Therese+D'Souza

= CCT333: Week 1 = = =  **Question 1: Describe the unusual business model used in the ipod's fabrication as developed by Apple. **  Apple strategically designed their products from the outside in. They focused on their sleek and elegant design in order to appeal to their customers. Next, they incorporated all the vital elements, such as the battery, memory, etc. Ultimately, the designers had to determine how to get all the necessary elements into the device, while still maintaining the desired look and feel of the product. Furthermore, they make their products user-friendly and easy to learn. Users are impressed by the look and design of the product and as a result, expect excellent quality. Apple has partnered with PortalPlayer and Portelligent Inc. to assist in the design process. The product goes through a design chain where each unit focuses on a certain aspect, including highest quality sound, off-the-shelf components, cost, and time to market. Once the products have been through each level of the chain, customers are drawn to purchase them.  **Question 2: What distinguishes the work of the team of Jobs and Ive in relation to products designed by Apple? What new materials are enabling different design?**

Apple products are distinguished by their design. When Jobs returned to Apple, he and Ive worked together to implement a new direction of plans and goals. Ive noted that Apple focused less on making money, where innovation and design became the core values. Ultimately this led to Apple's regrowth and success in their return to the market. Ive's describes that Apple products relay ease and simplicity to its users by paying attention to details. Apple can now advance their design with the new developments in Polymer; the ability to combine different plastics and metals to create a better functioning product.

**Question 3: Describe the importance of Apple's design team. Are other companies trying to compete with Apple by creating their own design teams?**  

The design team is comprised of a small group of individuals working together with a shared goal and vision. Many times, design ideas were thought up in an informal meeting. The design team is able to create a well-designed product that anyone would want to buy, even if they weren't necessarily inclined to use it. Dell, Microsoft, and Hewlett-Packard are trying to create their own design teams. However, it is difficult to compete with Apple's teams because they are so small and focus on a small range of products. Other companies focus on larger scales, making it difficult to delve into the details.

= CCT333: Week 2 =

 **Question 1: List the three definitions of 'ergonomics'.**

1. An applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely —called also //biotechnology human engineering human factors// (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

2. <span class="sense_content">The design characteristics of an object resulting especially from the application of the science of ergonomics (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

3. The study of people’s efficiency in their working environment (Compact Oxford Dictionary).

<span style="color: rgb(111, 45, 149);">**Question 2: Read each of the task analyses and case studies at** [|**http://www.ergonomics.org.au/ergonomics/case_studies.html#case6**]**. Choose one of the case studies, and add an additional recommendation to one of them in step two as 'advice'.** Case Study 2: Hospitality and Serving Food

Advice: A rolling device to slide the trays from the trolleys onto the table to avoid spills on the customers or the floor, as well as avoiding heavy lifting.

<span style="color: rgb(111, 45, 149);">**Question 3: Find an example of a product which is ergonomically sound, and add a link to an article about this product.**

Ergonomically sound product: Ergonomic Office Chairs

http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/ergonomics-workplace-overview http://www.safetyoffice.uwaterloo.ca/hse/office_ergo/ergochair.htm

= = = CCT333: Week 3 =

<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 130);">**Tutorial Question: Choose a country on the web site's map, and read through the description of the products designed for that country. List five characteristics of socially responsible product design.**

One laptop per child 1. Bringing learning, communication, and information to children in developing countries through a compact and foldable laptop. 2. Cutting-edge technology, with built in wireless and screen designed for readability in outdoor sunlight. 3. Governments can purchase them for only $100 and distribute them to the schools directly. 4. Fun for children to use. 5. Durable for extreme weather conditions; eg. Extreme humidity.

= CCT333: Week 4 = <span style="color: rgb(66, 113, 4);">**<span style="color: rgb(25, 133, 28);"><span style="color: rgb(66, 194, 102);">Tutorial Question: Write three paragraphs on how Annie Leonard defines the system of the 'materials economy' and describe its interactions. ** Annie Leonard explains that the materials economy involves the extraction, production, distribution, consumption, and disposal of the products or materials we possess. She further explains that this system may seem straightforward and logical, but it is actually in crisis. This system affects society, culture, the environment, and other aspects of the world and pushing it to the limit. People live and work along this system. The government is responsible for taking care of its people and looking out of their concerns and well-being. However, since the corporation has grown and expanded, it has become more powerful than the government. The government now focuses its efforts on the corporations as opposed to its people.

