project report

Charlotte van der Sommen (s109229) David Verweij (s099452) Maaike Mennen (s107972) Nita Virtala (s101207) Faculty of Industrial Design Eindhoven University of Technology

B1.1 Project Report DPL34 Fit the Future Students: Charlotte van der Sommen (s109229) David Verweij (s099452) Maaike Mennen (s107972) Nita Virtala (s101207) Coach: Marina Toeters Faculty of industrial Design Eindhoven University of Technology 4th January 2010

ABSTRACT This report describes the design process of the Tapestry. The project were given following guidelines: traditional textile techniques and related traditions (especially in Eindhoven), moods and values of at least three generations of Eindhoven-citizens and how all this could be fitted into the future by integrating technology. The design process proceeded in four phases of research, idea generation and from concept development to finished product. The finished product reflects the important places for Eindhoven-citizens, in an interactive, Eindhoven-shaped tapestry. Every area of the tapestry has its own significant atmosphere which is reflected in the textile technique, material and color choices. Importance are shown in heights and lightbulbs by turning them user gets a light and the name of the place.

Table of Contents Summary

Research

5

Week one Week two Week three Week four

6 6 7 8

Idea generation

9

6

Week five Week six Week seven Lace workshop Week eight

9 10 11 14 15

From concept to product

16

The Mid-Term Exhibition Converting feedback (Task di)vision

Individual concept development

The shape of the Tapestry Interaction The Base The Lightbulb The Audrino The mechanics The Centre Exhibition

16 16 17 18 22 22 24 25 26 27 28 30

Conclusion

31

Reflection

32

References

33

Appedices

34

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Summary This project has involved several phases which have contributed strongly to the progress of the project. We would like to bring up a couple of the main ones which have determined the direction of the entire project.

In the beginning of the project the research was made of traditional textile techniques and related traditions and moods and values of Eindhoven-citizens. On the basis of the analyzed results of the two researches the project progressed into the idea generation. It was important that the future concept reflects the results of the reseraches integrated with electronics. The idea generation was resulted in four different aspects of Eindhoven raised-added concepts which were presented in the Mid-Term Exhibition.

Definitely the most important step was convert the feedback of the Mid-Term Exhibition into a final concept. Each concept presented had its own strenghts and weaknesses but the most considerable question was does the vision fit only to Eindoven. After feedback analysis and careful consideration was decided to choose concept of Maaike as a basis due to her gepgraphical approach. The final concept was to reflect the important places for Eindhoven-citizens in an interactive tapestry by using certain textile technique, material, color and height to represent the mood of Eindhoven.

After deciding the final concept the used electronics and interaction should be chosen. It was important to make a choice as early as possible because the electronics throughout affects to the structrure of the base of the tapestry. Cognitive and physical resources within the framework was decided to interact with the user by turning the lightbulb. This showed the direction in the material choices - lightbulds and used electronics (Audrino) wouldn’t be that heavy to be placed under the tapestry so also the tapestry could be lighter than first thought.

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Research Week one The first week was the IDentity week. We all chose our project and assignments each with our personal reasons. On the Friday we came together and were introduced for our group for the next few months in Wearable Senses.

Week two At the second week we started the textile research which was necessary for our project because the assignment was to combine old techniques with new ones. We needed to know a lot about textile techniques so we went to the textile museum in Tilburg. We found knitting, dying, hobby techniques, weaving, tufting, embroidery, spinning, crochet, smocking and textile printing, and divided those between the four of us. Therefore we all learned about textile techniques and it was done much faster than when someone would have done it alone. So we all searched for information about the techniques and tried to do little pieces. We did this to gain our knowledge about textile techniques so we can better decide what we want to use in our tapestry.

That week we also planned our meetings because we figured out that would work very efficiently when we know exactly what the others are doing. Since then we have had at least one meeting every week. We also made a planning for that meeting so it will go smoothly, one of us will be the manager (leads the meeting) and one will be the secretary (writes everything down and keeps control of the agenda). Every week someone else will be the manager and the secretary so we all do both jobs a few times, that way we all learn to be the manager and to be the secretary.

Third aspect of the assignment was to make a research of the values and opinions of Eindhoven-citizens so we made a question list for our survey end of this week.

The questions and argument can be found in appendix A.

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Research Week three At the third week we set al lot of deadlines to be ready for the midterm exhibition. So the booklet about the textile research must be ready at the next Monday and there must be some information, some pictures and some examples so it will become attractive to read and nice for people that look through it during the exhibition.

Because we want to go to the city on the next week so we discussed this week how many defendants we need for the survey so it will become reliable. We thought about 50 citizens is enough to have a few clear opinions and an equal visions on what the citizens of Eindhoven thinks about their city. We don’t want to do more because it takes much time to ask the Eindhoven people and 50 will satisfy.

At the third week we also decided to make a moodboard about the future because the assignment was also to make something new and from this time. Therefore we thought we could best picture that in a moodboard. We are also searching for new techniques or new ways to use a technique.

