Graphic Design ApplicationsKaroline Kirchhübel AndersenFdA Design for Graphic CommunicationYear One 2012

Mapping

BERG

One week projectThe brief Process Different design processes Planning Final exhibition

The brief 6 Areas What is an Art Director? Story of a Successful Art Director Storytelling = Art Directing? Why are good stories so good? Cardboards Advanced storyboarding Back to the boards A new perspective Formative assessment Final outcome

The brief BERG what? Defining technology Preliminary research: Handheld electronic games Post-research Reflection Idea Generation Concept 1: LED packaging Concept 2: GPS-stickers Concept 3: Altered Reflection (AR) Secondary research: Incidential media surfaces Technical Understanding AR: Field Research AR: How it worksAR: Usage examples AR Feedback AR: Extension AR:Prototype

Conclusion

This research was to be conducted in an interesting and creative manner in order to seek out useful, provoking and expansive findings to share, inspire and educate the audience; fellow design students.

To get us going. And going fast! Working from a series of randomly selected questions, groups of five to six were to conduct extensive research into the field of graphic design to gather a range of reference materials.

Format: an exhibition on an allogated desk-space. Curated and well-organised material. Aim: to ‘teach’ other groups about one aspect of the graphic design practise. Effective group-work resulting in interesting insights.

The brief

Why do you need/use a design process?

One week project

ProcessUsing the six thinking men as a method for better thinking, numerous questions were formed through our main question: ‘Why and when does one need the design-process’. In order to effectively conduct research within a limited amount of time, five sub-questions were selected and researched individually by members of the group.

When is the design drocess needed?

What is a design process?

What are the different types of design processes?

How do materials or tools affect the design process?

How can one approach the design process?

Analysis

Turns out there are hundreds of different types of design-processes, and luckily many people are willing to share their methods. Some are very slavish and full of steps others more conceptual with fewer steps that are open to interpretation. Generally, post-its are very popular.

Web and media designer Jean-Paul Gisclair explains his design process in 7 steps:Identify, Investigate, Integrate, Illustrate, Implement, Improve, Inspire.I find the first and the final step quite crucial. Before any type of design happens, a need has to be identified, and once the design is all done it should provide inspiration to new ideas.

David McCandless, author of Information is Beautiful first introduced me to ‘The Squiggle’ at a talk in London back in 2011. It’s a simple illustration made by Damien Newman of Central to explain the process he was about to go through to a client. Since then, lots of people have referred to it as it is easy to relate to. The uncertainty of the initial research can be quite frustrating until all those different directions start forming a pattern giving just enough insight to come up with some concepts and maybe a few prototypes. Eventually you find the focus and clarity to start making the final design.

Different Design Processes

Research, Analysis

PlanningAlthough we divided our research pretty rigorously, we conducted most of it around the same table, thus we were able to discuss and debate our question as a whole. We also realised that in order to catch peoples attention and engage the audience in our mini-exhibition we had to make the most out of our allocated desk-space. By dividing the table, again pretty rigorously, into 5 sections we were able to design our own area to suit each individual sub-question. In order to create coherence we decided on specific colours and used the same materials. As many students would have to view it simultaneously, the fact that our exhibition was multi-directional proved very suitable.

Experimentation, Presentation

Technical Competence, Communication & Presentation, Feedback

The final exhibition exceeded our expectations, and I was positively surprised by the prolific outcome of effective group work. The feedback we received was predominantly positive. Exploring the different design-processes has made me think more about my own process and whether I should implement a few techniques in future projects.(images by Daniel Apt)

‘One group I witnessed (Konstan-tina, Daniel, Karoline, Naomi & Diyla) really worked well at devising a way to undertake the task in a pro-ductive, engaging and informative way. The expanding of the original question to 5 sub-questions and the resulting table top design was really good. There was a good mixture of practical and theoretical/academic material and was a standard I hope others appreciated. With some work this would be a great exhibition piece in somewhere like the design museum.’- Darren Raven

Final Outcome

Question, study and investigate an area or two of the graphic communication industry - areas of interest or those of little knowledge. Outcome: Produce a piece of communication design that visually explains and maps out and interesting aspect of one of the six areas. This outcome should be based on the selecting of a question and discovering and showing interesting information about the chosen area(s). Format: Any 2D or 3D, print or screen based, static or time-based, one-way or interactive outcome; as long as it’s determined by research.

