D.R.P

Digital Research Portfolio

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Hearing Aids - How They’re Made

For hearing aids to work and be comfortable for the specific user, an imprint of their ear needs to be made by an audiologist. This is done by pouring a silicone material into the patient’s ear which then hardens and is removed from the ear to be sent to a manufacturer to be made into the actual hearing aid. The imprint is what is used to make the silicone mould, which creates the shell of the hearing aid when filled with acrylic and hardened using an ultraviolet oven. To allow the electrical components to be added, holes are drilled into the hearing aid. Wires are attached to the components (volume control, amplifier, and microphone) to connect them to the battery which is then installed. Most hearing aids use zinc-air cells which are powered by oxygen, a few use mercury batteries. The size of the battery depends on the type and size of the hearing aid, smaller types last about three to five days, whereas the larger ones can last up to two weeks. When finished the surface of the hearing aid is polished, and the product can then be analysed to check it is correct for the specific user.

Image credits: http://www.centuryhearingaids.com/how-a-hearing-aid-works   *    http://hearraid.com/2013/07/18/aid-hearing-repair-supply-toronto/

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Robots4Autism

Branching off from more physical forms of disability, I decided to consider what has been done to improve and help those with mental, learning and developmental disabilities. I came across a video explaining the relatively new way of teaching children with autism social behaviours, Robots4Autism.

Milo is the humanoid robot that engages with children to deliver research based lessons, this can be used by parents, teachers and therapists. The lessons can help children understand emotions and the meaning behind them as well as different expressions, it then demonstrates appropriate responses and behaviour. Many children with autism feel uncomfortable talking with or even looking at human therapists, but research has found that they engage with Milo much easier. The robots have seen improvements in eye contact, self-motivation, body language and more.

Milo is partially plastic and has been designed with a humanoid face, which is still relatively cartoon like to engage younger children, and is built with a full range of facial muscles to allow the robots to show human emotions and expressions. The robots also move, listen and talk as naturally as possible, the speech has been made to be slower than normal to make them easier to understand.

The technology behind Milo includes a HD camera that allows the robot to pick up on faces and facial expressions, movement, objects, and gestures. There is an internal computer that runs all movement, intelligence and the teaching programs. The built in sensors allow it to detect faces, motion and touch; these are paired with microphones that listen, speak and record. There is advanced artificial intelligence behind the robots, called CompuCompassion by the company, that allows them to analyse the interactions with the children and make teaching decisions based on this.

These robots are two feet tall and designed around the strengths of children with autism, with many excelling in technology. They are accompanied by a tablet on which the children can use the robot interface and watch videos of real life social situations. The parents are given a DVD which explains how to view recordings and monitor the progress data recorded by the robot. This highly advanced technology and design has proven to be much more effective than humans when it comes to helping children with autism and could lead to less problems in later life for the users.

Image credits: http://www.robokindrobots.com/robots/    *    http://www.robokindrobots.com/robots-4-autism/

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Hearing Aids - Intro and the Different Types

To allow a person with hearing loss to listen, communicate and participate a lot better a hearing aid, an electronic device that fits inside or around the ear, can be worn. They can improve hearing in both noisy and quieter situations, however my research has shown me that only one in five people who would benefit from wearing a hearing actually wear one. This could be down to comfort as well as visual impact for more noticeable styles. My Dad suggested looking into this area of disability as he has worn quite a few types of hearing aids himself being completely deaf in one ear and partially in the other.

The makeup of a hearing aid includes a speaker, a microphone and an amplifier. They work by receiving the sounds through the microphone, which converts the waves into electrical signals and then sends them to the amplifier. The amplifier increases the power of these signals which are then sent to the speaker where the wearer hears them. There are four different types of hearing aids currently available, these are: Behind the ear (BTE), In the ear (ITE), In the canal (ITC), and Completely in the canal (CIC).  Making hearing aids is a customised process to fit the wearer, a mold of their ear is taken at the very beginning of the manufacturing. I will look further into how hearing aids work in a following post.

I did some research into why people choose/ prefer the different types of hearing aids. Behind the ear styles can fit any type of hearing loss, mild or serious. They have an ear mold to fit the user and the longer shape often means more power as well as features that can fit. Less repairs are reported due to having most of the electrical components lie behind the ear, preventing max and moisture damage. Different colours are available for both the backing and the ear mold, which can be replaced when needed as can the tubing that connects the parts. These are said to be better for children. 