In this week we talked about making choices and that it is very important that you think about every choice you make to communicate the final tapestry the best with the public. So why do we use a certain color and why that technique? We also discussed about what we want to communicate in the exhibition and what for kind feedback we want. It is handy to know that on forehand so we can make the decision about what to show and what to tell, to get the feedback we can use to improve our ideas.

To do all these things we made a little job division, so everyone got a part they personally wanted to improve in.

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Research Week four The fourth week we processed the answers of the questions and divided them into feelings, moods, and visions. This way it was more handy to make ideas for the tapestry with the outcome of the questions.

This week we also got an introduction about the machines on wearable senses, now we can work with all these machines. We used them already to make little tryouts of textile techniques and concepts. By doing this we could better know the techniques and that helps to decide which techniques to use in the final tapestry.

We did a brainstorm exercise to start with brainstorming for the final idea. We all had to write down objects starting with all different letters of the alphabet. Then you need to make a product out of the objects that start with the tree last letters of you mothers name. It asks for much imagination and widely thinking. This was very helpful. After the exercise we started with the real brainstorm about what we could make for kind of tapestry and what kind of technical part we could introduce in our tapestry.

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Idea Generation We did research to all separated thing, like textile techniques, Eindhoven, etc. Maarten Versteegh past by and was curious of what we were making. We told him but afterwards he asked use how we were planning to combine all these separated things to one concept. We didn’t think about that yet so after this we made a brainstorm about how to combine the future, traditional textile techniques, the research to Eindhoven and the interaction. We got different ideas from this where we could go on with.

Week five In week 5 of our project we really started idea generation besides more research.

We started the week on Monday the 27th of September with research to traditions in the textile techniques that we choose. We did this because we maybe could use these traditions in our project. We divided the work so that we would not search for the same textile techniques. We said that each of us would do the techniques where you did research to before. This was a easy division, because each of us already knew the most about that techniques.

On the 28th of September we had a coach meeting. She would like to see a kind of task division. We had to tell a competency area where we were good at and one or two where we were bad at and wanted to improve. We all got one of the competency area’s you wanted to improve to concentrate on and develop more. In this way you can better develop this competency area and you are more aware of it. The task division was the following: • • • •

David Charlotte Nita Maaike

Business and Process Design Integrating Technology Socio-Cultural Awareness Ideas and Concepts

Sometimes it was pretty hard to stick to your task, because for making ideas and concepts you need technology and socio-cultural awareness too. But in this way we still had to work each other and saw the other competency areas. We all helped each other to accomplish our tasks.

An other thing was that we needed ideas. We said that we needed at least 20 ideas. We needed this much so we could form concepts out of these ideas. We didn’t want only 1 concept, because we wanted to have a choice after getting feedback in the Mid-Term Exhibition.

The rest of the day we started working on our ideas.

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Idea Generation Stik Maar!

On the Friday of this week, the 1st of October we went to Stik maar, an exhibition in the museum Kempenland in Eindhoven [1]. This exhibition was about textile traditions in Brabant. We went there to proceed the research to traditions in textile technique.

We didn’t really found real traditions, only making a sampler. The exhibition was more about how people used textile in different textile techniques in the past. Despite that there weren’t real traditions to be found, it was interesting to see how people used textiles in the past.

Week six The next week, week 6 we totally concentrated on new ideas and working out these ideas. The Mid-Term Exhibition was coming soon too, so we had to start making real visuals that we could show. And we needed enough ideas to create real concepts.

On the 4th of October we made a calendar in outlook, so that we could put deadlines on, and suchlike. We could update this calendar whenever we want and send this to each other. In this way everyone knew every appointment we made.

We also started a color research [2]. When you use textile, you always use colors.

And colors bring a message forward. To bring the right message forward we need to know what every color means.

We had to work ideas out. That is what we started today. We had to visualize ideas and figger out how to visualize the ideas the best. We for example started weaving with metal. The first metal didn’t work out, so we tried another one. This one had a great result.

The 7th and 8th of October we continued the color research and generating and working out more ideas. All the ideas & concept which we came up at this point can be found on appendix C. 10

Idea Generation

Week seven The 7th week. In the weekend we worked out ideas too. We needed them as soon as possible, so we could start generating concepts and work these out. For the Mid-Term Exhibition we needed concepts and have them ready to show. So we also started to think about how to combine ideas into a concept.

On Monday we started to analyze the places the people from Eindhoven told us in the interviews. We placed the places in the right area to get a picture of Eindhoven with his important places. We used a map of Eindhoven for this.

Thursday the 14th we used to finish our booklets for DG000. The deadline was the day after and we all could use our time to finish this booklet.

The 15th of October was the deadline of the booklet. We handed it in and could totally concentrated on our project. We continued analyzing the important places of Eindhoven.

We also formed four concept; one each. The concepts were the following: 11

Idea Generation David’s concept All the input we got from the interviews was quite rough and quite a lot. I tried to get some grip on a global view on Eindhoven. Therefore, I made five themes that described Eindhoven based on the answers the citizens gave on the interview.

