Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Blog - IKEA TV Interface
Article: "Salone Milan 2012: Interface design of IKEA's Uppleva TV furniture unit" - found at Core77
The article talks about one of IKEA's new pieces of furniture, which also happens to be a TV unit. As it is one of theirs, they got to design the interface. Personally, I think it looks pretty nice. It's neat and organized, as shown above in the home screen.
The organization and simplification stays consistent throughout the application pages on the smart TV, as can be seen in the images below:
The design appeals to me because it is simple, easy to get through multiple screens and therefore do what you want to do efficiently, and appealing to look at. I wouldn't have a problem reading this stuff -- the app logos are large, the text is simple and uncluttered, and the organization in general is way easier to understand than, say, an iPhone's (which is much more user-changeable and personalized) -- which is what bothers me a lot with some of the designs out there.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Blog - Beatsurfing
Article: "Beatsurfing iPad App Lets You Design A Frankenstein Music Instrument" - found at Fast Company
There is an awesome app for the iPad currently in beta called Beatsurfing. Basically, it takes the idea of a MIDI, or a Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and allows you to build an instrument from the ground up instead of using the normal interface for regular instruments. This allows for some awesome instrument concepts not taken advantage of before in such a way, like a mixture of vocals, beats, and distortion as shown in the video. The best part about this app is the fact that because everything you make in the app is of your own creation, you are able to decide much more easily how prevalent certain parts of the instrument are when playing. Not only that, but you can play two parts of the 'Frankenstein'-like instrument at once, to create a more complex sound.
The app is still in beta, but people can take part in it here.
There is an awesome app for the iPad currently in beta called Beatsurfing. Basically, it takes the idea of a MIDI, or a Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and allows you to build an instrument from the ground up instead of using the normal interface for regular instruments. This allows for some awesome instrument concepts not taken advantage of before in such a way, like a mixture of vocals, beats, and distortion as shown in the video. The best part about this app is the fact that because everything you make in the app is of your own creation, you are able to decide much more easily how prevalent certain parts of the instrument are when playing. Not only that, but you can play two parts of the 'Frankenstein'-like instrument at once, to create a more complex sound.
The app is still in beta, but people can take part in it here.
Assignment 10 - Wireframe Pictures
These first wireframes show how the first few pages would look like -- specifically, the home page and the show page. Just to give an example of how the 'favorites' button works, I also included an example of that. As a note about the 'forum' link on the show page: it will be the same size as the rest of them; I just forgot it when I drew it out so I added it in last minute. The bottom bar has (in order) a home button, a favorites button, a 'post topic/send message button (changes based on what page you're on; disabled on the home screen), an account button, and a 'return to higher level' button.
These are examples of the cast/crew (and the character) blog and the forum. Any links posted on the blog (to external sources) will open in the web browser on the phone, but any internal links (such as photos that are in posts not in the first blog post) will just open up in a new frame in the app. The forum portion of the app, defaulted, will post threads in the order of when they were last updated/commented on (not seen: there will be a small top bar with a 'refresh' button; a 'add new thread' button; and a 'sort by' button that will allow users to sort threads by update date, posted date, and popularity. The preference for the sort by button will be saved via your account). On the individual thread page, you can pull the thread down to update (like on the Facebook app), or just use the small top bar.
Since it's not shown on the wireframe, I will talk a little bit about forum threads. You can create a thread as a written thread or a video post (created only by the camera on your phone), but can only comment with text.
Shown here are the account page, messages page, favorites page, and extra content page -- all of which you can get to from your account page. The favorites page is also accessible by the button on the bottom bar, and the extra content is also accessible from the individual show pages.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Blog - iPad Cutting Board
Article: "Imagine A Kitchen-Friendly iPad That You Can Cut On" - found at Fast Company
Everything is all about multitasking and efficiency these days, and working in the kitchen is no exception. However, most people wouldn't dream of letting any of their gadgets near knives or food. That said, someone came up with a concept tablet specifically for kitchen use -- Jae-Wan Jeong created the idea of the Almighty Board, a tablet that one can use for pretty much any portion of cooking. The tablet would work as a cutting board and a scale, and if the writer of the article (Mark Wilson) had his way, there could be a way to include a version of a stovetop. You could put a recipe onto the tablet, and it could check off the ingredients as you put them into the mix.
