Process Book
0|Contents 1 Ideation
4
2 Branding
12
3 Research
26
4 Prototyping
48
5 Terravault Experience
66
1|Ideation
T
his project began with a question, how will I be remembered one hundred years from now?
Right now, historians use personal letters and other printed documentation to gain insight into the lives of people from past societies. In light of the digital era, it is hard to say what will survive for future generations to study. Digital technology is quite new and yet we as a society today depend on it quite readily for our personal file storage. Who knows if it will even be accessible in the future? Technologies get updated and outmoded so quickly today, that it is hard to imagine how well digital files can be preserved for the future.
Ideation | 4
PROJECT PROPOSAL
The Problem The problem here is that people rely too much on digital file formats to preserve their memories and personal histories. These technologies are often unreliable, have a short shelf life, and become outmoded quickly. For example, many people back up files to cds but they are going to be obsolete with the progression of blue ray discs and flash drives/solid state hard drives. This is going to be a huge problem in the future when historians have no information about personal history to understand the day-to-day life of our generation. The second part to this problem is how to convince people that they need to consider other methods to preserve their important files. Most people enjoy the convenience of keeping their files in a compact hard drive, flash drive, or other digital storage device. I am going to propose that people print these items that they cherish and value most, and this will be a difficult thing to persuade someone to do. My challenge is to show the user that there is more benefit to printed documentation than digital because it is easier and more reliable for preservation. Current Status in Social Situations/Need for Improvement Communication today is done primarily in some type of digital format. Most people use a cell phone, texting, email, and facebook/social media to connect with friends and family. Essentially, the visual formats of these communications only exist digitally or virtually. Many people don’t save these things because they do not consider it meaningful. Email might not always be an eloquent form of communication, but it can be a snapshot into how a person lives. If you want to look back at your life in twenty years, your facebook page will not exist the same way it did in 2010 (if it even exists at all at that point). Unless you actively try to capture this moment in time, it is not preserved for you. As for photos, many people do not print out digital photographs. The files are like a negative, but not easy to preserve like a negative. Maybe not every picture is worth printing, but the best way to preserve the important ones is to print them. There is not a great movement today to get people to preserve and archive these important elements that essentially create their own personal history. It is something that is being discussed on a larger scale, such as with the kindle vs. hard copy books. It might not be long before the need for preservation becomes more pertinent. Maybe it will take a generation gone by for people to realize that information stored digitally is not getting passed down. Proposed Solution The proposed solution is to create a way to encourage people to print and save their valued personal files. It would be a preservation kit that houses an instruction guide, which explains
5 | Terravault
the need for digital preservation and what techniques work best (ie. Use archival paper to print photographs). The kit would also consist of a case that would house these items. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a photo album or scrapbook, but these are possible components. It would likely be a place to house these things and keep them dry and fireproof. Pockets, folders, or envelopes are different possibilities for organizing the materials.
“
If you want to look back at your life in twenty years, your facebook page will not exist the same way it did in 2010 (if it even
exists at all at that point). Unless you actively try to capture this moment in time, it is not preserved for you.
Demographic
”
This product will be targeted towards adults. This does not quite work as well for children because it would feel more like an arts and crafts component and they might not see the importance of preservation as the main goal. As you age, you start to value your treasured memories more and this makes more sense to market for the 22-55 age group. People over this age might already have most of their memories in a printed format. There are two types of people this is aimed at. The first is the person that already sees the value of the product. They might respond quickly to something like this because they have thought about preserving memories, but hadn’t had a means for it until this point. This type of person might be a mother that wants to keep family memories, or someone that just has a feeling of nostalgia for their personal memories. The other target would be people that enjoy digital technologies and would rather keep their files and memories in a digital or virtual format. These people have a need for a preservation kit, but they just need to see the value in it. They need to see what could be lost if they do not begin to preserve their digital memories. The goal would be to appeal to both audiences. Professional Interactions My first point of contact will be to email professors in the historic preservation department. It might not be exactly what they study, but I think this could be a good jumping off point for me to get valuable insight.
Ideation | 6
I will also contact either a local photographer or printer or framer about archival photo techniques. This will help gain insight from the perspective of a professional that deals with preservation techniques on a daily basis. I’m also considering talking to average people that like to scrapbook and ask them why they do it. Is a more about being an enjoyable hobby or are they more concerned with preserving their memories? I also think this might work well in a type of survey format that way I can get to the people that might not preserve their images in print form and find out why they don’t and if they are concerned about preservation and personal history. Improvement The product will improve how people interact with their cherished memories. They can house this container in a prominent spot in their home, such as on a bookcase. This will make it possible to take it out often and view the letters, photos, ticket stubs, etc. that are important to them. It brings people together to view their memories and has a tangible quality similar to that of a scrapbook or photo album. This improvement has more to do with nostalgic qualities, but there is another improvement as well. This unit can be handed down and used for future generations to get an idea of what people were like in the early 2000’s. The fact that this ensures preservation is a huge improvement over the digital storage methods that exist today.
7 | Terravault
IDEATION & PROBLEM SOLVING
In my class, 3D Design, we have to consider problems that exist and decide how to create a three dimensional solution to that problem. This process is a list of my original design problems and also some proposed solutions.
Ideation | 8
While I was brainstorming, I realized that I did not want to create something that was unnecessary. I asked the question, why produce more stuff? If there is a good way to preserve what we already have, maybe that is a better direction to take this project. The memory preservation kit seemed to come back to mind again and again.
9 | Terravault
IDEATION & NAMING THE PRODUCT
My ideas were well received by my peers and I started to work out some of the logistics for the final product idea. The next step in the process was to decide on a name for the product.
