Week 1
CLASS
In our first class we were instructed to create a fantasy device considering the user's experience. My partner and I decided that a useful invention would be a bike light vest: something that would be easy to operate, easy to wear while riding, create high visibility and be powered by a bicycle's motion. We decided that the vest would have 4 main components: left/right signal switches on the handle bars, power generator on the cranks/back wheel, sensor on the break (to trigger breaking light) and of course the LED covered vest that displays light when in motion, turning and breaking/slowing down. We gave a lot of thought to use and decided that it would be best if the controller had a limited function, was intuitive and easily reached. We also agreed that the entire set up should be as wireless as possible.
Bike Light Vest Plan:
Below are photos of the Bike Light Vest Prototype:
READINGS RESPONSE
1.)"Art of Interactive Design"
Based on this reading and my own life experiences, I suggest the highest quality interactions (although quality varies, of course)allow both actors' input and output, are non-linear relative to the content of the interaction, and require empathy on the part of involved parties. The latter idea makes me question whether or not there can be true high quality interactions between humans and computers? I suppose human-human interaction is ideal, but if software and hardware is designed empathically, interaction can be of a higher quality.
I found the author's opinion of the interactivity of performance art lacking in subtle examination. Although I am not a performer myself, I feel the author underestimates the transformation of more than one person into an "audience entity" that performers engage with through laughter, gasp, applause, restless sound, etc., or lack thereof. What about group interaction? Does this exist? I am curious to hear what the class thinks.
Examples of digital work of varying degrees of interactivity:
LOW
Major news corporation feeds
MEDIUM
Twitter
Facebook
HIGH(er)
Skype -although restrictive in tactility/communication mode
2.)"A Brief Rant..."
Although the video presented at the onset of this article was beautiful, I also found it unsettling. Funny enough, I started worrying about apple and their influence on every aspect of our lives, repetitive stress on our hands and wrists as well as the loss of face to face interactions between people (for example, the man at the hotel and the woman arriving). What a relief to read the article that followed. I especially like the sentiment that the future is a choice. Here is hoping.
LAB
Tears of JOY