The Brief

MappingProject

Research, Analysis

IMAGE MAKINGIllustration/drawing,

whats the difference?What are the current

trends? How do you become

an illustrator?

During the first week, all 6 areas were introduced. Knowledge gaps were identified and strategies for further exploration into these areas were developed. Hover over the 6 illustrations to see questions and thoughts from introductory sessions.

Based on these reflections, I chose Art Direction as my main subject of focus.

BRANDINGWho makes brands?Can you fix a brand-

fail? What are personal

brands? How do you brand a space?

INTERACTIVEDESIGN

Do people naturally seek engagement?

Does interactive design presuppose a

response?

PUBLICATION DESIGNHow naked can a publication be?

Who decides what good publication

design is? How important is

material?

SERVICE DESIGNMust it always serve a

purpose? Why is service design so misunderstood? Who is the greatest

service designer of all times?

ART DIRECTIONHow do you become

one? What are the key skills needed?What is bad art

direction? Are Art Directors

lazy?

The 6 Areas

Research, Analysis

Until Steven Heller and Veronique Vienne, two leading experts on the subject wrote ‘Art Direction Explained, At Last’ no one had really offered a satisfying answer. In the interview with different art directors it becomes apparent that a lot of them don’t really like the term, or know what to make from it. Most see themselves as communicators rather that directors.

This highly amusing and informative book tackles the wide range of roles and environments in which art directors find themselves - magazines, advertising, branding, newspaper, curation and publishing. Although skillful in sometimes many areas of design, art directors often get the idea. Afterward someone else makes it happen. They mainly control the message.

‘A talented art director is an acute conceiver of ideas and manager of content’

What exactly is an Art Director?

Research

Initially, Sean aspired to be a hip T-shirt designer, but a love for words and beautiful images led him to explore the combination of both, opening his own studio at a very young age: THERE IS, specialises in creative typography, illustration and art direction. His work is known to be as powerful as it is unique: a dynamic and organic fusion between elements.

http://www.thereis.co.uk/

Chronically curious, Sean seeks out new ways of approaching his work with a ‘love for happy accidents and a passion for visual storytelling, texture, type and everything in between.’

His impressive portfolio and CV serves to prove that it’s possible to be your own art director. And a successful one.

ADC Young Gun Sean Freeman held a talk at the Apple Store London on January 23, 2012.

The Story of a Successful Art Director

When trying to come up with a key question, I felt myself drawn to the idea of storytelling. Not only visually, but the idea of the principles of storytelling being applied to art direction. Could storytelling help one become persuasive articulate? Is good art direction really just good storytelling?

Research, Analysis_____________________________________________

“From being an art director I have learned to tell stories and, specifically to tell stories to readers - to people who enter into the narrative with their eyes first”

- Veronique Vivienne

Research, Analysis, Subject Knowledge

The power of storytelling is that it allows you to expand the reach of your message without increasing production costs. Good storytelling goes a long way in art direction. In this ‘age of the viral’ it is essential to have a well-told story in order to make people share it. This does not apply for videos of cats. A very clear example of this is the recent video ‘KONY 2012’ by invisible children. Despite dodgy facts and a vague basis for the call for ‘slacktivism’ (sharing, tweeting, blogging about stuff to create awareness) 90 million people were glued to the screen for 30 minutes simply because the story was so well told. Caine’s Arcade is another, sweeter example.