Another interesting feature of the board is the fact it still works the same if you flip it over. You could cut meat on one side of the board, then flip it so the part that used to be on the table is now facing the ceiling so you can cut vegetables up without contaminating them.
What's most interesting is Jeong's concept for cleaning. As the board would have electronic features, the idea of running the tablet through water like someone would for most cutting boards might not be a good idea at all. So he decided that the board would have a self-sterilizing, UV mechanism installed into the tablet so it could clean itself.
If this exists in the future for real, I am definitely buying it. It has got to make any cook's life easier.
Everything is all about multitasking and efficiency these days, and working in the kitchen is no exception. However, most people wouldn't dream of letting any of their gadgets near knives or food. That said, someone came up with a concept tablet specifically for kitchen use -- Jae-Wan Jeong created the idea of the Almighty Board, a tablet that one can use for pretty much any portion of cooking. The tablet would work as a cutting board and a scale, and if the writer of the article (Mark Wilson) had his way, there could be a way to include a version of a stovetop. You could put a recipe onto the tablet, and it could check off the ingredients as you put them into the mix.
Another interesting feature of the board is the fact it still works the same if you flip it over. You could cut meat on one side of the board, then flip it so the part that used to be on the table is now facing the ceiling so you can cut vegetables up without contaminating them.
What's most interesting is Jeong's concept for cleaning. As the board would have electronic features, the idea of running the tablet through water like someone would for most cutting boards might not be a good idea at all. So he decided that the board would have a self-sterilizing, UV mechanism installed into the tablet so it could clean itself.
If this exists in the future for real, I am definitely buying it. It has got to make any cook's life easier.
Blog - Taking Photos with Hands
Article: "Incredible Camera Takes Photos With Your Fingers" - found at Fast Company
There is an awesome piece of technology originating from researchers at IAMAS called the Ubi-Camera, which allows users to take pictures of whatever they want using the traditional 'setting up a composition with your hands' technique most people use before shooting photos with traditional cameras instead of with said traditional camera. The camera piece is placed on the index finger of the left hand, and the thumb of the right hand pushes the button when the picture is set up. You can even zoom in and out my moving your hands further from and closer to (respectively) your body.
Though this camera is only a prototype at the moment, it is a fantastic idea, especially if it can get an image quality similar to high-pixel cameras of most smartphones (even better if at the level of DSLRs, but that's unlikely). The use of this camera, though it might look weird having something on the tip of your index finger, is taking advantage of something everyone does. I'm a little amazed, now that I think about it, that this is the first time this has ever been attempted.
There is an awesome piece of technology originating from researchers at IAMAS called the Ubi-Camera, which allows users to take pictures of whatever they want using the traditional 'setting up a composition with your hands' technique most people use before shooting photos with traditional cameras instead of with said traditional camera. The camera piece is placed on the index finger of the left hand, and the thumb of the right hand pushes the button when the picture is set up. You can even zoom in and out my moving your hands further from and closer to (respectively) your body.
Though this camera is only a prototype at the moment, it is a fantastic idea, especially if it can get an image quality similar to high-pixel cameras of most smartphones (even better if at the level of DSLRs, but that's unlikely). The use of this camera, though it might look weird having something on the tip of your index finger, is taking advantage of something everyone does. I'm a little amazed, now that I think about it, that this is the first time this has ever been attempted.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Blog - Dream App
Article: "App Aims To Design Your Dreams, But Can't Wake Up" - found at Fast Company
However, the app doesn't really work. While the soundscapes do essentially put the mood for the setting they're aiming for, the cues don't really line up with REM sleep, and therefore the app misses its target and most users have complained that the soundscape doesn't actually turn on. On top of this, the writer of the article (Mark Wilson) tried the alarm function of the application, which is meant to go off in relation to sleep cycles, and it just ended up going off when he set it to go off.
