Sønderblog

Graduation ceremony

2007-07-01T20:21:00.000+02:00

Online Videos by Veoh.com

And this is the last post on Sønderblog. Thanks for reading!

Rune's new blog

2007-04-30T13:08:00.001+02:00

Check out the blog of our course coordinator, Rune:

http://enur.blogspot.com/

1 more month

2007-04-30T13:04:00.000+02:00

1 more month of ITPD!
Our last project at IT Product Design - the thesis project, is being wrapped up and polished for hand in. The deadline for handing in is 15th of May, and the presentations/defence is at the very end of May.

17 years of education coming to an end...

2007-03-30T14:33:00.000+02:00

Sønderblog is not dead! :-)

I have spent the last 3 months in Oslo, collaborating with Fast Search & Transfer for my Masters thesis. (The company is working with search technology for the internet.) My internship is now over, and I am left with lots of data, a search interface prototype, and some fantastic memories from the friendly, helpful and extremely talented user experience/usability team at Fast. Thank you so much for all the help throughout the project!

Next up; put the thesis document together, thesis defence at the end of May, and then hopefully there will be a nice company out there hiring me. After spending 17 years straight at 5 different schools/universities, I'm ready to do something else ;-)

Here are some pictures from Oslo:

From the pier, hectic building activity.

Akershus fortress - in the middle of Oslo

Pedestrian street with the royal castle

Oslo town hall.

From King Haralds 70th birthday. A special ice sculputure was put outside the castle.

Winther is coming.... wednesday

2006-10-28T17:43:00.001+02:00

UIST conference in Montreux, Switzerland

2006-10-20T10:26:00.000+02:00

I was attending the UIST conference (User Interface Software and Technology) in Switzerland 15-18 October. Here are some pics:

Company visits in Copenhagen

2006-10-10T17:17:00.000+02:00

10 ITPDs (Ida, Rebecca, Anders, Stephanie, Svenja, Anda, Flip, Yasin, Sebastian and Santas) went for company visits in Copenhagen.
The first company was People and Products, which is a small startup company started by two previous ITPD students. They were sharing and working together with 60 other people - the big group of people is called "Republiken".
The second company was Kraftvaerk which is working with interaction design and usability. Flip was the victim for testing out the usability lab.
Then we went over to the Danish design centre, which was a big joke. We paid entrance to get in, but we were kind of disappointed when we discovered that the building consists of a store, a cafe, and a small exhibition with around 20 items in total (most of them could be seen from the window anyway).

Copenhagen Living Lab

2006-10-02T23:07:00.000+02:00

A familiy is needed for an experiment called the "Living lab" in Copenhagen.
The family will have all kinds of technology features; 1 Gb broadband, HD tv, everything automated, media center, etc etc.
Denmarks radio is sending out live video from the lab, just like a mini Truman-show.

The goal is to test new technology and how the users react.

Last summer day?

2006-09-24T20:00:00.000+02:00

Kansei Engineering - visit from Tsukuba University

2006-09-22T18:40:00.000+02:00

We had a visit from Japan today; SeungHee Lee from Tsukuba University and Masatoshi Hamanaka from Japanese Science and Technology Agency.

They were talking about:
Kansei Engineering

When a designer starts to design the form of a new product, she needs to integrate many demands and wishes that the prospective uses of the product may have. Not only technical and objective demands are important, but also aesthetic, emotional, and other experiential factors, some of which are hard or impossible to express objectively. In design practice, the designer has to balance between objective and subjective properties, between functional technology and emotional expressiveness, between information and inspiration. Design development by ‘Kansei Science’ or ‘Kansei engineering’ is a new approach which originated in these conditions.
When a design approach uses Kansei Engineering, we give our attention to the behaviors of people when they perceive images or objects including products, and study how their personal preferences or cultural bases work to their feelings.

Kansei and Creativity

This idea comes from a human science view point since the Kansei research is recently extended to interdisciplinary fields including medical and brain science. We introduce a study how Kansei works on design creativity through the experiments of brainwaves checked when people do various behaviors such as, reading books to understand paragraph, calculating geometric forms, appreciating products, doing tangible play and create new ideas. We found a tangible play has similar brainwaves when people create new ideas. It proved Kansei is related with tangible behavior.
And we also found brain function when people design a new thing using fMRI. The subjects were divided into two groups, design experienced and non design experienced. There was a distinguish differences between the two groups when they inspire new ideas.

They were showing a demo of:
Sound Scope Headphone based on Kansei Behavior

We introduce an interaction work based on users’ Kansei behavior (behave unconsciously by their willing upon the stimuli) which is willing to listen to a particular sound in the orchestra. Users will take the headphone and can pick up preferred sounds among the Instruments just behave naturally to look at the instrument.
We made the system started with headphone, programmed music and installation of Orchestra with lighting indication. We already have displayed this system at Interactive Tokyo 2005 and Media Art Festival in Tokyo. We found it gives so easy interface to young children and anyone. The goal of my research is to provide easy interfaces in design concerning individual Kansei.

