks, as a form of entertainment; or make their own art as a form of therapeutic release. Games are works of art, games can be the same too. Games are a great form of escapism from the real world. Like mentioned before, people are able to escape into a new reality which they have more control over, or one that is out so fictionally out of their wildest dreams, where they are able to choose their own story and  create a new identity. They can be transported into a world that allows them to relax, and provide entertainment.
Its interesting that some games are created with for relaxation in mind. Games like Journey or Abzu takes players into a beautiful tranquil landscape , and aims to create a really zen game play experience. There are even games you can play with friends to enjoy some time together and relax, such as Snipperclips or Animal Crossing.

Abzu review - It's a brand new journey that's, erm, not quite Journey Abzu A shader tribute to Journey - Making GamesJourneyAnimal Crossing: New Horizons – What to do with Friends- Attack of ...Animal Crossing

“Technological advances have enabled designers to create games that provide visually appealing situations and demand a diverse and challenging set of skills. But the ambition is to have the appeal of Disneyland, pinball, and a Tolkien novel all at once. Games like Joust do not offer the imaginative identification with a character and a situation that literature does.”

Its interesting that Turkle noted how people wanted more customization and literary in games. Perhaps thats what sets video games apart from other forms of art and makes it successful. The fact  that video games are such flexible amalgamations of both art and design. In more traditional artworks like paintings, the audience has no hand to play in creating or playing around with the work, and they could each have vastly different interpretations. Compare that to video games, where the audience has almost full interactivity and control of what they wish to do, with the power to personalize their experience; whilst they might all experience something different, the overall story line or overarching message they derive is still more or less the same. Video games are designed  so that everyone is still able to understand the basic narrative, although it still allows for some interpretations; while in art the fundamental artist message might still be lost to some; while in design, there is no room for interpretation for good designs.

The knights in Joust owe their appeal to associations the player makes with fantasies about medieval combat that have been sparked through other media. And even the graphically “advanced” Joust lacks the degree of individual characterization one has come to expect in animated cartoons. Designers are starting to break out of these limitations. New generations of computer graphics will allow game characters to have more realistic gestures and facial expressions. New programming techniques offer the hope of creating characters who have more specific and interesting personalities than the monsters in Pac-Man so that players’ interactions with them may feel more like a social encounter and less like controlling a pinball”

A good example for the above paragraph is the game Monster Hunter World. When you begin the game, you are free to customize your characters looks however you want. Whats so cool about MHW is that the graphics look pretty realistic and you can customize numerous details from the age of your character to the color of their hair, or if they have special markings on their faces, etc. During the game, there is even more ways you can create your own unique character, by mixing and matching whatever armor or weapon you prefer as you carry our your quests in the main story line. MHW also allows for co-op battles with your friends to slay the monsters. Being able to play games alongside your friends is something that many games are working towards today. By giving the option to play multiplayer, games can indeed feel more like a social encounter, and less like a solitary activity. Hmm, maybe its just my lack in knowledge of artworks, and the vastness of the artworld, but I struggle to think of works of art  that allows its audiences to partake in social interactions that help build or complement the artwork.

Monster Hunter World Character Creation / Character Customization ...Monster Hunter World character customization is irking some ...How To Forge And Upgrade Equipment in Monster Hunter: World ...
Different weapons to wield and different parts of different monster armours to choose fromMONSTER HUNTER: WORLD

 

“Woody Allen dreamt of the interactive novel. Video game designers plan to implement it, perhaps less voluptuously, by putting the player in control of a character who lives not in a maze but in a piece of literature.”

This got me thinking of Netflix’s latest Blackmirror movie, Bandersnatch.  The first time I played it, I found it to be an interesting experience, and thought that it was rather innovative, a movie that you could decide your own ending! But after finishing the whole film, I still thought it was cool that Bandersnatch was blurring the lines between movies and games now, but I was kind of disappointed at its level of interactivity with the literature. I realized that the choices you made did not really affect what happens in the story, or that they would kill the main character off, thus making it seem that there is a “Right Choice” in the film. Although Bandersnatch did disappoint a bit, I think that it set down the foundations for more interesting interactive novels, like what Woody Allen dreamt of, to come. Perhaps future examples would do well to learn from the diverse and deep interactivity found in video games. But by then, I wonder, would the film be seen as a video game then? What would set them apart? Simply the medium of presentation? One presumably using actors and cameras, while the other digital or hand drawn animations. But then again, more movies today are also starting to rely on 3D animations to create characters or scenes, and like what Turkle said, new generations of computer graphics are allowing games to appear way more realistic. Is it possible that if interactive films became more common in the future, they would slowly morph into games, while games morph into them? Would there be a clear line of distinction between the two, or will they be added to a long list of never ending debates such as “what is the difference between art and design?”.

https://www.google.com/search?q=data++interactive+art&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwin1Jzwyd_nAhUBSysKHVIHAZUQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=data++interactive+art&gs_l=img.3..0i8i30.6175.6444..7723…0.0..0.41.120.3……0….1..gws-wiz-img.aZ-rhfNu-QY&ei=LzFOXueAL4GWrQHSjoSoCQ&bih=731&biw=1536&rlz=1C1CHBF_enSG872SG872#imgrc=wQtgBXKS8L4iIM

https://www.behance.net/gallery/4419469/WHAT-MADE-ME-Interactive-Public-Installation

Art in the age of “big data”

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/cleveland-museum-art-wants-you-to-play-with-its-art-180968007/

https://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/2015/12/10/data-visualization-design-and-the-art-of-depicting-reality/

 

pinterest – interactive display / interactive exhibition

 

https://www.domusweb.it/en/news/2010/12/28/koln-ethnographic-museum.html

 

History of Design – Essay

v) Propose an artwork that draws inspiration from Graphic, Product, and Interactive Design history. Explain how the works and/or art movements within each history shape your concept. Describe the significance of the  artwork—is it an homage, a reflection of the present, or a speculative future work. Provide sketches for your proposal. If necessary, provide historic visual references

Proposed artwork entitled “Catch”

PDF: HOD ESSAY Natalie