In these two videos, Patrick O’Neill and Kim Goodwin explain the use of storytelling in advertising and design research respectively.

“A story, message or an idea that

sticks’, one you can remember that may have a chance of persuading your

behaviour later is key”

“Stories fit the sequential nature

of interaction. Stories are a

natural creation tool, a natural

communication tool”

- Patrick O’Neill, Exec. Creative Director, TBWA

- Kim Goodwin, CooperIIT Design Research Confer-

ence, 2009

Why are good stories so good?

Keen on sharing the tools for implementing storytelling when conducting research I created little rough card-storyboards. Mapping my findings by creating a story seemed logical, and condensing weeks of research into a clear, simple yet informative story began.

Experimentation, Technical Competence

As the story-board advanced, so did the need for software skills. Via Lynda.com I completed a 9 hour course in After Effects and was amazed by its possibilities. My housemate became a praised voice-over artist over night and figures and shapes started moving in After Effects. On a roll! Have a look at some of the test scenes of the animation. However, after presenting a few animated sequences people kept referring back to those little cards. Baffled, but there was something about their tangibleness and the raw, quick drawings which made them more engaging and appealing to people.

Storyboarding

Back to the boards. Making use of the cards and still producing a time-based was the aim of the first video, embedded above. It highlights key points of storytelling in research and how it can be a useful tool for art directors. The feedback was surprisingly positive despite the shaking camera, and many found the swift format engaging. The second video tells the same story with drawings, a bit rawer than the RCA films but same principle. Some preferred this and found it more personal, albeit rather confusing.

Experiementation

Analysis

Along came IDEO and said better things. Lydia Howland and Jessie Cutts held and lecture at LCC, not sure for whom but it’s never impossible to sneak into interesting things. They said cheeky things like w------------------------>This talk changed the way I viewed research and called for a new story altogether.

There are only 12 people in the worldYou won’t get a great idea by doing surveys. The internet is the biggest focus group in the world - and its free. Never underestimate how excited people are to talk about themselves

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A new perspective

Technical competence, Communication & Presentation, Feedback

IDEO’s approach to research is very much in the spirit of storytelling, but they take it further by physically engaging clients in their findings rather than just telling them about it. This added insight changed the story, but the format remained the same. Optimistically, this video was shot with one hand holding the camera, the other flipping cards in a memorized sequence. Feedback was positive, but similar to previous versions it was still way to shaky, which is something I improved in its further development by having someone else hold the camera. Furthermore, when observing the audience it became evident that the parts which sparked the most reactions were the moments where something unexpected happened i.e. when the cards weren’t just flipped. In the further development, more of these moments where added (see next page)

“Filming video is too ‘jerky’ and close in.. Very interesting idea - reminds me of the Bob Dylan video for Subterranean Home Sick Blues. All the elements are there for a great project - keep developing it!!” - Paul Bailey

Formative assessment

Technical competence, Subject knowledge, Communication & Presentation

This project has been rewarding on many levels. The role of an Art Director has become clearer, but also more fascinating and I’ve realised the importance of a well-told story in every aspect of communication desgin.Following this project, I entered the D&AD student awards and made full use of storytelling. See it HERE - password: okaybye

Final outcome

The brief

This is an industry brief set by Alex Jarvis from BERG London.

Get an overview of emerging technologies, and imagine how they might merge in the future. Generate ideas by combining technologies with new formats and visualize how they might work. Select ideas to visualise further, conduct secondary research after which you select the best idea a develop it for further for the presentation.

Outcome: Produce a graphic visualisation of a creative and imaginary new way to apply new and emerging technology to communication design.

