Critical Design Blog

I'm sitting here (remembering this phrase as I definitely also used it in another previous blog post ✍🏻) thinking about the amazing experience I just went on, and I can't help but feel a sense of thankfulness and fulfilment. Today marks the end of a great course that forced me to step outside of my comfort zone, and attempt new experiences (as it began in the first lecture with the task of creating a blog and posting once every one to two weeks). Furthermore, I have thoroughly enjoyed every single lecture (and, of course, the exhibition). I had a lot of fun taking a course that didn't simply emphasise programming but also allowed me to practise other abilities beyond that, such as critical thinking and prototyping.

Hello everyone, as promised, here are updates on the development of our final prototypes. At this time, though, I won't provide any spoilers. 😉

We are now in the process of making our prototypes a reality. The lab space is brimming with options, from high-fidelity parts to unprocessed, low-fidelity materials (every substance can inspire our original thoughts and pique our creativity, as we figured out today again). We began by starting the 3D printing process (after learning how to use the machine; a special thank you to the people at the institute who assisted us in using the machinery) and then moved on to building our other objects and preparing the necessary parts for the laser cutter. ✂️

The bottom line is that today was a huge success, and a tonne of work was accomplished! ✨

I was walking through the centre of Vienna the other day and noticed this saying in a shop window. What do you think, comment with 👍 if you agree or with 👎 if you disagree.

I'll introduce the object concept behind the stunning earrings known as HarmonEarrings in this blog post, but first of all, please have a look at my previous two blog entries, which demonstrate the mood board and mood sketch, before getting into the specifics of HarmonEarrings because the information in those postings will be the foundation for this one. 😉

What are the "HarmonEarrings"?  A significant part of the Black Mirror episode "Assisted Reality" revolves around these earrings. They are provided to the residents of Luxe Restraint, a luxurious assisted living facility, as a gift. They are not just usual earrings, though; they have cutting-edge sensors and the capacity to link with the wearer's brainwaves, creating a powerful bond between them and an AI carer named "HarmonGuide".

What are they doing, and what can you do with them?  These earrings accomplish two tasks. On the one hand, they represent luxury and elegance while enhancing the wearer's aesthetic look. On the other hand, they provide an entrance to Luxe Restraint's assisted living experience. Among others, the wearer's vitality values are captured by the integrated sensors, allowing the AI carer to gather information and continuously monitor the wearer's thoughts and feelings. The AI can anticipate the wearer's needs and wants thanks to this thorough monitoring, giving them individualised care and assistance.

What function do they serve in individuals' lives? The elderly people residing at Luxe Restraint *can* benefit from these earrings. They serve as a strong link to their AI carer. The AI also benefits from the data that is captured, as it turns out later in the episode.

How do they impact societal inequalities? These earrings contribute to societal inequality because they are part of a luxurious assisted living facility. Only those who can afford the Luxe Restraint have access to such medical technology and individualised treatment. This emphasises how different socioeconomic groups have varying access to resources for advanced assisted living.

How do they impact the environment? The manufacturing and disposal of technical devices have an impact on environmental problems like resource use and electrical waste.

Where are they produced, and where are they being used/deployed? The Luxe Restraint employs the skills of knowledgeable craftspeople, jewellery designers, and technological innovators in the earrings' production. The assisted living facility is where they are employed and utilised.

When do you use them, and when do they break? The residents of Luxe Restraint wear their earrings nonstop while they live there. They only "break" in the sense that they stop working properly if the AI carer is not reachable.

How can they be abused, hacked, and rectified if they malfunction? If the AI carer's programming is altered or hacked, the earrings may be misused or subject to hacking.

🏅 Gold: The mood board is coloured in stunning, shining gold, a representation of wealth and elegance. The innate luxury of the earring is mirrored by the bright attraction of this precious metal.

🧑‍🎨 Design Inspiration: The earrings' design features are influenced by the pocket watch and a wedding ring. The fusion of their styles results in a composition that gracefully and charmingly embellishes the wearer's ears.

🔓 Lock: The earrings have an intriguing lock that has a deep meaning. Once worn, the earrings cannot be removed without the help of the AI.

🧠 Brain Connection: The seamless fusion of cutting-edge sensor technology and the wearer's vitality values is also symbolised in this mood board. It perfectly captures the idea that the earring serves as a conduit, synchronising with the wearer's needs, emotions, and desires.

I set a timer for five minutes and entered the world of mood sketching. My goal was to capture the intensity of a specific emotion on paper using rapid strokes and bold lines. As a result, the following striking image of an elderly person overcome with frustration and worry emerged: their face contorted into a scream, and their hands clutching their ears to block out the chaos or even to try to rip out the earrings. The golden stars in the background are intended to provide a striking contrast to the general luxury. ✍🏻

I had a specific song in mind when I was drawing because I discovered that the episode and Taylor Swift's song "Out of the Woods" have similar themes. Both involve a feeling of uncertainty, imprisonment, and the quest for freedom. The feeling of being stuck in a turbulent relationship depicted in the song is analogous to Lillian learning about the AI caregiver's secret objective. Lillian fights to free herself as she becomes aware of how technology has muddled the distinction between humans and machines. This relates to the song's theme of losing oneself and the anxiety associated with being unable to tell the difference between truth and delusion. 🎶

One of the objects which exists in this story's world is the following:

There were several possibilities in the World Museum to let one's creativity run wild and to leave other visitors with (critical, awareness-raising, questionable, …) thoughts/ideas in a variety of forms.

Here is a photo that was taken by one of my colleagues while I was immersed in the contents of their minds. Remember: - "smile at people more" - "hug people" - "make them smile"