Post 2

• Play Session
  
  So group 2B got a little crazy last class. Two decks of playing cards, an assortment of legos, a ball of yarn, some duct tape and neon lights... which was all we needed. The intention of our PLAY session was to create basic prototypes through random creativity. Using objects with or without relation to our project, we needed to expand any potential outcome. “PLAY” as a form of collaborative field work was explained extensively during our last class. Tim Brown, through a recorded lecture on TED.com explained the importance PLAY has on innovation, that in order to create, one must have fun. Needless to say, group 2B had fun... By the end of our meeting, we had established that the focus of our project would be based on distraction. One of Desmond’s main concerns was that he was unnoticeable at nighttime. What we established was that fashionability is as intrinsic a quality as our product’s ability to distract. Kerri made a string vest out of yarn, Marian explored the application of flashing lights in a helmet and I made a ridiculous hat out of playing cards, a frightened miniature cow and a ruler. What was finally determined was that Vadim’s creation worked the best. Symbiotically, a series of neon wires circulated his arms, chest and back... Once the lights were turned off, all other prototypes became invisible, Vadim’s symbiotic neon wires glowed with full radiance, just the distraction 2B needs... without being too abrasive.
  
  
• PLAY SESSIONS AVAILABLE @
  
  http://www.vimeo.com/6843987
  
  
  

• ELIO + SENSORS:
  
  I speak for every student who hasn’t taken second skin and software when I say: I WISH I TOOK SECOND SKIN AND SOFTWARE... During last class we were given a short lecture on conductive textiles and smart materials. This is what I gathered from Elio’s visit: Smart materials react to natural elements like heat, magnetism or solar exposure (There are probably different elements take are applicable, but for the moment I’m unsure). Photochromic thread is a smart material that responds to solar exposure, while I’ve never actually witnessed this miracle, I look forward to the day I can point it out and look intelligent in public. We also took a look at conductive textiles, which could be used as pressure sensors, soft buttons and tilt switches, all of which are activated by heat and applied through pressure.
  
  http://slab.concordia.ca/

Post 1

Desmond needs a stylish bike vest. A young man with a peculiar fashion sense demands safety, attention and style. On September 17th, group 2B was formed to offer Desmond exactly what he’s looking for. What we gathered from our pre-project discussion with Rhona was that these details should be kept in mind:

• Think outside the vest; possibly implicate gloves, helmet or pants.
• Think Identity, Desmond doesn’t want to wear just any bike vest.
• Think sustainable!
• Think multi-use: Use bike as energy?
• Can be more expensive, Desmond won’t mind paying more, but he’s gotta look good.
• Usage of sound could be an interesting application.
• Maybe something can happen in case of emergency (horns/lights)?
• Weather protection will play a big factor in his willingness to purchase our product.
• Think weight+size
• Sensors? LEDs, usage of wire...
• possible material: Leather
• Desmond does not want to be sweaty.

• • > Persistence of Vision

While looking into the possibility of LED lights, we came across POV. Persistence of Vision Technology is the usage of LED (in this case on a bicycle) which creates a moving image with persistent movement. In the following video, you can see it’s application onto bicycle wheels.

• http://www.ladyada.net/make/spokepov/

One of Desmond’s main motivations was that his friend got into an accident at nighttime. For safety reasons, POV technology can greatly heighten his presence at night, it is also quite flashy, which can totally create a sense of identity on the streets... satisfying his fashionable needs.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT13ZcpwYtA

• • > FASHION
• http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/08/5-bike-friendly-fashions.php

Montreal has incredibly temperamental weather. It can go from complete sunshine to pouring rain, or slightly cloudy to vicious snow pellets... Group 2B is conscious of any cyclist’s climatic awareness and is closely investigating it with fashion in mind.

• http://www.cordarounds.com/bike-to-work/

This link displays an interesting use of reflectors on jean pants. During the first open class project discussion, the idea of using leg movement as a solution to Desmond’s problem was brought up. Perpetual leg movement was the subject of the “Bike to work pants” which work as excellent reflectors, splash guards while actually looking half decent. Reversible coats are another concept group 2B is currently looking into, we figured it would add another reason to buy our product. While looking fashionable, a reversible coat gives the consumer a sense economical logic, because they would essentially be buying two coats in one.

• http://kuwait-style.com/2008/09/28/are-you-a-fan-of-the-reversible-coat/

Looking outside the vest and into different clothing articles, group 2B came across this following bag, which is stylish and practical. If we could somehow implement reflectors or a sort of lighting/glowing system, we could not only have a successful safety tool but something stylish enough for Desmond to wear.

• http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/06/bike-in-style.php

• • > Sketches

Vadim’s sketches are quite interesting, they not only combine essential group ideas, but what the whole class discussed on September 17th... it’s a good start point, and will be great to see when group 2B finally has a finished product.

For sketches go here.

Sketches

Vadim:

[text]

[text]

Miliana:

[text]







[text]

Keri:


I know mine aren't as nice sketches but I feel they get the point across. My ideas were using some sort of clip to put on a pre-existing jacket in a pattern that you like and then fitting the LED wire onto it with the battery pack going into your pocket or an inside pocket.

My other ideas were sewing the wire into your own created pattern onto your jacket (such as the flower).

And my final idea was to perhaps have pockets or some kind of holding device that you can role out some material that has the wires of LED lights.

Availabilities

Miliana:

Mon: After 5:30 pm

Tue: After 12:30 pm

Weds: All day

Thur: After 12:45 pm

Fri: After 5:30 pm

Sat: All day

Sun: All day

--------------------

Marian:

Mon: After 5:30 pm

Tuesday: All day

Weds: All day

Thur: After 5:30

Fri: All day

Sat: All day

Sun: All day

I'm trying to get in to an intensive class which is an hour and half long 2 days a week.I should find out about this on monday.

--------------------

vadim:

Mon:after 11:00 am

Tue: After 13:00 pm

Weds: after 11:00 am

Thur: n/a

Fri: After 11:30 am

Sat: all day

Sun: all day

--------------------

Keri

Monday: Free after 5:30pm

Tuesday: Free after 5:30pm

Wednesday: Not Available


Thursday: Free after class

Friday: Not available

Saturday: Free during the day (until about 3:30pm- depending on if I work or not) ***I'm not free this Saturday- I just found out my friend bought me a ticket to see the Dalai Lama with her... :/


Sunday: Free during the day (until about 3:30pm- depending on if I work or not)

My work changes schedules like every week (a pain in the ass I know) but the times I've given are definite availabilities.

--------------------

David:

Mon: before 1pm (or 1:30?)

Tue: before 1pm

Weds: before 1pm

Thur: free between 1pm-6:30pm

Fri: After 5:30 pm

Sat: all day

Sun: all day