HCI06 in London

2006-09-16T10:45:00.000+02:00

I was attending the British HCI'06 conference, London, 10-12 September 2006. Pics:

Courses for the semester

2006-09-04T22:20:00.000+02:00

The thesis is coming closer...

We have the following courses for the semester:

User experience design
Sketching, prototyping, simulating, video editing, user scenarios, evaluation.
Interaction Research
Exploring research; finding the right litterature, understanding differences between types of research, writing academic.
Critical Reflection
Exploring the field using anthropology methods. What tools to use, make field sketchbook, write research paper.

It's going to be an interesting semester!

New nationalities

2006-09-04T22:03:00.000+02:00

Yay, the new ITPDs are here! Here are the trends :-)

Belgium (+1)
Brazil (0)
China (-3)
Denmark (-1)
Germany (-1)
Iceland (+1)
India (0)
Indionesia (-1)
Iran (-1)
Netherlands (+3)
Norway (0)
Rumenia (+1)
Thailand (-1)
USA (+1)

Bull riding

2006-09-04T20:18:00.000+02:00

We had a fresh start today with introductions, introductions and introductions. Plus bull riding and barbeque!

Semester is over...

2006-06-03T16:29:00.000+02:00

Have a nice summer everyone! :-)
This blog will be a little bit dead-ish until beginning of September.

Reboot8 in Copenhagen

2006-06-02T16:01:00.000+02:00

Me and my colleagues from Kraftvaerk went to Reboot8, which was a two-day conference held in an old industrial hall (Kedelhallen) in Frederiksberg in Copenhagen, 1-2th of June. Topics presented and discussed includes blogging/dynamic web, senses, tagging/keywords, renaissance (which was the theme of the conference), technology demos, ruby on rails, co-creation and some other themes.
My camera battery died, so I only have a few pictures...

Happy birthday Anders!

2006-05-24T16:53:00.000+02:00

Happy birthday, me! :-)

Presentation

2006-05-22T21:48:00.000+02:00

We presented the report from our project today, User Systems design - a co-operation with Philips Research. Thanks to this premium gang for presenting on behalf of the class!

On interactive exhibitions...

2006-05-19T17:33:00.000+02:00

The pictures show the exhibition titled "Multicolor Tide", held at Mexico City. The interesting part of this exhibition is that in order to see it, you have to inmerse yourself in the mood of it. How? You need a swinming suit, googles and the eagerness to jump in the swiming pool at enjoy the tour.

Studio video tour

2006-05-19T14:12:00.000+02:00

I got a new camera, and I´m testing the video function... so... here is a tour of our studio:

Download movie - Compressed quicktime, 10.2 Mb

Our new web page

2006-05-19T10:51:00.000+02:00

It´s not finished yet, but...

http://www.useus.dk/

Summer is here!

2006-05-12T10:14:00.000+02:00

Exhibition at Alsion

2006-05-06T18:19:00.000+02:00

We had an exhibition in the new school, presenting ourselves and the study. The attendance wasn't exactly as expected, but at least the exhibition was damn good. And Happy Birthday Stephanie!
Here are the pics:

CHI2006: photos

2006-04-26T23:03:00.000+02:00

More photos here

CHI2006: papers, job fair and parties

2006-04-25T23:55:00.000+02:00

It´s the 4th day of the conference, and today I have been blogging about 6 papers in the CHI blog.
3 of the papers were on software GUI design, and the 3 others were experience reports within healthcare (paediatric burns patients), a touchable plasma screen for communicating in a café and designing a GUI for airports. I also saw a session about how the XBOX 360 was designed - with a critique panel.
There was also a job fair, with major technology companies, book publishers, software companies and research institutions. Yes, I filled a bag full of brochures, toys, pens and snacks.
eBay and Intel were holding parties. Intel had an open wine bar, while eBay were more speculated - I actually had to talk to them to get more drink coupons :-)

CHI2006: reception

2006-04-24T22:47:00.000+02:00

I was blogging about an experience report from Google - how they use instant messaging in the usability lab.
There was also a reception, with entertainment from Cirque du Soleil, and a various of food and drinks: different kinds of cheeze, hams, cakes, snacks. I also met a bunch of people from Denmark and Sweden (around 20 from each country), unfortunately, Norway was only represented by one person, plus me. Hopefully we will be better represented in NordiCHI.

CHI2006: Day 3

2006-04-22T18:08:00.000+02:00

So, the conference started today, and workshops are running in the weekend, Saturday-Sunday.
The presentations (papers, posters, experience reports, etc...) are starting on Monday, and are running until Thursday. This year, there are around 2500 attendees, which is a lot bigger than last year. There are 115 student volunteers, helping with registration and 101 other tasks.
I have not been working today, just wandering around and talking to people. Tomorrow I´ll do various tasks, and on Monday-Thursday I´ll be blogging 4-5 events.
Conference program

CHI2006: pictures from Montréal

2006-04-21T17:42:00.000+02:00

After a 22 hour travel, it was nice to arrive here. It´s summer-ish here, 20 C and really nice weather. I am doing some pre-conference work, proof reading and prepering for the workshops tomorrow.
Here are some pictures:

From the Hotel room.