The thing is, this app has real potential. If they can actually get it to work in later stages, they could get a lot of money off people who had PTSD and nightmares, as when you dream lucidly you have a certain level of conscious control over what you're seeing, and they could actually sleep through the night. Not to mention, all those like me who enjoy being able to control dreams and remember them will have a blast sleeping. If they actually get it to work, I will totally buy it.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Assignment 8 - Create a Logo
Occupy, free time, fans, BBC, television programs, series, computer, streaming, BBCAmerica, watching
Words chosen: BBC, Computer, Occupy, TV Program/series, Watching.
Review of images by row --
BBC:
BBC:
- While I do like this image, it would be too cluttered for an app icon.
- Wouldn't look the best as app image, though the idea of using a QR-Code isn't the weirdest idea I've ever had.
- Regular icon, uncluttered, not bad.
- HD icon, uncluttered, love the color coming off the HD part. My problem is that I'm not sure the prettiness of the colors would be easily seen on an app image, and WOULD ultimately make it cluttered.
- I do enjoy this one. I'm just not sure about the colors. Maybe I could make that into the app background?
Computer:
- I think my main issue with all the images on this is that it has less to do with the app or the BBC and more to do with how most people in America and other countries have to watch BBC shows if they want to watch them at the same time as the UK.
Occupy:
- Don't want to use bathroom occupy logos, but the shape is interesting. might use something similar in the app logo design; the name with some small image below it.
- signs seem to be a popular thing with Occupy as an image search; probably because of the Occupy movement. It wasn't my intention to use the word occupy in this function, but it was interesting to see how people dealt with the occupy movement in a creative/design way. I doubt I'll go that route, but it was kinda cool.
TV Programs/Series:
- Most images that I found with this search had to do with specific shows, which wasn't what I was aiming for. The image that strayed from that which I found interesting and relevant was an image of the BBC iPlayer from the PS3 home. It's simple, but works well.
Watching:
- Most of the images I found with this were variations of eyes. I like this idea a lot. The whole point of the app would be to see extra content, stuff no one has had access to previously. And as creepy as the image is, I do like images 1 and 2, which show the entire eye. I like 1 because its an actual eye shape, but 2 because its a cartoon (or, well, more cartoon like).
Finished App Logo:
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Blog - Weather App
Article: "An iPhone App That Predicts The Weather To The Moment" - found at FastCompany
To oppose the regular weather forecast model, which gives a new idea of the weather every hour, a free weather app called Ourcast predicts the weather as its happening. The app gives a window of two hours, in ten minute intervals, of how the weather will be.
This is a cool idea in the sense that if someone had a lunch break at 1:30 and wanted to spend it outside, but didn't know if they could as it was expected to rain at approximately 2, they could look at the app and see if the forecast called for rain exactly at 2 or closer to 2:20. However, I do agree with the article with its mention that the app is a bit pointless beyond that. You can't see past the two hour mark to check the weather at a later time, even at a shorter interval (nor can you set a reminder with the app to check a certain time within the two hour mark). So the new forecast model is great, except when it isn't needed. My opinion is that if Ourcast updates at some point, they should allow for both forecast models -- one for immediate, ten-minute interval weather forecasts, and one for longer term forecasts.
This is a cool idea in the sense that if someone had a lunch break at 1:30 and wanted to spend it outside, but didn't know if they could as it was expected to rain at approximately 2, they could look at the app and see if the forecast called for rain exactly at 2 or closer to 2:20. However, I do agree with the article with its mention that the app is a bit pointless beyond that. You can't see past the two hour mark to check the weather at a later time, even at a shorter interval (nor can you set a reminder with the app to check a certain time within the two hour mark). So the new forecast model is great, except when it isn't needed. My opinion is that if Ourcast updates at some point, they should allow for both forecast models -- one for immediate, ten-minute interval weather forecasts, and one for longer term forecasts.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Blog - Turntable for 3D Images
Turntable for 3D Images
Article: ”Creating an Object Rotating in Space Video: To Turntable, or Not to Turntable?” - found on Core77
While there is software out there to create 3D models that does not require the use of something in the physical world (all design is done in program), such as Autodesk’s 123D Catch, there are flaws with it. Most 3D model programs don’t look aesthetically pleasing, and since a good portion of the designs from said software is used for prototyping and trying to sell your product, that isn’t really a good thing.
