Deribbed-Nigel Whitbread

Graduation Day

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:42:00 +0100

Nigel Whitbread BA Hons C.V.

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:35:00 +0100

Curriculum Vitae

Personal Details

Nigel Whitbread
12 Llwyn Y Gog, Rhoose Point
Barry, CF62 3LS
Tel/ 01446719673
Mob 07841644017
Email nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk
Web www.deribbed.co.uk
Blog http://nigelwhitbread.blogspot.com/
Project Blog http://nigewhitperproj.blogspot.com/
D.O.B 03/12/1974

Profile

I’m creative, professional and personable with an adaptable way of working, be it as part of a team or on an individual level.
Software proficiency – Word, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Director, Dreamweaver, Cinema 4D, Final Cut Pro, and InDesign.
Whilst at UWIC I developed a prototype of a handheld electronic tour guide for St Fagans National History Museum, I utilised a diverse range of software, instigated in-depth research and had dealings with different institution

Education

University of Wales Sept 2006-June 2007

Institute Cardiff (UWIC)

First Class Honours BA (H) Design for Interactive Media

Modules: ADM301 Design for Interaction (10), ADM302 User-centred Design (10), ADM303 Design for Change (10), ADM204 Production Process (20), ADM305 Contemporary & Contextual Studies (10), ADM 306a Personal Project (40), ADM 307 Entrepreneurship & Professional Practice (10)

Bridgend College Sept 2004-June 2006

HND Design for Interactive Media

Modules: MMO1 Computing Fundamentals (12), MM02 Computer Applications in Art & Design (12), MM03 Multimedia Principles (12), MM04 Computer Applications (12), MM05 Animation Techniques (12), MM06 3D Modelling & Animation (12), MM07 Audio Visual Techniques (12), MM08 Multimedia Design & Authoring (12), MM09 Multimedia Technology (12), ADM202H/6 Cultural Interpretation (20), ADM205H/6 Video Post-Production & Editing (20), ADM203H/6 New Technologies (10), ADM204H/6 Multimedia Professional Practice (10), ADM206H/6 Professional Design Brief (FMP) (40), ADM107H/6 Image Manipulation Techniques (10)

Llanilltud Fawr Comp High School Sept 1986-July 1992

GCSE’s grade C - English Lit, English Lan, Maths, Physics, and Geography

Recent Employment History

Vale Photography Aug 2007-Present

Self-employed as a wedding and portraiture photographer.

D7 Recruitment July 2007-Present

Working freelance as a videographer producing online video CV’s

CAD Trainee Oct 2003-June 2004

I worked as a computer aided design trainee at the CAD Centre in Cardiff learning AutoCAD to produce engineering drawings and diagrams. Awarded a NVQ 2.

Prior to these jobs I have spent time working on the railways and 3 years in the Royal Navy as a Marine Mechanic (based in Portsmouth but on deployment as far a field as Australia, the Indian Ocean and The Gulf . I’ve also spent some time travelling around Europe and the Middle East.

Voluntary History

Friends of The Earth Volunteer Aug 2006-Sept 2006
Working at the Friends of The Earth’ offices in Cardiff performing general admin duties on computer, research, and phoning events

Princes Trust Volunteer June 2000-Sept 2000
Working on a community project at Jenner Park Primary School, work experience at Cosmeston Lakes & Country Park, fundraising and outdoor pursuits.

Volunteer (Kibbutz Bar-am) Sept 1999-Nov 1999
Working on a Kibbutz in Northern Israel fruit picking.

Skills

Adaptable, good time management, communication, IT, team working, problem solving, leadership, creative, photography, and image manipulation.

References

Mr Andy Satherly Bell
Course Director
Bridgend College
Cowbridge Rd, Bridgend
CF31 3DF
Tel: 01656302414
Email: ASatherley-Bell@bridgend.ac.uk

Mr Stuart Neil
Programme Director
UWIC, Western Avenue
Cardiff, Wales UK
CF5 2YB
Tel: 02920 416 308
Fax: 02920 416 640
Email: SNeil@uwic.ac.uk

Mr Dave Noble
Princes Trust Volunteers VGTA, 47 Colcot Rd
Barry, Vale of Glam
CF62 7HR
Tel: 01446725046

Mapping Museums Presentation Podcast

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 19:41:00 +0100

Mapping Museums Presentation Podcast

BBC Wifi Story

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Mon, 21 May 2007 08:44:00 +0100

** Schools wi-fi health warning **
Schools should be careful about installing wireless internet
technology, says a leading government advisor.
<
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_6670000/newsid_6675500?redirect=6675519.stm&news=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&nbram=1
>

Visit Goldsmiths Design Degree Show Virtually!

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Sun, 13 May 2007 18:44:00 +0100

On 18 May 2007 Goldsmiths Design Students will host the first-ever virtual representation of a real life degree show on Second Life, an internet based 3-D virtual world that enables its users, known as residents, to interact and socially network with each other. This virtual world is already home to a few leading brands such as Adidas, IBM and Reuters however it is not yet common practice for businesses to have a presence on second life.

