Category: F2023 – Mang

I really liked the approach of the reading. I think until now, based on the readings we’ve had, most of my  discussion on these posts and in class have been from a perspective that design tends to focus on a certain group of people- usually, the healthy and the capable. I remember multiple discussions I had with my classmates in our in-class discussion how different designs and pursuits of certain designs tend to leave out the minority. We had a shared emotion that this may be logical (from a company  or designer’s point of view) but such a sad downside of designs that pursue convenience or attractiveness.

I think this reading really makes us ask ourselves if really, a pursuit of something in a design means a give-up in other factors of a design, and if that’s ideal. One topic the reading looks at discretion and fashion. It talks about how they are concepts with tension, but not the opposite. I feel like there are some factors that we take to blindly think are at opposite ends and a pursuit of one means we would need to give up the other. I think as designers, one of our role is to realize such factors that are actually not at opposite ends and figure out how a design can pursue both (although there would be tension between them).

For the final project of this class, I have a lot of vague ideas but need to decide on one based on its practicality! I know what I want to use for the project but I’m trying to figure out if I want to make that in an interactive game form or an art form. Either an interactive art that takes input from the arduino through different body movements or a game that works on the same mechanism.

Things that I’m sure of:

1. Including the whole body as a part of this as after the readings from this class, one of my biggest takeaways has been using the entire body or atleast just more than hands for creating an immersive experience.
2. I want to try to use flex and force sensors since I’ve never had a chance to use them for the weekly assignments yet
3. I’m a person who has the shortest attention span and loses interest very quickly so I want to make something that is long lasting fun and not something that looses it charm after 2 minutes.

For my final project, I envision creating an immersive and interactive experience, a collaborative music jam that seamlessly combines Arduino gesture sensors with P5.js to transform hand movements into a dynamic and expressive musical journey. It will invite participants to engage in a unique music jam session where their gestures become the driving force behind the creation of a harmonious ensemble. Leveraging Arduino gesture sensors, the system will capture the nuances of users’ hand movements, translating them into musical notes or instrument selections in real-time through the P5.js environment.

The reading offers a compelling intersection of disability, fashion and design. From my perspective, the narrative goes beyond mere functionality, delving into the core principles of inclusion and empowerment, particularly when viewed through the lenses of inclusivity and disability awareness.

Pullin skillfully demonstrates the evolution of assistive technology, including items like glasses and hearing aids, transcending their utilitarian roles to become symbols of fashion and personal identity. The transformation of these tools from mere aids to manifestations of individual style challenges the traditional notion that they are exclusively intended for individuals with particular disabilities.

He emphasizes the importance of designs that seamlessly blend functionality with aesthetic appeal. He underscores the significance of creating visually pleasing and accessible products for those with disabilities, shifting the narrative from mere utility to a combination of style and assistance. He stresses upon the value of maintaining functionality without compromising simplicity, asserting that such designs can benefit a broad spectrum of individuals, regardless of ability. 

The reading underscores the inclination to presume we understand what is optimal for individuals with disabilities, shaped by societal stigmas and preconceptions. Consequently, there is a critical need to concentrate on the nuanced aspects that not only improve our own lives but also profoundly influence the lives of those who stand as the primary recipients of these designs.

“Design Meets Disability”:

While reading this chapter, one thing kept popping into my mind, the story of my best friend who was diagnosed with diabetes when she was 4. Growing up together, I got to witness all the phases she went through to accept her disability. Her biggest problem wasn’t the illness itself but rather the equipment she had to “wear” as medication. When she was first diagnosed she used to wear an insulin pump that looked like the one in the picture below, except hers had longer tubes and the proportion of the device to her little body was much bigger, so naturally it was very obvious and raised so many questions that she started getting very self-conscious about it because other children were pointing out that she was a robot or that she needed to be charged like their phones:

Fast forward a few years, her insulin pump was upgraded to this one, the Omnipod: 

The Omnipod is less obvious and is only visible if she is wearing short sleeved shirts, so it is easier for her to hide it when she wants to and display it when she desires. The change in her mental health was very obvious and she seemed to accept her illness more and slowly she started wearing tank tops to display her pump and show the world her “superpower” as she likes to call it. 