Exhibition 5-6. May

2006-04-11T16:58:00.000+02:00

We are having an exhibition Friday 5. May - Saturday 6. May. We will be presenting the IT Product Design study, as a part of the "research day" which is arranged all over Denmark.
Me, Becky, Santas, Mette, Wendy and the principal of the university went to the exhibiton space, which is the new school building. The space we are assigned is H-U-G-E.
Here are some pictures:

Exhibition space, ground floor.

This is our future studio, 4th floor. According to the principal, we can just forget about the original date for moving in September. Booo :-(

Camila's birthday!

2006-04-08T23:20:00.000+02:00

Happy birthday Camila! Here are some pictures from the "surprise" party we had on thursday. Mark showed his hidden talents and made a really nice cake! And you can guess what present Camila got from me and Becky.

Sensible Healthcare: User-centred Systems Design project

2006-04-07T17:03:00.000+02:00

We are having a project about healthcare, in co-operation with Philips Research Laboratories in The Netherlands.
How can interaction design support patients to gain a positive experience of their stay at the hospital?

This is a short summary of our first week:

Monday April 3: Project intro, USD organisation and management

Tuesday April 4: Technology and society

Wednesday April 5: Literature review, The Dynamics of new technology introduction with Carsten Dreher (picture)

Thursday April 6: Ambient healthcare (Philips Research: Jettie Hoonhout and Elmo Diedericks)

Friday April 7: Users and new technology (Philips)

Elizabeth Keating: Technology and interaction

2006-04-04T14:00:00.000+02:00

We had two lectures from Elizabeth Keating, University of Texas at Austin:

Emerging Technologies and Innovations in Everyday Interactions
New communication technologies have created new contexts for social interaction. This includes new participation frameworks, who can speak with whom, language practices, and the reformulation of human-environment relationships, such as aspects of space.

Cell Phone Interactions and the Emergence of New Social Conventions
Technologies enhance, enable, and amplify certain human abilities. Discussion of some aspects of new communication technologies, particularly cell phones and how new practices arise within and are embedded in other cultural practices and ideas, using data collected from 14 countries.

Pictures from SIDER' 06

2006-03-26T17:30:00.000+02:00

Svenja sent me some pictures from the SIDER' 06 conference in Gothenburg, Sweden. Stephanie, Svenja and Becky went from out class.
They were too lazy to blog about it, but here are at least some pictures:

More pictures on the official page

ITPD students: our future is safe

2006-03-22T19:31:00.000+01:00

In September, I opened a bank account in Nordea. Big mistake.

It's now been 6-7 months, and I still haven't got my netbank to work. I always end up going to the bank to pay my rent, which costs me 6 DKK each time.
First of all, I got a pin number in the mail, plus a huge pile of documentation in A4 format. On one of the papers, there is a huge instruction list. Well, I'm a computer engineer, "I do not need" to read instructions to log in to a simple bank.
So, let's open the net bank. This is what faces me:

Umm yeah, we chose to only support 85 % of our customers, meaning Internet Explorer 6 is required. So, let's start Internet Explorer.

There is a menu here, "Log on". It has two menu elements, "New user", "New pin number". Hmm I have already been in the bank, so am I already a user? Guess I have to try and fail. "If you are a new user, or got a new pin code because you lost your security keys, click Ok." Umm.. There is only one option here.. It's not possible to click anything else.
Let's look at the beautiful screen that meets me:

Agreement number: Type agreement number, without hyphen (Our system developers didn't have time to type the sentence StringReplace("-","") in the code, so we have to tell one million customers to remember to remove the hyphen). Oh, and the agreement number is in the middle on the 10 page contract, in the corner of the page.
Username: Type for example your name. Am I assigned a username, do I need a unique username in the system, or is it only for my machine?
Security key: Will be stored on c:\unisecur... What is that folder??

So, I click "Browse", and chose the folder where I usually store my certificates. I save it as "nordea.dk". After trying out the form 3-4 times with some weird error messages, I finally created the account. I was actually logged in! Let's try to log in again to make sure it actually works. Now, the system accepted that I created a file named "nordea.dk". The log in form does however not accept files that doesn't have the extension ".key". If I change the filename, the data in the file will not be valid as it is based on the filename.

I could spend the entire night writing about all the stupid messages and user interface problems with this site. I do however have an exam on friday.
However, despite Nordea are loosing millions on support and re-sending pin codes, I actually feel very good. There is actually a need for people working with user testing, usability and user centered design.

Update: Manuel actually sent the link to the bank, this is the reply

Hi Manuel

Thank you for your mail.

