Sony will be launching a new product this spring called Xperia Smart Tags. The user programs them to tell a smart phone to do a specific action, and then places the tag wherever it is appropriate to prompt that action. For example, a tag on your nightstand could tell your phone to start an alarm for the next morning, or a tag in your car to start up GPS and driving directions. It’s an interesting idea, and something I haven’t quite seen before… although ideally someday the phone should be able to do this itself!
A great deal of attention has recently been given to ‘design thinking’. Design Thinking is a practical methodology of problem-solving that incorporates processes such as:
Step 1: Defining problems;
Step 2: Researching or analysing these problems;
Step 3: Ideating potential solutions;
Step 4: Prototyping possible solutions;
Step 5: Reviewing the objectives;
Step 6: Implementing solutions; and
Step 7: Learning or reflecting on how well these solutions addressed the problem
That striking term comes from a recent article by Ta-Nehisi Coates, senior editor for The Atlantic. By bringing strength and empathy together, Coates is reminding us that to be empathic is to be both curious as well as objectively tenacious in seeking to understand another person’s reality. Going even deeper, there is also a fundamental connection between empathy and humility: True empathy helps us step outside of our unconscious habits of self-orientation.
In trying to relate to others, without humility as a foundation, we are quickly undermined by an insidious tendency, well-articulated by the writer Ian Percy: “We judge others by their behavior. We judge ourselves by our intentions.” In attempting to empathize, we’re actually missing the point if we are judging at all. Because then we are more concerned with being knowledgeable, being right — or even being good — than we are with actually feeling another person’s reality.
In case you haven’t read it, Massimo Vignelli’s ‘Canon’ is available online as a free ebook. This isn’t news – it’s been online for years – but it’s worth browsing through for all designers. Much of it deals with graphic design but the beginning is more broadly applicable to all types of design, a versatility which Vignelli himself was known for. Check it out if you haven’t already!
Each contribution is cataloged in the Brooklyn Art Library with a unique barcode. Friends, family and other patrons can find your work almost instantly — and you’ll receive email or text message notifications each time your book is viewed.
If you’re interested in participating, it only costs $25 and the next deadline for sketchbooks is April 30th. Below is an example of one artists work, and you can also view some of the sketchbooks in digital format here.
Meet ‘Nest’, the latest technology from Apple alumni Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers. For a mere $249, you can have the smartest and most user-friendly thermostat in existence. Its claims to fame include that it uses sensors to learn your schedule over time and adjust accordingly (for when you’re out of the house, etc. ), has some energy saving tactics, and can be adjusted remotely using Wifi. It’s pretty and useful I’m sure, but I’m not about to cough up that much! Much more info can be found via Engadget.
This weekend (October 15 – 16), many of the greatest buildings throughout the city will be open to the public and tour-able for Open House Chicago.
Whether you are an architecture buff, history enthusiast, or cultural novice, OHC is a unique event that’s fun for all ages, locals and visitors, suburbanites and city dwellers. Participating in OHC is like getting a “backstage pass” to a wide range of Chicago’s most important and interesting buildings located in many different neighborhoods. Key themes for OHC are sustainability and community—how buildings demonstrate a commitment to energy efficiency and green technology, and how design connects people and places to create great communities.
You can plan out your own itinerary on the site. I for one plan on getting to the Emil Bach house and the Spertus Institute. Be sure to check it out!
In the design community, we are all deeply saddened by the death of Steve Jobs. If you haven’t yet watched his Stanford commencement address, please do… it’s incredibly inspiring. What a remarkable man and legacy… he will be greatly missed!
Former president Bill Clinton, Bruce Mau, Thomas Friedman and many many others (even Kevin Bacon) will speak from October 10 – 16 throughout Chicago as part of Chicago Ideas Week. The event is the brainchild and hard work of Groupon co-founder Brad Keywell. Most of you are probably familiar with TED; this event is very similar and in fact includes the TEDxMidwest event as well.
A lot of the talks focus on creativity, innovation, and the like… expecting some inspiring and powerful stuff to come from this! Prices to attend the talks are actually pretty reasonable – around $15 per event, even for the best-known speakers. Tickets and more information are available at the CIW site.
