The two journals which I have looked at contribute, and support each other as they are looking at the general idea that there is a divide between the younger generations and the elderly generations in terms of use and understanding of new technology. The first journal looks at the elderly using technology in public libraries and in particular using the online catalogues. The second journal looks at the elderly using technology in terms of online social networking site and online communities. Both look at studies to support this ideas and look at possible reasons for this, such as physical constraints and understanding how to use the technology. At the same time as showing that the elderly have difficulties and are unsure when using new technology, the studies from both resources showed that this age group were positive about using technology and were wanting to learn and embrace how to use the technology. This then relates to my product idea and helped me to research for my product design as it enables me to see that with my product it could enable the elderly to embrace a new form of technology in the E-Catalogue, that is easy to use and understand.
Both journal A, the first resource, and journal B, the second resource, mention that when researching they have notice that an important factor for elderly people using technology is that it needs to be easy to use. This is in terms of easy to physically use, such as large, easily recognisable icons and possibly a simple to use touch screen. This idea would also need to include simple and easy to follow instructions.
As this age group is one of the target consumers for my product I feel then this is one of the main issues regarding my product, and how one of the main functions of my product is to be easy to use and not require the use of a computer. From the research I have noticed that a possible addition to my product design might be to include the idea of social interaction and to create a kind of community that the elderly could join and create.
I would take my design further by possible going on to look more at the technical side of my product. This is to enable my product to have all the functions and capabilities it would require after having looked into the researched of the requirements of one of the target consumers of my product. In terms of design I would want to make it easy to hold by being lightweight , and easy to store. Also possibly interview a range of the products consumers to find out any other requirements and functions they would like or require the product to do.
Bibliography
- Karahasanovic, A et al (2009) Co-creation and user-generated content-elderly people’s user requirements, Science Direct
-Kelley, C and N. Charness, (1995), Issues in training older adults to use computers, Behaviour and Information Technology 14(2): 107-120
- Lieffers, L (2000) The older adult and public library computer technology: A pilot study on a Canadian setting, K. G. Saur Verlag
-Low, G (1990), Computer Literary, Canadian Social Trends 19:13-15
I have added in to the last assignment 3 Bibliography
Thursday 3 December 2009
Read and Review Journal 1 and Journal 2
For asssignment 4 were asked select two journals or books to read and take notes on. Then write a 500 word outline analysing and writing about each source.
The first source which I have chosen to look at is an article entitled ‘The Older Adult and Public Library Computer Technology: A Pilot Study in a Canadian setting’ written by Patricia A. Larkin-Lieffers, which appears in the Journal ‘Libri 2000’. This article looks at and researches the idea that many people aged 65 and over have difficulties or concerns with using and understanding new technology. I feel this source is relevant and valuable to my design as although it is primarily looking at computer technology in terms of public libraries, it does investigate the main issues that many elderly people have trouble and difficulties when using new technology. Therefore I want to investigate what the difficulties are for elderly people when using technology in order to create a much more user friendly product for this age group, for my design.
The main purpose of this article is to look at the question: “What are older adult users attitudes, experiences and issues concerning public library computer technology?”(Larkin-Lieffers, 2000,p226)
In the article the author looked a number of factors that would effect the way in which the older age groups might have concerns regarding new technology, these included that with an increase in age comes a decrease in the number and amount of computer experience. More interesting regarding my product is that recent statistics in Canada (1997) shows that computer ownership also decreases with the older you get, as it showed that only 12.9% of the population aged 65 and over owned a computer compared with 35.8% of the population aged 35 years or younger. A secondary source used in the article is a study carried out by Kelley and Charness 1995 which found research that other difficulties for elderly people could be more physical problems such as changes in their ability to see the icons and recognise what they are. Also being able to move and use the mouse and using the key board could also be difficult for some elderly people.
One of the concerns for my product is that there already exists a number of online catalogues however another secondary within this article it looks at the secondary source of two studies carried out by C. Borgman 1986 and 1996, and Sit (1998) which looks at the difficulties of using online catalogues, and online library catalogues (OPACs) for elderly people, this be due to lack of computer experience, lack of knowledge and anxiety for using computers and also due to lack of accessibility to computers.