I have always wondered why they couldn’t have designed a smaller pump for little children, or made it look nicer so that they wouldn’t be ashamed of it or feel like outcasts wearing it. Lately I have been seeing ads of sticker packs and covers to “style” the Omnipod which makes me wonder if this would make little children more accepting of their illness and less of an outcast.

 

I have always believed that designers tend to not care about the implications of their design when it comes to designing for disabled people, because for them it’s a need not a want so they would accept whatever is given to them. It was nice to read about examples of design that are more inclusive and more thoughtful of disabled people’s feelings.

Interactive drum kit

For my final project I would love to incorporate my love for music by creating a simulation of a drum kit. If possible, I would like to expand my drum kit to include different kits that could be changed by a click of a button on the arduino board. I would use force sensors on the arduino for the input from the users and generate a sound and a corresponding visual on the screen accordingly. When a user strikes one of the physical drum elements, the force sensor detects the impact, and the Arduino sends a signal to the P5.js application. The P5.js app responds by triggering the associated drum sound and displaying visual feedback. In a way to make my drum kit creative, I would like to create different drum kits that incorporate a collection of everyday sounds mixed to sound like a drum sounds.

 

Honestly, at this point, I’m still not sure what exactly I want to do for my final project. I know I want to create an immersive and interactive game-like experience, and I have some broad ideas in my mind.

Inspired by our first Arduino assignment (the creative switch) and one of our class readings which talked about body-as-cursor interactions, I know I want my project to be a piece that uses something besides the hands to be played.  Two things that immediately come to mind are story-telling through interaction in the real world, such as using the ultrasonic sensor to determine distance and having a p5.js program that responds to it. It could either be a fun dance game where different types of sounds play, or, a story-telling experience where different elements of the story pop up as the user appears closer.

For my final project I propose to transform the conventional game ‘The Mole’ by incorporating force sensors into an Arduino setup. My goal is to enhance gameplay by introducing a tangible, hands-on interaction using force-sensitive sensors. I envision players engaging with a physical setup, detecting and responding to varying force levels to navigate through game challenges. By fusing classic gameplay with sensor technology, I aim to create an immersive and innovative gaming experience that redefines interaction in gaming environments. This project represents my aspiration to merge traditional entertainment with modern tech, offering players a novel way to engage with ‘The Mole.

I am excited

I enjoyed this week’s reading because accessibility is a point that is always brought up when we speak of design and interactivity, whether it was last week’s readings about pictures-under-glass or a broader discussion about the simplicity of design. In this day and age, technological advancements are designed to be so simple that even a toddler could use them. I think instead of simplicity, the foremost thought should be accessibility. In modern design, accessibility is always an afterthought, a sort of ‘add-on’ to an existing design, that often looks unwieldy and takes away from the appearance of the original design. Another reason I strongly believe in everything being accessible instead of simply having accessible alternatives is that I have seen many disabled voices online speak of how having to use ‘alternatives’ is one of the many ways they feel other-ed by society. If everyone, abled or disabled, used the same interfaces and designs, we would be one step closer to a truly inclusive community.

I also love the discussion about the intersection of fashion and accessibility. I, personally, am unsure where I stand on this – I agree in the sense that good design is simple, and that simplicity goes hand-in-hand with universality. However, as someone who is fond of all things camp, a part of me doesn’t agree that all design should direct towards being simple. In fact, I believe that d in design can still be for disability, whilst still exploring aesthetics to their fullest potential.

This book about the collaboration between the Eameses and their creation of leg splints for veterans is a profound exploration of how design transcends its conventional boundaries. What’s truly fascinating is their approach—they didn’t just aim for practicality in their design; they sought to blend functionality with aesthetic appeal.

What’s really interesting is how deeply they considered the human aspect. The Eameses didn’t limit their focus to the technicalities; they delved into the emotional and experiential dimensions of their design. They wanted these splints to not only serve their purpose but also uplift the users’ spirits, ensuring comfort and a sense of dignity.

Their emphasis on inclusive design is remarkable. They didn’t want these splints to be exclusive; they envisioned them as tools accessible to all, irrespective of abilities. It’s a profound statement about the importance of ensuring good design is available universally.

The core message resonating here is that design isn’t just about appearances; it’s about functionality and the impact it has on people’s lives. The Eameses’ venture with these leg splints is a testament to how empathetic design can significantly enhance lives and contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society.