The five themes were: modern, young, green, friendly and negative. These five themes are represented by their shape and color. The concept is that by blending those five themes, Eindhoven will emerge.

This is shown by the spirals of light (LED’s) that come together in the centre. When the user would mix those five areas (probably by turning the centre part) the lights will start to glow.

Nita’s concept Value research has shown that citizen of Eindhoven think their city is friendly, tolerant multicultural and a good place to live with family. But national survey indicates otherwise: Eindhoven is the most criminal city in the Netherlands together with Rotterdam.

Robberies, assaults, rasist crimes. So is Eindhoven that safe place to live like its citizen think? Maybe, but it also can be better with a lower crime rate, more like results of our value research showed.

Textile printing as a technique has always interested me. With my concept I wanted to show to citizens of Eindhoven what happens when the lights are off. Prints are in two layers: ON and OFF. The ON-layer is integrated with LED lights which are inside the print so they are actually part of the it.

When the light are OFF you can only see the bad side of Eindhoven. But when you turn the lights ON the lower print becomes a part of the upper print and shows the good side of Eindhoven. Prints got inspired by values and crimes against people. I wanted to make them to the shape of traffic signs, because the meanings of those are quite familiar to everyone.

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Idea Generation Charlotte’s concept There exist an ink which reacts with heat.

When you warm the ink up within the printing process the structure changes. There also exist an ink that changes color when it warms up after the printing process.

The concept is to print the weapon of Eindhoven on a fabric and let it change color. It starts with the black-white version and when you warm it up it changes into the colored version.

The idea of letting the color or structure change through heating is connected with the atmosphere of Eindhoven. We made a survey and the result showed that most people thought about Eindhoven as a warm and cozy city. That’s the reason I decided to make a concept with the heating. The weapon symbolizes Eindhoven and the citizens of Eindhoven.

Maaike’s concept This concept is about working out Eindhoven with colors, height and light bulbs. By using the map of Eindhoven I placed the important places named by the citizen of Eindhoven in the right place on the tapestry. Every important place was visualized by a light bulb, the symbol of Eindhoven the light city. How bigger the light bulbs, how more important the place. Around these light bulbs is tufted material. The colors and height of these materials visualized the atmosphere of the important places. I choose the colors by my own feeling with them, together with color research from the internet.

In this way I show the atmosphere of the important places of Eindhoven.

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Idea Generation Lace Workshop In week seven Chalotte also took part to a lace workshop. We decided to do this because it could help for the project to know a little more about lace.

At the lace workshop was told about the different kinds of lace and the history of lace, that was very informative. There wasn’t made any lace at the workshop which was a little disappointment but on the other hand students of the TU Eindhoven and students of the Willem de Koning Accademy in Rotterdam worked together and it was very inspiring to work together with students from a total different school.

The project was in a group with two TU students and two students from the Willem de Koning Accademy. They made two different things in the same kind of subject. A bikini and a bracelet.

Their subject was about a few words they wrote down: nature, organic, connections, and contrast.

They got the idea to make a bikini out of material that for the most part disappears in water. The other part is made from flowers and leafs that makes it a very organic bikini. By going in water the textile disappears and the inner beauty comes out when the body comes in contact with nature. At the same time the leaves, flowers and textile are connected and at the same time in contrast, the one is organic and very nature and the other is new and industrial.

The other creation was a bracelet made out of a little lace part and the yarns that come from the lace are attached around the body. It represents a web of a spider. It has everything to with the combining of lace and nature. And that the beauty of a spider web is very similar to a piece of lace.

Eventually we didn’t used the information from the workshop for our project because we decided to not use lace in our tapestry. But it was a good learning experience.

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Idea Generation Week eight The 8th week was the week of the Mid-Term Exhibition. The Exhibition would be on the Thursday and Friday, so we had three days left to finish the preparation for it. We discussed on the Friday before what we all had to do for the exhibition, so we could already work on it in the weekend.

The first thing was to finish our prototypes. Everyone had his own, so everyone could do this for his- or herself. We also had two little prototypes of loose ideas. Charlotte made a prototype of tufting with fiberglass and Maaike made a prototype of metal weaving. We choose to show these two, because these were really nice ideas to integrate in the final concept later on.

Besides these prototypes we had to make our exhibition interesting. We did the following: • (By David) Make a poster.

This should make visitors curious to our project.

• (By David) Make a little movie. This movie gives a short indication about our four concepts.

• (By Maaike) Make name cards. In this way the visitors immediately see who are belonging to the exhibition stand and who they can ask questions about the project.

• (By Nita) Make a website. In this way the visitors can follow our process after the Mid-Term Exhibition.

• (By Maaike & Nita) Booklet about textile research. It visualizes the results of our textile research. Can be found on appendix C. • (By All) Wearing nice clothes.

In this way we look professional.