The article describes a Kickstarter project for a turntable called the Arqball Spin. The turntable, combined with a phone (or camera), would allow people to video a spinning physical object to create a full view of every angle of something real without trying to recreate it in a program that has limited functions (complaints of Autodesk’s 123D Catch software include the fact that the models it exports are of poor quality and include holes).
If successfully funded, this project would be awesome and has the potential to redesign the way 3D interacts with presentations, projects and prototypes. If someone only needs a phone and a stable, spinning turntable, more people would be able to create awesome 3D images, and they might become more prevalent in general in the art world.
While there is software out there to create 3D models that does not require the use of something in the physical world (all design is done in program), such as Autodesk’s 123D Catch, there are flaws with it. Most 3D model programs don’t look aesthetically pleasing, and since a good portion of the designs from said software is used for prototyping and trying to sell your product, that isn’t really a good thing.
The article describes a Kickstarter project for a turntable called the Arqball Spin. The turntable, combined with a phone (or camera), would allow people to video a spinning physical object to create a full view of every angle of something real without trying to recreate it in a program that has limited functions (complaints of Autodesk’s 123D Catch software include the fact that the models it exports are of poor quality and include holes).
If successfully funded, this project would be awesome and has the potential to redesign the way 3D interacts with presentations, projects and prototypes. If someone only needs a phone and a stable, spinning turntable, more people would be able to create awesome 3D images, and they might become more prevalent in general in the art world.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Assignment 7 - BBC Application Name
Word association: BBC, Fiction, Drama, Application, User, Character, Cast, Crew, Forum, Occupied, Fans, Knowledge, Free Time
Name: BBC Fancupied. (pronunciation: Fan – kew – pie –d)
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Blog - Selling a Geeky Idea
Article: "3 Tips for Selling a Geeky Idea to Everyone" - found at FastCoDesign.com
The article brings up some points we've been stressing this entire semester (i.e., the point of this class) -- specifically related to how to sell a design.
The three points it stresses are:
- Make the design physical -- something everyone can both see and touch, just to get a better (pardon the pun) feel for it. We have done these steps in both our research stages and our wireframe stages: we went out and spoke with people, then invited people for our ideation sessions so they could physically write things down; and we drew out our designs on paper before designing them in Adobe.
- Expose a process -- explain exactly what the idea does, from the obvious to the lesser known stuff. We did this in a couple steps, but the ones we spent the most time doing this for were steps five (powerpoint 1), six (both with the story we had to come up with and with the describing every button), and eleven (powerpoint 2).
- Add some magic -- Beyond the obvious, add some surprises, that can make users want to see it again. An example the article gives is the Android mascot waving to the camera when it comes to life, but my favorite are the literal easter eggs in the Angry Birds games. It isn't explicitly stated you can get these eggs which are scattered everywhere in the game, but when you find them, its really fun and an extra level you didn't necessarily have before.
I enjoyed this article, because as stated, it does have everything to do with this class.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Blog - Sensu Stylus
Article: ”Touch-Capacitive Bristles! The Sensu Stylus” - found at Core77.
The article describes a new type of stylus for aspiring artists who use tablets to draw and create art. This new stylus, a successful Kickstarter project (they raised $65,823 – a full $58k more than they asked for), looks like a combination of a pencil and a brush.
Unlike regular styluses, the Sensu Stylus works closest to a real paintbrush. The brush is made up of synthetic brush hair, and the back of the stylus is an eraser-like rubber part. This makes it very easy for artists of all skill levels to effortlessly use the stylus and create art.
Drawing Vanilla Porter with the Sensu brush from Artist Hardware on Vimeo.