Aim: A broader perspective of the future by creating imaginative, innovative, crazy and interesting new concept for communication design

BERG

Research

BERG is a london-based design consultancy, working hands-on with companies to research and develop their technologies and strategy, primarily by finding opportunities in networks and physical things. They are relatively small, but have managed to create many innovative new things, especially since they pride themselves on persuing personal projects alongside work for clients. Their clients include the BBC, Bonnier, Hodder, Absolut, Nokia, Ofsted, Layar, BILD, Dentsu London, Channel 4, and the Guardian

Recently, their ‘Little Printer’ has become popular - even though it’s not yet produced. It’s a compact little inkless, thermal printer connected to the web via zero-configuration and combines connectivity and print beautifully. The little printer brings back the tangible, by printing out news, puzzles and gossip from friends. In these screen-based times this creates a sense of nostalgia which is why the Little Printer fascinates so many people.

BERG what?

Analysis

In preperation of the main brief we were to define a period of history that seemed interesting and research technologies that have had a significant impact upon the practice of graphic design.

Before going ahead and researching a specific technology, one has to define what technology is. It is not just something ‘technical’, but can be a process or a way of organization. This is an attempt to map my definition of technology.

Preliminary ResearchDefining techonology

The following 5 pages from my preliminary research pdf - show key findings in my research of hand-held electronic games. Despite being a bit of and odd area of focus, these first simple games are quite fascinating and in a way the predecessors for todays Apps. The world of ‘Gaming’ has grown massive and it’s a bit field for graphic designers. Looking back, one of the first games I remember playing was a really simple snake-game. It came on floppy-disc.

Mattel’s AUTO RACE from 1979 was the first hand-held electronic game.But it was only later in 1989 when Nintendo introduced the GAMEBOY that things really kicked off. This device was really simple by today’s standards - the non-backlit display offering four shades of gray, with an internal memory of 8KB RAM, what really helped spur sales was the in pack included TETRIS. This killer of a game is still a favourite amongst many people if you ask them what electronic games they remember playing.

Later, battery-pow-er increased and new handheld electronic devices came in all sizes and shapes, with colour-screens, some even solar-powered. Apart from the classic: Donkey Kong and Poken-mon games, different and more interactive games came along. Remember the TAMAGOTCHI? I, for one, believed these little bundles of pix-els really had a soul, and would starve to death if I didnt feed them while I was eating myself (a pity, since Tamagotchis were banned our the dinner-table).

Preliminary ResearchHandheld electronic games

Research, Analysis

Research, Analysis

Mattel’s AUTO RACE from 1979 was the first hand-held electronic game.But it was only later in 1989 when Nintendo introduced the GAMEBOY that things really kicked off. This device was really simple by today’s standards - the non-backlit display offering four shades of gray, with an internal memory of 8KB RAM, what really helped spur sales was the in pack included TETRIS. This killer of a game is still a favourite amongst many people if you ask them what electronic games they remember playing.

Later, battery-power increased and new handheld electronic devices came in all sizes and shapes, with colour-screens, some even solar-powered. Apart from the classic: Donkey Kong and Pokenmon games, different and more interactive games came along. Remember the TAMAGOTCHI? I, for one, believed these little bundles of pixels really had a soul, and would starve to death if I didnt feed them while I was eating myself (a pity, since Tamagotchis were banned our the dinner-table).

Research, Analysis

Searching online it becomes clear that numerous have SNAKE games have been produced.Although the designs vary, it is definitely the the clean ones that appealinstantly.Or perhaps it is ones familiarity wit the green/black Nokia version which leads to this preference.

Research, Analysis

A quick question raised on twitter revealed that a lot of people have a somewhat nostalgic feeling towards SNAKE and wouldn’t mind still having it on their phones. The question is whether they’d still play it as much had it never left their phones.Another question is whether snake would prove as addictive/popular in its ORIGINAL FORM was it introduced today, or whether we have gotten used to more challenging games hence we’d loose interest quickly.

