A first attempt at Processing:

An initial attempt at creating a multi-screen interface using processing.

 

Week 7 / 8 – 18-29 October

Week 7 of the semester followed after the to-dos set in week 6 on UI design generally and on the current schemes and services that were provided.  During the time, PACT Analysis was also carried out relating to the target audience set by the project.

A report article from the European Studies on Users and Technologies for understanding telehealth, telecare and technologies across Europe and JIT Scotland for services in Scotland gave insights on the actions taken by governments in the field of telecare. In another of the findings, the Home telecare technologies for the elderly from the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare [2008] gave knowledge on the types of devices available for diseases such as Diabetes, Dementia, and gave findings on Health watch and Medicine control as a usage for implementation.

In setting up the PACT Analysis, along with brainstorms for the design, a mindmap was set up at www.bubbl.us to build and collect ideas and information in a flowchart manner.For a possible platform for use, I had a look at Android and got the SDK for it, which will be essential if a suitable application was developed. Further study on wireless communication and mobile system was also done as a means of communication portal if an infrastructure needs to be assigned for the idealized interface.

Now, with the information gathering taking place, I will be looking forward into design ideas for the interface and the scope upto which it can provide functionality for the different aspects of telecare.

Notes – Motion graphics and Kinetic Typography

From today’s lecture – Rough notes

“If a static design, like a picture, can tell a thousand words, imagine what a moving picture can do? “the properties of a motion can tell a story of its own, so combining with a static image design, you have the possibility of constructing.

Visual Properties

- Form – geometric shapes which are exact, the abstract modern artistic ( non objective and intuitive) form, and imperfect natural forms
Abstraction in early motion graphics include work of Hans Richter such as Rhythmus 21 and 23. and Stan Brakhage’s Mothlight in 1963. There is also 3D form to take into consideration

- Value – things like contrast, focal points

- Color - moods, symbolism, e.g sin city, subjectivity of color, psychological, gender and cultural properties

properties – Hue (actual Color), Saturation (addition of grey), Brightness (addition of black or white)

- Texture / Pattern – touch and feel

Image considerations

- styled/realistic/graphic/textural/blended/sketchy

Live Action Considerations

- cinematographical ideas

- tone / contrast, lighting, DepthOfField, focus(and other camera properties)

Intergrating Live Action – Rotosccoping e.g. of bridgring live action and animation

Typographic Considerations

Type – conveying meaning to words in a language, has physical shape further enhanceable by time and motion

Type’s aesthetic basis and pure forms, +ve and -ve shapes, imagination of movement of shapes, counterforms (shapes between letters)

Anatomy, classification

Week 6 – 11/10/10 – 15/10/2010

This week’s to-do’s -

- Continue Research on UI design.

- Continue on the services available, building on documents searched at JIT (http://www.jitscotland.org.uk/knowledge-bank/publications/telecare/)

- Start a Moodboard

- Continue with After Effects Tutorial

- Gather notes for presentation (Motion Graphics Assessment 1)

Wednesday 13/10/10

Topic of Lecture : – Kinetic Typography, Image and Live-action

Link to Article on Typography : – http://i-media.soc.napier.ac.uk/Motion_Path/07005342/Article/07005342.html

Vimeo Video Link – Saul Bass style/Kyle Cooper – http://vimeo.com/14687462

From the list of to-dos set up at the beginning of the week, critical  reading and reviewing was begun from research into related associations from the web. A weekly plan was created and the meeting with my supervisor was a short one just summarizing what I was doing during the week. The research on UI design was cut down and some practical programming using a Java based application was done. The application to use for the actual creation of the product has not been decided but development in programming will be essential.

Week 5 – 04/10/10 – 08/10/10

Monday / Tuesday

The Learning Contract finalization for the Honours Project was the main objective of the week, and for that Ian Smith, our second marker from Edinburgh Napier, was present for the meeting. From the draft Learning Contract created, certain changes were required which were pointed out. The main outcome of the meeting being the completion of the Contract and hand-in to the supervisor.
The purpose of the project i.e. Interface design of a Telecare system, requires the knowledge of Home Automation systems and the Telecare services available at present. Research was started the previous week with the look into devices and technologies used for Telecare, so this week has been the continuation on how these can be utilized and how an interface can help in the utilization process.

Research Topics for this week -
- Current Telecare and Home Automation systems
- Current Software Technology used
- User Interface Design principles – Cognitive psychology

Wednesday

Motion Graphics Lecture title: – Sequential Design

Notes: -

The use of time in design of a Motion graphic.

Types of Sequential Design

Forms of Continuity – conventional type of sequential design where the artefact flows like a story – from beginning to end. This associates with accuracy, documentary and providing specific information to the viewer.

Forms of Discontinuity – unconvential story telling where the viewer is challenged to think, unpredictable which goes agains the conventional sequential design. It arouses anxiety and uneasyness with a weaker narrative. Classic example being the title sequence of Se7en by Kyle Cooper, with transition techniques such as Jump Cutting and Flash cutting

Montage – for of condensing time, space and information

 

Thursday

A brief meeting scheduled with my supervisor, the Learning Contract was sent through with the signature and the starting point for research on User Interface Design interface was initialted.

Week 3,4

Main objective of week 3:

- Materialize honours project
- Identify project aims
- Start on Learning Contract

From the project topic discussed in Week 2, possible problems were noticed in the forms of already existing complex systems. Thus the field of Telecare was considered in its place. The aim of the project will be to create an interface for use in care houses for the age group of 60 and over.

The areas considered as part of the interface are:-
- Environmental Control
- Call for help
- In house actions
- Alarm and security
- Health

These areas were then divided into possible group components which would be used for the functionality and hence were required in the design.

Environmental sensors – This will be the section to assess the Environment of the user, with controls to Lighting and Temperature.
Control – For controlling Lighting, Heating and Ventilation
Communication – For Reminders, messaging, calling
Security – For door access, smoke sensor

With these in mind, the focus will be to build upon the interaction problem faced by the over 60s target group.

Thoughts from induction week

The first visit to Edinburgh Napier was an introductory one. I learnt about the programme, about the project and the module. A guideline of dissertation was given:

Introduction – Why the project was done

Literature review – understanding the field of project, similar products, stregth and weakness

Methodology/Design – How the product was going to be made.

Planning, Research.Evaluation – How well?. test, Delicverable, process

Results – What was achieved?. relative to main objective

Conclusion
This flow is to be taken in the reverse order when writing up dissetation.
To Do:

Project Reg Form – Week 2

Project Title – Changeable, Construct Focus problem statement, Learning Contract – Week 3

Presentation of media on Week 12

Blog for evidence,

Prepare for meetings

Make project plan(include admin meetings)

Module Leader Contact: cf.smith@napier.ac.uk (mail for past student reports)

Week 2 (14-18 September)

A pretty quick week where an almost firm idea about the project was discussed upon. It was about a family tree type of interface. The conclusion from the meeting was to research on such types of interface.