Visitors are free to look around the show, titled 'Annotations', at any time and can even attend a virtual event on 6 June where they will be greeted by the students, in their avatar* form. The class will stand next to virtual representations of work from their real life degree show exhibition, which includes brushes made from human hair and kettles that race! Along with the opportunity to talk to students about their work, visitors will see Goldsmiths tutor, Matt Ward giving a speech about the class of 2007.

Student, Emily O'Dwyer said "We were aware of the importance and power of virtual networking and feel that having a Second Life profile will soon become a necessary requirement. The class were all in favour of utilizing the most up to date methods of digital communication in order to make our degree show as accessible as possible. Now it doesn't matter where you are in the world, you can still see our show, and even meet us at our event."

This outlook was also supported by the course leader, Matt Ward who comments "Second Life offers a fascinating opportunity for our students to present themselves in a different type of space - a virtual space. This expands the reach of their degree show and allows them to present themselves to a far larger audience, in ways that can only improve and enhance their work."

The virtual exhibition space is a to-scale version of the real Truman Brewery on Brick Lane in London, including the graffiti, weathered brickwork, and old fly posters. It marks hundreds of years of real life, distilled down into pixels. Although it can be argued that nothing can take the place of a real, first hand experience, the students at Goldsmiths have certainly created the next best thing. A visit to the virtual world is highly recommended.

To visit this virtual space you will need to download the software from www.secondlife.com and set up your own profile, if you don't already have one. Then you just search for "Annotations" and teleport yourself there.

Notes to Editors
Virtual Exhibition
Visit Second Life at www.secondlife.com
Search for 'Annotations'
Doors open 18 May 2007, Event 6 June 2007 at 12pm GMT
If you are a Second Life resident you can IM Lilly Losangeles for more information
*An avatar is an internet user's representation of themselves.

Real Life Exhibition
Friday 1 June - Monday 4 June, 11.00am – 5.00pm (Private View for Press 31 May)
Venue: Boiler House, The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL
Admission: FREE
Contact: For more information call 020 7919 7777 or email design@gold.ac.uk

For further information
Sarah Empey, Communications & Publicity email press@gold.ac.uk or tel: 020 7919 7909

Hi-tech tales from South Africa BBC Click

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Sun, 13 May 2007 17:31:00 +0100

South Africa faces a unique set of technological problems and this week Click is looking at how those challenges are being met with some pretty inventive solutions.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/6646469.stm

Free Alan Johnston on BBC

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Wed, 9 May 2007 08:22:00 +0100

Business Advice from Banks

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 19:52:00 GMT

After meeting up with everyone at the Museum of Wales, went on into town to ask banks for advice on starting a business.

Went to Natwest first and they were unsure if their business adviser was in the building, they kept asking each other if they’d seen her today and saying they’d seen her earlier on blah blah blah. Not very useful in itself but they did take our phone numbers for the business advisor to get in touch with us and gave us a brochures and a CD containing Natwest’s Business Start Up software, which contains MyBusiness essentials and a business planner to help you to work through your ideas and produce a detailed business plan, as well as organise and manage all your financial records.

Then went onto The Royal Bank of Scotland, again didn’t get to talk to anyone and this time was given a handful of brochures and a CD containing business start up software and business planner. These brochures may well be helpful but for someone starting up a new business with no previous experience, I think you need face to face advice with things spelt out for you. I wouldn’t have a clue about making a new business a success, or know the costs involved with paying salaries, setting up standing orders, direct debits, and paying in cheques from customers, business loans, business insurance, whether to be a sole trader, partnership, Limited company, limited liability partnership or franchise.

I just wish I’d been able to talk to a business planner so that I could have asked these types of questions and had anything else I didn’t understand explained to me as we went along. You might as well do everything on the internet instead of going to a bank and get business advice of your mate running a market stall, at least he’s running a business that works.

Design for Change Design Report

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Thu, 8 Mar 2007 16:37:00 GMT

BA/BSc (Hons) DESIGN for INTERACTIVE MEDIA (Top-up)

Module: (ADM303) Design for Change
Year: 2006-2007
Semester: 1
Tutors: Stuart Neil
Date Issued: 13/02/07
Completion: 09/03/07

Student name: Nigel Whitbread
Student number: ST06000671
Email address: nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk

Design for Change Design Report

Introduction

After initially looking at GPS and PDA technology, and how it could be used in the future for space tourism (Virgin will be providing flights into space within 3 years) I decided to look how this technology could be used in spacesuits. But instead of just concentrating on this I decided to examine how this technology could be used at the moment on earth instead of in space, on the moon, or on Mars.

