(Eric Jung) design process WEEK 10~14

PROBLEM SOLVING

Week 10 presentation

(Problems found)

1) During the presentation the red light stopped glowing

(issues with RGB LED LIGHT)

&

and the light intensity was too weak 

2) The servo motor wasn't able to rotate the wing

(weak rotation power)

3) The model base wasn't stable

4) Friction between Top cover and wing 

(motor couldn't rotate the wings due to the Friction between top cover and wing)

due to the curved wing, as it rotates it lift up the top cover

5) aesthetic of the the product wasn't appealing

(First concept design)

(received feed back from peers  "doesn't look like a lamp... looks like a wooden block")

(Improving Design)

Aesthetic 

Experiment with using shoe wax to create wooden texture

Half of the shell  with wooden texture 

(planning stage)

Testing

(Improving Design)

Functionality

(silicon rubber feet - self adhesive)

attached on the model to test out the stability 

Friction testing (stability)

(Improving Design)


Old structure design

New structure design

specially designed to reduce the friction between wing and structure

&

also added in the fillet to increase the stiffness / rigid-ability

Model making
(new design)

Reprinting the new parts
(3D printing the shell cover)


(Assembling)

 assembling reprinted parts

 assembly Testing

over view of the final model

(Painting)

painting shoe wax on the parts with paint brush

After shoe wax is all dried it was been coated with nail polisher to have glossy finish

After adding shoe wax on to the 3d printed parts, the sticky tape was removed to create clear separation line on the shell cover (half wood texture / half white plastic)

(Functionality Test)

Added led light inside to visualize the lighting quality

Fully Functional model



3D Degital model
(Hero shot)

NEW Design




OLD Design



1) Aesthetic has been improved

2) Remade the structure + gears in side the model has been remade to reduce the friction

3) Designed to be easily customized




Video Making

(Planning stage)

group decided to make a funny video to draw attention to the audience
(fun and more engaging)



Presentation board

Final Presentation Video

WEEK 10 Presentation Board

 

-Darcy Storr

WEEK 10 Interaction Design Video

Interactive Model Design Video

 Complete unedited interaction sequence 

-Darcy Storr

Arduino presentation video

The 4-7-8 breathing exercise

When you start blowing microphone will register you breath intensity level and will show it using the leds, as soon as you start blowing a count down to 4 is initiated and when you hear the "beep" sounds stop blowing. A count down to 7 will be initiated where you will inhale this time until you hear a "beep"sounds. As soon as you hear it exhale for a count down to 8 then you will hear a "beep" sound again. Do this set 4 times before going to bed

Note the more you practise this exercise the easier and the longer the effects will be.

Eric Process Work (System design & Concept Development)

Experimenting with Arduino .1

Controlling Servo motor with potentiometer

(was able to control the rotation of the servo motor with precision)



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Prepare to sleep

User physical intersection point

(Story board)

There is three physical intersection point 

-Turning on the bed side lamp

-Turning off the room light

-Turning off the room light after set up the bed and lie down

Pain points

-have to find the small lamp switch in dark environment

-twisting back to turn off the lamp light

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Possible System Design

Concept IDEA - Automatic bedside lamp

current problem- user have to go back and forth to turn on the lamp light and turn off the room light.

by making the bedside light it makes user to go to bed without going back and forth to activate/deactivate the lights.

Arduino Input & Output

by using a photo resistor it was possible to activate the bed side lamp to turn on automatically according to light intensity 

Room light (off) -> Photo resistor detects light intensity (dark) -> Turn on the lamp

Input

User switch off the room light to go to bed (Room light off)

Output

Light on + Lamp cover open (motion)

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Experimenting with Arduino .2

(controlling the rotation of the servo motor with photo resistor)



Input - Room light (off)
Output - Servo motor rotates according to the light intensity

this system can be  good solution for my product (lamp) so it's can be operated fully automatic so that user don't have to walk back and forth to turn on the lamp and turn off the room light  



the lighting can be also be included so motor and the light
moves & turns on at the same time

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Experimenting with Arduino .3

