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å February 2015
í Unit 8: Assignment
Choose a manual action to automate, or choose an automated process to make manual.
This assignment asks you to consider how what we make as designers effects human interactions on the micro and macro scale.
Note your everyday actions; go out of your way to notice where technology is present. When do human interactions occur? How would the introduction of automation enhance or hinder the interaction. What would the advantages or disadvantages be if automation took over? How can you use sarcasm, exaggeration, appropriated voice to make a point?
For next week: Make a presentation showing your source material, and propose various possible re-envisionings. Your proposal may use: other designer’s work as reference, texts, sketches, actual designs, etc.
How are the scenarios different? What are its effects on social interaction? What is your point of view about technology’s social role through the project you are proposing?
Extended Portion: Create a finished prototype or proposal
B Unit 8: Readings & References
Required for March 5th
“As Robots Grow Smarter, Workers Struggle to keep Up”, New York Times
“The iPhone is the new Model-T”, John Caserta
Extended bibliography
“Will Your Job Be Done by a Machine,” NPR
“Automation Makes us Dumber“, WSJ
“Harnessing algorithms to create shape-change typography,” Wired
Nicholas Carr: The Glass Cage: Automation and Us (also see: video overview)
Lewis Mumford “Art & Technics”
Miranda July’s “Somebody” app & miu miu video
Dunne & Raby Speculative Everything
Anthony Dunne lecture: “What If: Crafting Design Speculations”
Jon Sueda, Ed. All Possible Futures
Eugeny Morozov. To Save Everything, Click Here: The Folly of Technological Solutionism.
N. Joseph Woodland, Inventor of the Bar Code, Dies at 91
“The Machines Are Coming”, The New York Times. An op-ed by Zeynep Tufekci. More writings by her on her website and on Medium
2 Responses to “Unit 8: Readings & References”
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John Caserta says:
From Rich Rose:
http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/emotionally-intelligent-machines-are-closer-than-ever -
NYTimes Discussion: Digital Friendships
Can real relationships be forged between people who never meet?
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/03/05/real-relationships-in-a-digital-world/projecting-onto-the-screen
w Unit 7: Lecture notes 02/26/2015
w “The Web of Life” 02/19/2015 Fritjof Capra
Fritjof Capra
w “Systems Generating Systems” 02/19/2015 Christopher Alexander
Christopher Alexander
í Unit 7: One-week assignment
Unit 7.0 — Introduction
This introduces the common phenomena of (visual) pattern: repetition and periodicity.
Observe what unfolds. Allow the possibilities to show up naturally.
Work in teams of two or three (to compare notes for quantity and quality of inquiry) throughout this one-week portion, and observe and share what you are learning.
However, each of you remains responsible for your own results from your inquiry.
Unit 7.1 — Module
Design “module” (a single unit, cell): a square divided about equally in black and white. Look at options: geometric, organic; module as system or not.
Experiment with modules to see how they operate as patterns (7.2).
Eventually select ONE module unit and only use this one module.
Unit 7.2 — Pattern
First repeat the module in a squared grid (25/5×5, or 36/6×6) to create a simple pattern. Then vary the rules for repetition and periodicity in this grid.
Make as many variations as possible to generate diversity, dynamics, and uniqueness. Unit 2.2.1 — Notation system
Develop a simple (visual) notation system to show the operating system(s) of your patterns. Use this notations system to keep track of the systems used for each pattern.
Unit 7.2.2 — Grid Options
After working with a squared grid, experiment with (systemic) grid shifts (offsetting verticals, horizontals, or angles), but retain a solid field, and avoid new shapes/modules.
Unit 7.3 — Presentation on February 26:
Make a digital presentation to include:
• studies of the module, and selection of final module (and its system);
• process of pattern studies and experiments;
• selected patterns (for diversity, interest, comparative uniqueness);
• the notation systems for each pattern (i.e., to make the “system” visible). • summary as to what was experienced, observed and learned.
Unit 7.4 — Reflective Document (due February 27 or 28):
After class review reflect on this project individually!
Write about your experiences, the phenomena you observed, and what you learned. In write your reflective insights add visual samples as needed.
Email (pdf) this to your section faculty by Friday or Saturday!
(Don’t delay this task—do it when your mind is still IN the learning process!)
í Unit 6: In Class Activity: Trailblazers
Get from one website to another without using the keyboard or the back button.
Miranda July’s “Somebody,” http://somebodyapp.com
Also see the story about the Horse eBooks twitter account …. http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/09/-horse-ebooks-is-the-most-successful-piece-of-cyber-fiction-ever/279946/
Karen is a life coach and she’s happy to help you work through a few things in your life.
You interact with Karen through an app. When you begin, she asks you some questions about your outlook on the world to get an understanding of you. In fact, her questions are drawn from psychological profiling questionnaires. She – and the software – are profiling you and she gives you advice based on your answers.
http://www.blasttheory.co.uk/projects/karen/