Ideation | 10
I began with wordlists and started with words that related to memory. I started to consider using words that sounded almost digital and came up with the idea of terra meaning earth paired with a word that relates to storage such as vault or log. It’s a play on the word tera which is a storgage size for bytes, or digital information. In the end, the name Terravault made the most sense for this product.
11 | Terravault
2|Branding
T
he terravault brand was inspired by a juxstaposition of objects. The earth and the
digital realm were both visual areanas to consider. The technical aspect of this product may not be digital, but it is reaching out to those people that rely on digital technology to store their memories. It would be crazy to think that anyone would give up these digital storage methods, and so Terravault is another aid in the storage process. Many objects that will be placed in the Terravault will be printed from a computer. The other inspiration is the earth and nature. Terravault should feel as familiar as an old book, which may not be a natural object, yet it invokes the earthly tangible qualities that Terravault is striving for.
Branding | 12
These images start to capture the mood of the Terravault brand. The play between technical objects and natural ojects start to create a beautiful composition and an aesthetic that Terravault can strive for.
13 | Terravault
BRANDING: LOGO SKETCHES
At this point, I was still considering a couple of other names such as gigabox for my product. In the end, Terravault made the most sense because it has a deeper meaning and the others are more superficial.
Branding | 14
I wanted to consider visual cues that relate to the word terra. Vault is a trickier one because it can have a cold and stark association, and I feel that Terravault should be an approachable brand.
15 | Terravault
BRANDING: LOGO SKETCHES
My first visual was a mountain, which of course represents the fact that terra means earth. I realized quickly that this was a clichĂŠ that needed to be abandoned.
Branding | 16
I initially felt that terracotta would be a good color for the logo. I think this is a literal choice, so I also considered browns, greens, and blues.
17 | Terravault
BRANDING: LOGO SKETCHES
I started to consider the way the letters interact with one another and started to create a primitive shape with the T and the V. I thought about it and although it was visually interesting, it didn’t seem purposeful enough.
Branding | 18
In the end, I really started to like the idea of this wheel shape. I was inspired to include something that related to the vault, but in a less literal way. This shape represents the door to a vault, and it also resembles as gear. This gives the look I wanted to attract the more digital consumer.
19 | Terravault
BRANDING: COLOR STUDIES
I broke up my colors into threes to see how they relate to each other. I finally chose a red and gray that represent the earth (red) and the digital (gray). I also think that the shades I picked have a warm, familiar feeling that invokes the comfort of home.
Branding | 20
BRANDING: TYPE STUDIES
TerraVault TerraVault TerraVault TerraVault TerraVault TerraVault TerraVault TerraVault TerraVault TerraVault
I first started looking at various san serif typefaces. I think this is more contemporary than a serif face. I really like serif typefaces, but I felt that it would feel too nostalgic, and not relate enough to the consumer who may be a bit more trendy and tech-savy. I started to play with the relationship between the letters and also the letters and the gear. I wasn’t sure how I wanted to separate terra and vault and began experimenting with line weight and positioning.
TERRAVAULT
TerraVault
TerraVault
Terra
TerraVault
T e r r a V a u lt Terra
Vault
V a u lt
21 | Terravault
BRANDING: TYPE STUDIES
I considered splitting the wheel shape and also combining the A and the V. I was trying to decide how to work this out visually. I started to experiement with the combinations and I also included the final color choices in my design. I have since eliminated the brown, but the red and gray are still the standard colors of the Terravault brand.
TerraVault
Branding | 22
I worked on this concept of splitting the elements, until I decided it really wasn’t working. In the end, I just went back to basics and used color to separate terra and vault. The lowercase helvetica works well with the gear shape, and this was the final solution
TERRAVAULT TERRAVAULT TERRAVAULT TERRAVAULT
for the logo design.
terravault 23 | Terravault
FINAL BRAND SPECIFICATIONS
The final brand includes the logo on white as well as an inversed version. This gives more variety and options for things such as packaging and the componets that are included in the Terravault.
Branding | 24
Pantone 187 C r=190 g=30 b=45 c=15 m=100 y=90 k=10
Pantone 5497 C r=131 g=150 b=146 c=52 m=32 y=40 k=2
Listed here are the two colors that make up the brand. They have a pantone version as well as cmyk and rgb. The brand typefaces are helvetica and ga-
HELVETICA abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
ramond. Each one can be used in one of three varying weights. Garamond is the more appropriate choice for body type.
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ GARAMOND abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
25 | Terravault
3|Research
T
he research for terravault involved finding professional resources and considering the
methods that are currently acceptable for archival purposes. Through interviews, customer profiles, case studies, and written sources, I was able to find the best solution for this problem. This section details the results of my research.
Research | 26
THE FIVE STAGES OF DATA LOSS GRIEF
So your hard drive just died, and you didn’t back it up. I’m so, so sorry. You can expect to go through the following five stages once you discover that all of your photos, files and music are gone forever. Stage One: Denial “No. No, there’s no way. This is probably just a software issue, maybe if I try rebooting again it’ll work. I’ve only had this hard drive for two years, there’s no way it just died. I’ll get all that stuff back. This silly computer always freaks out but is fine after a reboot. Even though I’ve tried rebooting five times and it sounds like a fork is suck in a garbage disposal in there, it’s probably just the CD drive.” Stage Two: Anger “Are you fucking kidding me, Western Digital? I’ve lost everything! I trusted you, and for what? How does a company that sells such crappy products stay in business? I will murder the first WD employee I see. And what the hell is wrong with me that I didn’t back this stuff up? I am the biggest idiot in the world and I want to punch myself in the goddamned face. I hate myself and don’t deserve to be happy.”