Personally, I think this brush is awesome. For people who use technology to create traditional-like art such as painting (which is becoming more common), this is a step in the right direction. New artists, who are used to traditional paintbrushes, will have a much easier time with this brush than with a regular or spongy stylus, because it is much closer to the real thing. The Sensu Stylus comes out sometime in May.
The article describes a new type of stylus for aspiring artists who use tablets to draw and create art. This new stylus, a successful Kickstarter project (they raised $65,823 – a full $58k more than they asked for), looks like a combination of a pencil and a brush.
Unlike regular styluses, the Sensu Stylus works closest to a real paintbrush. The brush is made up of synthetic brush hair, and the back of the stylus is an eraser-like rubber part. This makes it very easy for artists of all skill levels to effortlessly use the stylus and create art.
Drawing Vanilla Porter with the Sensu brush from Artist Hardware on Vimeo.
Personally, I think this brush is awesome. For people who use technology to create traditional-like art such as painting (which is becoming more common), this is a step in the right direction. New artists, who are used to traditional paintbrushes, will have a much easier time with this brush than with a regular or spongy stylus, because it is much closer to the real thing. The Sensu Stylus comes out sometime in May.
Assignment 6 - Tighter Application Description
A) Description of proposed application: The proposed application for BBC Fiction users would be a user-influenced, behind-the-scenes look at the various shows currently being produced, with focus on ongoings of the show production and people during the off-seasons. The app would not only give information about what the cast and crew are up to via blogs and videos, but also have character extras (blogs set up not unlike those for the cast/crew/show in general). The users would have the opportunity for interaction with the cast/crew, by being able to comment/leave questions in a form similar to that of Twitter. Users can also gain points by interacting with the application – leaving comments, viewing submitted photos, interacting with the cast/crew during live ‘Twitter’ sessions, which can be used to gain access to new information about the characters/crew/show that isn’t available elsewhere.
B) Specifications:
i. The main point of the application would be the blogs. The blogs would be separated first by show, then by whether it’s a blog for the cast/crew or a character. Individual blogs would be shown on that page.
Main page --> show page (which would have a basic synopsis of the show as well as a link to videos from the current season in iTunes if applicable) --> cast/crew
Or
Main page --> show page --> characters --> individual character
ii. A bottom panel will have a home button, a favorites button, a ‘post a question’ button, an account button, and a ‘back’ button (to return to previous page).
Home button = returns to main page, which hosts the list of shows
Favorites button = list of blogs favorited, separated by show (there will be a button allowing to save individual blogs to this list)
‘Post a Question’ button = Ability to ask a question/send a video/picture to cast/crew blogs.
Account button = has account information, which would be needed to store favorites/ask questions. Also on the account button would be storage of what points have been earned and what extra content has been unlocked.
Back button = returns to previous level in app hierarchy – if on a character blog, if pressed will return user to list of character blogs.
C) User Scenario:
Betty was recently introduced to BBC drama shows. She just finished the last episode of the most recent season of Sherlock. She is so happy with the show, and is anxious for the next season to start. However, she just found out the next season is not for another ten months. How is she going to keep herself occupied and continue to keep herself interested in the show during those months?
Betty voices her concerns to her friend, Sam. Sam tells her not to worry, because there is an awesome application out on the market! This application (mine) has the ability to keep fans entertained and updated on the workings of some favorite shows!
Sam walks Betty through the application by starting on the home page, which lists every current show (by which I mean the shows still being produced and not just syndicated) in alphabetical order. Sam has Betty click on the ‘Sherlock’ tab.
The Sherlock tab brings them to a home page for the show. The home page has interesting things on its own: a basic synopsis for the show, facts from the most current season, a countdown for the next episode (if applicable), and a button to redirect to iTunes for episodes (if applicable). At the bottom of the show page, there is a tab for blogs. Interested, Betty clicks on that.