Corporations use extraction to exploit natural resources in order for to create goods, which results in a scarcity of resources. Corporations even take the resources from third world countries and claim them as their own. People get valued by what they own and are able to buy. From extraction, the natural resources are moved to production. Energy is used to mix the natural resources with toxic chemicals to create toxic-contaminated products. The chemicals that go into these products have never been tested, nor have they been tested against their interaction with chemicals in our environment. This results in drastic health effects since people are ingesting and inhaling these chemicals. Toxins also leave the factory as a byproduct of production, drastically affecting the environment. Once the products are produced, they're distributed. Distribution involves keeping people buying and keeping the inventory moving through low pricing. This is done through externalizing the costs. The people paying for these products are those whose resources, clean air, and salary are exploited as a result.

People are able to buy these products at a considerably low price through this exploitation. In fact, 99% of them support and encourage the system by trashing their goods after 6 months of purchasing them. This results in consumerism. The government and corporations joined together to boost the economy. They revealed that the only way to boost the economy is to produce more consumer goods. The creation of goods are planned with the intention to be purchased, discarded, and replaced, such as computers, cameras, etc. Goods are also produced, purchased, and discarded, even though they are completely useful as a result of a perceived notion about a product. Fads change to keep consumers buying. Consumers learn about new products through advertisements and media. These ads make people unhappy with what they have. Individuals only focus on the shopping. In fact, the national happiness declined at the same time consumption mania increased. The cycle is encouraged through television and media encouraging shopping, working to pay for the shopping, and then engaging in media which encourages more shopping. Once all of these products are purchased, the old ones need to be discarded. This leads to disposal. The products are either dumped in a landfill or burned in an incinerator and then dumped into the landfill. This results in polluted air and water, affecting climate temperatures. Ultimately, the materials economy focuses on money for the corporations and government and a lack of concern for the people living in this world. The people are now stepping up to make a change, including renewable resources and an overall green approach.

= CCT333: Week 5 =

<span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(249, 0, 255);"> <span style="color: rgb(209, 31, 135);">**<span style="color: rgb(237, 137, 18);"> Question 1: Research the definition of 'bodystorming', and write a paragraph describing its characteristics. **

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Bodystorming is a technique used by designers to further develop and experience an idea before its produced and hits the market. Rather than designers just discussing the idea during a meeting, they actually physically try the ideas with their body. It's the action-based version of brainstorming. Designers put themselves into the situation as if they are the users. They try to think and behave in ways their expected market would behave if they were actually using the product. However, bodystorming is often criticized since the opinions are based on the designers' thoughts as opposed to the end user's. **<span style="color: rgb(237, 137, 18);"> <span style="color: rgb(237, 137, 18);"> Question 2: D escribe the information revealed to the researchers in the three different case studies for one paragraph each. **

Visual Impairment - Blindness In order to simulate this disability, the participant was blindfolded and given a walking stick. To cope with this disability, the individual counted her steps to create a mental model of her location. Initially she felt disoriented and dependent. However, she was able to use sound and touch to understand her surroundings. Her other senses were heightened and as a result, she felt more mobile.

Cognitive - Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) In order to simulate this disability, the participant had to correctly recite telephone numbers while completing math problems. He felt frustrated by his constant mistakes. The solution required clear narration of instructions and enjoyable, yet challenging activities to improve attention.

Motor - Chronic Arthritis In order to simulate this disability, the participant had pens and pencils taped to his fingers covered with gloves. This condition caused fear in the participant, even in normal day-to-day situations. He felt a fear of injury because he had less control of his hands. Also, since he was unable to easily function his hands, he had to exert more energy. This resulted in higher anxiety. To cope with this disability, the participant took safer routes, more space to pass items, and dealing with products composed of unbreakable materials. Also, to further assist the participant, speech recognition could be developed more extensively.

= CCT333: Week 6 = <span style="color: rgb(249, 26, 154);"> **<span style="font-size: 70%; color: rgb(77, 164, 203);"> <span style="color: rgb(77, 164, 203); font-size: 110%;">Tutorial Question: What are his definitions for these three stages of adoption, and how did he apply them to his case study of a camera? Write one clear paragraph for each of his definitions, listing their attributes in relation to the development of the camera. Can you think of another consumer product which has undergone similar developments? Name it. **

Enthusiast Stage This relates to individuals that love and appreciate a form of technology in an aesthetic way. Although this new technology may be difficult to use, these individuals enjoy the challenge. The 35mm cameras used by the astronauts in the 50's were very difficult to use, but that changed once they were in the hands of the enthusiasts. The enthusiasts want the product's capabilities to be recognized and exploited.