“This is really just a good way to put things in perspective; none of this stuff was all that important. Except for those photos. Why the hell didn’t I back them up?” –The Five Stages of Data Loss Grief (Stage Five: Acceptance)
Stage Three: Bargaining “OK, so maybe I can download some software and boot this drive as a secondary drive and try to recover some stuff. I mean, I’ll have to go buy a new hard drive and install it and then figure out how to hook this one up as a secondary drive, and I’m not sure where my OS discs are, but hey, I’m a smart guy, I can figure this stuff out, right? Or maybe professional data recovery services have gotten much, much cheaper lately. Yeah, I’ll bet they’re affordable now, they’ve gotta be.” Stage Four: Depression “All those photos. I’ll never, ever get them back. I’ll never see those faces again. And my essays from college, I was going to share those with my kids someday. And man, all that music, it’s taken me years to collect all that. Why did I even bother? It’s like the last ten years of my life have just been erased.” Stage Five: Acceptance “Ah, none of that stuff was that important. Most of it was uploaded to various sites like Flickr, anyways. At least the really important stuff. Regathering all that music will be fun, too! And hey, you know what? Maybe it’s good to start fresh every once in a while. And man, hard drives have gotten a lot cheaper since I last bought one. This is really just a good way to put things in perspective; none of this stuff was all that important. Except for those photos. Why the hell didn’t I back them up?” http://gizmodo.com/tag/memoryforever
27 | Terravault
CUSTOMER PROFILE
“The Scrapbooker” She’s the person who not only scrapbooks, she collects her memorabilia. Items like ticket stubs, personal notes, children’s drawings and individual photographs are important to her. The Scrapbooker has a lot of fun creating memories with her family and friends and she wants to make sure she keeps a record of her cherished times with them. She would benefit from a product like Terravault because although she does keep her memories close to her, she is not using appropriate preservation techniques.
Research | 28
It is evident that this person not only keeps photographs, but also ticket stubs and memorabilia. By learning proper archival techniques, this user will benefit by having her memories last for a very long time.
29 | Terravault
CUSTOMER PROFILE
This storage is fine for scrapbooking materials, but it is not how you want to store precious photographs and other memorabelia. The Terravault can provide a place for the most important of these files.
Research | 30
The scrapbooker is already on the right track by keeping orginal notes and printed photographs as well as keeping them backed up digitally. I think a fun addition to this collection would be to print and archive materials such as facebook pages and blog entries. Online information changes all the time, and it would be nice to look back at a specific time and place in your life by looking to social media as a resource.
31 | Terravault
CUSTOMER PROFILE
This scrapbook probably took a long time, but I don’t know if it will last for a long time. If these pages and decorative papers are not acid free, they could wear down more quickly.
Research | 32
INTERVIEW: “THE SCRAPBOOKER”
What is it about scrapbooking that you like most/why do you keep doing it? I like scrapbooking because it’s a great way to preserve memories in a fun, special way. I like to save things like ticket stubs, hand written notes, or invitations and add them to my scrapbooks. These small touches help keep the memories alive. Do you feel that memories are important to view in print or are they just as good digitally? Digital memories are nice but I think they need to be printed so they are accessible. If they are stored on a computer they may be forgotten. If they are printed and put into an album or scrapbook they can me more accessible for viewing more frequently. What sort of photos do you print? Are they always for scrapbooking?
This interview gives more insight into what “The Scrapbooker” is thinking about when she records and stores memories. It is always helpful to
I print special photo’s of family, friends, and pets for scrapbooking or for framing/displaying in my house.
get into the head space of your
Are there other materials you like to save for scrapbooking or just for memorabilia purposes?
them in mind when creating a
I save things such as ticket stuffs, hand written notes, invitations, birth/graduation announcements, kids drawings, dried flowers, and anything else that reminds me of a certain event in a positive way. The Terravault is going to be encouraging people to preserve their digital memories by printing things like photos, emails, blogs and other digital/virtual material that could get lost if technology fails. It’s going to be a place that’s safe and has organization to house these types of materials. Would you buy a product like this? How would it work into your day to day life?
main consumer and to keep
product. This user crosses both the digital and printed worlds of storing memories and is a likely candidate for the Terravault.
I would buy something like that. I’m a big fan of printing stuff so it actually gets used. Otherwise it gets lost in the computer and you forget about it. Plus I have lost some pictures in the past so it would be nice to have them saved. Sometimes the computer can provide a false sense of security.
“
I have lost some pictures in the past so it would be nice to have them saved. Sometimes the computer can provide a false sense of security.
”
33 | Terravault
CUSTOMER PROFILE
What would you put in your Terravault? For starters, I would definitely want to use the terravault to document my digital life, my digital identity. Just thinking about what I would put in from my online experiences is making me reflect on myself by remembering these things I don't actively think about. I would DEFINITELY put pages of twitter updates in there. Sometimes I do look through my twitter updates to get a sense of what I've been up to and to remember some fun things I've been doing. It would be great to document this for the future. I would include some screenshots of my twitter and facebook, but also a special facebook message from a friend that I saved and a screenshot of when Kate Bingaman 'favorited' one of my Flickr photos because that was a really fun online interaction for me. I also would include some digital photos I've taken than I would never really print unless I had the Terravault box. I take photos of moments or situations for the fun of capturing the scene, but don't always look back on them. I am more likely to look at photos I post on my Flickr or blog, but I also like the idea of picking ones out that might be interesting someday in the future. I picked out photos that I would put in the box based on what might be interesting documents of the historical/sociological moment. So in general, I would really be into the whole idea of digital history. I'm totally into that, being more aware of myself on the internet and also marking the good memories from online interactions.
