Looking back at my goals

I think I did pretty well achieving my goals set for this class...

"I would really like to build upon my sketch rendering skills. I often go from chicken scratch sketches to CAD modeling. It is imperative that I take advantage of ID studio, DesCom, and Human Factors this quarter and use each class to benefit the other."

While I did not do much sketch rendering, I definitely used all of my classes to benefit one another.  I used a DesCom assignment to my advantage to help further develop my biofeedback workstation design.  I focused on the elements that drove the design, making the final product much more cohesive with the military characteristics. 

Recap - Final Presentation

Speaking of formal design communication, my class just gave our final presentations for our workstations.  While I am very proud of the final product and my presentation delivery, it seemed that the panel of 6 critiquers were confused about the whole project!  I did my best to brief them on the biofeedback background, transition into my design direction, and ultimately, my final design.  Looking back on the critique, I should have taken more control of my presentation.  The panel was sitting very far away and made comments that they could not see certain supporting images on my board.  I should have encouraged them to come closer and review the board more in-depth. Also, a few member of the panel focused their questions on biofeedback and the military rather than my design.  The presentation was taking a different turn...a turn for the worst...I let the questions continue for too long and there was little critique on my actual project!  I have learned from this experience and have used it as a practicing tool for my many presentations to come.

Biofeedback Station - Final Presentation

Design Blogging

I have actually enjoyed blogging this quarter.  I think it's an effective method of communicating design in an informal manner...which I prefer.  While giving presentations is a powerful tool for communicating design, it requires preparation, practice, and a higher level of professionalism.  Blogging allows the designer to be in a more conversational state from the beginning to end of a project (if the designer chooses to display their own work) and leaves each stage open for discussion.  That's my kind of design communication!

Biofeedback Gear - Presentation Board

 

I presented the biofeeback gear in my Design Communications class this week.  The purpose of my image board is to give a brief overview of what these things actually do.  Whenever I tell someone that I am designing a portable biofeedback station, 9 times out of 10 their response is, "biowhat?" followed by "I don't know what that is, but it sounds cool."  And that is exactly how I started off my presentation.  I tried to engage my audience with large graphics, negative space, heirarchy, and a catchy title.  

On the board you will find my good friend, Matt Brown, on the left.  He is the perfect silhouette for my board because of his shaved head and scruffy beard.  The large side-view  is followed by a short description of biofeedback.  Next, the sensors are displayed on a blurry silhouette of a soldier.  Dotted lines link the sensors with the read-out screen to illustrate the monitoring and wireless technology involved in the biofeedback process.

Biofeedback Workstation - for soldiers (round 2)

Above is the *almost* final design of the biofeedback gear for soldiers.  Specific design details include bold, structural forms, and aggressive lines.  The "brotherhood" and "sisterhood" characteristic of the Army is also designed into the gear.  The warm, titanium, tube-like forms unify all parts of the product and mimic the blood veins in the human body.  Organization and structure are significant Army traditions and they can be found in the flexible, green sensors (which house the electrodes).  The three sensors are regimented in a straight line and labeled with the specific part of the body to which they are to be placed. 

I am still exploring the sensors' form and design details such as shape, thickness, durability, sweat resistant adhesive, etc.  Get excited!

Biofeedback Workstation - for soldiers

Above are the developed concepts for the biofeedback gear to be worn by the soldiers.  Each concept was driven by the Army characteristics found through my research.  I chose to further develop the far right concept because is the most familiar a recognizable form.

Biofeedback Workstation

I am currently designing a portable biofeedback station for the US Army.  Performace consultants are working with the Army to help soldiers develop mental skills.  Read more here.

The current station
1. can only accommodate 1 soldier per session.
2. has wires connecting electrodes to the computer system.
3. puts the soldier in one type of environment, a relaxed environment.

The future concept
1. can accommodate at least 30 soldiers per session.
2. is wireless.
3. is portable, allowing consultants to transport the station to multiple locations.

PDF Portfolio vs. Free Website

I'll go ahead and tell you that Free Website wins this battle.

**Side note...When given the job of designing a website for my husband's business, I attempted to learn Dreamweaver.  I read reviews on several different books and decided to go with Adobe's book.  "It's an easy read!" or "My website was up and running after the first 3 chapters!"  Bologna, people.  That book must be Maggie proof because Dreamweaver is evil.

The other evil is PDF portfolios.  They take way too long and aren't the easiest thing to update.  Especially if you change your mind as much as I do regarding color, layout, etc.

I am here to tell you about 3 website design sites that are FREE.

Carbonmade
Great for designers to display their work in a straightforward, simple layout.  Best part, it's free.

Wix
Perfect for designers who want a Flash website with all the bells and whistles.  Best part, it's free.

Weebly
I am currently using Weebly.  They have about 70 layouts AND you can change the HTML and CSS code to set yourself apart fromt the basic templates.  Best part, it's free.