James Schuster

Georgia Institute of TechnologySchool of Industrial Designjschuster@gatech.eduhttp://www.prism.gatech.edu/~jschuster3

Graduate Design Portfolio

about meLike most designers, as a kid I constantly played with LEGO’s. I never followed directions, instead making boats, buses and cars, iterating my models from the previous ones. In college, I studied math. I loved thinking abstractly and logical reasoning, but wasn’t excited for my possible career paths. I decided to find a new path.

After graduating, I took an IT support job at a small university. I gained numerous practical and problem solving skills as well as broadened my understanding of technology and computation. I enjoyed my work, however I longed to design the products I was fixing. This desire led me to a masters in Industrial Design and Georgia Tech.

Use Google Goggles to scan the Quick Reference codes to see video demos of my work.

resumeeducationMaster of Industrial DesignGeorgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, GA

Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics & Minor in Business AdministrationButler University | Indianapolis, IN

Expected 05.2012

Received 05.2008

work experienceGraduate Research AssistantGeorgia Institute of Technology School of Industrial Design | Atlanta, GA

Exploring the use of simple embedded sensors in consumer products to create interactive products. Building documentation of simple prototyping technologies, including LEGO Mindstorms and Arduino, to promote industrial design students taking planned interactive product design courses.

08.2010Present

Teaching AssistantJohns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth | Baltimore, MD

Taught two classes of fifteen middle school students at a six week academic summer camp. Assisted students in mastering concepts in algebra and geometry, administered and graded exams, and tracked student progress for evaluation purposes. Engaged with students in group discussions and activities surrounding mathematics and logic puzzles. Worked with the course instructor to write student evaluations. Mentored new teaching assistants in classroom management and student engagement strategies.

Summer2010

Systems Support AssistantButler University Information Technology | Indianapolis, IN

Responsible for the setup and deployment of new and repaired faculty and staff computers, working with both Windows and Macintosh platforms. Specialized in Macintosh deployments and repairs; performing hard drive recoveries, system upgrades, and complex, multi-layer software installations. Required to work independently on multiple projects, each having a differing requirements and deadlines.

03.2009 05.2009

Instructional Technology AssistantButler University Information Technology | Indianapolis, IN

Assisted instructional technologists with several facets of faculty computing, training and support. Responsible for creating training documentation for the Office 2007 transition. Assisted faculty with the editing and distribution of lectures using the universities streaming server. Began creation of a content management system for an online literary journal sponsored by the university English department.

09.200803.2009

professional affiliationsS/IDSAIDSA@GT Chapter MemberIDSA@GT Chapter Treasurer

software skillsAdobe DreamweaverAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe Photoshop Autodesk Alias AutomotiveAutodesk ShowcaseHTML/CSSJava Programming LanguageMac OS XMicrosoft Office SuiteSoildWorksWindows XP, Vista, 7

design skillsDesign ResearchSketchingModeling / Rapid PrototypingElectronics Prototyping

referencesAvailable upon request

H.A.M.I.T.An information wearable for astronauts

Group Members: Aurash Ehsaei, Alexander Fischl,Gaurav Mathur, Mudit Manu Paliwal, Zachary Rubin, James Schuster

objective

challenges

outcomes

Create a more efficient and flexible method for information handling during space walks, replacing the static and outdated cuff checklist system.

- Creating input methods that can be performed while wearing a space suit.- Designing an interface that is simple to access but also rich in information.- Making a system that is flexible and can be edited on the fly.- Ensuring that the system does not interfere with the tasks being performed on the space walk.

Our team created two functioning iterations of the interface and input device. The name is derived from the placement of the components of the wearable system; the Head and Arm Mounted Information Textile (H.A.M.I.T.). From our desired list of functionality, we created a variation of Sony’s XrossMediaBar user interface (UI). Based on the functions required in the UI, a D-pad design was chosen for the input device and optimized for wearing space gloves. The suggested display is a heads-up display (HID) mounted inside the helmet.

H.A.M.I.T.

research

prototyping

Our research began with expert interviews with NASA astronauts and employees. We were investigating possible uses for a display integrated into the suit as either an on-body display or a heads-up display. From our interviews and online research, we learned that astronauts use a paper checklist to manage tasks during space walks. Redesigning the checklist seemed like a strong direction. The checklist is simple and efficient to use, but is greatly limited because it is a static document. These factors drove the design of the H.A.M.I.T. interface and input device.

The proof of concept was a fabric input device, mounted on a belt, using capacitive buttons. In testing, we found that the body placement and buttons weren’t robust enough for use in space.

