Week 13 Log

Week 13 Log.

Beginning 02/01/2012

This week focused on the exploration of type 1 memory and the definition of the general project structure.

The general project structure is defined as being in two parts; a) capturing memory and b) responses (physical and virtual). However, what to capture, who to capture it from and how to subvert/reinterpret these is still undefined. So, exploration of every principle had to be executed.

Type 1 object memory in the brief is ‘objects storing memories’. A visual brainstorm was developed to explore this, and themes such as ‘objects sparking emotions’ i.e. memory triggers, ‘catalogues’ and ‘objects being given memories by their creator’ were identified. Type 1 memory was split into two parts: Memories actually stored in objects, and memories that the observer projects onto an object. With the first variety, the memories stay with the object no matter who it perceiving them. With the second variety, the memories are transient and change depending on the perceiver. The same object can hold different significances for different people. Object scenarios were created.

Following on from this was the idea that if memories are triggered by objects, they are not necessarily positive ones. A few general types of negative memories were identified: truly negative -or traumatic, pet hates (long-term personalised irritations) and things that people dislike on a particular day. For preliminary investigation, pet hates was selected, due to the fact that it wasn’t particularly personal so people were likely to share, yet they are personal enough to learn about said person.  The survey was designed using the DECIDE framework which was learnt from Prof. Kate Devlins’ user interface design lectures. The survey was designed and distributed using the surveymonkey tool and is available here. At this moment responses have been low further responses need to be gained before analysis.

Persuasive technology and ambient intelligence was briefly explored in their ability to ‘tap into’ users emotional states and execute responses based on this. This followed on from comparing positive and negative experiences and if these could be designed for.

The next area of exploration was the destruction of memory, which naturally follows on from the storage and triggering of memories by objects. If a memory is actually physically stored in an object (the first variety), it can be destroyed by destroying its form. However if a memory is ‘projected’ onto an object, destroying that object does not destroy the memory as it is stored in the person that perceives it. By destroying its form we can destroy the connection to it and therefore not ‘spark’ said memory. However, if the object is important to a person they will notice that it is gone and it may even have the opposite effect. By destroying the physical ‘link’ that the object represents, they may have attention drawn to the memory and it may become more prevalent in their mind. Other people might not notice this ‘link’ unless they are told about it, and therefore these memories go unnoticed by them. Where memories are projected onto objects, these are harder to notice than those physically stored. These objects have ‘stories’.

Summary

This week has yielded interesting areas for design interventions and concepts. The next week will explore the remaining three areas and a final project proposal will be developed. The IDEO method of shadowing as well as personal journals will be useful in noticing the unnoticed. Investigation has so far been about noticing the unnoticed and noticed memories stored in particular objects and how objects can be involved by subverting memories and reinterpreting them differently. However this has not as yet been linked to particular people or groups of people and it needs to be. User investigation is crucial at this stage now that areas have been identified in theory.  Categories  have to be explored in the real world as well as in theory. Type one memory leads to type two – objects store memories and then they create new ones. There is the potential for ‘projected’ type one memories to be actually captured and then new memories created from them.

Goals:

·         Explore all four principles thoroughly

·         Notice the unnoticed

o   Investigate people

o   Look at what objects they come into contact with, and what is type 1, 2, 3 or 4

·         Explore concepts visually

·         Use type 1 & 2 to lead types 3 & 4.

o   Note: Do not use potential outcome techniques to lead what is collected. Lots of memory interpretation methods are available, but don’t lead investigation with this.

·         Develop final project proposal

Deadline: Monday 16^th January