We are a bit surprised that it has caused so many problems for your friend
logging in.
The pages have been user tested and we have a lot of new users every day
who haven't got any problems logging in.

Kind regards/Venlig hilsen

Susanne *
Nordea
Netbanks

I guess I have to face it, despite the only two people that Manuel knew that used Nordea both had major problems: We are the ones being stupid, and the bank *DID* make a user-friendly netbank.

User centered design project

2006-03-20T19:50:00.000+01:00

We have been redesigning a flowmeter using user centered design-methods. This has been a 4 week project in co-operation with mechatronic students. Groups on 5 handed in a report on their results and processes. This wednesday we have a group exam, followed up by a group discussion exam on friday.

50% of "faulty" devices are returned because of bad design

2006-03-07T21:19:00.000+01:00

Reuters wrote:

Half of all malfunctioning products returned to stores by consumers are in full working order, but customers can't figure out how to operate the devices

Bit-tech.net wrote:

As part of her research, she gave several Phillips electronic devices to management executives who actually worked for Phillips, [...] they spent a weekend unable to work out what to do with them.

...found that American users will struggle with a device for 20 minutes before giving up and reaching the conclusion that the kit is broken.

Red Herring wrote:

...support calls and product returns added $95 to the cost of every computer sold in 2003

User experience diagram

2006-03-06T20:04:00.000+01:00

By Experienced Dynamics

Company visits in Copenhagen

2006-03-04T10:58:00.000+01:00

Kindly sponsored by the institute, we (me, Stephanie, Deepa, Becky, Manuel and Ida) went to two company visits in Copenhagen on Friday. It was a long way, we started driving at 6:00 in the morning. The companies are amongst the biggest design companies in Denmark.

The first company was CPH Design, world famous for their innovative product design. One of the things they showed us was the RampSnake, used for loading baggage on airplanes.

The second company was 1508 (The name is because of the starting date, 15. August 2000). The company is working with interaction design and engineering - most webpages. They were talking about the methods they used when designing.

Here are some pictures: (we were not allowed to take pictures at CPH Design)

Left: Ida paying for parking.
Right: 3 sweet girls.

Left: The people at 1508 were celebrating fastelaven. A tradition similar to the Piñata.
Right: A very hairy car. From the exhibiton Honey, I'm home at Danish Design centre.

Left: 1508's offices.
Right: Outside CPH Design.

With the 1508 logo.

The attack of the baby trolleys, part 2

2006-03-01T11:47:00.000+01:00

The last time, Manuel found 7 trolleys outside the Kaffarine in Sønderborg.
This has now more than doubled! Obviously, there has been a lot of late night interaction qualities in Sønderborg lately.

Just when I thought that spring had arrived...

2006-02-28T22:40:00.000+01:00

The snow was completely gone, flowers were starting to bloom, and birds were singing... and then...

The most genius music service ever

2006-02-26T20:39:00.000+01:00

I just have to publish the link to this fantastic service:

Pandora.com

These guys have carefully categorised 100's of thousands of songs. Just enter your favorite artist, and this service will select other artists/songs that matches your taste and create a radio channel for you. A nice way to discover new artists. All this for free. Fantastic!

(You can listen for 20 minutes, then you need to register, which is free. You do however need a US Zip-code, since the service is licensed to US citizens only. If you are outside the US, just enter 10001 as Zip.)

Visit from Smedegaard & Weis

2006-02-23T13:18:00.000+01:00

We had a presentation from these two talented girls at Smedegaard & Weis in Århus.
They were telling about their design processes, goals and their company.
They both have an architect background, and started their company in 1993.

swdesign.dk

Becky is famous

2006-02-23T10:25:00.000+01:00

Becky is featured in a (hunting??) campaign for the school, and it's in danish.

Go to fremtidsdesigner.dk.

Click the menu tab on the left side, and under "Øvrige uddannelser", click "IT Product Design".

Happy birthday Manuel!

2006-02-19T15:44:00.000+01:00

Manolito "Grandpa" Vargas turned 27 today. Happy birthday!!

Multi-Touch Interaction Research

2006-02-15T22:35:00.000+01:00

We have seen it before, and it is not really new: a touch based screen where your fingers work as pointers. Several pointers can be used at the same time.
The demo is cool though:
Demonstration video
More info

What is interesting about this, is that computer manufacturers like Apple are doing research within these types of interfaces. It's about time we get rid of the mouse!

euroGel

2006-01-31T22:45:00.000+01:00

Short for "Good Experience Live", Gel is a conference, and community, exploring good experience in all its forms -- in business, art, society, technology, and life.

The goal of the conference is to create an environment that allows our multi-disciplinary community to explore the idea of "good experience" in a variety of contexts.

Friday, September 1, 2006 in Copenhagen. Price is USD 600.

Healthcare & User centered design

2006-01-29T19:45:00.000+01:00

Here are some pictures from the Healthcare and UCD seminar.