Within this source the author has carried out primary research of a study where six public library users aged 65 years and over were interviewed concerning their attitudes and experiences to computer technology. The findings of this study was that in terms of using online library technology in general they didn’t feel confident using and felt easy to follow instructions and possible peer support would be useful. However in terms of learning to use computers and technology in general they were very positive, and felt they had felt “left behind”( Larkin-Lieffers,2000,p232). Therefore I feel this is beneficial to my product research as it shows that older people are wanting to embrace new technologies and need an easy to follow and use product to help to introduce them to technology.
The second source is entitled ‘Co-creation and user-generated content-elderly people’s user requirements’ by Amela Karahasanovic and appears in the journal Science Direct. The main purpose of this article is to look at and investigate how society can integrate elderly people in the use and taking part in new technology to try and get rid of the “digital generational divide”(Karahasanovic, 2009, p656). This article is particularly interested in the use and creation of social networking sites and community websites. The article also aims to look at the needs of the elderly to enable them to use these technologies.
The author Karahasanovic and the other researches carried out three studies, these would be classed as secondary sources. The first study was carried out in Norway by “SINTEF”, which looked at people’s use of the internet as a whole, and the ways in which they use it. The second study was carried in Belgium by “IBBT/SMIT” at the “Vrije Universiteit Brussels”, this study looked at the interaction and the social interaction within groups between elderly people within communities. The third one was carried out in Belgium, by “the Centre for Usability Research of the Catholic University of Leuven.”(Karahasanovic, 2009, p656)This study looked in detail at the individual needs and requirements of the elderly for them being able to use and create User generated content(UGC). Therefore within this research they looked at the different requirements, affecting the elderly peoples ability to use and connect with the internet and new technologies. These requirements were the contextual requirements and the surrounding environmental issues, also the social requirements and the communities in which they live and lastly the user requirements. The interesting idea that the researchers noticed was that not only are a large number of elderly people interested in using technology and computers for functional reasons they are also very positive about embracing an even newer form of internet technology in social networking sites. As they recognise the social, and creative benefits they offer.
From the studies conducted within the article and mentioned above, the main conclusions the researchers found is that the more elderly people that join and adopt these online communities the more the numbers would increase and this would therefore offer more benefits and possibilities in terms of social interaction. Study 2 was conducted in more of a group form and confirmed that elderly people were positive and enthusiastic about using online social interaction and also that they showed an interest in using even more technology and “digitalising”(Karahasanovic, 2009,p668) more functions that were previous carried out without the use of technology. Study 3 showed that an important factor for using technology for this age group was ease of use, and although they are wanting to embrace technology they are not confident when using the it and require easy to follow instructions and possible peer help and shown what to do. This research also shows with creating the right help, learning methods and environment the speed in which this age group embrace the use of technology and online communities could be increased. Therefore this enables to help to decrease the “digital generational divide.”(Karahasanovic, 2009, p656).
The first source which I have chosen to look at is an article entitled ‘The Older Adult and Public Library Computer Technology: A Pilot Study in a Canadian setting’ written by Patricia A. Larkin-Lieffers, which appears in the Journal ‘Libri 2000’. This article looks at and researches the idea that many people aged 65 and over have difficulties or concerns with using and understanding new technology. I feel this source is relevant and valuable to my design as although it is primarily looking at computer technology in terms of public libraries, it does investigate the main issues that many elderly people have trouble and difficulties when using new technology. Therefore I want to investigate what the difficulties are for elderly people when using technology in order to create a much more user friendly product for this age group, for my design.
The main purpose of this article is to look at the question: “What are older adult users attitudes, experiences and issues concerning public library computer technology?”(Larkin-Lieffers, 2000,p226)
In the article the author looked a number of factors that would effect the way in which the older age groups might have concerns regarding new technology, these included that with an increase in age comes a decrease in the number and amount of computer experience. More interesting regarding my product is that recent statistics in Canada (1997) shows that computer ownership also decreases with the older you get, as it showed that only 12.9% of the population aged 65 and over owned a computer compared with 35.8% of the population aged 35 years or younger. A secondary source used in the article is a study carried out by Kelley and Charness 1995 which found research that other difficulties for elderly people could be more physical problems such as changes in their ability to see the icons and recognise what they are. Also being able to move and use the mouse and using the key board could also be difficult for some elderly people.
