Second Year Media Design http://loxyreid.posterous.com Lachlan Reid posterous.com Wed, 30 May 2012 01:58:00 -0700 242 Project 3 Final Composition - Element http://loxyreid.posterous.com/242-project-3-final-composition-element http://loxyreid.posterous.com/242-project-3-final-composition-element

Reid_lachlan_mddn242_project_3_2012_element_composition

Element is a 3D computer graphics image created using Python Processing.

A customisable set of variables allow for infinite variations on a simple idea. A ring of spirals are created with varying densities, radius, number of rings and distance from each other. Through the use of this program I was able to come up with a composition demonstrating its effects.

The three images I chose are shown here in one composition. First is a top down shot of a 6 spiral ring. This appears to be 2D and seems as if the image is slightly blurred, creating an interesting effect. The idea of this image is to conceal and reveal the structure of the piece.

The second image in the sequence is a slightly off angle shot of a similar 6 spirals each with only 1 ring. They are placed together creating a spiralling vortex feel. The blurring effect is more obvious in this image but the image still retains its origins by not showing too much detail, alluding again to the unknown factor.

The third and final image is a closer shot of another 6 spiral ring. This shot is taken from a much lower angle and it is a lot closer. This shows detail of how the program uses its algorithm to create these shapes and explains the nature of the blurring effect from previous images.

All together I chose these images over some of my previous efforts as I wanted to strip it back to simplicity. I felt that my code was getting away from the minimalist effect I was happy with earlier in the project. I also removed the animation from the program as I felt the interactivity was taking away and stealing the spotlight so to speak.

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Mon, 07 May 2012 20:13:00 -0700 Neurocity (242 Project 2 Final) Screenshots http://loxyreid.posterous.com/brain-damage-242-project-2-final-screenshots http://loxyreid.posterous.com/brain-damage-242-project-2-final-screenshots

Screenshots from my second Project of MDDN242 "Neurocity"

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Thu, 03 May 2012 17:20:00 -0700 241 Envoronment Sketches http://loxyreid.posterous.com/241-envoronment-sketches http://loxyreid.posterous.com/241-envoronment-sketches

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Thu, 03 May 2012 17:14:00 -0700 241 Concepts http://loxyreid.posterous.com/241-concepts-85146 http://loxyreid.posterous.com/241-concepts-85146

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Thu, 03 May 2012 17:12:00 -0700 241 Sketches of Movement and Emotions http://loxyreid.posterous.com/241-sketches-of-movement-and-emotions http://loxyreid.posterous.com/241-sketches-of-movement-and-emotions

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Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:30:00 -0700 MDDN 242 Project 1 Final Hand In - Line Crawlers Film http://loxyreid.posterous.com/mddn-242-project-1-final-hand-in-line-crawler-72407 http://loxyreid.posterous.com/mddn-242-project-1-final-hand-in-line-crawler-72407

Heres a short film showing the animation over time. It has been sped up for ease sake but the normal animation moves at half the speed.

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Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:46:00 -0700 MDDN 242 Project 1 Final Hand In - Line Crawlers Screenshots http://loxyreid.posterous.com/mddn-242-project-1-final-hand-in-line-crawler http://loxyreid.posterous.com/mddn-242-project-1-final-hand-in-line-crawler

Here is my finished piece for project 1 of MDDN 242.

Here are some screenshots showing the effect of the animation in various stages.

 

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Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:05:00 -0700 CCDN271 Assignment 1 - Critique a Source http://loxyreid.posterous.com/ccdn271-assignment-1-critique-a-source http://loxyreid.posterous.com/ccdn271-assignment-1-critique-a-source

Over one quarter, about 1.6 billion, of the people in the world have no access to electricity (A. Shah, 2010), refrigeration or stored fuels (TED2007, 2007). This is a major problem in developing nations. With no access to refrigeration it is very difficult to halt the spread of disease. Vaccines can't be stored for long periods of time without the use of a fridge, and food can spoil in a matter of days. This is why the lack of refrigeration is one of the biggest contributing factors in third world poverty. 

 

In 2006, with this problem growing rapidly, Adam Grosser and a team from Stanford University decided to attempt to create a low cost solution. By using an idea first originated by Ferdinand Carre in 1858 (TED2007, 2007), they began testing the use of thermodynamics to power a fridge. By heating up and cooling down a water/ammonia based substance, a strong refrigeration effect can be achieved without the use of electricity. 

 

This project is a good example of my topic, Design for the Other 90%. Adam and his team have specifically designed this project with third world nations in mind. Although it can used by anyone, its primary function is to help people who don't have access to electricity. One reason for this is the low cost of the prototype. Adam, in his TED talk, says that the product can be made for “$21USD in high volumes” (TED2007, 2007). This is a cost efficient method for organisations such as UNICEF and Red Cross to distribute his product to third world countries. Adam has also specifically designed his product to use the heat of a fire, “...be it camel dung or wood” (TED2007, 2007). This is another way that he has tailored his product to help keep medicine and food cold in regions without electricity. 

 

The project does have some flaws, however. The fridge is powered through a routine of heating and cooling. 30 minutes of heating on a fire and 60 minutes of cooling will grant 24 hours of refrigeration. This means that the routine has to be adhered to everyday. It is not a very large flaw in the design and perhaps looking into making the fridge self sustainable would be an advantage. This would mean it doesn't have to rely on constant daily attention in order to be used. Another disadvantage is that the fridge will only work on “a fifteen litre vessel” (TED2007, 2007). This might be large enough to hold a family's medicine and food but at $21USD a fridge, it is not financially viable to get refrigeration for a village, let alone 1.6 billion people. The cooling effect needs to be increased so it can cool a larger vessel for a similar cost. 

 

This project by Adam Grosser and Stanford University is a great example of how people are designing with third world countries in mind. I feel he has taken a fantastic idea and created a useable prototype. Like any prototype, there are issues that could be improved and enhanced to suit the needs of his target market, namely the people living in regions with no access to electricity. By revisiting the core design and addressing the problems, I feel that the project will be a success.

 

 

 

Shah, A. (2010, September, 20). Poverty Facts and Stats [Webpage]. Retrieved 2012, March, 22 from http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats 

 

TED2007. (2007, February). Adam Grosser and his sustainable fridge [Video File]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/adam_grosser_and_his_sustainable_fridge.html 

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