Designing a Future Object: The Process
The Team
Tiffany Brus Team Leader Responsible for coordinating and planning. Designed the final presentation. Did some of the writing for the presentation.
Daniel Benson Contributed to brainstorming and directing the application of the 10 + 10 method. Designed and concepted the final prototype. Did some of the writing for the presentation.
The Problem
Paper to Digital Planner For many, there is something about paper that trumps even the most sophisticated tablet, smartphone, or computer. The simplicity of pencil and sketchpad, the tactile nature of a book’s pages, and an individual’s ability to somehow jot down notes in a haphazard yet completely logical way, still haven’t translated onto digital screens. While we don’t plan on tackling every aspect of the paperdigital conversion, one area we noticed in need of a redesign is the day planner/ calendar. Currently, one has to choose the digital world or the paper one or attempt to keep up with writing one’s events on both manually. Putting complex notes into a cellphone gets old quickly but lugging around a day planner (which also lacks a reminders feature) seems a bit impractical in this technological era. While technology exists that allows one to write or draw on special paper and have it automatically digitized and sent to smartphones and computers, through companies like Livescribe and Wacom, there is no day timer equivalent. Though similar, the technology for a calendar or planner would be more involved than for drawings or writing. In order to be effective, the data from the paper planner would need to automatically sync with both Apple and Android calendar apps or have its own. Some of the things that would need to be automatically scheduled on the digital calendar would be dates, times, notes, reminders, etc.
Brainstorming Methods
We utilized the concept of the 10 + 10 method to generate ideas. Specifically, we sketched out and listed as many ideas as we could think of, not limiting ourselves to things we thought were good, but just getting everything on paper. Initially, we listed out some thoughts separately, later swapping them and using each other’s ideas as inspiration to continue concepting. We then picked our favorite ideas and brainstormed how each one could solve our proposed problem. Finally, we chose our favorite three ideas.
Initial Solutions
Utilize a Bluetooth or similar pen as well as a small device that sits at the top of a notebook, essentially scanning the paper for the motions made by the pen and the marks left behind. Together, these motions can be translated onto digital platforms. Future technology might become good enough that any planner could be used because the scanner could read the sections and figure out that specific days and dates correlated to dates on the digital calendar automatically. In the meantime, the company could also develop a line of planners that had been programmed into the scanner, so it would automatically know that a certain position on page 37 corresponded to a certain time on a certain day.
A touch sensitive paper will record writing and send it to the digital platform. Will likely need a special pen to accompany it so that not every pressure sensed will be translated into the digital calendar. Software will already be programmed to know which areas of the paper correspond with days of the week, times, etc.
The paper will have small sensors on various parts but will also have a pen that does the majority of the writing sensing and transformation into digital. The small sensors will primarily be in specific areas of the paper to denote where certain dates and times began and ended, essentially setting up perimeters that the pen could sense. Also, this would allow someone to easily set a reminder by checking a box or perhaps writing in a predetermined spot a certain time. Between the paper and the pen, the writing would be sensed and would go to the appropriate digital location.
Refining Ideas
The Process: We both felt like all of our initial ideas were incomplete but by weighing the pros and cons of each, decided that our third option, to utilize both a pen and some form of sensors in the paper, was the best direction.
Our first idea: Would be convenient if it allowed the use of any planner but we were uncertain that technology was advanced enough to support this concept. Additionally, the scanner might be too bulky for many people to want.
Our second idea: A touch sensitive paper also seemed like it would be bulky as well as expensive and not very environmentally conscious.
Our third idea: We thought the tiny sensors would be a good idea, as long as they could be made small enough. We theorized using a tiny metallic ink that has different concentrations of the metal for different spots or a circuit small enough to need only a couple wires. Because of the pen, most of the bulkier electronics could go there, allowing the sensors in the paper to really only be markers for the pen to read. So, this idea took elements from several of our early ideas, utilizing the paper as part of the process, but also having an external device to convert, store, and send the collected data.
Final Prototype
Pen Technology records and automaticly converts the written data into typed information and sends it to the corisponding time in calander.
Final Thoughts
We set out to combine physical and digital technology by creating integral links between the two worlds. Yes, we want our schedules digitally stored so that we can have reminders and other benefits, but some of us also want to be able to have a more visceral way to interact with our data. Our design keeps the physical planner and its accompanying pen close to what is already available, allowing them to be familiar, usable tools but also seamlessly converting data to a digital form. By creating this kind of technology we open up the possibilities of taking any written data and converting it into a variety of digital mediums and in a variety of situations. This technology could also help us move to a more detailed way of drawing and translating written information into a new digital age while still holding on the satisfying feel of pen on paper.