On Wednesday was the buildup for the exhibition. We placed all the things listed above on our exhibition stand.

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From concept to product The Mid-Term exhibition On the 21st and 22nd of October the Mid-Term exhibitions were held. All four of our group members had developed their own concept. It was interesting to see the differences of all four concepts. The main difference (besides how the product would look) was in the approach of the visualization of the vision on Eindhoven.

Nita and Charlotte both took the difference in the positive and negative side of Eindhoven. They differed in the way how they would present such difference. Nita chose for the effect of light that would “light up� the negative side of Eindhoven.

Charlotte chose warmth to change the negative into a positive view. David chose to put all the different views of Eindhoven in five themes that were represented by color and shape that eventually would make one tapestry. Maaike went for a geographical approach, where the hotspots of Eindhoven (named by the interviewed) are represented as light bulbs.

Converting feedback After the exhibitions, a lot of feedback was given. Lots of things were noticed that were overlooked or been forgotten. A summary about the feedback of the mid-term exhibition can be found in the appendix D.

In the same appendix as above is explained what the new concept would be.

The concept of Maaike is chosen due to her geographical approach. As well as her idea to use colors and height to represent the mood was kept in mind, but changes were made. Instead of only using tufting, there is been chosen to use all kinds of textile techniques. Those textile techniques are chosen to represent a certain mood. Along with the color and height, the mood of the geographical place is represented.

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From concept to product (Task di)vision Besides working as a group, we also wanted to show our own individual view on this project. Then again, we did not wanted to make 4 separate tapestries. In order to get both the individual vision and the cooperation, a division was made. Each group member got 1/4th of Eindhoven, the centre excluded. The centre itself would stand for our cooperation. Working in this task division, gave everyone the opportunity to show their personal vision and how they thought of presenting that.

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From concept to product Individual concept development Each group member worked on their part in order to represent the mood in that area.

Below are visuals with explanations of the chosen colors and textile techniques Nita Both bigger living areas in my part are quite new suburbs with similar style buildings so I chose quilting as a technique to reflect the similarity. White goes for newness and brown and green for family and secure life.

Eindhoven Airport is a place of change and movement, it’s a place where different nationalities meet. For a technique and colors I chose colorful rag rug where all the features I mentioned gets mixed, like in the airport.

Through Acht goes almost all land freight which goes out or comes in to Eindhoven. Area is full of containers and halls so I chose wire netting to reflect these. Black and white weaving goes for coldness and distance because for terminal employees different trades are only package numbers.

The industrial estate of Philips De Beuk is made from grey and blue paper yarn which shows the roughness and coldness of the area. But also it is a place of innovation and growth which reflects on white color and knitting pattern.

For the pleasure I chose color green for the both park areas. Strijp is also recreation ground so I used colors and crochet pattern which are reflecting the closeness of the nature. Then again Openbare Golfclub Welschap is also about business and competition which can be seen in bright colors and crochet pattern.

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From concept to product David

There are a few “themes� that can be found in my areas: the industrial areas, park areas and innovative areas. There are still differences, but these three are quite distinguished.

The industries are made from embroidery that gives no heights and shows a clean and tight look. Along with the grey, blue and white, it stands for industrialized processes, structure, visual unattractive and yet a bit innovative.

The parks are made green, mostly because this is the color associated with grass and trees. And because it is associated, it gives that nice and comfortable feeling. I used tufting for the Genneper Parken, because that area is designed for calm, ease and comfort. The sport and golf area is made by knitting, with an additional color: yellow. This gives still the soft feeling of nature, but the structured look of sport, along with the colors of active areas.

The Philips High-tech campus is displayed in a piece of bobbin lace in the color white with brown connections. The bobbin lace shows the openness that is there yet to fill, that represents the innovational part of the campus. The brown connections show however the structural top layer, that keeps the company running. Red arrows replace the brown connections at the TU/e. This is because the knowledge is in development and people are going all directions (physically as well as mentally). The TU/e is made of crochet, that also creates openness yet to be filled, but with a softer touch.

The TU/e is less company based then Philips.

The train tracks are a kind of interruption through the tapestry, as they are in Eindhoven. They divide the living area from the TU/e. This is accomplished with structured rails that contains much activity. Therefore the yellow with the brown stripes that are braided into a track.

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From concept to product Maaike I first did color research to get to know the meaning of colors. Colors have a meaning and bring a message forward. To bring the message forward that I want, I need to know the meaning of colors.

Then I divided my individual piece in different smaller part with a different atmosphere. I looked on the internet for information and pictures about these parts to get the right atmosphere.

After this research I started to combine colors, materials and textile technique to visualize the atmosphere of each part.

Leenderheide, Eckar and Urkhovenseweg are green is because it are nature areas.

Brown gives warmth and peace. In Leenderheide I used black plastic because next to this area is a highway that pollutes the nature. By tufting it stands out and attracts the attention. The green is knitting, because then it looks soft and is attractive to touch.

For Karpensdonkse I used the same green, because this is a nature area too.