One of the concerns for my product is that there already exists a number of online catalogues however another secondary within this article it looks at the secondary source of two studies carried out by C. Borgman 1986 and 1996, and Sit (1998) which looks at the difficulties of using online catalogues, and online library catalogues (OPACs) for elderly people, this be due to lack of computer experience, lack of knowledge and anxiety for using computers and also due to lack of accessibility to computers.
Within this source the author has carried out primary research of a study where six public library users aged 65 years and over were interviewed concerning their attitudes and experiences to computer technology. The findings of this study was that in terms of using online library technology in general they didn’t feel confident using and felt easy to follow instructions and possible peer support would be useful. However in terms of learning to use computers and technology in general they were very positive, and felt they had felt “left behind”( Larkin-Lieffers,2000,p232). Therefore I feel this is beneficial to my product research as it shows that older people are wanting to embrace new technologies and need an easy to follow and use product to help to introduce them to technology.
The second source is entitled ‘Co-creation and user-generated content-elderly people’s user requirements’ by Amela Karahasanovic and appears in the journal Science Direct. The main purpose of this article is to look at and investigate how society can integrate elderly people in the use and taking part in new technology to try and get rid of the “digital generational divide”(Karahasanovic, 2009, p656). This article is particularly interested in the use and creation of social networking sites and community websites. The article also aims to look at the needs of the elderly to enable them to use these technologies.
The author Karahasanovic and the other researches carried out three studies, these would be classed as secondary sources. The first study was carried out in Norway by “SINTEF”, which looked at people’s use of the internet as a whole, and the ways in which they use it. The second study was carried in Belgium by “IBBT/SMIT” at the “Vrije Universiteit Brussels”, this study looked at the interaction and the social interaction within groups between elderly people within communities. The third one was carried out in Belgium, by “the Centre for Usability Research of the Catholic University of Leuven.”(Karahasanovic, 2009, p656)This study looked in detail at the individual needs and requirements of the elderly for them being able to use and create User generated content(UGC). Therefore within this research they looked at the different requirements, affecting the elderly peoples ability to use and connect with the internet and new technologies. These requirements were the contextual requirements and the surrounding environmental issues, also the social requirements and the communities in which they live and lastly the user requirements. The interesting idea that the researchers noticed was that not only are a large number of elderly people interested in using technology and computers for functional reasons they are also very positive about embracing an even newer form of internet technology in social networking sites. As they recognise the social, and creative benefits they offer.
From the studies conducted within the article and mentioned above, the main conclusions the researchers found is that the more elderly people that join and adopt these online communities the more the numbers would increase and this would therefore offer more benefits and possibilities in terms of social interaction. Study 2 was conducted in more of a group form and confirmed that elderly people were positive and enthusiastic about using online social interaction and also that they showed an interest in using even more technology and “digitalising”(Karahasanovic, 2009,p668) more functions that were previous carried out without the use of technology. Study 3 showed that an important factor for using technology for this age group was ease of use, and although they are wanting to embrace technology they are not confident when using the it and require easy to follow instructions and possible peer help and shown what to do. This research also shows with creating the right help, learning methods and environment the speed in which this age group embrace the use of technology and online communities could be increased. Therefore this enables to help to decrease the “digital generational divide.”(Karahasanovic, 2009, p656).
Tuesday 17 November 2009
Books and Journals
For assignment 3 we had to find 6 or 7 references using crosssearch, that link or cover my design idea. List of resources:
-Black, M (2009) Prototyping a tangible tool for design: Multimedia e-paper sticky notes
This referecne looks at a product which offers a new and innovative way for people, especially designers to work and think of ideas. In terms of my product it would allow people to keep notes of which products they wanted to buy and also the technology behind this product enables me to look at a much lighter and more compact idea for my design. This resources weakness is that it doesn't look at the idea of having a disc that you could load therefore doersn't offers all the relevent information.
- Chebbour, A (1999) The future of Optical disk storage technology
This resource is useful for helping to research the information needed for the disc storage technology for storing the catalogue on the disc, that is then inserted into the e-catalogue design.