“
I would DEFINITELY put pages of twitter updates in there. Sometimes I do look through my twitter updates to get a sense of what I’ve been up to and to remember some fun things I’ve been doing. It would be great to document this for the future.
”
Research | 34
35 | Terravault
CASE STUDY: AFTER A HOUSE FIRE
I interviewed someone that has personally experienced a house fire. It is helpful to get a first person account of how you treat your memories and how your feelings change after such a tragic event. I would like to have the Terravault be a comfort to someone by using excellent preservation methods, it will be something the home owner will retain after such a difficult and destructive event in their lives.
Research | 36
Did you use fireproof storage in your home before the house fire? I had metal file cabinets that were supposed to be fireproof, but the documents inside heated up to a point where they melted. They also were not really protected from smoke damage and the water damage from the fire department. These are elements you don’t really think about until it actually happens to you. In this difficult time, what did you feel you wish you could have preserved? The important thing is that everyone is safe. However, my computers and photographs are the things that I wish could have been preserved. It is not possible to recover the files and images that are lost. All other material possessions can just be replaced. What do you recommend for the Terravault for fireproofing? Would you use something like this? After experiencing a house fire, I can say that better fireproofing methods are needed. It needs to protect from fire, heat, smoke and water. I think it would be great to have one for memories and one for a passport and tax documents. These are also difficult to replace and important to preserve. I would definitely consider using something like this. I would also
“
After experiencing a house fire, I can say that better fireproofing methods are needed. It needs to protect from fire, heat, smoke and water.
�
37 | Terravault
INTERVIEW: MALADORS FRAME SHOP
As someone who works with framing artwork, what materials do you recommend to customers for the best preservation methods? Why is this important?
For a professional opinion
The important thing for archiving in framing is to keep things reversable, meaning that it can be undone. For instance, we would never laminate anything. We also recommend things such as UV glazing on glass, acid free mattes such as rag board, and mylar envelopes are good for preserving images.
on archival techniques, I
Do you think that there are ways the average person could benefit from these techniques?
interviewed a framer at Maladors Frame Shop in Savannah, as well as, the lead archivist from the Georgia historical society. Both offered valuable insight into how I should design my Terravault and what to include in it.
Anyone can employ these methods at home. It’s good to know that cotton is a naturally acid free material, so it’s good for storage boxes and paper. Using gloves to handle photos is also an easy thing for an average person to do. Are there products available for non-artists so that they too can keep their photos safe? There are products available at craft stores and places like the Light Impressions website. These seem to be good options for non-artists. Are there printing methods that you recommend to people or that you personally use? I think there are local places in Savannah that do archival printing. I would recommend Photomaster. They use a special ink and paper that is more archival than average products. These things are also available for at home use. Do you feel it is important to keep printed copies of photos, emails and other memorabilia? I think it is important to keep printed copies of personal memories. It is a reliable way to preserve them. My project is going to be encouraging people to preserve their digital memories by printing things like photos, emails, blogs and other digital/virtual material that could get lost if technology fails. It’s going to be a place that’s safe and has organization to house these types of materials. Would you buy a product like this? How would it work into your day to day life? I think this is a product that would be really helpful to people that don’t want to spend a lot of money on framing and are more interested in storage. I would use something like this at home.
Research | 38
INTERVIEW: GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
What are your responsibilities as lead archivist at the Georgia Historical Society? As a lead archivist, I take in documents that people bring in and I catalog them into collections. I deal a lot with old photographs and documents. What are the benefits of preserving images, letters, and other personal documentation? We can learn a lot about the history of a society by studying these personal documents. They give an idea of what people were doing, what they valued, and how the day to day life was at that point in time. It’s really a value to historians. Who primarily uses the GHS for research? Does it vary? Historians, geneologists, and students are often utilizing the materials in our collection. Even SCAD students come here a lot from the Historic Preservation Department. They look at our documentation to study some of the older buildings in town. Do you feel the community recognizes these benefits? It varies. I believe some people know that there are benefits to our organization, but we do get the people that live in Savannah all their lives and never knew we were here.
“
I recommend not using any adhesives, store volumes of books with the spine down, don’t use rubber bands or metal fasteners, and I would also recommend labeling photographs.
”
What do you recommend people do that will ensure their personal history survives in the future? For photos, I recommend not using any adhesives, store volumes of books with the spine down, don’t use rubber bands or metal fasteners, and I would also recommend labeling photographs. We get many that are unlabeled, and we really have no way of knowing who is in the photographs. Also, an archival pencil is the best way to write on the back of a photo. Gloves are also not a bad idea. In today’s digital world, there are many unreliable methods of long-term preservation. Do you foresee this becoming a problem? Well, some of the steps we take digitally are to avoid proprietary formats. They may not exist in the future, so we use more common formats such as Tiff and pdf. These seem most reliable. Also, archival gold cds are supposed to last 100 years, but they haven’t been around long enought to prove it. There are also services that archive digital files, but they can be expensive.
39 | Terravault
VISUAL RESEARCH
I wanted to research the types of containters that already exist for archival purposes. There are books, boxes, and file holders that come in varied materials. I am most interested in having something fireproof, similar to the white box at the botton of this page. I will make my prototype based on this type of material.
Research | 40
These containers vary greatly and what I really like are the ones that have varied compartments. It gives the user more options to include small and large objects together and to keep them organized.
