Physical Computing Weblog

Scott, Yan Yan and I had our first mid-term project meeting yesterday. It was a brainstorming sesion that covered everything from basic design frustrations--illogical mappings off the controls on my stove to foot pedal devices to control the flow of water when one's hands are oterwise occupied. Strange how the design frustrations disappear when you sit down to think about them.

We all seemed swayed by the Norman articles and seemed determined to re-think or pathologize something quotidian. What we all seemed to be most excited about seemed to be about was the non-assistive use of technology. Scott showed us a kalediscope sketch built in Processing that looked interesting and it provoked a rather extended discussion about the use of transducers and the realm of light/sound.

It's impossible to sum up the ideation process really. And the above narration seems problematic in some way. Somehow I am historicizing a simple meeting in which we got stuck, had idea bombs and then went out to get coffee.

So somehow we got from talking about "The Clapper" and its powers of transduction and this idea of sound triggering light. What does it mean to make an edutainment focused device. Something non-essential? We left that problem and started thinking more about non-technolgical devices that people might need. A side mirror to keep tabs on one's blind spot while listening to an ipod? We ended up thinking about a device that might console the over-technologized. the person not listening to the ipod or talking on the phone.

I described a gift I received one Christmas that was supposed to provoke my creativity. Flashing LEDs and audio beeps all tuned to the correct brain stimulating wave forms.

We waited in line for coffee. Yan Yan didn't care what kind of milk colored her latte. The woman ahead of us was indecisive. I was too. We discussed a device that would rid us of those anxious moments of indecision. Something simple and non-dictatorial that would help you think...

We discussed this... its design, usability...

and this...

Which I know little about.

We discussed the pros and cons of trying to design an interface and device that was too conceptual. We decided to observe people making decisions. Grocery store aisles, cafe queues etc.

We decide to meet again.