Exercises:
Directed interviews and work process mapping, Context modelling and user portraits, Storyboard and puppet acting, Tinkering and video scenario.

NordiCHI 2006 in Oslo - changing roles

2006-01-29T14:10:00.000+01:00

14-18 October 2006 in Oslo
Paper submission deadline: April 3, 2006
NordiCHI is the main Nordic forum for human-computer interaction research. NordiCHI is the meeting place for researchers from academia and industry, designers, practitioners, educators and others from a broad range of traditions and communities.

Conference topics include but are not limited to:

- Adaptive and adaptable systems
- Ambient intelligence
- Artistic and aesthetic approaches to interface design
- Design cases
- Design methods
- End-user development
- Evaluation methods
- Group and organisation interfaces
- Information visualization
- Innovative interface design
- Interface agents
- Interfaces supporting learning
- Models of interaction
- Multimodal interfaces
- New interaction techniques and devices
- Participatory design
- Studies of organisations, technology and work
- Theory and foundation of HCI
- Ubiquitous, pervasive, and mobile interaction
- Universal access and international interfaces
- Usability studies
- User-centered design

Jacob Buur is also in the programme commitee.
Call for participation
Conference Webpage

Design specialization

2006-01-21T16:06:00.000+01:00

We (1st/2nd year students) had a 3 week project where we chose our own subject. These are the different groups:

Proactive Universal Design
Will Designer & User Ever Meet?
Framing context – Discovering Design Potentials
Cultural Probes
Play it on! (collaboration/ team work games)
Tangible Interaction and Toys
Interaction Styles for Well-being

Some people are continuing their work to publish their results for conferences, while some are using it for their thesis work.
Here are some pictures from the presentation:

The snow came back

2006-01-19T14:21:00.000+01:00

Sticky: Deadline for next year students coming up

2006-01-15T00:00:00.000+01:00

From the stats there seems to be a lot of external surfers coming from the IT Products web site, so...
If you are planning to apply for the IT Product course, remember the deadlines:
15. January 2006 (non-EEA/EU)

15. March 2006 (EEA/EU)

15. June 2006 (Denmark)

Application (PDF-format)

You should be aware of two changes the next year:
The university is moving to a brand new building. YAY! It's really nice!
Also, the rules for the tuition fee is also changing for students outside the European Union or EEA. (It's worth every Euro :-)

Welcome!

Formland design fair

2006-01-12T21:29:00.000+01:00

Skandinavia's biggest fair for design:
www.formland.com
3-6 February 2006.

Formland is Scandinavia’s largest trade fair for furnishing accessories and design.

Twice a year, around 700 exhibitors move into 11 halls covering more than 80,000 m2 where they exhibit their new items – and classics – within design, gift items, furnishing accessories, hardware, interior products, flower arrangement articles, artware, lighting, textiles and much more for the home and the house.

The fair is in Herning, 3 ½ hours from Sønderborg by train.

Sønderborg 750 years!

2006-01-11T15:41:00.000+01:00

This year is an anniversary year for the city. There are lots of exhibitions and happenings the next year. Click the calendar at byens750aar.sonderborg.dk to see what happens a specific day. Only in danish, sorry.

Satugo camera

2006-01-05T23:27:00.000+01:00

Two danish designers (recently graduated from Kolding design school) have made a camera called Satugo. The camera is formed as a bouncing ball with a built in camera. You can throw it up, down, left or right - and it will take an "air" picture.

Back to warm Sønderborg

2006-01-01T23:09:00.000+01:00

A new fresh year! Happy new year everyone!

I spent my christmas in Norway, and the temperature was -20 C, so my skiing plans were ruined - too cold. Instead, I spent the days inside eating, which was also nice.
Back in Sønderborg, it feels like summer; it's +5 C, and no snow.

Happy holidays!

2005-12-16T11:28:00.000+01:00

Have a nice vacation everyone -
Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo, Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan, Glædelig Jul, God Jul, Shub Naya Baras, Feliz Navidad, Froehliche Weihnachten, Merry Christmas!

Interactive lamps

2005-12-15T11:50:00.000+01:00

We presented our interactive lamps yesterday, and here are the results.
My lamp lights a green-orange-red light depending on the temperature and humidity in the room.

These are (some of) the other lamps:

Santas lamp that glows when you put your hand on it, and Stephanies "book of fortune", telling you an answer to your question when you open the book.

Manuels heart, that pulses faster when you touch it, and Camila's box that changes light when turned.

Becky's drawing lamp that blinks when you draw on a board, and YingYing's "fireworks" lamp.

Deepa's day planner lamp, and Mark's lamp that changes behaviour when you take of the figures hat.

Ida's flower lamp, lights up when you open the flower. And Swenja's lamp that starts lighting when you open the flip.