I first started playing snake on my Dads Nokia phone, and later when I got my own phone I played it so much that the buttons in use were rubbed down.. It’s simple, yet challenging and perfect for breaks, bus-rides etc. We had highscore competitions going on in class. I like that you just start a new game each time you play, no levels, no stress. On my smartphone today I have something similar, but there are so many levels and features. I never fully immersed myself because of this and it became boring quickly. I don’t think simple graphics are crucial, as long as its thorough and without too many dis-tracting elements. Majken, 23

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Research, Analysis

SNAKE, much like tetris and to some extend solitaire on the PC work because they stay SIMPLE. For some it’s almost of a form of meditation - an escape from the surroundings and the STRESS that it causes. All these games are still very approachable and someone of any age is be able to figure out how to play it without reading any manual. Back then they were modern - the user control and interactive graphics were a new phenomena in handheld form. Today everything has obviously advanced tremendously and these games act as throwbacks - almost an artform. Modern devices sometimes adopt this retrostyle to create new experiences whilst keeping that sense of nostalgia.

Android tried making this app: View it here

And pica-pic has an entire site devoted to clever remakes ofpopular handheld electronic games.

Research, Analysis

Did these silly games influence GRAPHIC DESIGN?Possibly.There was definitely a CONVERGENCE between graphics and media devices, and user-control over moving-images proved hugely popular. Whether this technology helped expand human living conditions or not remains unclear, but it definitely served to entertain us. Handheld electronic games were in a way the predecessor for today’s mobile APPS - a growing field for graphic designers.

And although graphic designers have more pixels to play with these days, it’s never a bad idea to look back and be reminded that less it sometimes more.

Analysis, Experimentation

Was this research useful? Somewhat. A key insight later gained from this preliminary research was the idea of ‘Gamification’ - the concept of applying game-design thinking to non-game applications to make the more fun and engaging.

Next we had to combine new technologies with different format and come up with hundreds of ideas (well, almost).

Post research reflection

It’s refreshing to be allowed to think without limitations. One crazy idea leads to another, and all of a sudden you wonder why there aren’t invented even more things in the world. This is just a selection of innovative concepts generated.

Experimentation

GPS + stickers

LED + packaging

Trackable stickers to put on important items in case youmisplace them.

Trackable stickers to put on important items in case youmisplace them.

Depth scanner + Advertising Changing room with LCD screens allows you to try on clothes without lifting a finger, plus always find the right size

Voice regocnition + events + apps At conferences , instant notes or a collection of key words. Translation directly onphones/ipads . Definition of complicated words

Depth sensor + LCD + advertisingWalking past e.g. a hat shop hats will be projected unto pedestrians heads in the window mirror.

Projector + Depth Scanner + InstallationAn installation experiment where the audience interacts with objects projected into the room

LCD screens + billboardsMorphing billboards that change shape depending on the content.

LCD screens + billboardsContent changes depending on the viewers location.

Idea generationAfter pitching the ideas to a group of people, 3 of the most interesting concepts were selected for further development.

Concept 1: LED packaging and a clever fridge

Experimentation

Small LED lights on packaging, indicate whether the food is fresh, okay or has expired. When looking into the fridge its easy to get an overview of new and old and plan ones cooking thereafter. Research: Virtual stores in South Korea

Experimentation

Concept 1:App that interacts with the fridgeThe smart fridge will communicate with an application on either phone or tablet and suggest dishes based on what foods need to be used. It will also notify the user of things that have expired and need to be discarded.

Experimentation

Concept 2: GPS-stickersStoryboard. This idea came out of a personal need. I lost my passport and wished there was a way to track it. Or call it like you would call your cellphone. Being able to track small stickers is a bit risky though, as it could easily be abused by e.g. tracking unsuspecting individuals. Using the IDEO tools for idea generation, this was solved by adding a two-way feature so that the GPS-sticker makes a sound when it’s being tracked.The ideas of objects talking to us is also quite amusing, and maybe one wouldnt even need a GPS, as someone would surely pick up a passport screaming ‘IM LOOOOOST’ and (hopefully) return it to its righful owner.

