Technology Research - PG02 Cycle 3 (21 Jan 2013)

Technology Research:
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Technologies:
- Remote Technologies
- 3D Printed/Handmade Model
- Projector
- Camera/Webcam
- Touchscreen/Tablet
- Interaction software


1. Remote Technologies
Types:Using an IR sensor
http://learn.adafruit.com/ir-sensor/using-an-ir-sensor

With this tutorial an Infra red remote can be programmed to send an ON/OFF pulse to an Arduino circuit board using IR Command code.

IR Trans transforms your PC into a programmable remote control. It learns the codes of your remote control, stores them in a database and allows them to be controlled by your applications. You can control your PC with almost any remote control.
http://www.irtrans.com/en/index.php

Control your PC with a TV remote
http://www.8051projects.net/download-d188-control-your-pc-tv-remote.html

IR LED and IR RECEIVER

To set the PC/TV as a Media Remote:
http://esupport.sony.com/docs/imanual/NA/EN/hx750/mediaremote.html

You can control the TV using a smartphone with the “Media Remote” application installed, or using a PC with the “Remote Keyboard” application installed. To use your smartphone or PC as a TV’s remote control, register it to the TV as a remote device. (Registration is required only for the first time.)

IR (InfraRed) versus RF (Radio Frequency)
http://www.cypress.com/?docID=17300

Radio Frequency overcomes line of sight issues and range.



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2. 3D Printed/Handmade Model/No model
Types:


Question about the need for a model:
- 3D model - physical permanence of projections and island model settings - tied to exhibition and it's style.
- flat screen with island image - physical permanence of flatscreen, with flexible island projections of any island, in any part of the room, lends to being more flexible for future collections.

3. Projector
Types:
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/74117
LCD -
DLP - is based on an optical semiconducter called a DMD chip, which is made up of million of tiny mirrors, that can rotate at a 10 degrees angle. The mirrors are capable of switching on and off thousands of times per second, and are used to direct light towards and away from a dedicated pixel space. There is a high cost in producing the chips, and so LCD and CRT are more reasonable for cost.
CRT -


4. Camera/Webcam
Types:


5. Touchscreen/Tablet
Types:


6. Interaction software
Types:



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Prototype - PG02 Cycle 3 (23 Jan 2013)

Based on the findings from the research into the NMM, I put together a prototype to demonstrate the experience of the view of a set of islands, an island view, and an associated story and NMM collection image that is linked to the story.

Maps sourced from Google Maps
Interactions built in CSS3
Font set to Century Schoolbook
Images from NMM collection


Islands View/Welcome Screen

Island View

Island Story


Island Story - Large Image

Preparation for the Presentation/Revisit of Aims of the Brief - PG02-Cycle 3

Do I want to show a presentation? / Presentation file.
- it would help to structure discussion of the 5 week project.
---best presentation format:
- HTML/PREZI/POWERPOINT



Put together a prototype.

Discuss the debates.

What am I doing?

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Questions on Strategic Career Direction - 10 Jan 2012

Already into the new year, and realisation of the completion of the MA, I am questioning which strategic direction is best to take with my work.

Simply I see that there is my past work, my early MA work, my current MA work, my future MA work, and my future employment work.

1.past work,
2.early MA work,
3.current MA work,
4.future MA work,
5.future commerical employment work.

This has been my career progression

1999 - Graduated with a BA Hons in Graphic Design for Publishing
purpose: To gain work in Publishing

2000 - Retrained in Website Design, Graphical skills reduced in place of Website Skills
progression: Emerged as a designer/developer with Photoshop, HTML, CSS skills.
purpose: To become known as a Web Designer

2001 - Started working for System Simulation
skills learnt/developed: Print design, User interface design, Accessibility, Usability reviews, Corporate identity, HTML, CSS, Javascript. Design for Museums Sector, began early CMS knowledge - through Index+ CMS.

2005 - Travelled and worked in Canada
purpose: To gain international work experience, consider starting own company, build own portfolio.
skills learnt/developed: Flash. Actionscript learning.

2006 - Returned to UK
purpose: To return to work in the London scene and develop my portfolio of Website projects.

2007 - Started working for BPP
purpose: To become experienced as a technical Website Producer
skills learnt/developed: Dreamweaver, Flash, Actionscript, Immediacy CMS, Liferay CMS, Eloqua Email marketing, Website Banners, Wordpress, Google Analytics, Jquery, Wireframes. Design for Education/Financial sector.

2011 - Commenced MA in Interactive Digital Media
purpose: To strengthen my knowledge of Digital Media, gain interactive skills, add a qualification/certification to my commercial work.

2012 - Finished working for BPP
plan: To work for companies/work freelance.

2013 - Work for Startup at Google Campus on Tumblr Blog
purpose: Gain referral, recommendation.

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1.past work,
Static Websites/CMS-based Websites built with Dreamweaver, HTML and CSS

2.early MA work,
Chinese Language Learning Tool on Mobile/Ipad/Smartphone.
Early ideas about gaining work on Chinese websites, learning, and Chinese learning mobile applications
Learn about designing for devices other than PCs.

3.current MA work,
Physical piece of interaction.
Digital Projection mapping of images and stories onto a 3D printed model of an island.
Project between LCI and NMM
LCI: provides the projector or projection knowhow.
NMM: provides the space for the exhibition piece.
Learn about designing for interactives that are non-PC based.
interaction methods: touchscreen, mobile, gesture.

4.future MA work,

PG04 - Mobile Storytelling application

?
Possible directions depend on future direction.
4a)Mobile Application Design
future companies/future jobs.
Android iOS
UX/UI
Designing mobile internet sites for smartphones and tablets

4b)Physical Interactive Design
future companies/future jobs.
design for mobile
design for touchscreen
Interaction Designer
Exhibition Designer

4c)Email Marketing Design
- but does it look at interactivity?

