Moving On: Idea to Idea

This was a pivotal moment in discussing the componentry, style, aesthetics and manufacturing capabilities of the OBJECT design. the interesting aspects were that although this design allowed and opened up avenues for secondary and alternative users, we had decided on going in a different design direction which in turn changed many aspects of the design.
however this was only the case on the 'face' of the design, the brief, developments and values we had decided on and improved gradually are still being maintained its just that this design concept is proving to be less appropriate as compression and manufacturing capabilities prove to be unacceptable for children that are sick within a hospital context.

More Findings related to lecuture notes and furthered Understandings!

Its encouraging to see that both Alex and Brad have helped in forming the direction of OBJECT as the first stages of the project was heavily swayed by scenario and intended behavioral properties!


These notes have been frequently refereed to and have had the ability to help form ideas about the design and the appropriateness the object is within the environment of a hospital.

Initial Object Direction

The main idea/concept behind the design is a device that can be utilised by sick, hospitalised children to communicate with distanced family members like mum and dad. with an understanding that such illnesses might prevent certain actions like cancer and the sense of touch it was imperative that the object be designed to cater for the user in multiple sensory ways including pressure, lights, signals, movement, wireless, intuitive use. the following images are of one of the initial designs considered and it entails a design piece that can either be worn through the arms or placed on the lap or many other applications: even placing it beside them to just listen and see up to date communications.

Initially the device is to able to be placed through the arms, however design developments are leading away from this. Scenario and behavioral findings will tend to direct this design with further developments.
We wanted multiple functions so that the primary user could manipulate the object to suit their preferences but it also allows for secondary purposes and uses!
Pillow slip inspiration, with adaptable switches and appropriate housing and materials have been considered briefly.

Planning, Web diagramming and brainstorming process

This was the examples that Tim gave that proved crucial in developing a design direction to follow for object. although many parts throughout the design route were dynamic and ever changing it was interesting to see how such restrictions like applicable materials, plastics, componentry and metals directed the appropriateness of our design. hygiene, manufacturing processes that allowed us to outline ways in developing our design further.

It was important to note how often these awareness's of multiple design aspects from the start countered, contradicted and changed throughout the design process, sometimes proving a hinderence but also a benefit in ways we had not previously considered.

Object - Idea Generation

Only rough drawings and ideation which only several aspects were taken further into the development of OBJECT. the creation we aimed to achieve was based around the brief we all agreed on to highlight the need and satisfy the need to design an Object that has the capabilities to communicate sick lonely children in hospitals to their worried parents at home who are unable to stay with their child 24/7.



After many brainstorming sessions and endless possibilities to pursue our group which includes Brad, Alex and myself - we decided the object had to fulfill a basic child acceptance that fits well within the restrictions and confines of a hospital context and environment.

Presentation Day Model

Pictures of my model just before my presentation.... if only the lights worked during my pressy :( not to matter, i have a video of it working underneath this post. Enjoy!

The Interactive Garden Path - Designed by Paul Street N6857965

This is my "Interactive Garden Path" design [Design = Scenario, Object, Behavior]. It's design intent is to replace the disruptive flood lights that flash on at 3 am in the morning when someone is simply trying to enter from the side and back of the house as silently as possible not to disturb someone sleeping. Floodlights and the blind startled person or people are now more susceptible to making noise by tripping over obstacles and slipping in unfamiliar terrain of the side path at night. But without the Interactive Garden Path, entering your property silently, efficiently, safely and clearly and uneventfully is almost impossible as you combat the elements or blinding lights potentially waking up the neighbors, obstacles make path finding at night potentially very dangerous and new or uneven grounds make the Interactive Garden Path so applicable.

The Interactive Garden Path solves this by utilizing multiple sensors, timers and dim glow faerie lights to represent the safest path to be guided by that turn on as you near the sensors and turn off when you pass them. This allows you to silently enter the back of your house, in the early hours of the morning without hurting yourself, blinding the neighbors with driveway security lights and it also saves on energy.

The lights also have the capability to be further developed to have different coloured lights along the path to represent differences in the path, like yellow lights may represent warning spots along the path and red lights may represent precarious or new obstacles or dangerous places or perhaps when you have strayed off the path the lights go red. the green lights may represent safe segments along the path.

Further possibilities also include the possibility that the final set of low dim guiding lights may also trigger a flashing light in a persons bedroom or in the main bedroom/living room to show that the Interactive Garden Path has been used and either a flatmate, partner, friend or spouse may now be home or entering so that if any noises were heard there would not be any need to panic or be startled/scared. This would make the design a human to human interactive communication interface that is silent, hands-free and intuitive.

I configured the wiring so that it is essentially an extension lead with a sensor adapted in the middle of it so that everything connected to the extension lead will be on a sensor, so the faerie lights were modified to only nine working lights using solder and thin wires and then plugged into the end of my modified sensor extension lead which is then reactive to the motion and light sensors.

This design saves money, energy, efficiency and makes life more simple and stress free. The design allows people or the users to behave in a stress free, well guided and intuitive manner when dazed and confused and just wanting to get into bed at home without any dramas while walking in the dark of night - down the side of the house. There should probably be an override switch at both ends of the lighting system but for the sake of a model mock up and preliminary designs it hasn't been implemented yet.

Design Evolution: + Magnetic Pendulum ---> Luck ---> Fortune Telling
+ Cyborg Eye ---> Notifying Warning Light ---> Safety and Education
+ Duck Hunting Toy ---> Educational Game
+ Lizard Heat Pad ---> Only heats where the lizard lays and glows red.
+ Boat Warning Light ---> Night Fishing ---> Safety
+ Interactive Garden Pathway ---> Path Lighting and Finding ---> Safety, Way Finding and Leading, Directional Lighting, Energy Saving, Increased Awareness, Effortless, intuitive, seamless and simple.

Model Materials: Foam-core, Copper- Insulated Wires, terminal blocks, plugs, connections and tape, motion sensors, LED and faerie lights.


Helping midnight decision making, way finding/path finding and increased guidance and notification, safety, intuitive interfaces, info lighting capabilities and furthered human to human interactions. This is particularly applicable to notify the person already at home that you are home or entering without the flood lights waking them and ruining a nights sleep or scaring them into thinking someone random is entering your property. ENJOY!!!