41 | Terravault
VISUAL RESEARCH
I thought about using something like this fireproof envelope. I think it might second option if I didn’t want to make the entire container fireproof.
Research | 42
These are archival sleeves that keep things like film, slides and photos protected. I am considering including such materials in my kit.
43 | Terravault
RESOURCES FOR PRIVATE AND FAMILY COLLECTIONS
NEDCC Offers Hints for Preserving Family Collections Libraries and historical organizations are often asked for advice on preservation by patrons and members. To meet this need, Northeast Document Conservation Center has developed a list of helpful hints for preserving family documents and memorabilia: These hints are from the Northeast Document Conservation Center. Their website has amazing resources and even an online course in archiving documents. This is just one small sample that is relavent to the Terravault.
1. The best protection for your books, papers, photographs, and prints is a cool, dry, stable environment, e.g., moderate temperature and relative humidity with relatively little fluctuation, clean air and good air circulation, no natural or fluorescent light, and good housekeeping. 2. Don’t store your valuable paper collections in attics or basements, which are commonly subject to excessive heat/and/or moisture problems. Also avoid storing collections beneath or in close proximity to water sources like washing machines, bathrooms, or air-conditioning equipment. Be sure to consider what is in the room above your collections. 3. Heat causes damage. Don’t hang valuable photos, documents, or artworks over radiators, heating ducts, heat-producing appliances, or fireplaces. Books and boxed documents or photographs with long-term value should also be shelved away from heat sources. 4. Light causes fading and other damage. Keep photos and art (prints, watercolors, and other works on paper) in the dark as much as possible. Don’t put valuable books and papers in direct sun or bright light of any kind. Hallways or other rooms without windows are best. Install shades and put up heavy curtains where you can’t avoid windows. 5. Indoor pollution rapidly damages paper and is a growing problem in energy-conscious spaces with good insulation. Any valuable photo or artwork on display should be protected by a preservation-quality mat and frame. The glass or plastic covering of the frame protects the item from pollutants and dirt. 6. A musty smell is sometimes noted in books that have been moldy or mildewed in the past. To remove the musty smell from old books, first make sure they are dry. Place the books in a cool, dry space for a couple of hours. If damp, open the books, stand them up, and fan the pages to allow drying. A fan will help circulate the air. If the smell remains, one option to remove it is paper containing Zeolite molecular traps. Known as MicroChamber® products, these paeprs have proven very effective in removing odors. We suggest placing a sheet of the lightweight, 100 percent cotton interleaving tissue between the front board and the endpaper, every 100 pages throughout the volume, and again between the back board and endpaper. Close the book and set it aside until the odor has been reduced. You may need to replace interleaving several times, putting new sheets at different locations in the book.
Research | 44
Storage Enclosures 7. Storage enclosures must be durable and provide physical support. The following characteristics apply to enclosure design. (a) Enclosures should be stiff enough to protect their contents from tears, breaks, slumping, or other distortion. (b) Boxes should be fully closed (without gaps or handle holes), with snug lids to exclude abrasives and other pollutants. (c) The size and shape of envelopes, boxes, folders, or other enclosures should closely match the object or objects they hold. (d) Book boxes should be custom-made to the dimensions of each book.
“
Storage enclosures must be durable and provide physical support. Enclosures should be stiff enough to protect their contents from tears, breaks, slumping, or other distortion. Boxes should be fully closed, with snug lids.
�
8. Storage enclosures must also protect against chemical deterioration. Unfortunately there are not scientific standards defining the term archival-quality enclosures, and this term in catalogs can be misleading. When purchasing enclosures, look for specific terms that indicate the stability of the enclosure. Boxes, mats, folders, and other paper enclosures for preservation use at home shoudl be low-lignin or lignin-free, and buffered throughout. Avoid lignin because it is a component fo paper that leads to the formation of acid. The term buffered refers to the process of adding a buffer (such as calcium carbonate) during manufacturing to neutralize acids as they form over time in the storage materials. 9. Be aware that paper enclosures labeled acid-free most likely do not have a buffer added, and they may not be lignin-free or low-lignin. These enclosures may become acidic relatively quickly. While buffered paper enclosures are generally preferred to acid-free, some drawings and paintings on paper, blueprints, and some photographs may be damages by the chemicals used as buffers. These should be stored in neutral (unbuffered), low-lignin enclosures if paper enclosures are used. 10. The terms acid-free, buffered, and lignin-free do not apply to plastic enclosures. Instead, look for enclosures made from specific types of plastic. Preservation-grade polyester, known by brand names such as Melinex 516, is the most stable. Polyethylene and and polypropylene can be used if they contain no plasticizers. Acetates can change dimension, so they are not recommended. Plastic enclosures made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) should never be used for preservation storage." http://www.nedcc.org/home.php
45 | Terravault
RESOURCES
Library supplies, furniture and archival solutions http://www.gaylord.com/ Society of American Archivists http://www.archivists.org/periodicals/aa_v66/review-watts-aa66_2.asp This list details websites, books, and local resources that I discovered during my research. I found some through my own searching and others were suggested to me in interviews and in class. This page serves for my own point of reference in case I ever need to recall information related to archiving.
