Instructions
Based on information below you will work through in our first week of content delivered online, please reflect on the following.
1. As we continue to transition from the information age to a new age of technology 1.) what pressures are we feeling, and 2.) why is focusing on inclusive design more important than ever before?
AND
2. After watching Wilson Smith's Ted Talk on Diversity and Design and Grace Jun's presentations on designing for an inclusive and considered future, reflect on how you personally might empower others with inclusive design in the future.
Based on information below you will work through in our first week of content delivered online, please reflect on the following.
1. As we continue to transition from the information age to a new age of technology 1.) what pressures are we feeling, and 2.) why is focusing on inclusive design more important than ever before?
AND
2. After watching Wilson Smith's Ted Talk on Diversity and Design and Grace Jun's presentations on designing for an inclusive and considered future, reflect on how you personally might empower others with inclusive design in the future.
Week 5 Resources
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella introduces the Seeing AI prototype along with software engineer Saqib Shaikh at the Microsoft Build Developer Conference. Shaikh, who lost his sight when he was seven, helped develop the project, which uses computer vision and natural language processing to describe a person's surroundings, read text, answer questions and even identify emotions on people's faces. To get this technology into the hands of as many people as possible, this research project has evolved to be a free smartphone app, released in 2017.
More than 1 billion people around the world have some sort of disability. Rong Shi of VOA's Mandarin service toured an exhibit in New York that showcases the latest gadgets and inventions designed to help those with a range of physical, sensory or cognitive abilities lead more independent lives and engage more fully in the world. Faith Lapidus reports.
An excerpt from the feature-length documentary by Gary Hustwit about our complex relationship with manufactured objects and, by extension, the people who design them. To learn more about our design and innovation consulting firm, visit Smart Design's website at www.smartdesignworldwide.com.
Wilson W. Smith III is a Design Director at Nike, Inc. in the Center of Design Excellence, (CoDE,) in Academic Outreach and Talent Development. What has consistently defined Wilson is his incredible passion around coaching, teaching and giving back. Whether serving as innovation lead for N7, aiding recovery efforts in Haiti, serving as an adjunct professor at the U of O or leading projects for the Better World team or Nike's Ability Network, Wilson's commitment to the next generation of designers and the power of design to positively impact the world has created a presence and legacy that will only grow stronger in his new position. Wilson has been honored as one of America's top African-American designers by Black Enterprise magazine.
Grace Jun is a social entrepreneur and designer who creates innovative garments for individuals with disabilities. Her design thinking is underpinned by an altruistic consideration for the entire population. She designs clothing that is comfortable, stylish, and functional for people with disabilities, not limited to aging or injury.
“If we’re going to be designing for the future, shouldn’t we be challenging ourselves to design beyond human augmentation?” asks Jun, “And not just restoring it, as we see in many cases for assistive tech or medical products.”
During her time at Samsung Electronics and the Parsons School of Design, Jun started researching the shortcomings of fashion and its lack of consideration for those living with long term illness or physical impairment. She identified that not having accommodating clothing options has been a barrier for not only people living with disabilities but also those who have sustained injury or are recovering from surgery.
Jun’s exploration of the subject eventually led her to Open Style Lab, an organization that shared her passion for accessible clothing, for which she now serves as Executive Director.
The designer focussed on one case of a breast cancer survivor named Dorothy who had been living in near constant discomfort (due in part to unforgiving attire). Jun created a garment that has an embedded circuit system with Bluetooth to record Dorothy’s range of motion throughout the day as a starting point. She could analyze the data regarding the wearer’s arm and torso movements (as well as their limitations) on screen and make informed decisions about the kind of garment that would be more suitable.
Bringing fashion and technology together, Jun designed a prototype range of jackets that encompassed the necessary elements that would improve comfort, such as magnetized clasps and wider arm holes, instead of just adding on impressive computer circuitry.
“So I would hope this type of wearable or inclusive design would better allow Dorothy to communicate her dialogue with her physical therapist,” says Jun, “To elevate her confidence and therefore to empower her daily life.”
Credit to Open Style Lab team members Ryan DeRoche, Alex Peacock, June Kim and Kira Bender who worked with Jun on the Rayn Jacket as well as Eliza Mury, Aimee Mury, Christina Glover, Elizabeth Riley, and Uma Desai who worked on the Ease jacket as depicted in the presentation.
“If we’re going to be designing for the future, shouldn’t we be challenging ourselves to design beyond human augmentation?” asks Jun, “And not just restoring it, as we see in many cases for assistive tech or medical products.”
During her time at Samsung Electronics and the Parsons School of Design, Jun started researching the shortcomings of fashion and its lack of consideration for those living with long term illness or physical impairment. She identified that not having accommodating clothing options has been a barrier for not only people living with disabilities but also those who have sustained injury or are recovering from surgery.
Jun’s exploration of the subject eventually led her to Open Style Lab, an organization that shared her passion for accessible clothing, for which she now serves as Executive Director.
The designer focussed on one case of a breast cancer survivor named Dorothy who had been living in near constant discomfort (due in part to unforgiving attire). Jun created a garment that has an embedded circuit system with Bluetooth to record Dorothy’s range of motion throughout the day as a starting point. She could analyze the data regarding the wearer’s arm and torso movements (as well as their limitations) on screen and make informed decisions about the kind of garment that would be more suitable.
Bringing fashion and technology together, Jun designed a prototype range of jackets that encompassed the necessary elements that would improve comfort, such as magnetized clasps and wider arm holes, instead of just adding on impressive computer circuitry.
“So I would hope this type of wearable or inclusive design would better allow Dorothy to communicate her dialogue with her physical therapist,” says Jun, “To elevate her confidence and therefore to empower her daily life.”
Credit to Open Style Lab team members Ryan DeRoche, Alex Peacock, June Kim and Kira Bender who worked with Jun on the Rayn Jacket as well as Eliza Mury, Aimee Mury, Christina Glover, Elizabeth Riley, and Uma Desai who worked on the Ease jacket as depicted in the presentation.
David Aguilar built his own working prosthetic arm – from LEGO bricks. The genius engineering student was born without a right forearm, but now makes his own prosthetics using the creative power of LEGO bricks. This is his amazing story.
Kitty Short is a teacher who found that wonderful things can happen when you bring LEGO bricks into a retirement home. LEGO bricks + retirement home = pure happiness! #RebuildTheWorld #RebuilderStories
Wei Wei Shannon Gluckman is a former architect on a mission to bring play to kids and adults alike. Wei Wei founded Playable Design to bring people together through building amazing LEGO cities, and coming up with solutions for the world’s problems #RebuildTheWorld
JerryRigEverything
