Week 2 - Origination

28/7/2010 - Week 2 - The Laws Of Somplicity

What does the acronym SHE mean according to the book?
SHE - Shrink, Hide and Embody
Shrink - to make the product smaller so it looks less complex to use.
Hide - hiding any unnecessary functions so the product looks simple and easy to use.
Embody - bringing it all together using the shrink and hide concepts.
In your own words define 'humanist technology'
Humanist technology is centered on the interests, need, and well-being of humans.
Making the design more humane.
Focusing on the needs and interest of humans though technology.
Making technology work for us.
How can you apply the notion of reduce to your own design process? (give a specific example)
Having the necessary information only.
instead of a big complex picture, have a small unique symbol.
brainstorm for a certain topic and take out all the irrelevant ideas.
reduce the size.
Dogma is a system of principles to reduce and embody. “The Vow Of Chastity”, is 10 vows of making a movie. To you make things happen when put under a lot of constraints.
"The simplest way to achieve simplicity is through thoughtful reduction" pg 1
From what you have read in chapter 1, explain the relationship between complexity and simplicity (give 3 specific examples from the book or your own experiences)
when something is complex that doesn't mean its going to be mind boggling, these days very small products are complex and i figure that the complexity is what makes something simple. for example the ipod, its very small and has very few buttons but it does so much. Having a intergrated circuit (IC) or computer chips as we know them are complex devices which enable smaller devices to be created.

"How simple can you make it, How complex does it need to be" pg 1

Exhibitions Planning
in our group we had to write down what the community would want to see in the exhibition.

Need notification prior so they can spread word of mouth
Advertising, billboards, noticeboards, blogs, community forms, tv, radio, markets, flyers, booth
Interaction and feedback forms
Food and drinks creates a good vibe
Volunteers for labour / skills - helps word of mouth
Accessibility essential
Atmosphere important: one theme or one for each department


Pros and Cons
Pros
CDU - i think its a good idea for the uni to provide food
-also a good idea to have an MC to open the exhibition

Student - i think its a good idea for the students to make the invites
- students should also be present at the time of the exhibitions

Industry - i think its a good idea to leave a contact form next to each artwork for industries if they are interested.
- its a good idea to have a guest log book for people to write their thoughts about the exhibition.

Cons
CDU - CDU shouldnt organize anything, let the students do it

Students - Students shouldnt provide the food as they will be to busy with work
- the students shouldnt come up with the budget because they could go over the top.

Industry - Dont like the rate my project
-i think formal cards sent out would be better then e-cards because emails could get lost within their inbox.