Together with this I used red, because in this area is a lot of sports going on. The red stands for active and is tufted because it is like an energy explosion.

Tongelre has the colors brown and orange, because it is a warm, safe, nice and calm area. The metal that is there stands for the industry that is growing in this area.

The braiding is chosen because its look fits in a cozy living area.

Stratum and Golfclub have pretty much nature, so there is green. But it is also a bleak area so I added blue and used plastic yarns. Also the weaving stands for a bleak living area. The Golfclub has a bit of black, because it is a bit an unknown area.

The red is for the golf club in this area .

De Kade is the industry area and is a bleak area, so it is visualized with blue, gray and the plastic layer. Also the flat quilting visualizes a bleak and boring area.

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From concept to product Charlotte Cemeteries: The grey represents the gravestones, and the sadness that takes place at a place like that. The black represents the mourning people that remain. And the dark brown is the color of the earth where the coffins lie in. Used technique is tufting with different heights. The yarns that stand out represent the gravestones and by different heights stand for all the different stones.

Sports ground: The blue an dark blue stands for: self-control, sends of duty and ambition wish you can find a lot in sport. The dark blue is also stands for: hard working and carry on. Finally the light yellow represents the freshness and the healthy part of sport. Used technique is weaving with clear yarns or ribbon, the ribbon represent the strong and clear moves from a sport person.

Industrial: The grey stand for the industrial colorless part of industrial. And the yellow stands for the active and the chemical part of industry. Used technique is weaving, that gives strong lines that represent industrial buildings.

Forest: I choose to use dark brown and green. Those colors stand for the natural colors of a forest, the dark brown from the trees and the bottom and the green of the leafs. Used technique is tufting with thick whole, that represents the trees.

City Parks: The light green stands for the cultural planed trees and bushes, the brown for the water that you mostly find in parks and the brown for the trees. Used technique is tufting with thinner whole that represents the bushes.

Water: I choose to use blue because that is the natural color for water and it stands for freshness and independent what represent water very clear. Used technique is braiding, with all kind of materials that together make a kind of river.

Hospitals: The white stands for clean and sterile wish is very important in a hospital, the light blue stands for careful and solid. Used technique is weaving, for the smoothness and clearness.

Woensel: The red stands for all the red roofs of the houses in that neighborhood.

The Brown the old fashion stile the houses are build. The bright red stands for the criminal part of that neighborhood. Used technique is quilting that fits to the centre and makes the neighborhood very clear.

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From concept to product The shape of the Tapestry Because almost all of the light bulbs are located in the centre, a fish eye effect has been applied to that centre. Doing so creates more space between the “hot spots”.

This was needed in order to fit the light bulbs onto the tapestry. Unfortunately, a fish eye effect is not efficient to create enough space for the light bulbs. Trying several magnifications of the centre resulted in a centre (already with fish eye effect) that was 1.5 times bigger than the outer parts. The outer parts remained the same size, because the tapestry would become too big, if they also were magnified. The centre is also the most important part, due to the amount of hot spots. Therefore attention should be drawn to the centre.

Interaction The tapestry itself is not the only thing that should be addressed. It is also quite important to think how the interaction will be made. In order to keep the esthetics of the light bulb, we wanted to keep the interaction quite logical. Several options were available to switch the light.

• • • • • • •

by touching the light bulb by pushing the light bulb by pushing a button somewhere by pulling a string by turning a switch somewhere by turning the light bulb Etc...

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From concept to product Eventually we chose for turning the light bulb. Although this option was not as bully proof as wanted, it gave a more esthetic value then the other options. This way we could combine the previous concepts into the interaction. Only when someone takes the effort to let the light shine, then the mood is visible. This is referring back to Nita’s and Charlotte’s concept at the mid-term exhibition. Turning a light bulb to create light is also quite familiar within human knowledge. It is as turning a light bulb into the lamp.

Once turned the light can be switched (and will be switched in this case).

The question that remained was how we could attract people to turn the light bulb.

Because it was unknown what was achievable due to knowledge, materials and time we made a list of options. It is listed from ideal (number one) to most achievable (number five).

1. Lights turn themselves when a person is near. By turning themselves the lights switch themselves on. If someone stands for the tapestry all light will turn out, so that the user can turn the lights.

2. The lights will glow when someone passes by in order to get attention. When someone is standing in front of the tapestry, all lights are out.

3. The same as above, but instead of a dynamic glow, the lights will flicker when someone is near.

4. The light will flicker always, even when there is nobody around.

5. The lights are all out. One of the group members will demonstrate the interaction by turning a light on and off.

By turning a light bulb, the light goes on and the user can hear the name of the hotspot.

Hearing only the name of the place doesn’t take the attention from the mood which the user can discover just by watching the tapestry (materials, colors).

After setting these “goals” we let the idea rest for a few days in order to find out what was possible and achievable.

