Project PresentationCS6022

Pauline Vereker

Visualising Hertzian Space

• This project is basically concerned with making people aware of Hertzian Space.

Below is a representation of Hertzian Space using IP addresses:

Visualising Hertzian Space

• I want to make a display or device that will manifest to the senses either visually or in other ways significant parts of the emf spectrum.

EMF Spectrum

Who will want to use it? When? Where?

• Artists :It could be used as part of an artistic display, Usman Haque etc.

• Teachers: It could be used as an educational device (perhaps teachers would like it in their science labs)

• People with emf hypersensitivity, when coming into contact with strong emf fields.

• People (especially parents) who want to limit their exposure on concerns that new technology poses untested risks especially to newborns, young children and teenagers. (mobile phones, baby monitors etc)

Relevance to Interaction Design?

• I think it relates on a very fundamental (though unseen) level.

• All technology emits radiation and although humans can’t see most of the emf spectrum they interact with it every day.

• And as the digital revolution continues to grow this Hertzian space will grow in tandem and become more dense.

Readings, Books and Papers

• Papers on Electromagnetic Radiation effects on health – Magda Havas (2004), WHO, Trent University, Ontario, Canada

• Papers on Visualising EMF/Hertzian Space – Vaucelle (2009) MIT, (wearable computing).

• Books – ‘Hertzian Tales’, ‘Design Noir’ both written by Dunne and Raby.

What other similar projects have you found?

• ‘SkyEar’ (2004), Usman Haque;

• ‘Immaterials’ (2011), Oslo School of Architecture;

• ‘Electrical Walks’ (2003), Christina Kubisch;

• ‘Ghost in the Field’ (2009), Touch Project;

• ‘EMF Fountain’ (2010), Amanda Stegall;

• ‘Hertzian Rain’ (2009), Mark Shepard.

‘SkyEar’ (2004), Usman Haque;

‘Immaterials- Light Painting Wi-fi’ (2011),

Oslo School of Architecture;

‘

‘

Electrical Walks’ (2003), Christina Kubisch;

‘Ghost in the Field’ (2009), Touch Project;

‘EMF Fountain’ (2010), Amanda Stegall;

‘Hertzian Rain’ (2009), Mark Shepard.

How is my project different?

• Well first of all I’m interested in making something on an intimate, small scale whether it’s a display or something wearable.

• All the other projects seem to be large public installation displays whereas mine would be something you could have at home again whether it’s a display or something wearable.

• I will be using Arduino antennas and sensors, I don’t believe any of the other projects use arduino (though I could be wrong).

• Also I would like there to be a more overt educational element to it.

• My device/display may have also have health uses.• Again there are probably other uses I haven’t even

thought of.

Theories underpinning my endeavour

• There is definitely an element of Fun Theory (Ralph Koster, 2003) involved in this project – making people aware of the unseen through a (hopefully) aesthetically pleasing display.

• The idea of serious games (developed by Clark Abt, 1970) – a game designed for a primary purpose other than pure entertainment.

How are you going to find users to validate your concept?

• I was thinking of interviewing people one on one primarily in the expert domain regarding their opinions on emf in general, and it’s potential effects on the human body.

• Then for the general public I would like to have a focus group to get their feedback on their awareness of emf radiation.

What will your prototype look like?

• Low fidelity: I’ll start off with a paper prototype/sketches or a prototype.

• Medium fidelity: Flash animation, or perhaps a video prototype.

• Finished prototype will have working antennas and sensors picking up emf and incorporate interactivity.

Technology

• As of this moment it appears that Arduino is the technology that would be most suitable for this project, using actuators and sensors.

• I’m probably going to need many led’s, actuators and antennas.

• If anyone can think of other technology that would help me?

Skills I need to learn?

• I need to gain technical competance in Arduino.• I need to gain in depth knowledge specifically on

antennas, actuators and sensors in order to manifest frequencies visually or in other ways.

• I need to gain knowledge of the physics of the electromagnetic spectrum.

• Also of course I need to get feedback from potential users and develop skills interviewing people.

Outline of workplan

References

• Havas, M., 2004. Dirty Electricity & Electrical Hypersensitivity: Five case Studies. WHO, Workshop on Electrical Hypersensitivity

• Vaucelle, C., 2009. Cost-effective wearable Sensor to Detect EMF. Proceedings of the 27th international conference extended abstracts on

Human factors in computing systems. • Dunne & Raby, 2005. Hertzian Tales. MIT Press.

• Dunne and Raby, 2001. Design Noir: The Secret Life of Electronic Objects. Birkhäuser.

• Clark Abt, 1970. Serious Games. University Press of America.

Thanks for listening

Questions?