On Design
Content Creation for the 21st Century
Adding a virtual dimension into our physical environments is not a trivial matter. Introducing digital bytes into our building materials is a revolution that is even more significant than fabrication and construction developments in glass, steel and concrete. As the distance between the virtual and physical world collapses, our relationship to our spaces, information and each other changes. By Tali Krakowsky
Designing Project M
Project Masiluleke (which means "lend a helping hand" in Zulu) is using mobile technology to tackle the worst HIV epidemic in the world in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, where infection rates are more than 40 percent. Broadly speaking, Project M is a mobile phone–based platform used to get the word out about testing, and also to provide information and counseling when needed. I was lucky enough to be involved in the design of the second segment of the project: an HIV testing kit designed for use in the highest risk communities with minimal oversight or instruction from HIV educators. By Nick de la Mare
On Design
The Eureka Moment Part III: Can You Live with It?
In this final installation of my series on entrepreneurship, I am going to talk about socio eco ideals. If any of the work that you do makes you feel like scum, isn't that a sure sign that it isn't the type of work you should be doing? "Eureka! I've got it! I'm going to do something that I will despise myself for, for years to come!" It amazes me how people go on their whole lives doing things against their grain. By Ivy Chuang
On Design
And the (Design) Oscar Goes To...
This week, the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum celebrates the 10th anniversary of the National Design Awards. New this year is the Interaction Design category to the awards, described as "the innovative design of digital technology." Twenty years since IDEO founder Bill Moggridge first gave Interaction Design its name, IxD is finally being recognized for its contribution to American design. By Jennifer Bove
On Design
What Lego Can Teach Us
Lego's aesthetic of illustrated, staged, non-verbal construction is rightly considered a classic in the infographics space. Over the last few years I've completed a number of Out Of Box Experience (OOBE) projects for various clients, most often those in the medical category, and I often find myself going back to Lego for inspiration when tackling a new problem. By Nick de la Mare
On Design
Sonic Storytelling: Designing Musical Spaces
I've encountered a series of fascinating innovations in the design of spatial sound. I say this both because I do not pretend to be an expert in the world of music-making and because it turns out that you don't have to be a music professional to be interested in some of the exciting new explorations that are happening in sound-composition today. By Tali Krakowsky
On Design
The Eureka Moment Part II: Is Entrepreneurship Worth It?
In my last post, I shared some tips in addressing challenging obstacles that one can encounter when striking out on their own. In this second part, I want to talk about what makes being an entrepreneur all worth it, and how to keep going. Here are the top three things that make the trip worth trekking. By Ivy Chuang
On Design
Storytelling and Interaction Design
The urge to describe experiences by telling a story runs throughout human history. From pictograms to hieroglyphs to the songs of the wandering bard, we have developed many different ways of using storytelling devices such as allegory and the arc of a narrative to describe the world around us, and our place in it. By guest blogger Ben Fullerton.
On Design
Blurring Boundaries
We have certain expectations of products and of brands, both natural and conditioned. By breaking traditional aesthetic and behavioral boundaries challenger brands are blending the senses, creating synesthesia-type experiences to stand out and define their difference. By Sophie Maxwell
On Design
Mixing Media
Last week I argued with a friend about what's "new" about "new media." It made me really frustrated. Frustrated enough that I had to write about it. To me, mixing two or more conventional mediums can make one potentially new and potentially extraordinary piece. By Tali Krakowsky