Winter Dinner 2005

2005-12-10T22:12:00.000+01:00

1st and 2nd year students at IT Product design had a christmas dinner this friday, and everyone brought food from their home country. There was german union pie, chinese sweet and sour chicken+rice, mexican nachos with guacemole, danish lasagne, norwegian wafles with goatcheese, american mac&cheese. And for desert: brazilian "balls of heaven", chinese chocolate cake, and a cake that I don't remember the name of. Oh, and danish Gløgg. (SORRY, I don't remember the other courses.) YUMMY FOR THE TUMMY!

The making of a lamp

2005-12-07T22:59:00.000+01:00

We are drawing, soldering, brainstorming, programming and tinkering.

And I am heading towards something that looks like a prototype :-) Feedback from Becky:

Who the hell would want that scary thing on their desk?

LED Lamp Inspiration

2005-12-07T22:11:00.000+01:00

so recently we have been working on designing an interactive lamp using LEDs... this may seem limited but LEDs have actually come a long way in the last few years and several major companies including Philips are putting a lot of money into research and development of LED bulbs and lamps. Here are some current LED lamp designs that are particularly cool because they are environmentally conscious... go hippies!

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/11/new_interactive.php

Making an interactive lamp

2005-12-05T21:48:00.000+01:00

' {$PBASIC 2.5}
#DEFINE SARAHAPPROVAL PIN     2
#DEFINE ATTENDANCE PIN     3
Main:
   ' Yay, we are finally getting started on our interactive lamp.
   ' We are learning to program in the PBASIC language, and we are making the lamp using a broad range of materials and sensors.
   ' We are not being graded, but...
IF (ATTENDANCE > 0.90 & SARAHAPPROVAL) THEN
  HIGH Pass
ELSE
  LOW Pass
ENDIF

Christmas market in Odense

2005-12-04T12:33:00.000+01:00

Me and Becky went to Odense, where there was a huge christmas market. The city was like a living museum, everyone was dressed up in customes, and either selling traditional christmas food & decoration, or just acting in the streets. Hundreds of shop selling everything; burnt almonds, fruit, decorations, gløgg, mustard, beer, marcipan, antiques... We also went to the H.C. Andersen museum, and saw the home of the world famous author.
Highly recommended!

Portfolio exam

2005-12-01T18:52:00.000+01:00

So, we have now completed our portfolio exam (6 people yesterday and 5 today), which is a 15 minute summary of 4 different courses. And everyone is releaved and can put the sleepless nights behind them.

The next two weeks before the december holidays (16 dec. - 1. jan) we will be making an interactive lamp each, using microprocessors, LED lamps and sensors. This will complete the different skills courses we have had.

Snow

2005-11-28T10:14:00.000+01:00

Look at the wonderful view that I woke up to this morning:

Write, prepare, practise - exams and deadlines coming up

2005-11-26T16:11:00.000+01:00

So, what is happening in Sønderborg these days?
Well, it's quite busy. We are handing in a 4 pages long paper on a subject about our future visions on Monday. Some are submitting their paper for the SIDER'06 conference.
(Oh, and guys, when you are printing and copying your papers before the handin, please don't do this.)

On Wednesday and Thursday (30. Nov and 1. Dec) we are having our portfolio exam, where we are giving a presentation of the skills we have learned the last semester. Compressed in 15 minutes and presented for 2-5 examinators.

We are also working on a 3 week course we are having in January. We made suggestions for approx. 10 courses, and people can sign up for the subject of interest. The picture is showing Deepa and Svenja in the "course market place".

Me, Becky and Mark also went to Gråsten (small city) to do some research in a hospital. The place is pretty nice:

The second picture is from the royal Graasten Palace.

Lectures from Philips Research

2005-11-25T22:05:00.000+01:00

Senior Researcher Jettie Hoonhout from Philips Research had a lecture today called "User Centered Development at Philips Research: Investigating People's Experiences in the HomeLab". She was telling about the HomeLab, the iCat personalized TV assistant, and the Ambilight TV.

Metal workshop

2005-11-17T20:05:00.000+01:00

We are cutting, bending and filing metal.

Snow!

2005-11-16T17:30:00.000+01:00

Oh, and we had our first day with snow today! It's not like we could make snow angels or anything, it was more like rain on the way of becoming snow, but anyhow; it's biting cold and close to 0 C here. Brrr!

Interaction qualities - presentation of new interface prototypes for Danfoss Automationdrive

2005-11-16T17:19:00.000+01:00

We have been creating new user interfaces for the Danfoss VLT AutomationDrive. 4 groups presented different versions of their new AutomationDrive. The idea is to replace buttons with other ways of controlling the device.
Ps! The studio isn't messy, we decorated it as a brewery.

Philips Momento

2005-11-15T23:07:00.000+01:00

The last 2 weeks we have been working on prototypes that instead of buttons for navigating have more "natural" movements. Yanko is writing about a concept device from Philips:

Momento is a unique glass ball, small enough to fit into the palm of the hand, which offers a completely new way to share precious video memories. The device will 'wake up' when approached and play its store of movie clips when a person reaches out to pick it up. To change from one clip to another, simply shake the glass ball and the movement is detected through in-built sensors prompting the existing clip to dissolve and another one to appear in its place.