E-conservation Magazine http://www.e-conservationline.com/content/view/603/181/ Light Impressions (supplies) http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/ Getty Conservation Institute http://www.getty.edu/conservation/ Center for History and New Media http://chnm.gmu.edu/ A consideration of what it really means when our memories, encoded in bits, flow in a million directions, and might truly live forever http://gizmodo.com/tag/memoryforever National Archives http://www.archives.gov/ Northeast Document Conservation Center http://www.nedcc.org/home.php Service that archives the internet for future generations http://www.archive-it.org/ Non-profit that was founded to build an Internet library http://www.archive.org/ Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/index.html Preservation 101 Online Course http://unfacilitated.preservation101.org/loggedin.asp Image Permanence Institute http://www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org/shtml_sub/dl_prescalc.asp
Research | 46
Photographs: Archival Care and Management Digital History: A Guide to Gathering, Preserving, and Presenting the Past on the Web by Daniel J. Cohen and Roy Rosenzweig Time and Bits: Managing Digital Continuity The Digital Print: Identification and Preservation Total Recall: How the E-Memory Revolution Will Change Everything by Gordon Bell Delete: The Virtue of Forgetting in the Digital Age by Viktor Mayer-Schonberger A Better Pencil: Readers, Writers, and the Digital Revolution by Dennis Baron Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide by Henry Jenkins New Media: A Critical Introduction by Martin Lister To Our Children’s Children: Preserving Family Histories for Generations to Come by Bob Greene Epistolary Practices: Letter Writing in America before Telecommunications by William Merrill Decker Maldoror’s Frame Shop 912-443-5355 2418 De Soto Ave Savannah, GA 31401 Photomaster 5500 Abercorn Street Savannah, GA 31405-6917 (912) 351-0522 Georgia Historical Society 501 Whitaker Street Savannah, GA 31401 Tel 912.651.2125 SCAD Special Collections, Jen Library
47 | Terravault
4|Prototyping
P
rototyping the terravault was an important step in this process. By examining different three
dimensional solutions I was able to test my ideas and gather information through user interaction. The prototype does not need to be highly resolved in the early phase of the project. It is more about the trouble shooting and the problem solving. I found that as my idea developed I was able to create better solutions for the final prototype.
Prototyping | 48
PROTOTYPING: QUICK AND DIRTY
“Most problems worth worrying about are complex, and a series of early experiments is often the best way to decide among competing directions. The faster we make our ideas tangible, the sooner we will be able to evaluate them, refine them, and zero in on the best solution.” –Tim Brown
49 | Terravault
PROTOTYPE SKETCHES
The early inspiration for my sketches were binders and jewerly boxes. Both have compartments and storage for different uses that I need. I need storage for documents up to 8.5"x11" as well as storage for small objects such as jewelry. I tried to figure out if I could incorporate both concepts in my final solution.
Prototyping | 50
This sketch represents my final idea based on the prototype from the previous page. I think this shape will work well because the user can put it on a book shelf. We discussed this a lot in class because I am encouraging people to print their digital files. If noone prints files, what will be left to decorate their shelves? The Terravault can now serve the function of looking attractive on a shelf as well as being out in the open and easy to access.
51 | Terravault
DETAILED SKETCHES
I was lucky enough to have some help from my father in refining my sketches. He is a mechanical designer and created these sketches in CAD. I was considering whether I was going to render my final prototype or build it. In the end, I found materials that made it possible to build the Terravault prototype, which helps give a more accurate depiction of the user interaction.
Prototyping | 52
The multiple views are helpful to give viewers an idea of my early concepts for the prototype. I originally was going to make some pockets that resembled a binder. I found that this was not an appropriate solution for little objects and started to create other solutions to the problem.
53 | Terravault
PHOTO PAGE
I wanted to create a photo page with slits in it. This would make it quick and easy to store photos without using adhesives, which are raelly damaging to photos. These prototypes were quickly dismissed because they did not hold the photographs in place well enough. I knew that the idea was worth pursuing, I just needed to work at resolving this design issue. The actual photo pages used in the Terravault would of course use archival and acid free paper. This will keep the photos safe for long term storage.
Prototyping | 54
This page is getting closer to the final solution. I found that most typical photo sizes fit, but many were quite loose. I also realized that I could not just have the slits going in one direction. I needed to put slits going both ways in order to make the photo more stable. In the end, my final solution was just to create a page that was tailored to standard photo sizes such as 4"x6" and 5"x7".
55 | Terravault
EARLY USER INTERACTION
Early on I had my classmates use my “quick and dirty� prototype. My final solution is still the same shape, but the inside is completely different. I originally thought I would include a notebook and just have two main open pockets. People felt comfortable with the shape and thought it would be nice to interact with on a kitchen table or coffee table. They also said the Terravault would be good for multiple people to intereact with together. I wanted to make sure I fostered this communal experience.
Prototyping | 56
Here you can see my classmate, RenĂŠe struggling with the first photo page prototype. I went through several versions before coming up with this final solution below. This has custom slots for varying standard size photos.
57 | Terravault
THE CONTAINER
I was concerned about my construction ability, but I was able to find this box at a craft store. It was originally a shadow box with a glass cover, but I bought two and rehinged them together. This of course is just wood, but if it was actually manufactured, the Terravault would be completely fireproof.
Prototyping | 58
I decided that I was going to include a binder in the Terravault. Initially, I wanted to make it attached to the box. I thought this would be really convenient, but then people told me it might be a cumbersome size when folded out and actually become less convenient. Also, it takes away some of the ease of showing it and interacting with the kit in a group setting. Some people might want to display and pass around the binder without this large box attached to it.
59 | Terravault
USER INTERACTION: THE BINDER
Here is my final prototype being used in class. I worked out some of the issues that I had previously. I figured out the binder works well with it fitting snuggly in the Terravault. The ribbon was added to help pull it out, but I had to add more ribbon to tie it in place and keep it from bouncing around inside the container.