Experimentation

Concept 2: GPS-stickersWhen presenting ideas it really helps having a physical prototype - even if it’s quite rough and with simple or no functions. Creating something tangible sparks reflections and you automatically start considering design and functionality.

Experimentation

Concept 3: Altered ReflectionBy using depth sensors and transparent LCD, shops are able to manipulate with the reflections of people walking past. This would be noticed only if the person looked at himself, which most people do subconsciously anyway. A travel agent would be able to change the background so that the pedestrian sees himself walking on a beach as opposed to rainy streets.

This concept was chosen for further development, mainly because of the insight it’s based on: that most people have a need to look at themselves in reflections, mirrors etc..Why is that? Are we simply self-conscious or is there another reason for our obsessions with our reflection? Is it bad? Good? How would people react to an installation like Altered Reflection? What will the take away from it?

Research, Analysis

http://berglondon.com/blog/2010/11/03/media-surfaces-incidental-media/

Secondary research:Incidential media surfacesBERG in collaboration wtih Dentsu London and Timo Arnall have produced a thought-provoking film about surfaces as the focus rather than the channel. They play with the thought of mixing media unexpectedly, creating surfaces with a more sophisticated media output. That being surfaces that show the smartest and most relevant material in a range of different contexts. Imagine seeing your friends social updates on BBC in the same format as the breaking news. Or a screen next to your radio that recognizes spoken words and shows images relating to what’s being said on radio.

In relation to the development of ‘Altered reflection’, the shop-front bit is interesting. A pair of sprites lurk in the corners of the window frame and steal colours from the clothes of the people passing by. They collect colours and show them in a grid, but there’s no overall aim. It’s playful, yet it demands no interaction. Will these quiet media surfaces be more prevalent in the future? It feels like we are almost able to interact with everything these days, and control a large part of it. Is this going to be too much at some point, and might we be drawn to more subtle installations that require low levels of attention and participation?

Research, Subject Knowledge

Secondary research: Technical understanding

Augmented RealityDepth Sensors Transparent LCD ScreensA depth sensor consists of two parts - an infrared laser projector and a monochrome CMOS sensor working together to ‘see’ an area in 3D regardless of the lighting conditions. To aid in facial recognition and other detection features it can work with an RGB camera which detects colour components. Microsoft created their ‘kinect’ by a highly innovative combination of these two cameras, microphones and software, allowing the kinect to “see” every movement of your body and reproduce it.

Augmented Reality (AR) is a new technology defined by its ability to overlay physical space with information in real-time. It’s a live, direct or indirect view of an real-world environment whose elements are augumented by computer generated sensory input. The video below is a bit extreme and shows how it could lead to a world where media is almost indistringuishable from reality. Creepy. Also, watch LEGO’s early innovative way of showing buyers what’s in the box before they buy it.

The transparent LCD screen has a high transparency rate, which enables a person to look right through the panel like glass, and it consumes 90% less electricity compared with a conventional LCD panel using back light unit.It’s because a transparent LCD panel utilizes ambient light such as sun light, which consequently reduces the dependency on electricity for generating power. Samsung is first at it, and have just begun mass production. As you can imagine, these transparent display panels have endless possibilities not only as an advertising tool but also in homes, schools, offices etc.

To check whether we actually look as much at our own reflections as previously assumed, I conducted some ‘field’ research at a location in Waterloo which has a large block of mirrors. In 1 hour 138 people looked at themselves, which is roughly 1 in 15 of the by-passers. However, had I only counted those who walked within 2 metres of the mirrors, that estimation would be more like 1 in 2. Surprisingly, women and men looked at themselves equally often. The way they did it was different though, and women generally seemed more embarrassed or aware of it potentially being a bit vain so they tried to look as briefly as possible. Men on the other hand seemed less concerned and blatantly checked themselves out until they passed the block of mirrors.