The second prototype was a directional pad with physical buttons. We tested several different button shapes to accommodate use while wearing thick, pressurized space gloves.

From our digital model, we created a rapid prototyped model of the clamshell d-pad. This allowed us to build the electronics into the case to test a near production input device.

d-pad operation

interface operation

The H.A.M.I.T. interface is designed for use with a heads-up display (HID), proposed to be mounted inside of the helmet. The HID is turned on only when the clamshell d-pad is open. The interface home screen contains space suit and mission status information.

The astronaut can page through the Home, Checklist and Schematics menus by hitting the left and right buttons. The Checklist page shows the status of the mission tasks. The Schematics menu contains drawings of operations that cannot be described in words.

Each checklist uses simple text instructions, and each page can be checked off so the astronaut can keep track of his/her progress. Once an entire set of pages is checked off, the Checklist menu will update, showing that task as completed.

Since the H.A.M.I.T. is intended to be a secondary device during a space walk, it was important that the input device be quick and intuitive to use. The clamshell design serves to protect the buttons as well as turn the HID on and off. The four outer buttons control up, down, left and right, with the center button as a select button. To avoid complexity, the back operation is performed by pressing select and left. We optimized the button shapes to avoid false input.

Day-LightA light-based wall calendar

objective

challenges

outcomes

Create and prototype a light-emitting device without using traditional incandescent bulbs. The device should take inspiration from a set of existing objects that emit light.

- Balancing the cast light effects with the ease of reading the calendar.- Allowing for the calendar to still provide light if the user forgets to advance the date.- Developing a design that is quick to prototype and assemble.- Crafting a robust operation method for the moveable shades.

The initial prototype succeeded in creating a unique pattern of cast light, but as the days advanced it became hard to read the date. With these issues in mind, a second prototype was created. The second prototype resolved the readability issues and explored the use of translucent materials.Prototypes were showcased at the School of Industrial Design in the Light and Lightness show in December of 2009 and at Modern Atlanta in June of 2010.

Day-Light

research

ideation

Research began with existing objects that emit light. The objects I gravitated towards had two things in common. They emitted light as a secondary function and they all created a glow or cast light in some way. From these objects, I experimented with casting light to create a pattern. In thinking of applications for this pattern, I determined that a calendar of light would be an interesting design.

prototyping

operationThe user sets the month by changing the position of the clear plug on the face of the calendar. Here it is set to March. Pulling the slides reveals the days and the days begin to crisscross. At the end of a month, the shades are reset.

Chipboard models were used to determine the size and scale of the physical model. The shades are designed to rest close to the LED to tightly constrain the amount of light passing through. A system of pass throughs between the boxes was created to wire the LED’s together.

Surge TrooperA triage cart for mass casualty events

objective

challenges

outcomes

Create a device for hospitals to respond to a surge in patients after a mass casualty disaster. The device should provide the necessary medical interventions for emergency care.

- Balancing the ability to quickly expand capacity with limited hospital resources.- Providing a system that supports hospital triage protocols.- Encouraging proper safety measures for staff while caring for patients.- Designing a device that can be setup and deployed by a wide range of people.

Prototyping consisted of digital models showing functional and contextual use, and drawings showing manufacturability and assembly were created.The Surge Trooper was presented to a panel of administrators from the Centers for Disease Control during our final class critique. The CDC reviewers thought that designing around existing hospital protocols was a strong methodology, and design features such as the spot lights and writing surfaces were deemed to be key selling points of the concept.

Surge Trooper

research

ideation

My research centered around hospital response to mass casualty events. These events cause a rapid surge of patients almost immediately after the event and patients often self-report. Hospitals can be quickly overwhelmed without proper systems in place.

A rapid surge in patients can cause breakdowns in normal hospital protocol. Triage performed for these events is out of the norm for hospital staff, putting them at risk because they will often forgo safety measures to keep themselves protected from infection.

features

operation

Just before deployment, the oxygen tanks are loaded into the bottom drawer of the cart.

Surge Trooper can be pushed or pulled by one or two people to the triage site.

At the site, cots are set up and the medical staff can begin to administer care to patients.

The top cabinet offers easy access to gloves, sanitizer and sharps disposal to promote staff safety. There’s also a dedicated writing and staging surface. On top of the cart, high-intensity bulbs provide light for night time care. Large tires and rub rails on the back of the cart afford for moving it over steps and curbs.

James Schuster

Georgia Institute of TechnologySchool of Industrial Designjschuster@gatech.eduhttp://www.prism.gatech.edu/~jschuster3

Graduate Design Portfolio