multimedia exp::wireframing + ideas

Stylesheet with possible typeface combinations, color palettes, etc.

multimedia exp::individual poster (final)

multimedia exp::brainstorming

Need: Young antiquers looking for quality stores that don't sell low-quality, worn-out goods. (Unless that's what you're looking for.)

Solution: Rating system through which they can evaluate the stores they visited, vendors dealt with, satisfaction with purchase. Can upload images, comments, reviews, etc. Customer base. Unifying symbol system for online and analog usage - for identifying different attributes of the store.

Need: To connect with other collectors of like items, etc.

Solution: Local web. Search tags, self tagged so that other people can search for like minded people. Friends list?

Need: To learn more about the object that they find.

Solution: Collective source - similar to a Wikipedia type of information gathering/editing.

Need: Personal expression - to display their collection, allow other users to see what they've amassed, etc.

Solution: User online space where they can post purchases, finds, project, profile information. Online gallery space.

Need: To learn how to create new objects from what they've bought.

Solution: Outlet through which they can post tutorials, workshops, and the like. Step-by-step with photos, videos, etc. Live chats with more experienced artisans in the community.

multimedia exp::individual poster process

visual advocacy::narrowing focus

Scams on the Elderly

Some issues to consider:

1.) A vulnerable demographic

As a whole, older generations are targeted for numerous reasons. Chief among them is the fact that they possess the greatest percentage of disposable income with the least amount of debt. (SocialPC) In addition, roughly 80% of people over the age of 65 have at least one major health problem, and thus spend a considerable amount of their monthly budget on health care.

2.) Reluctance to report

Another major issue is the reluctance of the victims to report any instances of scamming/fraud. This is primarily because they are concerned that their family may come to the conclusion that they no longer have the mental capacity to take care of his or her own financial affairs. Personal independence is still a very important thing, and they don't want to seem helpless or dependant on others.

3.) Numerous types of fraud

There are a myriad of different scams that these older generations are often presented with. To name a few:

• Jury duty summons - A caller claims to be a Jury Coordinator. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks for your social security number and date of birth so he/she verify the information and cancel the supposed arrest warrant. By disclosing this information results in a stolen identity.
• Bogus Foreign Lotteries - You are informed of a large lottery win, but have to send off administration, taxes, and other fees in order to claim winnings.
• Social Security Administration - People posing as SSN Administration claim that you have been overpaid on your benefits and owe the government back payments. The con-man escorts the victim to the bank to withdraw the overpayment.

design systems::possible industries

1.) Place - Venice

The city of Venice has been called many names: "Queen of the Adriatic", "City of Water", "The City of Light", etc. With a population of roughly 271,000, the city stretches across 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy. Venice is a place that is often associated with mystery intrigue. Not surprisingly, it has been featured in countless books, movies and poems. With the role the city has played in the arts, Venice was also one of the major destinations for young upper-class Europeans throughout the 1600 - 1800s embarking on the Grand Tour.

Resources:

Wiki

City of Venice

2.) Idea - 'Smart Cards', contactless payment

Essentially, smart cards are pocket-sized cards which are embedded with integrated circuits that can process data. These items are most often associated with the idea of "touch and go" payment - where users can load money into their cards and use it to pay for thing such as gas, bus fare, etc.

While some US cities already have systems similar to this - the cards still have a limited application. (For example, while the Boston transit system has a reusable card system known as the Charlie Card, it can only be used on the subways.)

Perhaps the best example of this system would be Hong Kong's "Octopus Card", which is used for virtually all public transport in the city. But its use extends beyond train fare - the Octopus Card can also be used as payment at convenience stores, supermarkets, fast-food restaurants, parking meters and even vending machines. The Octopus Card has been recognized internationally, winning the Chairman's Award at the World Information Technology and Service Alliance in 2006.

The implementation and use of smart cards/contactless payment in cities like Kansas City would greatly facilitate day to day life, as well as provide a more environmentally friendly option to signing receipts for credit/debit cards and writing checks, etc.

Resources:

Hong Kong Octopus Card

HK Travel

Boston Transit

Wiki - SmartCards

Wiki - Contactless Payment

3.) Energy - Solar

Solar energy has been a prominent presence in the green movement. But while many corporations and groups have started to utilize solar energy, it is still a rather expensive alternative for the average consumer. Put perhaps through design we can present consumers with small steps towards solar energy.

Resources:

SolarHome

American Solar Energy Society

Wiki - Solar Energy

visual advocacy::research

Scamming and the Elderly

While scam artists have always preyed on the gullible, in recent years, much of their focus have been turned towards the elderly. It is quite a well known fact that the elderly possess the greatest percentage of disposable income with the least amount of debt. Scam artists prey upon these people with unrelenting deception. It is not a problem that will just go away.

But what is it that makes this demographic such an ideal target?

First we must analyze the different "red flags" which identify certain members of the elderly as targets for scams. First off, these older consumers are often living alone, with no one else to watch their finances for them. Being alone, they are often very appreciative and receptive of guests, especially those who pay a visit even to sell them something which will be of benefit to them or their homes. They are also very receptive to anything promising

assistance to their health conditions or home repair requirements. The older generations are also preyed upon because of how trusting they are; whereas younger, more savvy age groups know better than to disclose personal information.

