Move House

There are many natural tragedies during this century such as earthquake and flood. Since those have happened immediately, the artist has pointed out how importance of survival devices. Lucy Orta is a contemporary designer who makes connection between concerning physical and resolving social problem. Lucy’s work M.I.U.VI also examines the relationship between community within individuals and our environments. M.I.U.VI is an individual survival sack which is made by complex fabrics. This material provides the greatest level of comfort for the person inside. The shape of the sack follows human body so that it is an easy accessible design. For this point, it achieves the principle of accessibility which designed to be usable, without special adaptation.

When I first discovered M.I.U.VI, I was fascinated on its playful and practical design. Those portable shelters are not only fashionable, but also functional. It is because the special coating across the surfaces that come into contact with the body minimizes abrasions during transit. Moreover, reflective and luminescent fabrics on the outside offer protection and act as highly visible warning signs through bright colour of the sack. Thus, this sack has aesthetic-usability effect that looks easier to use and makes people happy when using it.

Finally, in terms of Ockham’s Razor, M.I.U.VI is in simple style because it does not have unnecessary decorations that decrease a design’s efficiency. As the sack is very simple, it also enhances the probability of unanticipated results. Furthermore, this sack is achieved in the standards of use, contribute to the well being or self-esteem of the user. It is because the sack is attractive in design and it helps people as a refuge when there is emergency situation. Therefore, it has adaptive consideration to balance performance versus preference.

http://www.studio-orta.com/

Faster Pussycat, Kill! Kill!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VYESAQD34

When I first discovered Russ Meyer’s 1965 cult classic, Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, I was attracted to the retro images. Moreover, I was inspired by the grit, honesty, grace, humour, and command of the characters within the film. The film conveyed a seemingly backwards form of feminism that stemmed from a female’s sense of sexual prowess. Something that is rare to come by, especially given the decade of its production. The film appeals to our curiosity when it comes to the taboo as it is was considered an underground exploitation flick that dealt with images and topics that were not addressed in mainstream film.

The low-fi grit of Faster Pussycat, Kill! Kill! is indicative of the early 1960s. It taps into each of our own visceral and animalistic tendencies. It is sensationalist. It is able to debase men by revealing women’s physical and psychological power to possess and affect men. These women are tough and know how to kick butt by using their curves.

Anyone who has a libido, a sense of humour, an active imagination, or a craving for stimulation and adventure would be intrigued by this portrayal of go-go dancers in a club. It is both a source of entertainment (in an actual film) and a provided service (go-go or burlesque dancing).

The images are perceived via the various perspectives that are shown. There is an obvious correlation the dancers and the voyeurs. The iconic black and white composition, the dancer’s iconic costumes and haircuts, and the garage music playing suggest that this is the 1960s and that they are go-go dancers. The lyrics to the song played suggest a lurid nature to these women as it states “You can’t catch her…[but] just you try.”

To watch these dancers, you just need to be a voyeur. No physical effort is needed. Even a person in a wheelchair can enjoy themselves visually. Anyone with a libido or a sense of humour can enjoy this film clip. It does not require a high level of intelligence because a striptease is instinctual.

Still, a relationship is formed between three components of the moving image: the girls, the men, and the jukebox playing the music.

Forgiveness within the design involves the men’s requests to hasten the pace of the girl’s gyrations in order to arouse themselves further. The men react to every specific bodily movement with a reaction, both visual and oral (by hollering “go baby go!” and “harder, faster”).

With that, the girls get more “into” the music as overall mood becomes more and more chaotic.

As outlined by Ockham’s Razor, the dancers’ costumes also add to the level of arousal as they move and sway along with their hips and the melodies. The viewer is also privy to three different varieties of dancers to gaze at from below. This includes an excitable blond, a flexible brunette, an exotic brunette. All of which are quite busty.

Although this performance does not rely heavily on high tech equipment and advanced technology, it prefers to project the recognizable female form alongside pre-recorded music. Such simple addition is more effective than any flat image can provide. This is evident as botht he men and the women appear to be enjoying themselves.

WATCH MOVIES ON YOUR SUNGLASSES!