(getting a feedback by using a ultrasonic sensor)

detects object/movement --- (Red light turns on) 

if there is not object/movements is detected --- (green light turns on)

- Will be a good option to add ultrasonic sensor to trigger the device so the light can be also turned on by user interaction (hand gesture)


- it can be good solution to provide better intersection with product
( User don't have to find the small switch button to turn on the light at night time )

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Model Making .1

(Concept development)

Creating movement with Gears

( testing gear sizes & overall product sizes )

1:1 scale drawing for the gears

( possible internal layout - section view )

1:1 scale drawing for the gears and wings(covers)

(top view)

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Model Making .2

(Concept development)

1:1 scale cardboard model

(Gears, Wings)

Testing to see if the wing can close and open properly

Section view of the product (1:1 scale drawing)



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CODING ARDUINO

                   

Photo resistor activates LED when surrounding gets dark

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LED glows YELLOW

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Servo motor rotates anti-clockwise

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LED colour changes YELLOW to RED

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Servo motor rotates clockwise

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when movement is detected by ultrasonic sensor 

it activates the whole device again

-

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when photo resistor detects enough light it shut down

the whole device

-

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Serveo goes back to normal position

-

-

LED turns off

video file wasn't able to uploaded 
blog allows video size 100 MB max

(video size for interactive model 300 MB) 

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Model Making .3
(assembled 3D printed parts)

Fully functional 3D model

Servo motor/Photoresistor/ultrasonic sensor/LED

will be installed inside the interactive model

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Model Making .4
(assembled 3D printed parts with arduino)

When all 5 shells are attached, the servo motor wasn't able to provide enough power

to rotate the gear to open all 5 shells at the same time

Therefore all the shells were removed except one

Fully functioning

Manually rotating the shell to show the overall aesthetics and movement

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Eric (Reading Reflection)

Reading

The Messaging Kettle

Margot Brerenton

This is a useful reading where it showed how users can obtain social communication and connection while using habituated object / product during the existing ritual. However, I cannot stop wondering if “design” is to create something new for a better life where users are required to learn the new operation. This is interesting when designing for the elderly in particular, how they incorporate new product into user habituated product without the need to learn how it should function.

However, I found that the product described in the reading was over focused on one criterion without much consideration on the suitability of the environment (context) as well as aesthetics. I understand that product aesthetics might not be as important in some cases, but an attractive product should be able to gain more acceptance even for older users. As designers, I think it is very important to keep the balance between different criteria, and the use of prototypes is a great way of gaining valuable feedback from the intended users. Many designers have put their focus on making a detail and comprehensive prototype for user experience testing, however, it is the feedback that makes everything matters. A well structured survey and exploration are required or the prototype would mean nothing to the design development.

Reading

Greenfield, A. (2007). On the ground running: Lessons from experience design

This is a great article that allows students to explore the trend in product design. When I first started studying industrial design, I knew nothing more than creating a nice form of objects that are useful for anticipating users in specific scenarios. As the world evolves where people precious experience rather than mere possession of an object, design needs to extend to a larger context where the user experience should be incorporated every stage of the product life-cycle. IPod was a good example. The product is more than the user listening to the music using the device but also the experience with other services that it interwoven with. As the author suggested, "The product is no longer an isolated entity, but a way of gaining access to content which might ultimately live elsewhere”. This is very inspiring indeed. Although we used the prototype to test operation and user perception during this semester, more throughout considerations should be made in terms of the possibilities for the product to link to other interaction or services. It will be very interesting to explore how far can my product lead to.

In my early years of studies, I have learnt to storyboard scenarios and consider the user experience at different stages. However, when it comes to experience design described by the author, I found that it is a much broader field which cannot be achieved by a single designer but as a whole business. Designers may be able to specify every single detail of uniform but not the behaviour of the person in the uniform even though a beautiful and comfortable uniform certainly will have effect on how the staff behaves. If any aspect fails, the whole thing falls apart.