Professional Stage At this stage, the enthusiasts take the difficult technology and make it practical for everyday use. The 35mm camera was then created with stable controls, but was still highly manual. Professional photographers were able to use this camera since they were able to learn the controls and the technicalities. The professionals want to make use of the technology in a practical and valued way.

Consumer Stage This occurs when a mass number of users begin adopting the product and the product reaches the price point. The price point is where the product is at a reasonable price for consumers. This is where the priorities for the product changes; most of the important controls become automatic. For example, instead of the user adjusting the flash, exposure, focus, etc. on the camera, the user can now let the camera do that automatically. The consumer uses the product to fit in with their lifestyle and serve for enjoyment purposes.

Another Consumer Product Undergoing Similar Developments -Cell phones

= CCT333: Week 7 = <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Question 1: Write a description of interaction architecture as defined by Mat Hunter and Rikako Sakai in relation to their work with Kodak in 1995. **

Interaction architecture can be defined as an extensible set of rules that would allow multiple products to be designed in a series. Kodak created a user experience prototype (UEP) to establish their product idea. Kodak's prototype portrayed the central idea of the product. It revealed that the camera could allow the user to review, delete and share photos on the device itself. Later, Kodak implemented this into their 210 series camera which became a top seller. Another feature introduced to Kodak cameras was Photostitch. The feature was first tested for usability and errors were fixed. Photostitch was tested in relation to the way people interacted with product, and designed to meet that interaction.

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">**Question 2: How does the author define 'leading questions' and 'hypothetical questions'? Write a paragraph each to define these terms.**

Leading Questions These type of questions imply a certain answer. The problem usually lies within the choice of answers. The choices must cover all the possible answers; the answers are all equally probable. The question must also consider other alternatives or reasons why the participant might have a varying answer. For example, it would be better to give the participant the ability to choose the extent that they agree with a statement as opposed to a yes or no choice of answer.

Hypothetical Questions These questions are based on the possibility of something occurring. They force participants to think about something they've never considered before. However, since these opinions are fluid, they cannot produce clear and accurate data. It is better to ask questions that produce real data.

=<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center; display: block;">CCT333: Week 8 = <span style="color: rgb(142, 25, 210);">**<span style="color: rgb(108, 43, 136);">Tutorial Question: In three paragraphs, describe the role of Jan Chipchase in defining the role of cellphones in the developing world for Nokia, and the benefits of analyzing cellphone use and design in different cultures as part of their market expansion. ** Jan Chipcase travels around the world as a human-behaviour researcher to discover the developing trends of the cellphone in the developing world. Chipcase carries around a camera in order to track the interesting information he comes across in relation to cellphone use. He has realized that the cellphone has become a fixed piece of our identity. Chipcase has also discovered that different people require different needs for their cellphones depending on their circumstances. For example, a man from Mumbai had to keep his cell phone high above the ground to protect it from the monsoon-season. This reinforces user-centred design. Instead of marketing the cell phones all over the globe, Chipcase discovers the specific needs according to their living conditions.

The cellphone benefits its users through a manufacturing concept called "just-in-time". Users are able to coordinate meetings without having to plan them in advance. Meetings can occur when they are needed. Now 80% of the world's population live within the range of a cellular network. These cellphone towers are much less costly and easier to provide. Some people are even spending on telecommunication devices before their basic needs are met. The cell phone provides users with a fixed identity, where they still have a callback number even when their homes are displaced by war, flood, etc. Text messaging can even be used to send medical reminders or to ask questions on culturally taboo medical conditions.

Developing countries are able to stimulate their economies through market expansion. Cellphones are revolutionizing this process as people are buying cellphone kits and then charging people for incoming and outgoing calls and making a profit as a result. This uses the bottom-up approach of stimulating the economy as opposed to the traditional top-down approach. The cellphone empowers the individuals because they are now given the opportunity of entrepreneurship. Although the cellphone is a common social device in North America, it is a very powerful tool for business and day-to-day living in the developing world.

