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Jheanell Bailey

Topic 2

What did you learn?

During this project, I learned more about critical lenses and more about critical experiences themselves. I also learned while doing my research that many cultures do not realize that they are similar in so many ways, and that we can also learn from each other to change the future.

 

What feedback did you receive? Any reflections on the critique itself?

Change some of the wording in the prototype to make it more obvious what the whole idea is. Also, “I feel like it would be interesting to see ways in which existing weapons can be slightly modified for a nonkilling purpose similar to how there are those pistol-shaped lighters.”

What might you do differently in terms of process or content?

I would add more functions to the prototype in terms of adding buttons and information.

What was inspiring? What parts?

Learning about how weaponry advanced and is continuing to do so.

 

Revisit the assignment prompts: how did your project relate to the original prompts, in terms of critical lens, audience, tone, etc… 

The project did relate to my original prompts, however, I needed to fixate on one central idea, instead of the wide spectrum. My tone stayed the same in terms of keeping it light, I wanted people to be creative in their ideas for future weapons. My audience was paleoanthropologists (people who study human fossils), students, and cultural anthropologists (people who study culture). Those still stayed the same.

 

How did you balance research and experimentation? Which is easier for you? How can you focus more on the areas that you shy away from?

I did more research than experimentation. In my case, there was a lot of information I had to research in terms of history and evidence rather than working on the prototype itself. Depending on the project I think that experimentation would be more required than research.

Topic 2 Final

For my final, I took collective feedback from the user testing and put it in motion.

https://www.figma.com/file/HL1bTpYbgobCFc7gBE62fO/app?node-id=0%3A1&t=w3GCokJYSDP7qEtG-1

The link to the working prototype is above.

 

Slides Link:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16aO9bulMjw649S2GUSf_44IyAYQCcAjXsA2h3-XVqAg/edit?usp=sharing

 

 

Systems Map:

https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVPISBWSw=/?share_link_id=841439398917

Bibliography:

The Great Human Migration | History| Smithsonian Magazine

Native American Weapons: Bows and Arrows, Spears, Tomahawks, War Clubs, and Other American Indian Weaponry (native-languages.org)

In Their Footsteps: Human Migration Out of Africa | National Geographic Society

 

Topic 2 Interview

I interviewed one of my friends, and here is what was said:

Have you ever heard/learned about the “Great Human Migration”?

I have never really learned about it, just heard about it once before.

Do you think about your ancestors frequently?

Not really no

Do you have an interest in history or your family history itself?

I think that learning about your family history is cool. I would like to learn more about my family’s history a lot more.

What do you think about the drastic changes between ancient weapons to the weapons used today?

It is actually crazy to think about honestly. Our ancestors went from using stones and wood to using machinery and bombs to use as weapons against each other. It is kinda scary to think about the future.

The future is scary to think about. Do you think there could be a way to make “weapons” that could be used for good and not have deadly consequences?

I am not sure.

 

Topic 2 User Test

I sent my project to some of my friends, they helped me to gain more feedback on my ideas:

 

  • They told me that it was an interesting concept
  • The layout is simple and could use more colors
  • I should add information about the tools for the “ancient Native American” weapons.

After doing this I was told that I should also:

  • Maybe add a gif to make it more engaging.
  • Make the buttons look more like a button instead of plain white

 

Project 2 Development

While developing my project, I was thinking about how I wanted the experience to be. My initial thought was to continue with the smartwatch on the Janky Prototypes. I would create a prototype that would have a compass and an application that would give survival tips.

However, after having the individual meetings, the idea of sticking to the development of weaponry throughout history and how it can be changed and used in the future.

I stuck to the idea of creating a prototype application, but this would be an app that allows people to create ideas on future weaponry. Mainly, how weaponry can be used for good instead of bombs, guns, etc. Creating things that can resolve issues in the world.

Publics

Analyze an existing artwork/project/piece of media (TV show, game, etc) and the systems within which it operates. Try to identify: Who created it? For whom? With what materials and metaphors? With what intention? What impact? On whom? How? Did the artist identify a public or create a counterpublic?

 

Poster:

I chose to do the “We Can Do It” art poster that was made during World War II. This was a time where men where shipped off to fight the war against Germany and their allies. While the men fought, women took on “male” jobs (ie; defense industries, the civilian service, armed forces). Even after the war, the men returned and wanted their jobs back. Women wanted to work, and continue to work even after the men returned. The poster was created by J. Howard Miller in 1943. It symbolizes that women can work any job without losing their femininity, which the poster shows as a metaphor. The target audience would have been young women that were able to hard labor.

I.A.E

At some point this week, look around you and produce a drawing (or take a picture) of a space that you feel is rich in arrangements. In a style similar to the diagram on page 33, annotate your picture or drawing with the “hard” and “soft” arrangements you can identify.

Map an aspect of your topic to the Ideas/Arrangements/Effects framework. For instance, if you were working with zoos: an idea is that animals should be able to be observed at will by humans; an arrangement is a cage at the zoo; an effect is that animals often become distressed. Since arrangements are “a rich and frequently overlooked terrain for creating change” (32): can you identify a way you could change your identified arrangement, and how that might reflect a different idea, or have a different effect?

Idea: Migration causes loss of culture

Arrangement: New environments and similar views, arranges the development of society.

Effect: While moving, people tend to create new cultures and identities.

Updated arrangement: People assimilate to new environments, which causes changes in culture, food, and appearance. Many cultures have similar lifestyles by intertwining with each other or being close to one another.

Project Analysis

Topic:

Migration of Native Americans from Africa

Goal:

My goal is to focus on how Native Americans travelled (route) and how their culture has impacted America today

Critical analysis:

If Native Americans were not able to cross over the “Bering Land Bridge” how would America be today?

What have Native Americans contributed to society?

Stakeholders:

paleoanthropologists (people who study human fossils)

Students

Cultural anthropologists (people who study culture)