Some Reflections
April 21, 2008
by Mari
I came to the MDP to see if there was a space for someone like me who wanted to design for the social good. Not to be a do-goder or a hyper philanthropic person, but just to be me- a person who has always believed the importance of approaching our lives in a holistic manner. And this research project has opened me up to all the new, but always existing, possibilities of a designer. I also learned that the norms many of us have grown up with and that we feel are embedded within us are not spaces to be left alone, but are opportunity spaces that have room for positive alterations and progressive applications. Traditions and rituals are great, but so is change.
Reflections from the Text Wall project
April 10, 2008
Mia’s Reflection
I worked in the table group this term, and through the process of our number of iterations and meetings, I uncovered a couple epiphanies in the greater sense. I think when we’re caught up in the details of specific study, we can miss that larger-scale stuff. One good one I found is always hire a programmer.
This could come off as a glib comment, but in honesty, I discovered that we were able to focus on developing the concept and deliberate aesthetic of the project instead of being overly-frustrated by the technology. This is invaluable to know since it’s relevant to other projects in a variety of fields.
I also learned that your first instinct in selecting a research direction usually turns out being the strongest idea. A couple of my classmates discovered that multiple people had actually come up with the text wall concept at the end of last term. The fact that we developed and actually had quite a successful outcome proves that your first instinct needs conviction and stamina to be carried through, because it’s not worth missing those opportunities of discovery.
For my own study for next term, I’m really interested in examining how media could be a negative and uncomfortable experience for people. I think it’s great how design and technology are used to improve society’s well-being, but it interests me more to examine it from the other end of the spectrum. How could we design streaming media to really provoke people, outside of conventional technology issues? That’s something I don’t get to read about or experience often.
history of dinner table
March 31, 2008
at the begining of table
building up tables with mdf wood
table presentation in class
preparing speakers and cloths to cover table
screens streaming diner table
plate attached mic
testing mic sound with fork and knife
camera for documentation
ready to go~
Table Project-instructions & intro
March 31, 2008
Instructions
- Thread all cables through hole
- Run power cables to table with extension cables and plug in power outlets
- Plug in all screen power adapters & PowerBook power adapters
- Connect each PowerBook with the power adapters and to their screens
- Connect each PowerBook to the family’s wireless internet
- Connect the webcams to their corresponding computers (i.e. webcam 1 to Sunberg01)
- Open up iChat and test the video to make sure the webcam is correct
- Plug in the speakers’ powers and connect them to the PowerBooks’ headphone jack
- Plug in the placemats to the PowerBooks’ mic jack; make sure the mic is picking up the sound
- Once all the laptops are hooked up, check with the other group to make sure they’re hooked up
- Start a video chat with each corresponding laptop (i.e. Sunberg01-Leagues01)
- Make sure the screens are showing the correct webcam to the area each screen is facing
- Carefully close the screen of the PowerBook with the small piece of Styrofoam to keep it a little open
- Gently place the PowerBook into the table and place the cover on top
- How much detail do we have to explain about the project to the family
- Control them to interact one another through streaming media such as visual(screen) and sound(mic) without letting them know about our concept
Why do they have to have a dinner at the dinner table we made?
- Creating a platform for families to interact and communicate each other
- How they interact with another family
Let them explore the dinner table by themselves
Introducing table’s functions very briefly
- how it works
- what the screens streaming while having dinner (another family)
- where the sound is from (tapping, hitting sound by using utensils such as knife, fork or chopsticks)
Let them know dinner time (6:30–7:30)
Use our plates as each person main plates
Food arrives at 6:20(italilan food, pasta…)
Intervene more than first day
If they did not interact enough each other, explain more detail about screens and sound
Let them try what they can do as much as possible during eating dinner
- provide notepad and pen
- information about another familyh
Let them know dinner time (6:30–7:30)
Use our plates as each person main plates
Food arrives at 6:20(?)
