Week 8: Collaborative Tools – Building New Models and Tools for Future Practice
Weekly Learning Objectives
By the end of this week you should be able to:
- Research and analyse existing examples of catalysts that think about work in a completely new way;
- Imagine how you might utilise collaboration at different stages of the design process i.e. research, development, production;
- Imagine a new tool or process to aid the collaboration for future working from your findings in the previous three weeks;
- Manage your independent learning effectively.
Week 8: Lecture – Dan Parry
This week’s lecture is delivered by Dan and Nana Parry of Metier Digital
Week 8: Resources
Read | Watch | Listen
Below is this week’s list of materials. For the full module resource list, please refer to the Course Hub. We encourage you to also carry out your own independent research into themes delivered. Do not forget to use the Ideas Wall to share new ideas and thoughts.
1. HATO, Crowd-sourcing an identity,[online]. Available at: https://www.hato.co/casestudy/pick-me-up (Links to an external site.). [Accessed 11 June 2019]
2. made open https://weare.madeopen.co.uk/ (Links to an external site.)
3. Johnson Banks (2017)Mozilla: Re-branding the Internet champion, [online]. Available at: https://www.johnsonbanks.co.uk/work/mozilla (Links to an external site.). [Accessed 11 June 2019]
4. Dezeen, Morby, A. (2016): Johnson Banks edges close to completing Mozilla rebrand using open design process (Links to an external site.) [online]
5. Margaret Rhodes Design (2017) Introducing Mozilla’s New Logo, moz://a. Get it? [online]. Available at: https://www.wired.com/2017/01/introducing-mozillas-new-logo-moza-get/ (Links to an external site.). [Accessed 11 June 2019]
6. Commons Platform: https://commonsplatform.org/
Week 8: Workshop Challenge – Collaboration
The Challenge
Develop a digital tool or process to aid the collaboration for future working from your findings in the previous three weeks.
- You should ensure this response is to your own emerging ideas on your own working methodology.
- Present your idea as a designed visual proposal in the format of your choice.
Layers of History
The idea is to use AR/VR, app for smartphones or headset to to see and/or hear stories related to historic buildings around town and cities. I’ve used my home town of Shrewsbury to illustrate how things would work.
All on a closed network, users would be given access to a route around the town to take them to historic or notable buildings and areas to find out their history. The theme of layers comes from the tour showing different uses of buildings through its history. Shrewsbury has an excellent archive of photos and information available to the public but getting access to it is quite long-winded and in terms of tourists getting the chance, they would have to know it was there in the first place.
The map would be similar to the one shown above; sites will be pinned and the route to them would be highlighted and as users move around their position will be shown so that they can navigate their own way around rather than following a fixed/formal route.
When they arrive at one of the sites there would be a viewpoint marked on the floor, similar to the photo-points sometimes given in theme parks such as Legoland or Warwick castle, somewhere they feel give a good view over the area. In this case they would get the users looking at the buildings from the same position as an archive photo.
As the user ‘clicks through’ the narrative they are given information about the site to explain the different parts of its history. If there is more than one image that will fit, clear instructions will give details of when to proceed to the next slide, etc., the image information will build up forming multiple layers.
Presentation Slides
Show how the overall system works. Show a build-up example and explain the other uses for the system.
Crit-night Presentation
Submitted document for the crit session. Pointer slides to talk about on-screen rather than scripted.
Critical Feedback
Comments made by peers after the presentation were sent in and given anonymously by the tutor:
Love the idea, I’d definitely visit
Love the nostalgia attached to this idea
Can see this be really popular – the fact that you can do this in person rather than at home is a great immersive experience. Would people wear headset out and about? Could they view it on their phone screens? Something that all tourist boards would be interested in. Good ongoing community history project. Images really good in the presentation.
Love the idea and concept in this project, I think it’s really interesting and great immersive way of making history relevant. Really like that there’s a printed version too. And VR. All the mechanisms, audio from closed network cool idea. Such a nice leveraging of technology for the historical topic. Such a cool contrast the overlay. Clear and visual presentation. So cool to click back and forth. I guess the question is the revenue stream for initial development.
Eeee I really like this! I would do this if I visited. Could you have an online version for those unable to move around easily, where you could view them online and in VR for better accessibility? It might not take that much more setting up.
VR headset in public sounds dangerous unless it is a closed space in a museum and you don’t actually travel. (Oh good, you actually address that) Would AR be better for out in the streets? People are kind of idiots and public liability insurance might not cover VR outside.
Could you gather lots of stories from the community? (OK, you mention that too)
Really lovely branding and I like the visuals. The darkened images work well with white text.
As a big fan of history and origins, this is right up my street. I love travelling the country too so always up for a guided way to check out architecture etc. Love it!
The school idea is great too, get them involved early to keep up traditions of looking after our history!
Tony presented a project that has some value, specifically in relation to the education sector and the tourism industry. The tool itself could, if further developed, have a much broader reach, and I envisage its appeal extending to those whom work in areas such as: Archaeology; Architecture and Engineering; Interior Design; And City Planning.
The presentation, although limited, succeeded in engaging the viewer and stimulating an active discussion, around the full potential of Tony’s idea.
That went well 🙂
Comments/Reflection
I’d been away in Wales from the Friday until the night before the presentation was due. I’d worked out the idea whilst away so that was all set and I was happy with the work, however I had to pull it together in time to present at the Thursday webinar.
I spent the day working on the images and the running order but was actually finishing off the slides as the other were presenting – the plan was to share my screen to go through mine to give the maximum time rather than the 3pm cut-off – a few technical hitches but we got it going.
It was a good exercise in keeping deadlines (and my nerves!) in check to be able to deliver without
I felt the talk-through was a bit wobbly and I was grinding to a halt at one point but overall I think it went well and I was happy with the feedback on the night, and also the feedback shown above. Listening back to the recording later I could still hear the wobble but maybe it’s because I knew it was there – hopefully the others didn’t notice it.
Taking the project further, time would be used to research and contact the photo archive to get more of an insight to how it works currently and also address the technology that would be needed to set up the system; how would a closed network be implemented around the town, what options for users without smartphones would there need to be in place, how to ensure the safety of the users whilst viewing through headsets, etc. Perhaps a pre-tour talk could cover these issues or have the option for a guide to lead the way and provide guidance on the technology as the tour goes along.
Feedback from Richard later was that it went well (once we got over the technical hitches) and there was no hint of the short amount of time taken to pull it together.
That went well 🙂