The tab brings Betty and Sam to another page, which has two options: cast/crew and characters. Even more intrigued, Betty clicks on the former tab (cast/crew). The cast/crew tab brings the two friends to a blog, recently updated. The blog is similar to that of the mobile version of Tumblr (not the app). The blog shows pictures of the set, cast/crew answers to user-generated questions, updates on what the cast/crew/show is up to, and videos of antics (see Michael Weatherly’s Twitter feed for examples of that - https://twitter.com/#!/M_Weatherly). Betty observes that the blog is updated at a regular basis (most likely weekly at the least, with updates by cast/crew as much as they want to past that).
Sam presses the back button located on the bottom panel, and clicks the character tab. Betty is excited to find blogs from the characters as well, updated on a semi-regular basis (depending on the scenarios).
Just before leaving the application, Betty notices that the Sherlock home page has news that a live Twitter session with the producers will be occurring, with interaction with the application, and users are encouraged to submit their questions. Betty submits a question, and a notification pops up that Betty has unlocked new content, which is available in her account tab.
After Betty watches the live feed for a while, Betty goes over to her account tab to see this new content. To her happiness, it is a behind-the-scenes video of the pre-production happening for the next season of Sherlock. Betty leaves the application, sated with her new knowledge of Sherlock.
B) Specifications:
i. The main point of the application would be the blogs. The blogs would be separated first by show, then by whether it’s a blog for the cast/crew or a character. Individual blogs would be shown on that page.
Main page --> show page (which would have a basic synopsis of the show as well as a link to videos from the current season in iTunes if applicable) --> cast/crew
Or
Main page --> show page --> characters --> individual character
ii. A bottom panel will have a home button, a favorites button, a ‘post a question’ button, an account button, and a ‘back’ button (to return to previous page).
Home button = returns to main page, which hosts the list of shows
Favorites button = list of blogs favorited, separated by show (there will be a button allowing to save individual blogs to this list)
‘Post a Question’ button = Ability to ask a question/send a video/picture to cast/crew blogs.
Account button = has account information, which would be needed to store favorites/ask questions. Also on the account button would be storage of what points have been earned and what extra content has been unlocked.
Back button = returns to previous level in app hierarchy – if on a character blog, if pressed will return user to list of character blogs.
C) User Scenario:
Betty was recently introduced to BBC drama shows. She just finished the last episode of the most recent season of Sherlock. She is so happy with the show, and is anxious for the next season to start. However, she just found out the next season is not for another ten months. How is she going to keep herself occupied and continue to keep herself interested in the show during those months?
Betty voices her concerns to her friend, Sam. Sam tells her not to worry, because there is an awesome application out on the market! This application (mine) has the ability to keep fans entertained and updated on the workings of some favorite shows!
Sam walks Betty through the application by starting on the home page, which lists every current show (by which I mean the shows still being produced and not just syndicated) in alphabetical order. Sam has Betty click on the ‘Sherlock’ tab.
The Sherlock tab brings them to a home page for the show. The home page has interesting things on its own: a basic synopsis for the show, facts from the most current season, a countdown for the next episode (if applicable), and a button to redirect to iTunes for episodes (if applicable). At the bottom of the show page, there is a tab for blogs. Interested, Betty clicks on that.
The tab brings Betty and Sam to another page, which has two options: cast/crew and characters. Even more intrigued, Betty clicks on the former tab (cast/crew). The cast/crew tab brings the two friends to a blog, recently updated. The blog is similar to that of the mobile version of Tumblr (not the app). The blog shows pictures of the set, cast/crew answers to user-generated questions, updates on what the cast/crew/show is up to, and videos of antics (see Michael Weatherly’s Twitter feed for examples of that - https://twitter.com/#!/M_Weatherly). Betty observes that the blog is updated at a regular basis (most likely weekly at the least, with updates by cast/crew as much as they want to past that).
Sam presses the back button located on the bottom panel, and clicks the character tab. Betty is excited to find blogs from the characters as well, updated on a semi-regular basis (depending on the scenarios).
Just before leaving the application, Betty notices that the Sherlock home page has news that a live Twitter session with the producers will be occurring, with interaction with the application, and users are encouraged to submit their questions. Betty submits a question, and a notification pops up that Betty has unlocked new content, which is available in her account tab.