= CCT333: Week 9 = <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 130);"> Describe how he defines 'design as a collaborative process', and cite two examples of how creators involve the people they want to create for in their work, according to Bill Moggridge's lecture.** **Find an online example of a product which utilizes his principles of collaborative design, add its URL, and describe its design in three sentences.**
 * Tutorial Question:

Moggridge explains that when designing objects for everyday life, it's important to know about the physical size of people in relation to the object being designed. If the object is movable, then it is the designer must consider how the human body works. Since design is becoming more computer-based, it is important that the interface is effective for interaction. It relates to designing according to the way people think, cultural differences, sociology in regards to the way people are connected to each other. In order to meet these different areas of design, designers must work in teams to cover all necessary elements included in a design. The group must be closeknit with the belief that the sum of their minds will work better than their individual minds. Designers must also keep in mind the people they are designing for and work with them through the development process. One group of designers collaboratively created a work cubicle to make it more socially appealing. Another group used this process in designing was the Red Cross Society. The donaters felt enabled by the design because it was humanized and made people involved in the process in a more human way.

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/cfsi-icse/cil-cai/magazine/0407/magazine-en.asp?txt=2-1&lv=2 The Centre for Intercultural Learning and Canada’s Official Development Assistance program work collaboratively in designing a system to undertake successful international mission. The programs use the participants' experiences within the curriculum of the courses. Ultimately, the two programs maximize their knowledge and experience to benefit their effectiveness to their participants and programs.

= CCT333: Week 10 = <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(33, 94, 33);">**<span style="color: rgb(25, 103, 164);"><span style="color: rgb(66, 194, 102);">Tutorial Question: <span style="color: rgb(66, 194, 102);">W ** <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(66, 194, 102);">**rite a short, one paragraph synopsis for each of your three favourite product designs.**

Echolocation - Sonar Enabled Cane This design mimics the way bats navigate their way around using echolocation. The cane works effectively for the visually impaired as it uses echolocation to navigate through dark rooms, in order to prevent collisions. The cane sends out sound waves to detect upcoming objects and transmits a signal back to the user through the handle of the cane. Avian Elements - High Speed Train This train design was created by mimicking the owls, one of the quietest birds. The train was designed like the owl's feathers in order to reduce noise generated by the train's pantograph. The nose cone of the train mimics the kingfisher's beak. This enables the train to run at high speeds since it's aerodynamic. The train is able to pass through tunnels into open air with minimal noise. This is similar to how the kingfisher is able to dive into water with minimal resistance.

Keeping the Bugs Out - Antibacterial Film This design is mimicked after natural elements, such as seaweed, that works to prevent bacteria from gathering. This design is applied to contact lenses as it prevents bacteria from gathering, as opposed to killing it. When bacteria is killed, it develops into stronger and resistant strains of bacteria. This design helps prevent bacteria from developing into more harmful bacteria.

= CCT333: Week 11 = <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(25, 103, 164);">**Question 1: How would you describe web <span style="color: rgb(25, 103, 164);"> accessibility?**

Web accessibility relates to the ease of obtaining Internet access and the ability to make use of all the Internet has to offer. The Internet has provided accessibility for many people with disabilities. For example, blind people are able to listen to "screen readers" to read pages on the Internet. This accessibility has never or rarely existed before through other mediums, but the Internet makes it possible. Web accessibility allows more people to use the Internet more effectively in more situations.

<span style="color: rgb(25, 103, 164);">**Question 2: Who do you think benefits from accessible websites and how?**

Almost everyone benefits from accessible websites since these websites provide "helpful illustrations, properly-organized content and clear navigation" to effectively present ideas and convey information. For example, captions on a video can be helpful for a deaf user, but also helpful for a user who doesn't have speakers on his/her computer.

<span style="color: rgb(25, 103, 164);">**Question 3: Do you think your website/blog should be accessible? Should all Canadian websites?**

I believe all websites should be accessible. Web accessibility provides equal opportunity to individuals that just need the opportunity to easily access information. The Canadian Human Rights Act of 1977 states, "All individuals should have an equal opportunity with other individuals to make for themselves the lives that they are able and wish to have and to have their needs accommodated, consistent with their duties and obligations as members of society, without being hindered in or prevented from doing so by discriminatory practices based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, **disability** or conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted". Therefore, it is vital that all Canadian websites are accessible in order to assist the disabled to access information with the same ease as those without disabilities.

<span style="color: rgb(25, 103, 164);">**Question 4: What do you think is the biggest challenge of making a website accessible?**

Since there are so many websites on the Internet, it would be impossible to go back to all of them and make them accessible. The biggest challenge in web accessibility would be for people with disabilities affecting their motor skills, such as their hands. It would be very difficult for a user to navigate through the Internet without being able to use a mouse or keyboard.