User Flow tests

Layout Design Hub Use Flow
A discussion back and forth between my partner Ryan D’orazi as the functions and purpose of the table. A back and forth conversation occurred as to what the values of the desk are and need to be.
We valued
1.) Tactility of paper and space
2.) Fluidity of access and reference
3.) Social affordance of communication and reference.

Userflow diagrams allowed us to streamline the needed functionality of the desk and helped us
in the process of user interface and physical constraints.
The diagrams allowed us to have a conversation back and forth about what was necessary where it should fit and why it is necessary.

Layout Hub Scenario

New Ecology of things : Layout Hub from Christopher Becker on Vimeo.

A video look at the functionality, purpose and possible ideas that might make their way into the final
prototype. Video is useful for understanding potential functionality. Ideas explored around the notion that paper has a histroy and connection into the digital space. Layout hub is an experiment in representing the position and content of the printed page into the digital realm with seamless interaction and affordance of working in real size. The ability to juxtapose and use new and old tools fluidly with in the system were part or our core values.

Desk or floor

The New Ecology of Things assignment asked us to:
research and report on how digital technologies have homogenized activities that were previously more idiosyncratic. The report should be a 10 minute presentation that shows the "old" systems and affordances compared to the "new" ones. Discuss the following:

• What was lost in the transition from non-computation to computational activities?
• What was gained?
• How could the advantages of old and new be combined using the ideas of NET?

As we started thinking through the ideas we concluded that computation has moved most design activities onto the screen through homogenizing software products like adobe creative suite. The notion of the designer desk with print outs and version strewn about has been replaced by the computer desktop. As designers in contemporary times we both have had it drilled into us that we should always print out our design artifacts before sending them to print or to a client. We started to think about why is that important? has computation eliminated that process of printing? Does physical artifacts allow for greater concentration? More attentive design? Greater concepts and ideas? What could we create that instead of isolating the accordance of screen and print actually attempted to combine those of print artifacts and screen based design?

Layout Hub Idea v1

Idea: Chris Becker & Ryan D'orazi
An interactive desk /floor and workstation
Inspiration:
Alexi Brodovich

The networked desk/interactive surface allows the link of working with paper at actual size. Our concept is attempting to challenge the idea that when paper is printed that is the end of its life cycle as an artifact. In an age of ubiquitous computation all things can have a history. In ip6 every molecule will have a unique identity because of this we are attempting to explore the area of sequential design to address the ideas that paper has a histroy and is part of a large network of files and connections. What happens to the designing process when connections and communication are forefront and fluid? When a piece of design can have a histroy then it is traceable from sketch to final product and beyond. What if each piece of design had a meta history attached to with in the fibers of the printing? With meta information paper can have any and every peice of information about who, what, how, when, where and why this peice of design came to be.
We started with running a few experiments revolving around the Art Director and his or her ability to be the overlord of a project.