parsons mfa d e sig n tech n o l ogy simple
TRANSCRIPT
SIMPLEINTERFACES
Workshop Fall, 2011
PARSONSMFA DESIGN +TECHNOLOGY
MEMOTE
Oylum Basak Boran
Nidhi Malhotra
Hirumi Nanayakkara
PARSONS - CONFIDENTIAL - PSAM 5550 D 6797 Collab: Simple Interfaces
CARROLL, LIEBERMAN, PITARU
Retrieve | Relive | Remember
MEMOTE is a whimsical exploration of a remote as a tool to access memory archives. It allows time travelers to cycle through various decades of TV show memories or their personal memories. The MEMOTE conceptually respects the broad arc of media literacy of an ageing person, spanning many decades and trends. It also aims to create empathy between generations by offering a tool for sharing memories together while celebrating the similarities and differences.
MEMOTEAbstract
Memote , p.1PARSONS - CONFIDENTIAL - PSAM 5550 D 6797 Collab: Simple Interfaces. CARROLL, LIEBERMAN, PITARU
Memote, p.2PARSONS - CONFIDENTIAL - PSAM 5550 D 6797 Collab: Simple Interfaces. CARROLL, LIEBERMAN, PITARU
INSPIRATION & IMPLEMENTATION
In human history, shared experiences between families have centered on story-telling; from fireside story-telling to radio broadcasts to television shows, and most recently sharing everyday moments through digital media.
While younger generations have grown up with digital and online storage of media, today’s aging population has a media literacy that spans many decades. From physical artifacts such as photos and home videos, to older television shows that have been removed from syndication, the memories of the elderly are attached to a much broader spectrum of media.
The future of personal media storage and access is an important area of exploration as seen in Facebook’s newly introduced Timeline feature. This tool serves as a visual timeline of a person’s life, and addresses the growing trends in media archiving explorations.
In designing MEMOTE, it was important for us to create an experience that not only maintained shared experiences between family members, but provided a tool for both the young and old to access memories from their lives through one device.
Memote, p.3PARSONS - CONFIDENTIAL - PSAM 5550 D 6797 Collab: Simple Interfaces. CARROLL, LIEBERMAN, PITARU
INSPIRATION & IMPLEMENTATION
In order to create a time traveling device that embodies the past, present,
and future, we looked towards the timeless aesthetic of vintage wooden
radios. The physicality of knobs and toggles, paired with metal finishes,
creates an object that serves as the missing link between generations. The
rounded corners and book-like shape affords the user to grasp the device
with both hands, highlighting the personal, sacred, and cherished content
memote controls.
The intuitive interface of the iPod inspired the controls of MEMOTE. The
reoccurance of circular physicality in MEMOTE reflects the continuous and
elastic nature of traveling through time. The knobs represent the ability to
move forward and backward with no clear beginning or end.
Memote, p.4PARSONS - CONFIDENTIAL - PSAM 5550 D 6797 Collab: Simple Interfaces. CARROLL, LIEBERMAN, PITARU
INSPIRATION & IMPLEMENTATION
With MEMOTE, users have the ability to travel through time and cycle through various
decades of their life. When the toggle on the remote is set to ME, time travelers can access
their own memories from their lifetime. When the toggle is set to TV, travelers can revisit
iconic shows in television history that may have played a large role in their own family
experiences.
A web enabled television with custom media archive software supplements the MEMOTE.
For personal memories, physical artifacts such photographs and videos, are digitally
translated and stored into a virtual timeline and exists alongside old television shows.
Additionally, retrieving old television shows offers a unique opportunity in accessing
syndicated television shows. These artifacts of television history can be repackaged and
redistributed in a way that is more meaningful and accessible to the audience it was initially
created for.
First sketch Cardboard Prototype Plywood Prototype 3D Mockup
SPECIFICATIONS & DIMENSIONS
toggle between personal or TV memories
power on/off
scroll through decades of content
flip through content in each decade
dimensions: 6.5” x 4.5” x 1.5”dimensions: 6.5” x 4.5” x 1.5”
Memote , p.5PARSONS - CONFIDENTIAL - PSAM 5550 D 6797 Collab: Simple Interfaces. CARROLL, LIEBERMAN, PITARU
USER SCENARIO
MEMOTE
The volume of content accrued by family members is now easily accessible. Different generations of family members can relive and share milestones with each other.
Users can curate
their own history by
exploring television
shows that have
shaped their past, or
retrieving artifacts
of their own
memories.
User scrolling through content
http://vimeo.com/33911053
password: carroll
APPENDIX
Arduino Uno MicroController2 x XBee 2mW Chip Antenna Series 2XBee Explorer USBBreakout Board for XBee Module2 x Rotary EncoderBreakout BoardPush ButtonSwitch Toggle2xAA Batteries
Hidden beneath the wooden exterior is a collection of electronics that make this technology possible. The remote controls an internet-enabled television with an Arduino Uno microcontroller which is linked to a pair of wireless xBee radios and various inputs on the exterior, such as power on/off, toggle, and rotary knob. The microcontroller runs a custom software which is programmed to toggle between personal media archives and television content.