Another inspiring point that the author made was about “control” in experience design. As designers, we often think that we have done throughout research and analysis to understand what the user really needs to set out the experience for them. Maybe it is time for us to think about giving consumers more control and design with “less”. Examples such as the Fun Palace and “non-plan” architecture suggested that community is able to find their most suitable mode of spatial expression with open design, leaving control to the individuals rather than designers can create a more intimate expression and experience. Another great example the author used was the internet, we have evident how the “loosely joined” system opens up infinite opportunities for users to customise their own experience. It is not just about the sale of a product but, how long can the product stayed wanted and loved.

I agree that we all have the ability to design for our own. We design our rooms, we arrange things on shelves, we select our own meal and clothes and everything else. We can configure the best experience within a provided framework. It will not be easy for designers to find a good balance of “control” and “freedom” but I am sure that it will be a strong determinant of the success of a design project.

Reading

Designing Interactions. Chapter 10: People and Prototypes
Bill Mogridge

The reading addresses the use of prototypes to understand user experience, investigate ideas and communicate design concepts. The interactions design prototype described in the reading is pretty much what we did during the semester, using simple mock-ups and Arduino electronic circuits that contain some code to stimulate behaviours and interaction. This helps to visually communicate the design concept with others but also identify relevant constraints.

I agree that there are no better ways to understand perceptions, circumstances, needs and desires of the ultimate users than make a prototype, it also helps to test how it differs from the design intent. But in the early stage of the design process such as research, story boarding and personifications are equally important. Four steps that IDEO methods cards suggested seems obvious but I found that not many student designers have followed the path carefully enough. Very often people jump into assumption and design something they want rather than is needed. In the materialised world, we designers have the obligation and responsibility to design for a better future but not creating more permanent garbage that fills up the landscape.

When the author says that it is very difficult to be a good designer without having a big ego. I kind of agree and disagree at the same time. As designers, we need to have an ego to make objective judgement and decisions. However, at the same time, we need to know when to put the ego aside to be able to understand user needs subjectively. That is why the author suggests all designers should understand anthropometrics, physiology, psychology, sociology, anthropology and ecology, as the role of designers are more than doing creative sketches and drawings but to solve problems, translating real user needs into the design solution.

WEEK 10 Prototype Interactions

There's still a few issues to work out in the code, mainly regarding the anti-clockwise rotation speed when the object contracts. I may also need to calibrate how sensitive the photoresistor is, and adjust the threshold for when stretches are performed incorrectly.

Components I've used in the circuit

Photo-Resistor 

This senses light from morning sunshine entering the room, and acts a switch for the object to begin moving.

Ultrasonic Sensor
This is used to determine proximity and position of arms stretching towards the object


Servo Motor 

This rotates 45° to expand and contract the fan segment

Piezo Buzzer

This plays 4 unique tones;

Tone 1- Indicates when a correctly performed stretch has begun

Tone 2 - A counter tone indicates how long to hold the stretch for

Tone 3 - An alert tone if a stretch is performed incorrectly

Tone 4 - A celebratory tone for when a set of repetitions is performed

This is the stretch being performed. The user stretches their arms towards the objects sensor, which is mounted on the wall facing them.

-Darcy Storr 

 

 WEEK 10 MODEL AND CONCEPT

MODEL WERE MADE ON A 1:1 SCALE TO GIVE A FEEL A THE REAL OBJECT.

CONCEPT

WEEK9 Exploring Movement

For my interaction design I am using motion as the primary feedback. As the user performs a stretching routine the object will stretch in response, when the user relaxes between stretch repetitions the object will contract, mimicking their movements and providing auditory alerts to indicate how long to hold each stretch for.

Using paper sketch models I explored ways of movement that would be suitable for the particular types of stretch being performed.

Horizontal Linear Movement

 Movement across 2 Axis

 Expanding Outwards & Enlarging 

Expanding Outwards

My aim is to find a shape that's aesthetically pleasing to the user when it's in both expanded and contracted forms, and also transforms and moves in a way that's suitably reflects the particular stretches being performed. I will also need to develop a system of gears to turn rotation into the particular object movement required.