Sources:

SocialPC

SeniorPro

Balance.com

multimedia exp::antique survey

hello, antiquity!

1.) Physical boundaries

Vintage clothing, furniture, relics, glasses, records, decanter

s, etc etc. Sculpture, paintings, old medical, optometrists' equipment.

Our community is geared towards younger generations who are looking for an online community about antiques and the collecting of them.

2.) What's / who's involved

People from ages 16 to 25, anyone who is interested in antiques, vintage items, etc. Old furniture, clothing, etc. Pushing antiques as a alternative to new furniture.

3.) Equipment needs

Vintage, antique items. Camera to take quality pictures of goods/relics y

ou're selling. Pricing guides.

4.) Demographics

Enthusiasts ages 16 to 25, who care about antiques.

5.) Individual and community wants and needs

On the individual level, antique collectors are looking for a sense of quality assurance. Commonly used online outlets like Ebay or Craigslist often don't have pictures of the antiques they're selling, or have fees which drive potential buyers and sellers away from the site.

Also, they're looking for community suggestion outlets, a rating system, etc.

(Think Amazon/Ebay user stars, etc.)

• tutorials
• pick of the week/day/whatever
• local finds
• buyer's guide

6.) Symbols

Optometrist's lens.(?) Markers of the community could be icons of universally recognized antique items. (Gramophone, records, glasses, pocket watches, furniture, etc)

7.) Motivations

Antique enthusiasts are often motivated by different drives - for some it's the act of collecting objects that they're interested by (Buttons, vintage luggage, typewriters, etc) or just as some described it, "the thrill of the hunt," or "taking other people's treasures and making it your own."

Others seek out antiques because they hope to furnish their home/apartment with them. (Perhaps looking to achieve a certain look or feel.) So I guess this is a motivation for home decoration?

multimedia exp::url and hosting

Possible hosts:

hostmonster

lunarpages

URL ideas:

sheilawong.com (domain taken by some professional image consultant.)

wongdesign

sheila-wong

swong

...More name plays to follow.

I'm finding having to think up domain names somewhat difficult, it feels almost overly self-righteous for some reason.

iq font::find+share

iQ Font - When Driving Becomes Writing

When driving meets type!

Typographers Pierre Smeets and Damien Aresta team up with a professional race car driver to creat a font~

(How's that for experiemental type, Tyler?)

xheight::downloads

widget v1.0

widget v2.0

ecard

ue:: ziba webpage layouts

Some revised layouts for Ziba's website. Still working out the language/color system of the nav menu.

ia::final collection site

plastic playth!ngs

This project was interesting for me because of how I had to learn to apply and integrate a fair amount of information into a screen-based format. Like information graphics, the goal of this site is to make complexity accessible. But it's also about structuring the visual experience itself with navigation. Rather than everything being revealed at once, information is divided into bite-sized portions; to encourage users to play and explore.

Process available as a PDF here.

Blog process:

a.) Initial Wireframing

b.) Object Renders + Revisions v.1

c.) Revisions v.2

d.) Website title brainstorming

e.) Revisions v.3

f.) Revisions v.4

g.) Partner critique + feedback

the design police::find+share

Hilarious and useful. Get your visual enforcement kit today.

type iv:: revised website layout

Revised my wireframes/layouts of the XHEIGHT webpage from Wednesday. Final site will be built in Flash. Go AS3.0!

ia::collection flash site

Not quite final (there's always room for revisions), but pretty close, and up and running:

plastic playthings~

type iv:: artifact designs

Website layout still needs refinement...

type iv:: XHEIGHT Widget v2.0

Revised the original XHEIGHT widget - made it a bit smaller, and included meters for hours, minutes and seconds. Also, there's a button on the back that links to our blog with info about the conference

Screenshot of it in action on my Dashboard.

To download it, click here.

type iv:: xheight: now with dashboard widget!

a simple dashboard countdown widget made for our XHEIGHT conference:

Screenshot of said widget in action:

When the clock hits zero, the widget is programmed to detonate your laptop, therefore forcing the user to make hand-rendered typography.

Just kidding...it'll just throw some positive words your way about attending and whatnot.

Still need to figure how to code it to countdown hours, minutes, seconds.

You can download it here.

the eco zoo :: find+share

The EcoZoo. A cute interactive website that utilizes fun 3D graphics to educate viewers about energy conservation. The user is about to view things from all angles, and can sometimes reveal details they hadn't seen previously.

Oh...and a new vinyl toy has been added to my collection:

ia::more revisions

revised the site's title a little - rearranged the revealed infographic compositions.

still need to find better images for my two informational pages.

ia:: more website compositions

ia:: website brainstorming

Still working on titles for my website.

• vinyl core
  
• vinyl vision
  
• vinyl initiative
  
• vinyl mayhem
  
• vinyl clutter
  
• pliant playthings
  
• designer vinyl
  
• master of monster
• plastic menagerie
• limited editions
• eclectic playthings
• plastic playground
• vinyl variants

ia:: website layouts+interactivity