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From concept to product The Base Now we were ready to create the tapestry, we had to find out how to attach all these fabrics onto some base, in order to create one tapestry. First ideas were to use gauze, gauze with a wooden frame or a total wooden background. But by thinking this way the concept of a textile product was falling into the background. Above that, the tapestry would become quite heavy and immobile.

The solution was epoxy hardener. This kind of glue is applicable to textile and hardens the textile. By applying several layers, the textile can be made as hard as wood. The advantage of using this glue was that the tapestry would remain light, mobile and textile remained the main “ingredient�.

The only problem this glue would bring was that it would change the feeling of the textile. The soft wool would become a hard piece of plastic like material. Therefore we chose to use another base then the textile we create to create the mood. To emphasize the historical part of the tapestry (besides using old techniques for making textiles) we chose an old carpet that would be visually present. Using this old carpet gave us the opportunity to harden the basis, so that height could be applied. The metal, which was purchased before choosing for the textile hardener, was used as mall for the carpet. It kept the tapestry temporarily in place.

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From concept to product The Light Bulb It was quite clear from the start that we wanted to use light bulbs. However, the light bulbs were heating up fast during the mid-term exhibition. Above that, we wanted to place the traditional light bulb in the future. So we decided to use LED’s to give the light. The internet was searched for LED’s that had the same shape as traditional light bulbs. There did exist, but were quite expensive. Searching over the internet a bit more resulted in a video (LINK) that explained how a light bulb could be transformed into a LED light bulb. The advantage was that a normal light bulb costs almost nothing, along with a free LED made a cheap and working prototype. The transformation needed two light bulbs that were both (sort off) cut in half, where the LED was placed. The two half’s would be added together and with a small circuit, the LED would lit. Though the video was reconsidered after ordering the light bulbs. The transformation in the video was meant for a remote LED light bulb with a battery, while we could use the normal power, or a laptop. So eventually we used one light bulb and one LED.

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From concept to product The Audrino The audrino was simultaneously investigated to see if we could use it. The plan was to let a sounds sample been played, when a light bulb was turned. Familiar objects that are able of playing sounds are: an mp3 player, a radio, a walkman, a “happy birthday” card and a laptop (or computer). Knowing that there were 17 different sounds that should be played, the laptop was chosen. The laptop could (by then probably) play different sounds, but also does not need any mechanical parts to work. Because the audrino is a frequently used piece of electronics in Industrial Design, it seemed wise to used it too in this project. After figuring out the basics of the audrino, we were able to switch a LED on with a switch through the audrino. We did not want to switch a LED through the audrino, but it means that we can turn something on and off.

The other part was to found out how the audrino could make the laptop play a sound. After searching the internet for something that connects “audrino” with “playing sound on laptop” the program Gobetwino [3] was found. This program was made by a certain person (name unknown) that figured this communication out. Gobetwino is able to receive small commands which are the length of a simple word. Gobetwino (running on the laptop) then executes the true meaning of that command, which is playing a sound in this case. It was due to a small explanation on the internet [4]then quite simple to connect these to elements into a working audrino. After adding another audrino (one audrino can only contain around 11 inputs) it was able to switch 17 sounds on and off. The programming code of the audrino can be found in appendix E. 26

From concept to product The mechanics Also the mechanics were researched simultaneously. The objective was to let the turning light bulb flip a switch. First ideas were contact plates, touching each other at a certain point, but later on we came to a more simple solution. The wooden cylinder represents the light bulb, where two nails will flip the switch. This prototype worked, was easy to build and seemed robust. After looking at what materials were needed and how it could be assembled, some small adjustments were made. The switch would be placed inside a cylinder. The light bulb would be attached to a small disc, where the nails would be placed vertically, but still flip the switch. This was done to strengthen the whole mechanical part and prevent that lots of space was used.

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From concept to product

The Centre After figuring all the electronics and mechanics, it was quite time to get focused on the centre part, our cooperation. So after discussing the colors, heights and materials, we divided the tasks. Charlotte and David would focus on quilting the background (bottom layer), while Nita and Maaike would focus on the hotspots (top layer). Eventually everyone had finished their part and the centre could be established.

First step was to make holes through the quilting and base carpet. But after making the holes, it seemed that the quilting was placed upside down, because it was rushed. Due to time and effort related issues, the decision was made to keep the quilting this way, although the colors would not represent the areas anymore and the vision became less.

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From concept to product

The second step was to glue the light bulbs through the tapestry onto the wooden discs and attach the mechanics. This was already tested on David’s part that was already a partly finished some time ago. The glue that was initially used for the light bulbs was two components glue. This glue was able to attach glass to any kind of (ply) wood. This was also the advice of the expert in the DIY. The hot glue gun was used to attach the cylinder onto the tapestry. The two components glue was not chosen, because the cylinder and the tapestry were not flat onto each other. The glue gun was able to fill those gaps. The cylinder with the switch also did not have to endure that much strength, where the light bulb and disc had to withhold the torque generated.

