Demo

Video

For my last demo, I tried to use just iOS location and SmartThings switches. It was unsuccessful, but I really wanted to have a working proof of concept. To get around the technical difficulties, I used a motion sensor and switch and linked the two SmartThings products together in IFTTT. The motion sensor under the desk worked; I taped it underneath my desk just beyond where my chair reaches. Then I used the SmartThings power switch to connect to the power cord. Finally I created a recipe on IFTTT. Every time the motion sensor detects motion underneath my desk, the power strip will turn on. To complete the narrative, in order to turn the power switch off, I would connect location with the power switch using IFTTT so that every time you exit studio (using iOS locator) the power switch will turn off.

I would hope to expand on my ideas of efficiency and sustainability in studio by taking into consideration the other machines in the room that use electricity. I think that by coordinating the amount of light in studio with the amount of natural light coming in through the windows, we can conserve a great deal of energy. Lighting in studio is extremely important and should be a major variable in the design of the space.

Studio Re Design

Going to the Cyert Center for Early Education inspired me to think more about how humans fundamentally learn and what environment is best for people to learn in.

I really liked the idea of taking advantage of the ceiling space. In freshmen studio, people would hang things and it made the space feel more active and interesting. I also enjoyed all the natural light via skylights. If I could change the windows, I would make them bigger so we could optimize natural light during the day. It would be even better if we could extend the room outwards and include a skylight in that addition.

New Sketch Up Renderings

Ideas for new space

• Everything on wheels, mobility
• Chairs fold so that they are easier to move around the room and to store
• Stackable desks so they move out of the way in a cleaner fashion
• Transition dividers; digital screens, magnetic, adjustable height. in other words, they can retract and totally disappear or just be lowered a few inches.
• Two large tables for group collaboration or prototyping that come together to form one large table for class critiques
• Front wall becomes an interface for screen projections
• Projector will hang from ceiling
• Bean bags for more relaxed working, easy to move around or out of the way
• No wires; lights attached to desk, desk outlets –wired through floor?
• Hanging apparatus where people can hang anything from projects to plants to other decorations –whimsical aspect, more personal for everyone in the room

I really like the idea of being able to mix and match and customize the furniture in the room depending on the situation, number of people, time of day, etc. There are so many different situations that take place in the room, so the room should be able to adapt based on the needs of the users.

Something I’ve been struggling with…

I really struggled to become passionate about the increased use of technology in studio. At first, it was just frustrating to coordinate all the apps and sensors in the room to work together. I didn’t see this level or system of technology as a viable option for a studio space with multiple users. However, as I think about how to expand on my ideas for efficiency and sustainability, I find myself hesitating to move towards ubiquitous computing. I acknowledge that it is a very exciting world, and I think it is incredible that people have figured out how to make whatever they can imagine a reality. I also understand that a large portion of the world is moving towards this future, but there are still a lot of places in the world that may never (or in the extreme distant future) reach that kind of infrastructure. From my perspective, this is not human centered design, it is closer to what I would call place or group exclusive design. In other words, if we design for one future, are we really thinking about the different ‘presents’ that exist? If we focus on the development of society and infrastructure on one level, I cannot even imagine what kind of impact that would have on places in the world without any sort of (or possibility of) infrastructure for technology. My other concern is that with the influx of technology and its frequent transformations, how can we know what kind of consequences we will have on people? What will ubiquitous computing do to the relationship between humans and the natural world? Will we change human nature? I feel uncomfortable proceeding with ubiquitous technology because I do not feel comfortable venturing into a problem space that is neither defined nor controlled by known factors. The addition of technology for technology’s sake is not what I see as meaningful design.