We look at our reflections, that is a fact. But why? Are we concerned about what others see? Is it purely a vanity matter? Do we do it to check that our personal perception matches our reflection? Or is it to make sure that we are, in fact, alive and a human being on this Earth, right now?

Research, AnalysisResearch, Analysis

Altered ReflectionField research reflections

Subject knowledge, Experimentation

Altered ReflectionHow it worksReplacing a window with a large transparent LCD panel will allow for unexpected media. A Kinect-like device with depth and RGB sensors is connected providing full body motion capture. This is linked with a camera and some mad software allowing the installation to manipulate what people see in the window, including their own reflection. There’s is hardly a limit to what one could do, and the reactions would undoubtedly be many. A range of examples of how one could use Altered Reflection are shown on the following pages.

Experimentation, Presentation & Communication

Altered ReflectionExamples A & BImagine you have a deadline. A pdf to hand in by 4.30. You’re rushing and walking even faster than usual. You are so so busy. But all of a sudden your reflection can’t keep up? It’s delayed, and might even delay you if you notice it.

Or maybe your reflection has been scaled - to match your importance?

Experimentation, Presentation & Communication

Altered ReflectionExamples C & DAre you really that concerned about how others see you? Well, this window lends you a helping hand and shows you want you look like from the back.

Or be surprised by these graphic elements that interact with you and graphic elements of people near you - in case you’ve forgotten how to interact with strangers yourself.

Experimentation, Presentation & Communication

Altered ReflectionExamples E & FSo you pretend to window shop, but actually you’re just checking yourself out? But wait, instead of your own reflection you see that of the person in front of you. Disappointing.

Or maybe a bunch of people finally stare back at you.

Subject knowledge, Feedback

Altered ReflectionFeedback

A prototype was created to give the viewer an idea of the different layers of vision Altered Reflection could manipulate with. With the cover on, you see the normal reflection the man in front of the window would see - of himself and the background behind him. Removing the cover, you still see a hint of the mans silhouette as well as the streets behind him, but there are layers of colours in graphic shapes between the two. The 3D prototype is more an abstract expression of how media could one day manipulate physical phenomena we assume to be established like the Law of Reflection.

After presenting the final outcome the feedback received from Alex Jarvis was positive, but not particularly constructive. Guilio Migletta (bottom sheet) suggested that I figure out what the user will experience, leading me to explore that aspect more in this pdf.

Extending the use of Altered Reflection, big media houses like ie the Guardian could use the installation to engage people in the news as demonstrated on the following page’s storyboard. So whatever happens on a particular day, has an impact on the installation. Say for instance there’s been an alarming increase in young people with eating disorders, by-passers might find their body image reflected in the window to be looking obese. Or a lot of people have died in a war and people reflections disappear as a symbol of this. Stopping up, one would be able to navigate through information on that particular piece of news information by using hand-gestures. This extension would rouse interesting emotions, as whatever is affecting society as a whole is reflected onto you as an individual. Ingenious.

Prototype Extension

Experimentation, Presentation & Communication

Altered Reflection Extension

Technical competence, Communication & presentation

Altered Reflection Prototype

Conclusion

To conclude...Choosing between 6 areas of the design industry can be tricky, but it allows you to follow your curiousity and maybe step slightly out of your comfort-zone. The mapping project was a good instigator for a more informed choice of industry brief. This notion of actually being hired based on your ability to come up with ideas is new to me, and highly exciting.Also, the power of a good story has definitely become more apparent and it’s likely to influence my work in the future. I see stories being told everywhere now.

Then there is the industry project; You think you know stuff, until you’re told all these new things. Research is key. The more informed you are of what’s happening around the world in media and technology, the more innovative and fresh your ideas will be. The BERG project had us feeling innovative, and discussing ideas with groups of people lead to even more ideas. Seeing everyone’s final outcomes was one of my personal highlights. Now I just need someone to invest in Altered Reflection..