-Darcy Storr

Reading 1

The messaging kettle Margot Brerenton

The idea of the messaging kettle was to create a new type of communication way that was made possible thanks to interactive technology to assist and support elderly people. The ideas were to maintaining or forge social connection as well as active healthy lifestyle focusing on fostering social engagement rather than monitoring elderly person life.
This reading helped as it raises the importance of using common product that elderly are used to use on a daily bases. This is a good point because elderly are already familiar with those product and don’t have be introduce with new technology therefore there is an already existence connection. Prototyping is mentioned as it is a very important task to do; you can successfully gain valuable feedback from it, better understanding of what users prefers in terms of interaction and what they are more comfortable with.
 The salient point understands the users’ routines and habits, how do they use this particular product and what they are already familiar with. Designers needs to paid attention to these points and then design interaction that revolves around it.
To conclude the thinking behind this article is that elderly people may accept new technology easier if it is part of their already existing and familiar product experiences.

This reading really make me think of how I can make a product that people are familiar with and at the same innovate with so that I know that they have a familiar connection with and yet still be able to achieve a better sleeping experience for my user.

Reading 2
On the ground running: Lessons from experience design Greenfield, A. (2007).

There are a lot of product now that do no longer function as an isolated entity, now many product are being introduce and integrated into part of a network. This raised new type of problem for designers as product that are in a network are dependent from one to another.
The article provide an example where the designer give a poor amount of consideration into the dimension of time and how it affect the product component in the ecosystem, this resulted as a design experience failure. As a result if one component in the system is revisited or one component is the system fails it can compromise the all eco-system as all components are connected and affect one another.

This reading is more about how can our products can interact with each other without being too much or obtrusive. This reading really makes you realize how important it is as well as how invisible it is and yet is the products are not connected smoothly the all design experience can fail as a group.

Reading 3

PEOPLE AND PROTOTYPES, Design Interactions

BILL MOGRIDGE

This article talks about the interactive design, the experience design and the design process involved. This article demonstrates how designers can utilize technology and new technology to integrate in product or interactive products with the purpose of enhancing the users experiences. In the aid of design development, designers are able to harness important and explicit knowledge to ably for the end products. Interactive design and service design do come with constraints as they are new field, these added a significantly big potential to create new connectivity from objects to users and services. This new ways have affected design in sociological aspect such as, how design can be used as a tool to connect people with services or on a social aspect.
The advances of the internet   has created many design problems and solutions design, as being connected to a product system can bring a lot of constraint and add complexity  to a designers. Understanding relevant constraint in user experience the best way to achieve a full understanding is to do observational research of the user in question, simulating the experience or acting it out. These observations will allow you to find the needs and the wants of the users, their preconceptions, mental models and expectation; these facts will help to come up with design ideas, creative leaps and first solution. Constrains are key to understanding a design problem, designers are enabled and controlled by the constraints that they come to understand.
Experience prototypes is essential as it brings derive insights into existing experiences, investigating design ideas and communicating design concepts.  Prototyping an experience is focused on the conceptual experience of the user. Thanks to experience prototyping, it can be used to explore, evaluate and communicate design ideas during the development process, and to gain a better development of the user experience and the tangible components which create it as well as eliminating some flows to narrow it down to final products. By directly experiencing a prototype a client, a colleague, or a user can straight away understand the subjective value of the design idea allowing those interaction to critique about it for potential further improvement. Human factor trial with experience prototypes allow quick evaluations of a wide range of design concepts and the key to a successful experience design is to combine the user testing with the rapid prototypes. There are others way to communication and experience prototypes such as sharing a video with the goal of learning new experiences with an audience, to avoid the designer to design for himself experience prototyping with the intended user group can be a great help.
Interactive product design is where the physical product is integrated with the electronic hardware and software, people are interacting with ubiquitous computing devices that sometimes user don’t think of them as machines at all but rather as a product that is responsive or even intelligent in some ways. There are two ways where physical object and electronic hardware and software can be integrated in a product. One is a screen is embedded in the product the designer must consider the relationships to physical controls and the overall form factor. Two in the absence of a screen the designer can rely on ambient feedback, using light, sounds or movement. Where the physical object is kept as simple as possible, the interactive is more about the experience. By understanding the perceptions, circumstances, habits, needs and desired of the user a successful interaction design can be achieved.

Jeremy.C