#inb182lecturereflections

[teeganbishopinb182]

Portfolio two reflection

Portfolio two was an easier task due to the fact that the concept was less fluid than the last one. The future is prominent in most's minds and we are always wondering what technology will bring us. For example, flying cars and teleportation. Therefore, this task was simpler due to the fact that we already had many perceptions on how the future should look like.

I feel that the group worked not as well as last time. At least last time four of them showed up to a meeting. Last time I ended up doing the Prezi presentation, the script and a desk critique by myself. This time, I did the whole presentation. This group was never destined to work, but I sure tried to make it work. You can't beat a dead horse.

I really enjoyed this task. I enjoyed creating it and brainstorming ideas. I feel that brainstorming is my strongest point and that it comes naturally to me. Although, I did enjoy the last task more, just simply because it was more challenging and I love to make my life more difficult. Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed INB182 as a subject. I have enjoyed the discussions and I have enjoyed how it has nurtured my team work skills.

Thank you to Professor Michael, Glen and Adam for this amazing learning experience.

[teeganbishopinb182]

Some concepts that are ambiguous and were discussed in the lecture audio.

[teeganbishopinb182]

Lecture Ten! Let's pull at their strings!

Unfortunately Professor Docherty was sick and unable to take the lecture and so he has kindly uploaded an audio track for us to listen to whilst looking at the slides. It is a shame that he was absent as this lecture would have been an amazing one to attend. From the audio, Professor Docherty reiterated over what we have covered in the unit and spoke briefly about the design journal. Throughout this audio, he brought us again back to the design process picture. This picture is of a squiggly line, which eventually becomes straight. He depicted this line as an example of how design is and also how our learning is. It is confusing at first, but after constantly running around in circles, taking two steps back and one forward, there is clarity. This motivated me greatly.

He also spoke of the steps in the design process. Well, you can’t really call it a process, as it is a non-linear and iterative process. One sentence he said really stuck with my mind and I fully believe that it is true. It was ‘design thinking is the ability to take the design context and fit the solution’. Professor Docherty then showed us some design concepts that really connected with society as they pulled the strings of our core values and beliefs. All of these designs were ambiguous and were thought provoking. They posed questions such as ‘why would someone want to use it?’ and ‘why is it here?’. Take the Prayer phone for an example. Michael told us that people would line up just to use this phone, even though it did not work. So why would they line up?

Also, the dawn chorus really struck me. I find birds to be extremely intelligent creatures and the thought of teaching them phrases of your favourite song really appealed to me.

I really enjoyed this lecture, it was extremely thought provoking and I wish I went longer than 30 minutes!

[teeganbishopinb182]

Have you got a lighter? No, but I have a charger...

Mobile phones are the social cigarette… and we are addicted. Practically everyone has a mobile phone and if you don't have one you’re obscure and people look at you like you've grown a second head. It’s like someone saying “I don't have Facebook” – you barely hear it. Maybe we as designers should focus on appealing to individuals via the phone. Luckily for us, the app market is booming at the moment. YAY!

[teeganbishopinb182]

Collaboration – No ONE designs anything!

- Glen Smith

[teeganbishopinb182]

Can I... uh... copy you?

A presentation finishes and no one knows whether to clap or not… Then, someone starts to clap and then everyone follows. This is an example of an information cascade. This occurs when an individual assesses the actions of others and independently chooses the same option.

This mob mentality has a great effect on the success of some products. It only takes one or two negative reviews to completely invalidate your product. On the other hand, if someone rants and raves about your product and it gets distributed over many customers, then you have success.

Additionally, alongside with this mentality is the human instinct of competition. It is in our blood, whether we like it or not – we all have a competitive streak. When these two aspects combine, it has the power to make or break a product.

For example, Temple Run was an unknown app until word started spreading and millions started downloading. Such a simple game turned into an ordeal… but why? Well, everyone wanted to break a score above a million and beat everyone else. Of course, with the help of social media, people were able to broadcast their high scores and set new goals for people. Even I was guilty of participating in this healthy competition. Although, after a while a new app was discovered and Temple run was forgotten. It is just the way it goes. Everyone enjoys competition.

Another example is an example Glen used within the lecture this week. Someone had developed a Breathalyzer, which people could use to see if they were over the limit. This started a competition between people to see who could get the drunkest. Naturally, this product was a success because it subliminally appealed to the natural instincts of people.

[teeganbishopinb182]

The book problem...

Why do we become immersed within books, similar to how we would with a movie? Have you ever found yourself reading a novel and you completely zone out and you feel as though you are with that character throughout their whole journey? If so, you have been immersed within a book. It is the storyline, which captivates you and gives you a sense of departure form one world and leads you to another reality. Although, it is always the case where your annoying brother or sister will burst through the door or make a loud sound, which snaps you away from this reality and breaks the immersion. Overall, I believe that immersion is a state of thought, which occurs in your mind and gives you a break from reality. It is a refreshing experience that is almost therapeutic. I say that it is in your mind because some people do not get affected by particular novels where some will. Novels don’t even appeal to some people and that is why they resort to movies. It is all up to your mind and personal preferences, which will ultimately determine what will immerse you.

[teeganbishopinb182]

In today’s lecture Michael effectively proved that there are many ways that someone can tell the same story. He did this through showing us “Star Wars Uncut” which was a website which allowed users to submit certain segments of the Star Wars movie from their own perspective and they then pasted them all together to create the actual movie. It is quite interesting and eye opening to see the endless amount of ways one person can tell the Star Wars movie. Michael reiterated this point through saying, “It’s not about the technology, it’s about the story.”

[teeganbishopinb182]

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." – George Santayana

It’s a thought provoking statement isn’t it? Although, history doesn’t actually repeat itself, as no two events are the same. That is why it is worth studying history. From studying history, we can discover trends in the past and we can reveal and expose common motives and behaviors amongst masses of people. You see, once you understand the archetypes of societies, you become more perspicacious and consequentially can anticipate future events. You won’t be able to completely predict the future, although, these archetypes can allow us to be more prepared for future events. 

Another reason why history can “repeat” itself is purely become people are not wise enough to learn from their mistakes and adjust their behavior accordingly. People are too oblivious to the past.

[teeganbishopinb182]

Where do ideas come from?

It’s funny isn’t it? If you really analyze everything that has ever been made, it is obvious that they have all stemmed from one source; it is kind of like there is an evolution process of technology. Evolution can result in many different outcomes. For example, humans and fish are actually linked. Even though they both look completely different we all came from one source of life – Luca. Luca is a bacterium that has been claimed to be the source of all living things.

How does evolution work? Well, it is simple. When a species is introduced to a selection pressure, it needs to adapt, otherwise it will be wiped out. From these pressures, new outcomes are achieved.

You are probably wondering, “why is she explaining what evolution is?” Well if you think about it, technology has evolved. If you imagine the selection pressures being human requirements, you can clearly see extinction and evolution amongst technology. Think about it… the iPod shuffle evolved into the iPod Nano, then the iPod Touch, iPhone 3, iPhone 4 and iPhone 5. Evolution is clearly amongst technology.