After Betty watches the live feed for a while, Betty goes over to her account tab to see this new content. To her happiness, it is a behind-the-scenes video of the pre-production happening for the next season of Sherlock. Betty leaves the application, sated with her new knowledge of Sherlock.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Blog - Butler Phones
Tim Maly's article on Co.DESIGN, "One Day Soon, Could Our Phones Anticipate Our Desires, Like A Psychic Butler?", talks about Itai Miller's innovative concept app (which he created for a class project) called Opportune. The ultimate idea behind Opportune is to act as a, well, butler of sorts. The app looks through your history, searches, favorites, and dislikes on all the websites you are a part of, and is able to turn it around to help you find people and places before you actually tell the phone you need them. An example the article gives, for example, is a struggling actor is looking for work, and a producer is looking for someone to help act in a pilot series, and both happen to cross paths around the same area frequently. The app would alert each other of the other's existence so they could meet up, without the actor having to search directly for 'producers/directors in the area looking to hire actors' while they were in the same place.
It's an interesting idea for an app, and would definitely have its advantages if it worked like they suggest it could, but I wonder if people who would buy this app would understand just how much of a breach of privacy it is. Anyone who would have the app would automatically put all its trust into this app (not that we already don't with some already, but this takes it to a whole new level) and would have to hope no one is using it to stalk them, or to take information from them, or anything else. It basically gives both the app and everyone else who has the app who lives in the same general area permission to break into your entire social media and search history, and find out who exactly you are, and that scares the daylights out of me.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Blog - iBook2
"Apple Makes a Textbook Move with iBooks 2" - found on Core77
Apple has had its hands in the book epublishing industry for awhile now, but they've extended their reach to textbooks now. These textbooks have the potential to be great hits in the classroom, as they have motion graphics which make the book funner and more interesting for kids.
The only thing I have an issue with as far as Apple and textbooks are concerned is the idea that Apple seems to assume most people in elementary and middle schools would have iPads. The classrooms featured all had kids with iPads to show these textbooks, but really, I feel that only specialty schools (charter schools, private schools (some), and MAYBE some vo-tech schools) would have the money to buy -- or ability to tell parents to buy -- iPads for students.
Apple has had its hands in the book epublishing industry for awhile now, but they've extended their reach to textbooks now. These textbooks have the potential to be great hits in the classroom, as they have motion graphics which make the book funner and more interesting for kids.
The only thing I have an issue with as far as Apple and textbooks are concerned is the idea that Apple seems to assume most people in elementary and middle schools would have iPads. The classrooms featured all had kids with iPads to show these textbooks, but really, I feel that only specialty schools (charter schools, private schools (some), and MAYBE some vo-tech schools) would have the money to buy -- or ability to tell parents to buy -- iPads for students.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Assignment 4 - Application Reviews
Application 1: iPad2 Forum App
Pros -
Cons -
Pros -
- Different sections and subsections based on what the questions are
- Says how many responses there are per thread
- Subscriptions to threads
Cons -
- Skips to the end of the thread in most cases -- design wise, not nice to look at
Application 2: Deviant Art App
Pros -
- Favorites Section
- Categories Section easy to get through
- Search button
- "Daily Deviations" button - newest posts
- Changeable home screen
Cons -
- Have to log in, though thats not necessarily a con
- Have to be very specific if searching for a particular image
Application 3: Tumblr App
Pros -
- Good for on-the-go blogging
- Not dissimilar to the mobile site
Cons -
- As the site is text with a whole lot of GIFs, which means a lot of motion, the app slows down a lot
Application 4: Blogger App
Pros -
- Good for on-the-go blogging
- Not dissimilar to the mobile site
Cons -
- Keeps you on a particular blog; confusing format to get to another one
- Assumes you want a new post
- Focused on personal blogs, hard to get to other people's
Facebook App
Pros -
- Pull down to update
- Constant top bar; hidden constant side bar
- Format is similar to site
Cons -
- Unable to tag people like you can on actual site
- FB chat is a different app unconnected to this one.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Assignment 2 - Conceptualize the App
I came up with two ideas for this:
a)A game where fans of BBC Fiction shows pick their favorite program and gain points to unlock extra content. People can get points by checking into real-life locations that are important to the show, by completing quizzes about the show in general and episodes specifically, and by commenting in the forum section. Earned content can include photos from sets, character bios not normally accessible in the show, cast/crew information/blogs, sneak peek videos, and access to air dates and trailers early.