Prototyping | 60
The binder feels easy to use and comfortable to take out and put on your lap. It’s slightly larger than the average binder because it’s customized to the Terravault container.
61 | Terravault
USER INTERACTION: COMPARTMENTS
This panel on the right hand side is to keep objects from falling out of the Terravault. It is secured in place and can be completely removed from the kit.
Prototyping | 62
There are customizable compartments in the Terravault so the user can have the sizes they need for their objects. There are also archival envelopes for additional archival protection as well as organization. This section is lined in felt to keep a soft cushion for these precious personal objects.
63 | Terravault
THE CONTAINER: FIREPROOFING
ABS Portable Fireproof Box
The material chosen for the Terravault is based on this product. It can withstand high tempatures and with the raised lip, it offers a tight seal, protecting the documents inside. My prototype will not look exactly like this, but this exampe serves as a way for the viewer to visually understand the product more clearly.
Prototyping | 64
Traveling portable plastic fire resistance security box is YADA SAFE new designed product, it is convenient to keep and carry documents. Adopting high temperature plastic pouring to make whole body of box and to be filled new fire resistance material in middle space of board. It can be guaranteed in high temperature 845 for temperature of box, however inside the box doesnt reach to 177 so as to keep the documents in good condition. The function of the fire resistance to be reached UL 72 the international fire resistance standard.
65 | Terravault
5|Terravault Experience
T
he final terravault experience is documented here from the point of purchase to when the
user takes it home and begins to use it. The excitement of buying the Terravault can be experienced again and again every time the user opens it. There can be a new experience with your own belongings when you sort through them, show them to others, and look back at treasured memories. The Terravault is not just an object that someone buys, it is an experience that they create for themselves, for their loved ones, and for generations to discover in the future.
Experience | 66
THE FINAL PROTOTYPE
The final Terravault prototype is shown here with its bellyband packaging. This process has all led up to this final solution that is informed by research and analysis.
67 | Terravault
INSIDE THE TERRAVAULT
When the consumer first receives the Terravault it will look like this. It almost feels like a present waiting to be opened, but instead it will be filled with treasures that the user already owns.
Experience | 68
TERRAVAULT BINDER
The custom binder will be included with ten photo pages. The product is not heavily branded because the focus is about what goes inside the Terravault. I want the user to feel like they can put the container on their shelf without the logo splashed all over it. This is a tasteful way to incorporate it.
69 | Terravault
SHOPPING FOR THE TERRAVAULT
The Terravault could be purchased in number of places such as book stores, craft stores, or even department stores. It is a product that someone would buy for themselves and for a gift.
Experience | 70
These archival photo pages are custom to the Terravault binder. They are special slitted paper that make it easy to store photos. There are also archival envelopes that can be purchased and used with the Terravault.
71 | Terravault
SHOPPING FOR THE TERRAVAULT
Many people get a thrill from shopping and purchasing items. This will not be regretted later like most impulse buys!
Experience | 72
“Enjoy your Terravault! Have a nice day!”
73 | Terravault
TAKING HOME THE TERRAVAULT
The Terravault is packaged with minimal materials. The bellyband helps brand the container, but I did not want the logo attached to the outside of the Terravault. I think that discourages people from displaying it later. Maybe in later versions the Terravault could even come in customized colors to suit the user’s personal tastes.
Experience | 74
Opening the Terravault is exciting, but not as exciting as using it!
75 | Terravault
WELCOME TO TERRAVAULT
When the Terravault is first opened, the user will get this “Welcome to Terravault� sheet. On it there are details and tips about archiving.
Experience | 76
ARCHIVING TIPS Welcome to Terravault, the ideal
ARCHIVAL PAPER & INK
long-term storage solution to
Archival ink is designed to resist fading and weathering so that it will endure for future enjoyment. As a general rule, an archival ink works best with specially designed archival paper, so that the paper will endure as well. Many art supply companies sell archival ink, and some companies also make archival ink cartridges for printers. Always check with the manufacturer and company to ensure products are truly archival.
preserving priceless memories. This is the first step in ensuring archival quality of a variety of valuable collectables, including
DOCUMENT & LABEL
This is a scaled down version of the insert. It’s minimal because most people don’t read long literature or directions that come
Documenting the contents of your Terravault is highly recommended. Don’t forget to date and document who is in your photos and record the objects that are inside. Your binder includes pages for this specific purpose. Don’t use ball point pen, instead use photo pencils ( included in the Terravault) or archival pens. Pencils are recommended in case corrections need to be made.
in packaging. This is just a list
is fireproof as well as acid and
AVOID ADHESIVES, RUBBER BANDS, & METAL FASTENERS
with proper archival methods.
lingen-free. Constructed to be
Adhesive products, rubber bands and metal fasteners can damage photographs and over time, they will deteriorate. The Terravault was designed with customizable photo pages and compartments that will make it possible to avoid these sorts of things.
photographs, postcards, precious objects, memorabilia and important documents. The container
sturdy and secure, the Terravault protects valuables from dirt and dust, as well as the infiltration of light, which can be harmful to some materials over a long period of time.
USE PROTECTIVE SLEEVES OR ENVELOPES
of tips to get the user started
It is really up to them on how to employ these ideas.
For sensitive materials, such as old or deteriorating photographs, film, and slides, consider storing them in protective sleeves or envelopes. This gives an additional layer of protection within the Terravault. Materials to look for include archival grade polyester and archival envelopes that seal the seams on the outside, so that the adhesives don’t touch the materials stored inside. USE GLOVES
Designed for user interaction, the Terravault is meant to keep
White cotton gloves are an important addition to the Terravault kit. They are durable and form-fitting. The heavy weight cotton is also machine washable.
your memories safe as well as
PROPER STORAGE
make them easy to access. Don’t
Don’t forget to store your Terravault in a temperature controlled setting. It is best to keep archival items in a cool dry space.
lock up those memories from view, share them with others and
BACK UP DIGITAL FILES
enjoy them.