4d)UI Design
- user interfaces for different forms of media.

4e)Digital Design
- designing for different forms of media.

4f)Storytelling Design
Multimedia producer
Digital producer
UX Designer

4g)Transmedia Design
TV producer
Multimedia developer
- experience with FinalCutPro
- AfterEffects
- Motion Graphics
- Gaming applications

5.future commerical employment work.

Several directions:
Jobtype:
1.Designer
2.Front-End-Developer
3.Consultant
4.Own company

Area of expertise:
1.Websites - Education/Publishing
2.Mobile applications
3.Email marketing
4.Physical interactives
5.Education/Language learning
6.Games applications
7.Transmedia
8.Video work

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Core future work:
1.Email Designer
- build email knowledge and best practice - SilverPop

2.Interactive Designer
- build application/touchscreen/gestural/ar/nfs/3d experience
knowledge of 3D programs/mapping/3D projection/3D printing

3.Website Designer
- build experience of PHP, Javascript, Jquery.

4.E-Learning Designer
- build experience of E-learning technologies

5.Narrative Designer
- build experience of interactive storytelling software/approaches

6.UI Designer
- build experience of designing with UI software, Axure, etc, build communication skills, Project management skills.

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Motion software:
AfterEffects
Flash
Premier

3D software:
Maya

PG02-Cycle3 (Island outlines and contours)

As there was a workshop scheduled for Laser Cutting from Illustrator files, I considered an Outline Map of the Island that could be drawn in Illustrator, and prepared for cutting. I would like to discuss material options with the cutter operator to see what is possible.

Google Maps View of Island

Outline Map drawn in Illustrator

Norwegian Polar Institute Map showing terrain on the island.

PG02 - Cycle3 - Research - Remote Islands (28 Dec 2012)

Improvements:
1.Research - 3D models of Maps - how to get the data

"3D Island Model"

Topographic Maps
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/Galapagos_Islands_topographic_map-fr.png

http://www.gelib.com/usgs-topographic-maps-2.htm

"how to convert a topographic map into a 3D terrain map"

Unity Terrain Map / Height Map


2.Research - How to take the 3D model and create a 3D print


3.Research - Projections


4.Research - Users/Audience


5.Book meeting with Henry/Lawrence - visit to NMM - to book on 2 Jan 2013


6.Talk to Jake - Rapid Prototyping - 9 Jan 2013, find in office/send email

7.Talk to Jeremy - Seascape - 9 Jan 2013, find in office/send email

8.Talk to Laura - previous project on 3D printing/Fungus/Artwork - 2 Jan 2013, email?

9.Talk to Lydia - projection - 9 Jan 2013, email address?

10.Has it been done before? - Top down Projection onto an Island model, with an interactive headup touchscreen, featuring chat sessions with Islanders, stories about the islands, and a design your own island application.

Has it been done before?

"physical island model"


"island topography"

http://www.linz.govt.nz/topography/topo-maps/pacific-islands
http://ortho.linz.govt.nz/cook_island/aitutaki_high_res.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hawaii_Island_topographic_map-en.svg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hawaii_Island_topographic_map-fr.svg


"island topographic map"Companies that produce topographic models:
http://www.invermodels.co.uk/portfolio03.shtml

"projection onto island model"

Yes, it has been done before!
http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~mjb/WebMjb/Papers/powvis98.pdfRear-Projecting Virtual Data onto Physical Terrain - Prince of Wales Island (1998)
(Rear-projected rather than top-down projection)

Clever projections with VVVV
http://vvvv.org/documentation/how-to-project-on-3d-geometry#virtual-cameras-perspective-is-different-to-real-world-projector-position

Experiment with creating an Island in Unity
(based on http://software-tips.wonderhowto.com/how-to/create-island-terrain-unity-3d-game-engine-261277/)

Research into Concept - for NMM - (16 Dec 2012)

Improvements:

1.Research - 3D models of Maps - how to get the data
Google Search Term: 'how to find 3D island map data'

https://support.google.com/gmm/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2650347
Maps for Mobile devices

http://blog.telemapics.com/?p=399
Local search/Geospatial information

GIS - Graphical information system

POI database ? - Points of Interest

Island undiscovered by Scientists
http://www.news.com.au/technology/sci-tech/scientists-on-southern-surveyor-un-discover-island-which-appears-on-google-maps/story-fn5fsgyc-1226522365171

1b.Research - How to take a 2D map and convert it into a 3D model
Google search term: 'unity how to convert an island from flat map to 3D model'

http://software-tips.wonderhowto.com/how-to/create-island-terrain-unity-3d-game-engine-261277/
Terrain extrusion and texturing

1c.Research - Existing 3D map data ?
'island 3D map data'

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-10410320-264.html
Navteq supplying Microsoft with 3D map data, for it's mapping services

http://www.navteq.com/


2.Research - How to take the 3D model and create a 3D print


3.Research - Projections


4.Research - Users/Audience


5.Book meeting with Henry/Lawrence - visit to NMM


6.Talk to Jake - Rapid Prototyping


7.Talk to Jeremy - Seascape


8.Talk to Laura - previous project on 3D printing/Fungus/Artwork


9.Talk to Lydia - projection


10.Has it been done before? - Top down Projection onto an Island model, with an interactive headup touchscreen, featuring chat sessions with Islanders, stories about the islands, and a design your own island application.

Google search term: 'top down projection onto an island model'

King George Island Spatial Data Model
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02826979?LI=true
(distributed GIS / DGIS)