Cable organizers

2005-11-14T19:58:00.000+01:00

Two weeks ago, we were discussing bad design. One of the things that were discussed were how messy the computer cables can be. Well guys, I think I found some neat solutions at cableorganizer.com (click pictures for details):

How plants and lights can affect people in an office

2005-11-10T11:56:00.000+01:00

I read an interesting article about how one can improve the working situation.
One office in Norway was bothered by a lot of sick leave (17%) and people were bothered with headaches. They tried changing the interior, adding different elements and so on. Plants seemed to have some affect, even though some had negative affect. Then they inserted a special lamp giving more natural light and a plant called Aglaonema modestum (or chinese evergreen). This exact combination caused the sick leave to go down to 5% and stay there. When the lamp and plant was removed, the percent increased again.

Why is this interesting and how is it related to this blog?
Well, some people are staying in the same work environment for 10 or even 50 years. Very basic and simple technology can improve peoples daily life a lot and companies a lot of money.
What if we included such light and elements from the nature on several places; shops, buses, elevators... And what if the light was more intelligent, and changed according to peoples mood, how they act or following a more natural way: darker in the morning/evening, brighter at day.
The future is exiting. And we are creating an interactive lamp next month :-)

Useless device of the year

2005-11-09T20:17:00.000+01:00

A lipstick with a built-in Mp3 player? (Or; Mp3-player with lipstick.) Oh, come on!
Get it for 77 USD at Walmart.

USB stuff for christmas

2005-11-08T23:25:00.000+01:00

Christmas is just around the corner, at least according to the stores in Sønderborg - they have already been filled up with christmas decorations all over already.

If you think your computer needs to be spiced up for christmas, maybe this USB christmas tree is something for you? Or what about a santa that plays drums?

Anders is famous

2005-11-06T18:26:00.000+01:00

Anders was selected out of our class and interviewed about ITPD.... now he is famous

i want an autograph!

Blue ball-machine

2005-11-05T19:02:00.000+01:00

Would be cool to see this machine in real-life:
Blue ball machine

Future IKEA chairs?

2005-11-03T20:18:00.000+01:00

We are working with different materials, among them are foamcore. We were making our own foldable mini-chair in foamcore. Here are some of the results:

Dancing cow

2005-11-03T10:39:00.000+01:00

If you guys would like to learn more about movement, visit
Fjällfill.

Drag small movie clips to the motion bar and press play to make the cow dance :-)
Funniest Website ever!

Dirty CD in studio?

2005-11-02T21:45:00.000+01:00

We are working on soft and hard movements (video clips), and we are making a sculpture as a metaphore of one of the videos.

Last warm day before winter

2005-11-01T22:21:00.000+01:00

Me, Becky and Camila were biking on sunday, the last warm, sunny day before winter. It was actually 18 C!

Interaction qualities

2005-10-31T20:20:00.000+01:00

We are starting a 3 week project called Interaction qualities.
Today we started with a "video wall". We looked at different interactions in video clips, and categorized them (partially) using the Laban Notation.
(Ps! Laban is also one of my favorite candy from home - YUM!)

Picture 1: Playing with video clips on the computer
Picture 2: Playing with interactions in-real-life; dancing and throwing balloons.

Pre-Halloween party

2005-10-30T10:26:00.000+01:00

We celebrated Halloween yesterday. Lots of candy, cake, blood, cobweb and cool customes. I'll let the pictures speak:

World usability day - making it easy

2005-10-29T14:48:00.000+02:00

Next thursday (3. november) is World usability day. Danish location: IT University of Copenhagen.

Read about the world wide programme.
See what happens in Denmark

Sønderborg moments

2005-10-28T00:45:00.000+02:00

This week in pictures.

Using microchips in footballs

2005-10-27T19:28:00.000+02:00

FIFA is working with a technology that can measure if the football crosses the line of the goal.

The modified ball contains a microchip less than half an inch (15 millimetres) in size that sends an encrypted radio signal when it crosses the line.

That signal is relayed by up to 12 antennae in the corners of the pitch to a computer, which sends a vibrating "goal" message to a watch on the referee's wrist in under one second.

Entire article

Becky´s birthday

2005-10-27T09:28:00.000+02:00

Happy birthday Becky! Come get cake everyone.

(Yes, it was made by scratch)

Video editing

2005-10-25T22:27:00.000+02:00

We are practicing video editing this week. We have been filming different people; postman, airtraffic controller, weaver, cooks. Now we are putting together video clips and video collages.
We are using iMovie to edit videos.

Nano concept mobile phone

2005-10-25T22:05:00.000+02:00

Forget about buttons. The future devices might have big, touchable screens rather than buttons. This open a lot of opportunities for making dynamic interfaces. The phone on the pictures is designed by Roman Kriheli.

