Computing is increasingly ubiquitous and embedded into the every day real world objects and environments. This talk will take a playful look at the changes in behavioral norms and design patterns as society responds to the changing world. It will also toy with ways in which situations may become subverted.
The O'Reilly Ignite format idea is simple: presenters are required to stick to a rigid format of 20 slides, each of which changes automatically after 15 seconds, ensuring that each presentation is exactly 5 minutes long.
Here's video from actual night - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO12coZKcb0
Hi, my name is Nicky.By day I work for BBC Research & Development on future strategy of digital products & services.As my background is in user experience Ifind that this shapes the way that I consider my surroundings, particularly as computing becomes more ubiquitous and embeddedinto every day real world objects and environments.This talk will take a playful look at the changes in behavioral norms and design patterns that exist in the real world.
The planning of urban environments is incredibly complex.It requires broad sweeping, big picture, thinking.Often this 10,000 feet view can be low on detail.This approach can lead to a problem though.
Taking such a high level view can prevent you noticing granular detail. In turn, there is potential for unexpected or unintended consequences.(This is taken on Westminster Bridge with the Houses Of Parliament & Big Ben just out of picture.)
Looking backat the infrastructure of the city.One of it’s primary purposes lies with flow.The flow of -PedestriansTrafficDataThese systems seek to provide –Efficiency Codes of conduct Maintain order.
To sustain this flow, there is a complex eco system, with many layers of dependency -There are the tangible structures and objects Then, the way in which people wish to make use of the environmentAnd increasingly, there is an enhanced experience that can be created through engagement with digital online content and data
Rules of engagement create a framework for people to interact.A sense of expectation is created, with an understanding of what the possible outcomes maybe.There is a sense of order and expectation of possible outcomes.
Anti patterns exist though.The UK is the only country not to apply it’s highway code to escalator code of conduct.We drive on the left hand side of the road, but stand on the right hand side of the escalator.This is a legacy from the first escalators on London Underground 100 years ago.
Whilst the design of systems do work in the majority of situations, they tend to take a macro approach. They cater less to the individual.Frustration or anger at a system creates negative patterns of behaviour.For example, traffic jams or over crowding become a catalyst for -Road ragePedestrian rageOr even -Escalator rage
Our everyday environment is full of behavioural patterns & codes of conduct. The new Diagonal Crossing in Oxford Circus -Stops traffic in all directions Allowing pedestrians to move in any direction when crossing the road.This is a system imported from Japan, but will there be cultural implications in the UK? For example - Britain is a nation of jay walkers. Cyclist have a tendency of jumping red lights.
Design patterns are well established by online user experience communities.They allow standards, simplifying interaction with digital products & services Ubiquitous computing requires these patterns to be reconsidered in the real world.
AMEE is doing fantastic work creating transparency, accountability and tracking of carbon consumption.This is a big picture view of a global issue.It is statistically driven, focusing on figures and their potential efficiency.Their open platform offers a solution to a macroscopic problem.But it does not address personal behaviour patterns.
In the pursuit for green, unexpected issues may be created unknowingly.You may buy green energy but it does not mean your useof energy is green.A renewable energy supplier will replenish the grid with the equivalent energy used by it’s customers.If during peak times there is too much demand on the grid, coal or oil to be burnt to meet the need regardless of who your supplier is.The flow of energy across the UK grid is subject to peaks in demand.How can this flow be managed through behavioural changes on a personal level?
The Dick Cheney energy meter. A prototype from a Frog Design competition.The more energy you use, the more Dick Cheney smiles.Some people may be motivated to modify their behaviour to stop him smiling.Updated version of think globally act globally.Now think global act local.Other examples: DIY Kyoto which allows tracking of energy use on each appliance in the home.
Instead of reducing a certain behaviour, how can it be time shifted?Bakery have two distinct cycles –The baking of bread, pastries and cakes etc.The peak hours when customers wish to buy: to and from work, meal times etc.Would it be possible to time shift behaviour so that there customers come to the stores more frequently?
Baker Tweet allows bakers to send real time updates to Twitter on what food has just come out of the oven. To use –Turn the dial and select from Croissant, Chelsea Bun, Pain Au Chocolate etc.Then hit the tweet button to send.Eager foodies then come to the bakery whilst food is still warm from the oven.
No longer necessary to leave to luck how fresh produce will be.In turn the bakery improves customer satisfaction and builds up rapport.Real time knowledge allow individuals to choose immediate action.
On-Demand has provided time-shifting of TV content for some time.Gives greater control over what content we choose to watch via our TVs, laptops, mobiles, etcBeyond our personal devices there is an increasing rise of TV screens in bars, restaurants and other public spaces. Except, unlike online personalised services, there is far less control over whether you can choose to watch or not.
TV-B-Gone only has a power button thatallows you to switch a TV on or off.You control when you see, rather than what you see.The device is so small that it easily fits in your pocket.If you can be discreet enough to avoid detection you could use it in public spaces.
The role of design patterns has come round full circle back to the physical world.Pervasive computing has enabled the merging of real and digital worlds.This brings new opportunities of how experience can be directed, challenged or adapted.Rather than focussing on how to design for ease of use or quality of experience, there is potential to consider how we can influence change on a personal level.The role of technology need not be obtrusive. It can gently brush against the real world environment to enhance it.
This talk has been inspired by a joint proposal that myself and @saintsal have submitted to SXSW10.