In the ear hearing aids fit completely in the outer ear, and the electrical components are encased in hard plastic. This style allows the added feature of a telecoil, which is a small magnetic coil that gives the wearer an alternative to hearing the sound through the microphone, instead the sound is heard through the security of the hearing aid itself. This makes phone conversations a lot more audible. Some public facilities/places have an induction loop system installed that is a special sound system to help those with hearing aids, these systems can be found in many schools, churches, airports etc.

Hearing aids that fit into the canal, both the completely in canal and just in the canal are made to fit to the size of the wearers ear canal, where they are positioned in the ear gives this style a higher cosmetic appeal. They can be used for both mild or more severe hearing loss. Due to their size there is not as much room for batteries or features such as the telecoil, and don’t normally come with volume controls or program buttons. They are also reportedly more difficult to remove as well as adjust.

Problems that I have found that are commonly said with hearing aids are background noise, phone feedback, own voice sounds too loud, comfort and more. Having found this area rather interesting I want to explore these further as well as conduct some primary research. I believe I will also look into implantable hearing aids/ help.

 Image credit: http://www.healthyhearing.com/help/hearing-aids/types

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Visual Impediments - A Few Considerations

There are many aspects to think about when designing for the visually impaired. One issue I’ve considered is designing contact lenses for different eye shapes, different uses, different prescriptions, how long they’re worn for etc. The materials used for contact lenses varies for the three different types: Soft lenses, GP lenses, and Hard lenses. Soft lenses are made from hydrogels, which are gel-like, water containing plastics; these cover the whole of the cornea. An advanced type of soft lens is also available that transmits more oxygen to the eye than normal. GP lenses are made from waterless plastics and are smaller in diameter compared to soft lenses. Hard lenses are made from a more rigid plastic material, PMMA, that transmits no oxygen to the eye; these are rarely prescribed now. On top of considering the material, size and fit (diameter and curvature) of contact lenses, during the design other aspects need to be considered. Whether or not to include colouring to the lenses, to either enhance the colour of the user’s eyes, as a prosthetic to hide any disfigurements, or for special effect (different designs for fancy dress). Some lenses can also protect from UV rays and many more features are available for different needs.

Web designers, graphic designers and many others have to think about typography when taking the visually impaired into account. The choice of typeface when designing a document, website or others is much less important than the contrast, type size, spacing of the character, and weight. Some of the wackier typefaces could be quite inappropriate when designing for those with worsened vision, especially for continuous text, as could italics. When looking into the most commonly used sizes I found that for the partially sighted 9-12pt is considered to be the minimum, but font and weight need to be thought about. Many may believe that a bolder weighted text would be easier for all to read, however recent findings have shown that a medium boldness is more legible. I also read how the spacing between lines should be a minimum of 2pt for font sizes 14pt to 20pt, and that shorter lines are preferred by those with sight issues (50-65 characters’ max). Designers should also consider using recognisable patterns when it comes to levels of headings, numerical systems, and treatment of specific text.

Where many need glasses to see, myself included, some wear them for fashion purposes. There is a lot less shock as it were with sight correcting ‘accessories’ compared to products that help with movement for example. There are so many different designs when it comes to glasses, with many taking pride in choosing branded styles such as Ray Ban, or Calvin Klein etc. Different aspects of the design process create unique and desirable frames that even those who don’t need to, wear them. The vast variety of materials available on current glasses range from metals, to different plastics and even timbers. On top of materials, there are all sorts of styles to suit peoples wants and needs be it sport, fashion or practicality. Thinking about how fixing a sight problem can be fashionable reminds me of a quote from Design Meets Disability by Graham Pullin, “Why shouldn’t wearing hearing aids be as fashionable as eyewear?”.

It may not be an actual product or design consideration as such, but laser eye surgery is available to those who want to completely eradicate their sight problem. There are a number of different types of surgery that improve vision, an example and one of the most common is LASIK, which is short for laser in-situ keratomileusis. This type of surgery reshapes underlying corneal tissue to allow light to be properly focused into the eye and onto the retina. There have been amazing advancements in this area of eye healthcare and many who have the surgery report seeing better after than any other time in their lives.