But because the process was rushed, there was chosen to also use the hot glue gun for the light bulbs. This approach worked for most of the light bulbs, but was not bully proof. When there was a little bit too much torsion, the light bulb came loose from the disc. This is also why one light bulb is not operational. It was not possible to repair the light bulb in this stage. Luckily most of the light bulbs function, sometimes with difficulty, but enough to present the concept.

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From concept to product Exhibition After looking for possibilities to hang the tapestry, we got to hang it in the soldering boot. This place is easy to darken, what is quite a positive thing. This gives the ability to let the light effect the environment more. Hopefully the users will experience the tapestry as it was meant.

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Conclusion This one semester long project has been taken lots of hours of work which could have planned bit rationally and effectively. For example in the beginning of the project was conducted a research which took quite a while compared to other phases. Although the textile technique and value reseacrhes were the basis of the entire project it felt it held project still longer than it should. Also later on, even though the specific planning was made the project had a tendency to backslide on schedule. Nevertheless, the tapestry was completed on time but hopefully this will have influence on future projects and assignments.

Using the results of the value research wasn’t that doubt as thought beforehand.

In the Mid-Term Exhibition arose maybe the most important question concerning the entrustment, was the tapestry was only about Eindhoven. This was taken into account while designing the final concept which is reflected in few aspects of the value research. The final product reflects the important places for citizens of Eindhoven which revealed in the results, and also the certains moods of certain areas.

Referring to the planning, the quality of the product could have improved.

Though the tapestry responds the chosen final concept, for example higher lever interaction could have been achieved with more time for electronic research and prototyping. After all the project was successfully completed with an working interactive tapestry but the Exhibition will show if users will experience the tapestry as it is meant.

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REflection There has happened a lot since the start of this project. Looking back makes it seem a lot more than at the beginning of the project. The meaning of this project was first quite unknown, but got clearer when the end was near. This does not mean that everything was done to get to the end. It means that bit by bit the process and reason got clearer.

Being thrown in the deep at the start, having no clue what to do, getting remarks and starting over are examples of what triggered the minds to develop. We think that the development was mainly on getting to know the process, study and environment, rather than going into the details of the process. That is also what this project has been teaching us. The project introduced us to these main subjects although it tend to be an artistic project. The artistic part became the main part during the middle part of the project. This was quite hard for some to adjust too, because that was not the reason they attended this study. Luckily there came some sense soon after the parts came together.

Making the tapestry as meant was something we unfortunately did not succeed in. Planning, dividing tasks, researching, prototyping, reporting and experience a meeting are all things that are still at a very low level of quality. Especially the planning didn’t always work out. We didn’t stick to deadlines we made for ourselves and noticed that when the real deadline was coming. Though we did experienced it at least once, reflect on it and improved the process.

We are way beyond designers of a high level, but this project showed us what designing is, how it works and how we can develop through it.

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References [1] http://www.museumkempenland.nl/exposities/archief/?id=52 [2] http://mens-en-samenleving.infonu.nl/psychologie/3965-kleurenpsychologie- kleurentest-symbolische-betekenis-kleur.html [3] http://www.mikmo.dk/gobetwino.html [4] http://electronics.divinechildhighschool.org/Home/Arduino-Lessons/usinggobetwino-to-control-windows-through-arduino

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Appendices Appendix A Why did we chose those questions?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

The age was to see if there were differences between generations 5 Things that were important were meant to start peoples mind / warm up the brain By asking if they were happy with Eindhoven, we could look if people were satisfied The time they lived in Eindhoven would show if their opinion is relative (experience) Naming Eindhoven shows the different views of the citizens Naming one important spot let the citizens think about what stands for Eindhoven / makes Eindhoven stand out 7. The atmosphere shows us their feelings about Eindhoven, but then differently than just “fun” or “nice”.

8. A final bouncer to let the interviewed make a hard decision.

We chose the centre of Eindhoven to take our interviews. We did this due to the fact that there is more diversity, people and possibility to find actual citizens.

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Appendices Appendix B 1.

The City in 3D – A map of Eindhoven, worked out in 3D with textile.

Technology: Vision: By colors and height Technique: Probably tufting

2.

Fiberglass in textile

Technology: Fiberglass Vision:

Technique: Tufting 3.

City in height and colors – Same as point 1, but without a specific city map.

Technology:

Vision: By colors and height

Technique: Tufting 4.

Textile printing and light.

Technology: Light Vision:

Technique: Printing 5.

Knitting with elastic material.

Technology: Using elastics as yarn Vision:

Technique: Knitting 6.

Metal weaving

Technology: Using metal as yarn Vision:

Technique: Weaving 7.

More layers of textile- like a book.

Technology:

Vision: Using different layers (you can fold them open and discover the vi sion)

Technique: Anything that works 8.

Shower curtain – same as point 7, but then vertical.

Technology:

Vision: By arranging the shower curtain differently, you can see different visions

Technique: Anything that works

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Appendices 9.

Tapestry that notices your mood and by heating it will adapt the visual to show the vision.