b)A forum app which gives a user-influenced, behind-the-scenes look at the various shows currently being produced, with focus on ongoings of the show production and people during the off-seasons. Gives information about what the cast and crew are up to via blogs and videos, and has character extras (blogs set up not unlike those for the cast/crew/show in general). The users would have the opportunity for interaction with the cast/crew, by being able to comment/leave questions in a form similar to that of Tumblr. Extra content such as ringtones and photos might be unlocked by interacting with the application.
I think I'm going to go with the second one. Since the BBC already has blogs made for some of the characters, not to mention Twitter accounts up the wazoo for cast/crew AND characters, it actually wouldn't be a stretch to assume they could be updated.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Assignment 1.c-d-e Interview Edit
Project thus far:
Group of people - people who like BBC Fiction (for the most part, this means Sherlock and Doctor Who fans)
Video edit:
D."The number one thing that bothers me about BBC Fiction is all the time I spend PINING for all of these characters that I see for three Sundays out of the year and then spend the rest of the time pining. So I would love to see them for a longer amount of time." - Aleey
"The breaks are too long." - Svenja
"There's not to do, there's nothing to watch. And what there is, is little tiny blurbs of text that you can only see if you're in the UK." - Cyndi
"I would think they should include little featurettes on how they set up a scene or created a monster. They have the magazine, but I would in depth - less about the show and more about the cast." - Kat
E. I found a couple of posters around campus related to BBC's Sherlock and the latest episode. Picture to be included in the Powerpoint. Because of the length of time they've been up, as well as the amount of people who have commented about them on facebook, clearly there are a lot of fans who love to see these kinds of posters and keep shows like Sherlock close to their heart. As a fan myself, I do find myself agreeing with all of what the people I interviewed said, specifically about the breaks and the lack of things to do.
Group of people - people who like BBC Fiction (for the most part, this means Sherlock and Doctor Who fans)
Video edit:
D."The number one thing that bothers me about BBC Fiction is all the time I spend PINING for all of these characters that I see for three Sundays out of the year and then spend the rest of the time pining. So I would love to see them for a longer amount of time." - Aleey
"The breaks are too long." - Svenja
"There's not to do, there's nothing to watch. And what there is, is little tiny blurbs of text that you can only see if you're in the UK." - Cyndi
"I would think they should include little featurettes on how they set up a scene or created a monster. They have the magazine, but I would in depth - less about the show and more about the cast." - Kat
E. I found a couple of posters around campus related to BBC's Sherlock and the latest episode. Picture to be included in the Powerpoint. Because of the length of time they've been up, as well as the amount of people who have commented about them on facebook, clearly there are a lot of fans who love to see these kinds of posters and keep shows like Sherlock close to their heart. As a fan myself, I do find myself agreeing with all of what the people I interviewed said, specifically about the breaks and the lack of things to do.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Blog - "Seven Graphic Novels Every Designer Should Know"
Hi there.
The first article I read (and found extremely interesting) was "Seven Graphic Novels Every Designer Should Know", posted by Dave Seliger on core77.
The article focused on graphic novels that either experimented with a different style on every page -
- or on novels/manga whose artwork adapts to fit the mood and tone of the piece -
but in all cases, really cool work. I read graphic novels and manga a lot (granted, not as much as I used to, but..) and while I do notice that sometiems the artwork adds to the tone, what I've read has never been to that level of awesome and nor have any of the artists experimented with color or style differently on every page. I think it relates back to that video we watched in class, about personalization v. professionalism. In a way, by experimenting like this, the artists are creating their own brand of having new and different ways to create something similar every time. It's truly an amazing way to keep a balance between professionalism and personal wants in regards to design.
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