Buttons appearing on the display are 13 in diameter. They are convenient to press with a finger. Besides the virtual controls, the telephone is equipped with a joystick. The standard position of the phone is vertical, but it can be turned horizontally when watching video. The joystick and the on/off button are of metal. The loudspeaker is located immediately between the sensor surface and the display.

Pez Mp3-player

2005-10-24T13:57:00.000+02:00

iPod iSchmod. I think I speak for most people when I say that the iPod is boring, dull, ugly and everyone has it.

If you want a MP3-player with a WOW-factor, go for this one:
PEZ Mp3

It looks like the Pez candy dispenser, but is in fact an advanced music player.

Music tips for cold rainy days

2005-10-23T18:21:00.000+02:00

The rain has been pooring down here the last 2-3 days, and it's the perfect opportunity to sit inside and drink hot chocolate, listen to good music or read a good book.

Since downloading (pirated) music on the internet connection at the student apartments is strictly illegal (and they block people), Dj River is a good and free alternative.

Hours of powerful and spiritual quality music! I especially like the 2005 Winter remix.

Good laptop, good prize

2005-10-22T23:56:00.001+02:00

Acer TravelMate 4101 WLMi XPH
Around EUR 680 on eBay

http://cgi.ebay.de/Acer-Extensa-4101-WLMi-XPH_W0QQitemZ8708696088QQcategoryZ77194QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Prozessor: Intel® Pentium® M 730 (2MB/1,6GHz/FSB533)
Memory: 2x512MB DDR-333 (max 2.048MB); 2 soDIMM Socket
Harddisk: 80 GB 5400rpm HDD
Monitor: 15.4" WSXGA+ TFT, 1280 x 800
DVD: DVD-Dual Writer(Double Layer)
Graphic: ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X700 128 MB PCI-E
OS: Windows XP Home (OEM)
Others: 4in1 Card reader; 3 x USB 2.0; WLAN 802.11b/g;
Audio; 56kbit Modem; S-Video out; Firewire;
PCMCIA Slot; Li-Ion Battery;
364 x 33.9/38.9 x 279 mm; Full weight 2.95 kg;
Folio Design, Front-Access-Controls
Chipest: Intel® 915PM Express Chipest; 533MHz System-Bus

Suggestion: Strong enough heart(CPU); big memory;DVD writer is
really good for video making; good graphic; All parts
are better than my laptop but cheaper prize;

Other good choice: HP NX6130/ ASUS A3517Vc-DR

Give us the money back - AND a piece of the profit

2005-10-21T17:40:00.000+02:00

Jason Tomczak (on behalf of all iPod Nano owners) has filed a lawsuit against Apple, because the iPod gets scratches easily. He does not only request Apple to give the customers their money back, but also a part of the "unlawful or illegal profits" Apple has made from sales of the players.
http://macnn.com/print/31583

If all customers were to file lawsuits each time something breaks or get scratches, a battery is failing, or something stops working - I guess the administration of justice would be quite busy.

My potato holiday

2005-10-21T13:27:00.000+02:00

Copenhagen:

Barcelona:

Sønderborg authumn

2005-10-15T19:09:00.000+02:00

Happy potato holiday!

2005-10-14T17:48:00.000+02:00

We have a holiday the next week, called the potato holiday. I really don't know why. So, no matter where you guys are going; Flensburg, Copenhagen, Vienna, Berlin, Paris or Barcelona - or just Sønderborg: Have fun! And please put some snapshots online.

Skills class: markers and perspective

2005-10-13T22:06:00.000+02:00

We have been playing around with markers, views and perspectives:

My first microprocessor

2005-10-11T16:37:00.000+02:00

I am planning an electronic brain that can think like me, so that I don't have to think so much.
But not right now.
Now we are just building a brain (or "processor") for use in an interactive lamp. We will connect the chip to different sensors and bulbs/LEDs. The lamp will be finished in december.

MCI Innovation Day

2005-10-10T15:53:00.000+02:00

Mads Clausen Institute had their "Innovation day" with the following speakers:

- John Stoddard, Senior Designer, IDEO, Palo Alto, California
- Christopher D. Sorensen, Head of Innovation, Idea Lab, Bang & Olufsen

When pronouncing the company names, look up in the air as if you have seen the light - they are almost religious down here. And they should be, because they do alot of exiting work.

Favorite quote:

Christopher: "If 50 % of the users does not like the design, it's successful."

While IDEO seemed very user focused (how users think), Bang & Olufsen focused on feelings and experiences.

Sweet

2005-10-10T13:14:00.000+02:00

Who can resist these two pieces of candy:

Nintendogs: Tamagotchi v. 2

2005-10-09T13:21:00.000+02:00

http://www.nintendogs.com/

One of the newest games on Nintendo DS. You select the type of dog you want, and then command it with your voice, or do actions using the touch-sensitive screen. You do of course have to give the dog food, pet/play with it or take it for a walk, or else...

Cute? Oh yeah!