The product I chose to share is a product known as Vuzix iWear AV230 XL video glasses. They are glasses designed for watching videos. I found them to be interesting because I have never seen them before. The point of these glasses is to watch movies with privacy. I think they would most commonly be use on the train. They should only be used when you have no other distractions. One should only be focusing on the video being played. This is because they cover your eyes. As I mentioned before you could use these on the train. I commute from Oakville and I have a lot of free time on my hands. I usually read books, or listen to my iPod and I even use my iPod to watch movies. So you say why do I need these if I have my iPod. Well usually the person sitting beside or across from you is looking at you and wondering what you are watching. And then you wonder why they are being so noisy. And you get distracted from what you are watching. So this product solves that problem. the design I selected is simple because of the sleek “star-trek” look, it is enjoyable because you can watch movies without any interruptions , it’s useful because you can watching movies, it’s accessible for the price of $129.99. The manufacturer is Vuzix and lastly it’s desirable because you have privacy. It’s powerful because it’s all in one. There is no wires dragging or lose parts.

“The AV230XL promises to display a private screen equivalent to a 44-inch television when viewed from the same distance, whilst the OLED used provides a brighter more vivid screen than the standard LCDs we've seen in devices from Vuzix and other companies before. Why would you want it? Well the benefit is that you can watch what you like when you like without the fear of anyone else seeing what you are watching - like porn on the train for example” Also “Like the company's previous models in its iWear range, the new AV230XL is worn like a pair of glasses. Thinner than your average Ray-Bans you will, it has to be said, end up looking like Geordi from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
“Accessibility”- to anyone with eyes
“Aesthetic-Usability”- it seems like it is easy to use.
“Ockham’s Razor”- this design is simple, I think it depends on how comfortable one is when using them.
“Performance vs. Preference” most say that the technology is exciting, it still has a long way to go !!

<http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/reviews/review.phtml/3684/1.jpg>

Lee Chard, a hair shop in Korea

I have chosen a hair salon, Lee Chard in Korea, to be my topic of interactive design service. They offer a buffet restaurant, a nail shop, and a hand massage to all the customers for free!!! There are several receptionists who take customers' bags and outwears to personal lockers (also customers get their keys of personal lockers). Their second job is to explain the services that they offer (buffet, nail care, computer, and hand massage) so that the customs know and are willing to use the services. And then they take customers to tea table (made of glass) with pink velvet chairs where customers can seat and discuss about the hair styles also the prices with hair designer with a tea, a coffee, or a cold drink. After the decision customers starts to get their hairs done. Since this place is located at downtown where lots of business buildings are, also unlike before lots of women works, their targets are mainly women who work; don't have enough time to do hair. Usually to get a perm, or a hair dye, it takes one to three hours. This place provides several computers, nail care, buffet, and hand massage so that customs don't get bored nor waste their times on just waiting for their hairs get done Computers are opened to all the customers to play games, check their face book, chat with friends, or do their works or home works. Also Because they have a buffet service(various kinds of food include Korean, Chinese and Italian foods), people come during their lunch times to get hair cut also to have meals for free. customers are usually satisfied with the hair salon because they offer what customers' wants(services to enjoy) and helps(services to help saving time). Only thing they don't satisfied is that the price is little higher than other shops but It's worth it not because of the special services that they offer, also because the hair designers are very talented and famous. And I think the place will be better if it's bigger since there are too many people coming during lunch time But still, It is my recommendation to visit specially during winter time, when it's too cold to walk because you don't have to worry about finding a nail shop, p.c. cafe, or a restaurant. Everything is here in one place to enjoy and the most important thing is that they are all free to all the customers.

http://www.leechstyle.com/

STOOL OR A GAME OF CLUE

As I was searching the Internet for interactive designs and environments this piece of furniture grasped my attention. As soon as you walk in a room with presence of this stool you would think of it as an ordinary piece of furniture but the moment it feels your touch, surprising it responds back to you by changing its color. You might think of swamp stool as a piece of art but personally I think it’s a new way of express touch. The stool changes color due to body heat and room temperature.

 

It is made of synthetic snakeskin encapsulated with thermosensetive crystals which are the magic behind the discoloration after you sat on it  .It comes in black, dark brown, red and burgundy which have a similar respond to body heat. The black swamp stool changes to hues of blue and shifts to brown and green, however, in the red swamp stool the case is different. The heat would change the color to blue but because of red color results to a violet hue.