It is important to back up digital files, but don’t forget about printing documents as an archival method for digital files. It is a reliable way to save precious memories that may get lost if digital media fails or becomes outmoded in the future.
Here are some more tips and techniques to archiving that will help your memories last for generations.
77 | Terravault
OPENING THE TERRAVAULT
The binder was not staying in place and this issue was resolved with this ribbon. It is an attractive and simple solution that worked well in the final prototype.
Experience | 78
The ribbon serves a dual purpose and it helps lift the binder out of the Terravault. It’s built in so the user doesn’t have to worry about losing it.
79 | Terravault
THE TERRAVAULT BINDER
The binder is custom made to fit snuggly in the Terravault and the photo pages are also custom sized to fit the binder.
Experience | 80
The binder has a simple latch to keep it shut as well as keep it at an even depth even when closed. Traditional binders usually slope at an angle, but I didn’t want this because it would fit awkwardly in the Terravault. This way it fits better.
81 | Terravault
INCLUDED WITH THE TERRAVAULT
The user will find that the Terravault comes with ten photo pages in the binder as well as archival pencils, an eraser, and white archival gloves for handling sensitive documents.
Experience | 82
The user is encouraged to use these items to help preserve their memories. The welcome page details how to use these items when using the Terravault.
83 | Terravault
KEEPING RECORDS
Consider how you would like to document the items in your Terravault. By person, date, or however you choose, it is important to keep an accurate record for the future. Think about writing anecdotes or journaling about your experiences with your treasured objects. It can add to the experience for you, your family and your friends.
On the back of the welcome page is this chart. It tells the user to document their photos and objects in the Terravault. They can customize it how they like. They can also photocopy it and use it for additional documenting.
Experience | 84
PHOTO PAGE
This is the custom photo page and these lines represent the slits in the paper. The page can hold one 8"x10" photo, two 5"x7", two 4"x6", two 3.5"x5" or four wallet size photos. This gives the user a lot of variety with traditional photo sizes.
85 | Terravault
USING THE BINDER
Getting ready to use the binder, the user can get their materials ready to for documenting.
Experience | 86
LABELING PHOTOGRAPHS
The pencils included are archival and safe for labeling on the back of the photograph. This is helpful for the future. It also is recommended to date and record where it was and who is in the photograph.
87 | Terravault
DOCUMENTING
After labeling the back of the photo, the user can add it to their record log. They could also just reserve this space for objects that are not easily labeled. It’s good to provide a clear description and even anecdotal information would be nice to include. The more the user describes, the better the experience for leaving a legacy behind.
Experience | 88
PLACING THE PHOTO IN THE BINDER
It is easy to insert photos on the photo page. The photos can be moved around and changed quickly if the user wants to create a different layout.
89 | Terravault
ARCHIVAL ENVELOPES
The archival envelopes are sold separately under the Terravault brand. One of the compartments is fitted to the 6"x9" envelopes.
Experience | 90
These envelopes help organize like items together as well as keep them safe. This is a good option for odd shaped items that do not fit in the photo pages.
91 | Terravault
CUSTOMIZABLE COMPARTMENTS
The customizable compartments are really helpful for odd shaped items. This gives the user a lot more flexibility.
Experience | 92
If you keep the compartment fitted to the object, it won’t bounce around as much. It’s also lined with a soft felt to keep objects cushioned. This is a nice way to store jewelry as well.
93 | Terravault
ENJOYING THE MEMORIES
The ease of the Terravault makes it possible to take out whenever you want to look at those favorite memories.
Experience | 94
You can take it out and put it away in such a short time that it won’t feel like a hassle to go through tons of odds and ends. The organized layout also helps enrich the experience.
95 | Terravault
PUTTING AWAY THE TERRAVAULT
The Terravault fits nicely on a bookshelf and is close by to take down and look at during a later time.
Experience | 96
UNTIL NEXT TIME‌
The Terravault can be prominently displayed and looks nice with most traditional decor.
97 | Terravault
CONCLUSION
Final Analysis The Terravault project came together after a considerable amount of research and analysis. The final prototype is similar to what I originally proposed. I wanted to create a container that holds a person’s favorite memories. I also wanted to make sure the entire kit was fireproof and completely archival. By interviewing professionals, I learned a lot about archival techniques and I was able to convey that in my information in the Terravault. The user not only gets this kit with some archival information, but they receive some starting off materials such as archival photo pages. These are helpful because they do not require damaging adhesives. The pages are precut, so they are easy to use. The Terravault also comes with archival pencils and an eraser to encourage labeling and documenting photos and objects within the Terravault. White gloves complete the package, and this is to keep things protected when the user is handling them. Users can also buy extra insert pages and archival envelopes separately for their Terravault. These are helpful tools to keep organized. The Terravault is designed for maximum organization. The compartments are customizable and the binder is custom to the kit. These features make Terravault easy to use. Aside from problem solving and achieving the final solution, I was most surprised by the way the Terravault has become more of an experiential product. The container is not really where the value is, it is in the lasting experience it creates for the user. They can share this again and again with family and friends. It can be neatly put away and quickly retrieved. It can be an intimate experience or a communal one, and it can be passed down to be shared with future generations. This experience is where the real value of the Terravault lies.
Experience | 98
99 | Terravault