This resource weakness is that I am unable to get the full text, therefore it can't be used for futher research.
-Design week (2001) Keep on Moving
This resource is a journal article and it didn't have a visable authour, however I found the source to be very useful in terms of the information it gives as it looks at interactive, portable, touch screen technology which is what my product is based on. The weakness in this article is that there seems to be little information that goes into depth therefore difficult to make references.
- Karahasanovic, A et al (2009) Co-creation and user-generated content-elderly people’s user requirements, Science Direct
This is a useful resource in terms of it looks into and researches the idea the idea of the elderly and the use of technology and computers, and address the ideas behind the difficulties and what could be done to improve and enable them to use and understand technology. The resource is not that useful in that it is especially looking at the elderly and using technology in terms of social networking site and online communities.
- Huh, YJ et al(1988) New recordble optical discs with metal thin film and organic film and polyscarbonate, University of Toyama, Japan
This resource shows actual possibilites of the type of discs that could be used for the design and is a new and innovating way of making compact discs. The weaknesses in this is that it doesn't show or have a product for it to be used for therefore it would depend if it was compactable with the product and was able to adapt to be used in the way it would need to be used.
- Lee, D et al (2009) Effect of key size and activation area on the performance of a regional error correction method in a touch screen QWERTY keyboard
This resource is useful as it researches the idea of the sizes of keys on a touch screen and in my product I want to look at the how having larger more easily read and used keys would be more user friendly for the elderly. The weakness in this resource is that it is talking about the research in terms of mobile phones.
- Lieffers, L (2000) The older adult and public library computer technology: A pilot study on a Canadian setting, K. G. Saur Verlag
This resource is useful as it does cover the idea that some older people have problems using an understanding modern technology such as computers, therefore this show why my design idea would be a benefit for older people. The weakness of this resource is that is is based on the technology used in libraries and is based on a study in Cananda.
- Shen, IH (2009) Lighting, font style, and polarity on visual performance and visual fatigue with electronic paper displays, Science direct
This is useful as it provides information and research into electrontic papers. This is a new and innovative idea which allows you to interact with a thin and portable device. This could be
applied to my product and create a light and easy to store e-catalogue. The weakness of this resource is that it isn't really referencing the main ideas of what I would want my product to do.
-Black, M (2009) Prototyping a tangible tool for design: Multimedia e-paper sticky notes
This referecne looks at a product which offers a new and innovative way for people, especially designers to work and think of ideas. In terms of my product it would allow people to keep notes of which products they wanted to buy and also the technology behind this product enables me to look at a much lighter and more compact idea for my design. This resources weakness is that it doesn't look at the idea of having a disc that you could load therefore doersn't offers all the relevent information.
- Chebbour, A (1999) The future of Optical disk storage technology
This resource is useful for helping to research the information needed for the disc storage technology for storing the catalogue on the disc, that is then inserted into the e-catalogue design.
This resource weakness is that I am unable to get the full text, therefore it can't be used for futher research.
-Design week (2001) Keep on Moving
This resource is a journal article and it didn't have a visable authour, however I found the source to be very useful in terms of the information it gives as it looks at interactive, portable, touch screen technology which is what my product is based on. The weakness in this article is that there seems to be little information that goes into depth therefore difficult to make references.
- Karahasanovic, A et al (2009) Co-creation and user-generated content-elderly people’s user requirements, Science Direct
This is a useful resource in terms of it looks into and researches the idea the idea of the elderly and the use of technology and computers, and address the ideas behind the difficulties and what could be done to improve and enable them to use and understand technology. The resource is not that useful in that it is especially looking at the elderly and using technology in terms of social networking site and online communities.
- Huh, YJ et al(1988) New recordble optical discs with metal thin film and organic film and polyscarbonate, University of Toyama, Japan
This resource shows actual possibilites of the type of discs that could be used for the design and is a new and innovating way of making compact discs. The weaknesses in this is that it doesn't show or have a product for it to be used for therefore it would depend if it was compactable with the product and was able to adapt to be used in the way it would need to be used.