 

It is a new way of communicating with your self and other people through this piece of furniture. The thermo prints that are left on the stool gives you clues about who sat on it or what kind of emotions (example; shape of lying down person could indicate tiredness, sadness and so on...) they had or maybe as indicator to let you know it’s time to hit the gym if you know what I mean .I think this is a design desirable for anyone to have in their household, however, there are some negative sides in this swamp stool which includes:

1-   In winter the room temperature would increase due to heating system and make the stool change in color and make the experience less interesting since your print would blend with the rest of color.

2-   The colors seem to have an effect of water and oil mixture, which could mislead as an unclean surface.

3-   Room temperature must be steady for the stool to be at its original color.

 

http://www.ohgizmo.com/2007/08/28/revenge-of-the-70s-mood-ring-furniture/

 

 

The Virtual Desktop

http://lh4.ggpht.com/endeavourcambiaso/R_2MbIyG-aI/AAAAAAAACEE/m1COrcnrwIQ/CubeDesktopCoverFlow2.jpg

http://www.thetechlounge.com/files/news/images/1171600109_cube_full.jpg

I remember the first time I saw a virtual desktop: it was halfway through a five hour Web Programming class at Carleton University, and the guy sitting a row ahead of me was showing off his command prompt skills to his friends. I watched – initially more for something to do than out of interest – as he demonstrated a virtual desktop. A cube rotated on the screen as desktops were switched back and forth: a rather impressive display of shuffling squares and sliding pictures. Needless to say, there was no longer any hope of the class recapturing my attention.

A virtual desktop is a desktop environment in which the user can place application windows and information. The user can change or toggle between desktops, using two or more individual desktops. The virtual desktops are often organized in a grid or matrix fashion, allowing the user to move icons or applications within and between the individual environments. Clutter is reduced greatly, allowing for a smoother running and more aesthetically pleasing desktop. The individual desktops can also be encrypted to allow only for private use. More recent virtual desktop systems update in real-time, allowing the user to work faster and more efficiently.

Many software companies offer virtual desktop programs, and - depending on the Operating System - open-source programs are also available. A virtual desktop is probably not the most accessible desktop available. Depending on the number of individual desktops running, it can get complex and – like most new technology – takes getting used to. I personally think it has become popular due to its aesthetic design, more than to its practicality. People like impressive graphics that they can slide, rotate, turn, flip, expand, and minimize with a flick of their mouse. Ockham’s Razor comes into play with the virtual desktop. The use of several desktops instead of the traditional singular isn’t necessary, but the recent virtual desktop designs are simplistic and aim to reduce clutter that piles up on the single desktop. The virtual desktop is aimed towards the more experienced user with a high performance computer.

The Visual Assistance Card

In these days, one of the undesirable side effects of “world-gone-touch screen” is that things are getting less and less accessible for blind people. For example, an original touch screen ATM machine was not accessible for blind people, because they can not see their way around these devices. However, many stores are using these touch screens to take credit/debit card payment.
The Visual Assistance Card is created by Kyle Lechtenberg and the card lays on top of the debit/credit card reader and through the use of Braille imprinted on the card, the user is able to keep their personal information private thus increasing their independence while shopping in any store. Also the Visual Assistance Card is light weight and can be easily stored out of the way until future use.
Therefore, the Visual Assistance Card is very accessible and useful for blind people. It seems like a simple idea, but it could be the best design for blind people – a must in today’s world.

Functional and Beautiful

When I first saw the image I was attracted to it by its colors and patterns, which made the design very eye catching. Its caption indicated that it was a design that absorbs sounds and can also be used as a room divider. It has the Aesthetic-Usability effect because the design looks very simple. Each of the motifs is called Airflakes and people can go on the Abstracta website to do their own design with Airflakes, some Airflakes serves as a pocket which can be used to store magazines and newspaper. The product successfully balances the performance and preference .This product is a beautiful multifunction design that is also interactive because people are able to re-arrange the colors and pockets in any way they want. The design within the product is also very efficient, nothing unnecessary is added. It is powerful and memorable because of the bold color schemes and it can also be a decorative element as well as an extra sound absorbing storage.

Images found at following website: http://www.trendir.com/archives/cat_architectural_elements.html