Although there are many products that are available and aspects to consider when designing for visually impaired people, I don’t believe I will focus in on this area of design due to there being, in my opinion, much less for me to consider in part B of my Personal Design Project. This is also due to the fact that I’m quite happy wearing glasses and contact lenses with no major changes in mind at the moment.

Image credits: http://www.selectspecs.com/glasses/ray-ban/rx5150-1-2/ss129.30.html    *    https://www.opticiantraining.com/tips-increasing-year-supply-contact-lens-package-sales/

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Design Ethics - Personal Design Project Introduction

When presented with this brief, I wanted to choose an area that I have never really looked into before, one that I can start researching with a completely open mind. I chose to look into Inclusivity within design after delving into a few areas of design ethics. I mainly want to explore how design is affected by disability and how people with disabilities are affected by design. I began researching into different types of disability and whether people who face these challenges are taken into consideration by designers.

You’re considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. Many designers dedicate their lives and work to helping the disabled live their lives as normally as any other by developing products and structures such as ramps, hearing aids and incorporating brail where possible. An interesting field I could look into could be development of technology for those who can only learn visually or who have other learning disabilities. I’ve also started reading into new technologies that help children with autism learn about social situations and facial expressions that was unavailable even a few years ago.

I don’t want to limit myself to what is being done in more developed countries such as the UK and America that can afford more aid for the disabled, but also what can be done worldwide to help everyone in poorer countries. There has already been research into how persons with disabilities can experience being economically worse off than the able bodied, I want to see what can be done from a design point of view to prevent and help this get better.

There are so many areas I can explore with this brief, from prosthetic limbs, to laser eye surgery. I am going to conduct research into products that are already available and being used worldwide by people with disabilities, as well as current and rising technologies that attempt to help or even fix impairments. Another area I could consider looking into is how the disabled have been considered by designers of buildings and structures and where any major drawbacks lie. Aesthetics of products for the disabled, such as the form of prosthetic limbs, making them more lifelike, or glasses frames is another issue I will touch on. Why can’t hearing aids or walking sticks be as fashionable as eyewear? After exploring all the many possibilities I can look into with this topic I have grown a new interest into an area of design I have never really considered before.    

Images: http://www.specsavers.com.au/glasses/mens-glasses *  https://toindependenceandbeyond.wordpress.com/wheelchair-management/  *  http://www.love2hear.com/hearingaids.html

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BMW i8 - Design Museum Product Review

Having been asked to write a review on a piece of work from the recent trip to the Design Museum in London I decided to look into a product I wouldn’t normally choose. I would say I have a healthy interest in cars, but have always been more of a Land Rover Defender kind of girl over sports or super cars. That probably sparks from living on the wet and muddy Norfolk coast.

The BMW i8 caught my eye whilst browsing the exhibition, and like many hopeful teenagers the first thing I did was take a snap and send it to the parents with the caption ‘Birthday present?’. It didn’t go down well; I’ll have to stick to the Corsa for now. The car was first introduced as the BMW Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics, a plug-in hybrid sports car. It is the second model in the BMW i series, following the BMW i3. The designers; Mario Majdandzič (Vision Efficient Dynamics), Benoit Jacob (production i8), Richard Kim (2011 i8 Concept), obviously took the environment into account when creating the car. Giving the product a three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine alongside two additional electric motors to help reduce emissions and use an alternative to a full petrol or diesel engine. This has obvious positives, from using less petroleum, which is considered a non-renewable source, to eliminating the problem of range anxiety that comes with owning an all-electric vehicle as the combustion engine works as a backup in the circumstance of depleted batteries. The cost of running a plug-in hybrid for all electric operation can be considerably less than petrol/ diesel. The lithium-ion battery pack allows up to 35km all-electric usage, the location of which has been carefully considered to give the car a low center of gravity which enhances dynamics.

When researching further into the technology behind this car, I found that all four wheels provide regenerative breaking. This is a system that reduces wasted energy through heat due to friction by converting the kinetic energy into a form that can be either stored or used immediately.

All this energy saving technology will have had to be carefully thought out by the designers and engineers, as well as the aesthetic appeal of the car, and materials used. The main framework of the i8 is aluminium, and the body is carbon fiber reinforced plastic making it a lightweight model and rather sustainable model. The sleek design is something that will appeal to many, the i8 carries on the ‘black belt’ feature from the first i series car in a sort of ‘V’ shape. There are many futuristic aspects to the product, including the butterfly door opening system as well as the advanced interior, where the Eco-friendly aspect has been considered once more as well as sustainability with the leather surfaces of the door and side trim being complimented by recycled functional textile highlights.