- Lee, D et al (2009) Effect of key size and activation area on the performance of a regional error correction method in a touch screen QWERTY keyboard
This resource is useful as it researches the idea of the sizes of keys on a touch screen and in my product I want to look at the how having larger more easily read and used keys would be more user friendly for the elderly. The weakness in this resource is that it is talking about the research in terms of mobile phones.
- Lieffers, L (2000) The older adult and public library computer technology: A pilot study on a Canadian setting, K. G. Saur Verlag
This resource is useful as it does cover the idea that some older people have problems using an understanding modern technology such as computers, therefore this show why my design idea would be a benefit for older people. The weakness of this resource is that is is based on the technology used in libraries and is based on a study in Cananda.
- Shen, IH (2009) Lighting, font style, and polarity on visual performance and visual fatigue with electronic paper displays, Science direct
This is useful as it provides information and research into electrontic papers. This is a new and innovative idea which allows you to interact with a thin and portable device. This could be
applied to my product and create a light and easy to store e-catalogue. The weakness of this resource is that it isn't really referencing the main ideas of what I would want my product to do.
Top 5 Design and Textile websites:
1. Vogue http://www.vogue.co.uk/
2. Vault 49 http://www.vault49.com/
3. Unit.nl http://www.unit.nl/
4. art-dept http://www.art-dept.com/
5. In Style http://www.style.com/
Top 5 websites:
1. Topshop http://www.topshop.com/
2. Urbanoutfitters http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk/
3. Facebook http://www.facebook.com/
4. Asos http://www.asos.com/
5. French connection http://www.frenchconnection.co.uk/
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Tuesday 3 November 2009
The e-catalogue
For assignment two we were asked to make connections between design and the book 'The Tipping Point'. For the first part we were told to work in a group and brainstorming each chapter in the book to make the connections between different aspects of design that relates to each of the chapters. I found this very interesting and wasn't aware of all the different areas and the vast range of these that actually relate to design.
For the second part of the assignment we had to in group discuss how design can contribute to all of the connections we make in the brainstorming session and come up with new, innovative design ideas and solutions connected to the chapters we looked at. The ideas we came up with included aspects like an i-pod that you control and can download on to through peoples brain waves. Another idea included a map made out of fabric to enable people to easily look at and fold away and use. One other idea that we thought of was a new voting system for television soaps.
For my idea we discussed the concept of a new way of using and storing catalogues. The new idea is where a catalogue is sent out on a compact disc and the disc is then used as an 'E-catalogue'. Which is similar to the e-reader which is used for books. However the e catalogue differs as it would enable the consumer to easily load the catalogue that would be on a disc without the need for a computer. They can then easily look through the catulogue and be able to see samples and
up close details. They can then also simply order their items through this product.
Thursday 15 October 2009
Tuesday 13 October 2009
The Tipping Point Mind map
For Design studies we were given an assignment where we had to look at and do a mind map on the book 'The Tipping Point' by Malcolm Gladwell. I enjoyed reading the book and found it very interesting and insightful in a numbers of different areas. I thought that it looked at areas and topics that I wouldn't have thought of researching and that wouldn't have been part of my thinking. I also found aspects of the book very revealing into peoples behavior and the ways in which they think. We were instructed to look at 'The Mind Map Book' by Tony and Barry Buzan and use their techniques and layouts for doing mind maps. My first mind map is just a general overview of the book and the different chapters and areas within these chapters that the book looks at.For my second mind map I chose to look at the chapter entitled 'The Law of the Few'. I chose to look at this chapter in more detail as I found it very intriging, especially when it looks at the different types of people; connectors, mavens and salemans. And the ways in which these types of peoples create different affects due to their behaviour and personalities. I think this is a book which allows you to look at the world in a different way and it gave me a good insight in to new and unexplored areas.
Wednesday 30 September 2009
Culture Project
This is my first blogg and to be honest I am not that sure what to do, but thought I would tell you a little bit about my course and the project brief that we are doing the now. Im doing the textile course and our project brief is on culture, for this I decided to look at New York City culture and the idea of the multi-cultural society within the city , along with the architecture. I am finding this subject really interesting and I am loving exploring mark making and ways in which to display my research. We are also learning a number of new skills within textiles which I am finding very interesting and exciting.
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