Technology: Camera, Heating Vision: Uncertain what to show yet Technique: Printing and invisible ink

10. Forms and shapes.

Technology:

Vision: Choosing the shapes and forms to visualize the vision

Technique: Anything that works 11. Brand/Initials – Sampler was a tradition of embroidery. Girls learned this in school

in the past.

Technology: Vision:

Technique: Embroidery 12. Lightcity – Eindhoven is the city of light – using light bulbs.

Technology: Lightbulbs

Vision: Lightbulbs as symbol for the lightcity Technique: 13. War and now – Eindhoven from before the war and after.

Technology:

Vision: Anything that works

Technique: Anything that works 14. Magnetics ad fibers

Technology: Magnetic fibers Vision:

Technique: Anything where magnetic fibers can be used in 15.

Touch and picture – By touching the tapestry the picture resolves.

Technology: Vision: By pictures Technique: Printing (invisible ink

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Appendices Appendix C

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Appendices

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Appendices Appendix D Getting the feedback during the exhibitions is one thing, using that feedback to improve our concept(s) more is a second. After the exhibition we discussed with the group about the feedback and came with several points, where the new concept is made of.

• The concept with the geographical approach got the most positive reactions. As visitors on the exhibition said and what we found out, is that this approach creates eventually a more visible and clear connection to Eindhoven unlike the other approaches. Also because this was the only concept that had a good balances between literal and abstract. Therefore we have chosen this concept to be the basis for our future product.

• Almost everyone associated the light bulbs with Eindhoven as the Light City. Therefore we are sticking to using the light bulbs.

• The height that was used in concept nr. 2 was also getting positive reactions. The overall thought (also of us) was that height (the 3rd dimension) gave more dimensions to the tapestry. Instead of the traditional flat tapestry, we would be adjusting a new area of tapestries. It is placed in the Future. The height will be used to emphasize the importance that the citizens gave to several places.

• Also the textile techniques will be used to emphasize the mood, instead of just putting them in for no reason. Every technique has an appearance and feeling that represents a sort of mood. Therefore, taking traditional techniques into account for visualizing (and feeling) the vision on Eindhoven.

• We already wanted to include colors into the geographical concept, so that the mood is actually expressed with understanding of feelings that correspond to colors.

• Important feedback we got was about the interactive part of our concepts. The concepts did have some interaction (two from the four concepts), but they didn’t make it an Industrial Design concept. So therefore we are going to put more focus on the interaction. There are already some ideas how to put the interactivity into it, but we want to decide this after going through all options.

• We are also dividing the whole tapestry into 4 parts. With this we don’t mean exactly cutting it into 4 (like a square), but we want to have an individual part, which we will combine (during the development and) at the end. How this division is made will be soon clear, after we took careful steps to decide that.

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Appendices Appendix E Audrino 1 (this is not the full version, the dots stand for iterations (it goes every time from 2 till 10) const int buttonPin2 = 2; const int buttonPin3 = 3; . . . const int buttonPin10 = 10; int buttonStateNEW2 = 0; int buttonStateOLD2 = 0; int buttonStateNEW3 = 0; int buttonStateOLD3 = 0; . . . int buttonStateNEW10 = 0; int buttonStateOLD10 = 0;

// variable for reading the pushbutton status // variable for reading the pushbutton status

// variable for reading the pushbutton status

void setup() { pinMode(buttonPin2, INPUT); pinMode(buttonPin3, INPUT); . . . pinMode(buttonPin10, INPUT); } void loop(){ /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// buttonStateOLD2 = buttonStateNEW2; buttonStateNEW2 = digitalRead(buttonPin2); if (buttonStateNEW2 == HIGH) { buttonStateNEW2 = 1; } else { buttonStateNEW2 = 0; } if (buttonStateNEW2 == buttonStateOLD2) { }

else { if (buttonStateNEW2 == 1) {

Serial.begin(9600);

Serial.println(“#S|PLAYEFFEN|[]#�); }

else {} }

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Appendices ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// buttonStateOLD3 = buttonStateNEW3; buttonStateNEW3 = digitalRead(buttonPin3);

if (buttonStateNEW3 == HIGH) { buttonStateNEW3 = 1; }

else { buttonStateNEW3 = 0; }

if (buttonStateNEW3 == buttonStateOLD3) { }

else { if (buttonStateNEW3 == 1) {

Serial.begin(9600);

Serial.println(“#S|PLAYPHILIP|[]#”); }

else {} } ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// buttonStateOLD10 = buttonStateNEW10; buttonStateNEW10 = digitalRead(buttonPin10); if (buttonStateNEW10 == HIGH) { buttonStateNEW10 = 1; }

else { buttonStateNEW10 = 0; }

if (buttonStateNEW10 == buttonStateOLD10) { }

else { if (buttonStateNEW10 == 1) {

Serial.begin(9600);

Serial.println(“#S|PLAYBIJE|[]#”); }

else {} } } Audrino 2 is almost the same, only the commands for the sounds are different.

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