After reading into this design and the whole ground-breaking concept of plug-in hybrid cars, I’ve found out why it made an appearance in the Design Museum. Like I said, I’ve never been one for super cars but if anyone has a spare £100,000 or so lying around I wouldn’t mind taking it off your hands to invest in the efficient i8.

Doors open image credit: http://www.autoblog.com/2016/01/15/bmw-i8-wait-but-why/

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Visual Essay - ‘Designed to Throw’

My chosen subject theme for our visual essay was an issue around a products lifespan. The two most commonly seen thrown away products for me are gum, cigarettes and gum packets. Our usage time for them is so short, but the time the stay stuck and littering the ground is far longer. Do we really want such products to last so long?

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Wi-Fi Tattoos - Fictional Future Narrative

“Ok then Mrs. Long, the machines finished programming now, if you could just place your arm exactly how it shows you on the screen. Once its positioned correctly the light will return to green and the straps will come on, they’re quite sudden so don’t be alarmed. I can adjust the tightness for you once everything’s in place”

It’s strange how tattoos used to be done using a gun not much bigger than my own hand, and now they’re put on using what looks like an industrial printer with cameras and screens at every angle. Quite daunting really seeing as I’m only getting the standard symbol at the minimum size possible. I’ve put it off for a while, I’ve had the ‘do I, don’t I’ argument with myself for more than 8 months. I mean, it’s permanent. What if it goes wrong? What if it turns me into a robot?

The lights gone green, and the technician was right, those straps were sudden. The screens around me show a live image of my arm, and a digital animation of how the tattoo will be transferred, I’m not fond of either so I just look down. The whole building is full of posters and screens reassuring me of how safe, accurate and reliable the ‘smart pigments’ in the ink are.

“How long does it take?”

“About five minutes to transfer the tattoo, and then a further 10 to activate the Nano-pigments”

The smart board in front of me shows a slideshow advertising the new upgraded ink that can flash or glow for certain notifications depending on your preferences. That was a definite no in my books, but half the people I know have opted for it. “Barely notice it” they say.  The next slide shows all the unique and elaborate designs you can opt for with the symbol basically hidden for an extra small fortune.

“If you’re ready Mrs Long I’ll give the machine the go ahead.”

I nod and he waves his hand across the control panel and the light turns white. The machine is noiseless which is slightly disturbing really. ‘Stay completely connected wherever you are, whenever you need to’ the board ahead flashes. Animations of people paying with their hand using the ‘Wi-Fi- wallet’ system, using their tablets in the middle of nowhere, and being alerted about a new text from their mum with a flash take up the rest of the slideshow.

What must have been 15 minutes later, I feel the protective plastic on my forearm and the straps release.

“The pack you’ll get from reception has all the information you need for after care and the dates you need to return for reactivation and repayment, if you don’t return the technology will stop working and the tattoo will turn a pale grey until you do. Enjoy the rest of your day and being connected wherever you go”

How many times has he said that line today I wonder? Down the corridor there’s about a dozen technicians inputting design data on a program that looks a bit like paint to me. I grab the pack from the drawer flashing my name. As the technician said, it has all the information and the code I need to activate the settings from my phone. I guess that’s it then, I’m connected wherever I am, whatever I’m doing.

                                           *       *       *       *       *

The idea behind this fictional narrative set 25 years into the future is the development of a smart ink that is made up of nanotechnology filled pigments that enable you to have Wi-Fi wherever you go when used in a tattoo that has to be in a way ‘printed’ on. I have played with the idea that you can upgrade your tattoo to have it flash or even glow for certain notifications. The tattoo can be any design you wish, but must incorporate the Wi-Fi symbol in it. After a year of having the tattoo it will turn a light grey and will no longer work, meaning people will have to return to have it ‘reactivated’ following a second payment. My thought is that you have to activate it using a code through a smartphone to mean the Wi-Fi could only be used on your own devices and not by others. 

Image: http://www.pana-wifi.com/ 

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Why Do I Design?