Third Object
March 31, 2008
FINAL TEST = it is working!
omg we were afraid we’d break the telly. The “third object” made it switch of and on so fast we could hardly keep up. Bending the sensor the right way needs a little bit of fiddling around, at least it makes you hug the pillow. The punch is working well too!
we made 4 little movies (click on the images and a “YouTube” will pop up)
Third Object
March 30, 2008
Sink is boxed, packaged, and ready to go!
March 29, 2008
The sink is 99.9% completed and ready to go! All that’s left is to buy a rug to cover the board, and to tape it down on all sides.
Here’s what’s been completed:
1. The building of the box. All items: DVR box, channel selector, and wireless receiver were lovingly placed in a clear tupperware box. That tupperware box was placed inside a bigger box with several holes cut in it for ventilation and for the infrared remote to function.
2. Box platform with rubber feet installed to keep the box away from water.
3. Mat sensor wired and ready to go! Ping did an awesomeee job with this. I know we MDP kids are infamous in the shop. Apparently, the question of the day yesterday in the shop was, “how many MDP students does it take to put together two pieces of wood?”
4. As of 11:00 AM, all sink and sink related parts are set up at Julia’s house in her baby-sized kitchen for testing.
I’ll keep everyone posted on how things are going with the testing. So far, so good, though! Just a side note, too–I’m going to UPS to ship out a bunch of stuff for returns today.
That’s all, bye!
Julia
Text Wall gets Deployed!
March 29, 2008
Thursday afternoon, Luke and I went to our first family’s home to install the projector and computer. We gave them a quick refresher as to how the device worked. We proceeded with the actual process of installation. This involved setting up the projector stands, keystoning the projector, setting up the wireless on the mac mini, and making sure to do the safety precautions of taping cords together and slipping them into non-trip cable covers. We provided image booklets to the families as a prompt to texting messages into the site. We were delighted to see their text materialize on their wall projections.
Over the course of the last couple days, I’ve been checking on their messages remotely, and it seems to have gone over like fire! They consistently text to each other, commenting on the day, reminders to do errands, and just general chat. It’s been two days, and I’d average at least one text every 10-20 minutes. It seems like the family has taken great interest in the project, and we are pleased that both the technology works, and the motivation to use it has been consistent.
Third Object
March 29, 2008
A BIG THANKS to CHARLES AND JUSTIN for letting us borrow their “arduinos”!
All the electronic devices are boxed in and cushioned – ready to be placed into the “third objects” and tested.
Yes, the “third objects” are stuffed and have a convenience zipper included. They still need the “EYE” in the front for the infrared.
The photos will explain everything better!
PS: Adam and I know what we want for Christmas!
Third Object
March 26, 2008
THIS BLOG ENTRY IS DEDICATED TO CHARLES – “CHARLES YOU ROCK – THANK YOU“
Today we started flashy!
Once again I went to the fabric district to get some more of this red corduroy and I picked up some yellow fabric too. Back at the studio Adam drew me flashes with a magic pen (the color fades after a while), he also cut them out – what a great HELP.
In the meantime I made some “comic-pillow-what-to-do” cards for the families. I took Adam’s original doodle drawing, cleaned it up made some color adjustments and hand drew the directions inside.
I made the last pillow and added the flashes to it – I told myself I either have to redo the cards or just continue sewing the flashes on the corduroy. It was one of those moments where you wish today was tomorrow.
But now the best news ever. Charles was communicating with Adam for programming the devices all this time. This evening Charles offered to come to the studio and THEY MADE IT WORK! Yes, it works! The make controller is programmed so it doesn’t need a computer, we have a servo motor, and a touch sensor….
Now we just have to build a little box for the all of this to sit in and put it in the “pillow with attitude”. So once they families start watching telly, the “third object” will interrupt – switch the telly off and on, and off again – in order to stop the “third object” from acting up, they need to give it some attention and hug it. AMAZING!!!!!!!
Tomorrow morning we need to buy some more electronic equipment. We also need to put zippers in the “pillows” which will allow easy batteries access.
Alright everyone cross your fingers – this will go smoothly.