For some people choosing a future career was pretty simple, they may have had their heart set on one from an early age. My original career choice, like many ambitious four year olds, was to be an astronaut. This slowly evolved into wanting to become an artist, followed by a photographer, and finally a designer. Although I have never been terrible at the more academic subjects, there has always been a much stronger appeal towards the more creative ones. One of the most frequent questions I am asked, be it by friends, family members or for university work, is ‘What is design to me?’. Attempting to answer such a broad and quite frankly difficult question gets me thinking. There is this incredible freedom when it comes to the world of design that I’ve realised I am really drawn to, in many cases having next to no limit of possibilities is quite a feeling. If you can think it, you can design it, even if the technology hasn’t been developed and isn’t even on the horizon for the next few decades.

Like many aspiring designers I can find myself doodling out a new bottle opener design or even filling a page with cubes as I’ve been told to do as often as possible far too many times. Although I like to focus on things I feel like developing, I really enjoy working to a brief. Being presented with a problem and given the opportunity to end up with your very own solution is extremely satisfying to me. I may not always be completely happy with my outcomes, but that’s just me as a person and always has been my critical attitude towards my own work. Excluding my dad, the salesman, I come from a rather arty background, with my mum studying art when she was younger and becoming a web designer. My sister also has a knack for designing clothes, one of which was my year 11 prom dress, she also set up a small photograph drawing business on the side of her Astrophysics degree. I feel this has influenced me leaning towards the creative areas of life as well as my love for design.  

Where many wouldn’t bat an eyelid, I find it fascinating how everything has been designed, from the aeroplane to the paperclip. Someone has found or been presented with a problem and has solved it no matter how big or small. It wasn’t until A Levels that I really started viewing everything as designed and thought out by someone/ a group of people. Items I use every day have been carefully thought out and structured, which could have taken days, or it could have taken decades. From this realisation, I’ve gotten into the habit of trying to see the thought process behind products, and occasionally thinking of ways I would change them or how I would have solved the problem myself. This has also lead to a curiosity of materials and how they’ve been used and where, as well as considering alternatives.

The form of a product is something that’s really important to me. Although I do appreciate all areas of design, there are some I am fonder of than others. I am a big fan of minimalist and cubist design, and admire work from people such as Anne Truitt, Dan Flavin, and Donald Judd. Colour is a significant component in all of their works, the placing of which has obviously been cleverly thought out to give the full effect of the piece to the viewers. I am also very appreciative of buildings and their exteriors can be a large influence to me and some of my work. I am in love with many minimalist modern house designs and structures, but also have so much respect and awe for more traditional ones too. Studying in Nottingham gives me the good fortune of being able to appreciate architecture such as that in the Lace Market.

Why do I design? My personal strong points, skills, interests, personal life and the evolution of my career choices over the last 18 years has lead me to this want and love for designing. To have the possibility to one day make a living from doing something I enjoy so much motivates me greatly. I guess that’s why I design.

Images: http://abstractcritical.com/note/donald-judd-and-colour/  * http://www.annetruitt.org/exhibitions/anne-truitt-perception-and-reflection/installation   * http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/collections/about-the-collection/the-panza-collection-initiative/dan-flavin

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The Chelsea Boot...

With Queen Victoria being the first owner of a pair of Chelsea boots, then known as Paddock or Jodhpur boots, it’s safe to say they have a timeless charm. After the development of vulcanised rubber in 1839 by Charles Goodyear, they became a trend in the 1840s right up until the First World War in 1914. The most distinguishable feature of the boots has to be the elastic side, allowing users to effortlessly slip them on and off using the heel tab at the back.

The name Chelsea boot came around when a group made up of young artists, musicians, fashion designers and film directors, including names such as Mary Quant and Jean Shrimpton, were deemed the ‘Chelsea set’ by mainstream media. The group started frequenting the Kings Road area in West London, and favoured the then Paddock boots in the 1950s making them a must have leisure accessory once again.

Chelsea boots have earnt the title of ‘Design Icon’ in my eyes, withstanding the test of time for over a century. The cleverly constructed design pairs durability and comfort together. Whatever way they’re worn, be it in suede or with a Cuban heel, they visually represent the culture of its time. I’m obviously not the only one who thinks so with people such as Kanye West, Kate Moss, Tom Ford and loads more wearing them recently. Owning four pairs myself, you could say I’m a large fan of this design classic and how easy it is to dress them up or down depending on the occasion.  

Image credit: http://www.popsugar.com/fashion/photo-gallery/37754155/image/37754161/Casual-Sweatshirt-Chelsea-Boots