My design concept is a helmet to be used by sports enthusiasts, motorcyclists, parachutists, paragliders, hang gliders, astronauts (one day in the future) etc to provide heads up GPS data (maps, climb rate/sink rate, altitude, airspeed, waypoints, positioning) to be used for navigation and use voice recognition software and radio technology to keep it completely hands free.

At the moment if a pilot wants to maximise his understanding of how the hang glider, paraglider etc is flying he has to carry a series of instruments (avariometer, altimeter, airspeed indicators, GPS, radios) that all have to be mounted onto the control frame or strapped to the body. The same is true for motorcyclists where GPS units etc are mounted to the handlebars with all their other displays.

All these devices could be incorporated into one device that’s built into a helmet and the data can be viewed on a heads up display projected onto the inside of the visor. This would aid with making the glider/motorcycle easier to control as you would never have to take your hands of the control bar/handlebars and you would have clear audio and visual data unaffected by weather conditions, at fingertips, so to speak.

Using GPS means you’ll always know where you are which is especially useful when participating in Competitions. You’ll also be able to plot a course of where you want to fly to and prove you’ve passed certain waypoint markers. Other uses of GPS are determining high altitude wind drift, alert you to restricted airspace areas, and identifying one’s location for retrieval teams when you land in unfamiliar territory.

For the purpose of this report and the presentation of the design concept I decided to call the device VIS COM.

PEST Analysis – Political, Economic, Social, and Technological

P Competitions take part worldwide (UK, Australia, South Africa, France, Chile, Japan etc). Each country has its own associations and sports unions.
E Prize money for competitions can be as high as £3,000. To help fund equipment you could gain sponsorship from a number of different companies.
S If the costs we’re low enough it might encourage new members to participate in competitive sports.
T The advancement in visor/eye/headset displays is coming on leaps and bounds, even car manufacturers who seemed to have given up on heads up displays have started incorporating them in their latest models. The size of high tech components are becoming increasingly smaller and wires in communication devices are rapidly being replaced with wireless technologies.

Technologies to be Used in Conjunction With Each Other

A GPS (Global Positioning System) Receiver will be used to calculate the helmet wearers position by measuring the distance between 3 or more GPS satellites. Since the signal travels at a known speed, measuring the time delay between transmission and reception of each GPS radio signal gives the distance to each satellite. The signals also carry information about the satellites' location. By determining the position of, and distance to, at least three satellites, the receiver can compute its position using trilateration.

A HUD (Heads Up Display) will be created, by projecting transparent maps, up to the minute GPS data, speed and other information onto the inside of the visor by using holographic laser technology.

Speech Recognition Software will be used so that you can perform many different tasks and use various applications completely hands-free so that you’re always in control of your glider/bike. For example you could simply have the map disappear from the display by saying “map off screen” or use the radio by saying “radio on”.

A Radio for communicating with other pilots in the air, riders on the road, and for reporting back and forth with your ground/pit crew when in competition. Especially useful when pilots want to report their landing locations.

Headset and Microphone so that you will be able to use the speech recognition software and radio.

Bluetooth so that all the separate technologies will be able to communicate with each other completely wirelessly.

Touch Screen Control Panel very much like present sat nav display units but to be used primarily to plot and view journey routes pre journey but also to be used as an aid when setting up the speech recognition software to recognise your particular voice.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) is quite simply the brains of the device and processes all of the data received and transmitted.

Summary

Taking into account the various components needed to build the VIS COM I decided to set its value at £1000

Existing Technology

Sole rider radio mike transmitter £140
Garmin ZUMO 500 GPS £450
Helmet £68 - £250
Speech recognition software £60
Sportsvue heads up display £120

Total £838 - £1020

Some of the technology that I propose to use is more advanced than what is on the market at the moment but is in development or being used by the military, so can’t really be used as a variable for pricing up the VIS COM.

I believe there is a market for a heads up display/GPS device incorporated into a helmet. Some businesses are already developing more simplistic products with limited capabilities (Sportvue) but my idea would do away other devices or if you wanted to add to it over time all you’d have to do is set it up with Bluetooth.

References

Virgin Galactic
http://www.virgingalactic.com/htmlsite/intro.htm
[Accessed 02/07]

European Space Agency (02/02/2007): The First Hiking Maps on Mars
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMOI5O2UXE_0.html
[Accessed 02/07]

Wikipedia: Global Positioning System
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System
[Accessed 02/07]

Wikipedia: Head Up Display
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head-Up_Display
[Accessed on 02/07]

Wikipedia: Speech Recognition
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech_recognition
[Accessed on 02/07]

Sportvue: Sportvue MC1
http://www.sportvue.com/store/product.php?pid=14
[Accessed on 02/07]

Myvu: Personal Media Viewer
http://www.myvu.com/
[Accessed on 02/07]

PDALive (Posted by: [meiam] (12/27/2004)): Holographic projector for your future PDA
http://www.pdalive.com/showarticle.php?threadid=7761
[Accessed on 02/07]

HowStuffWorks: How Hang Gliding Works
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/hang-gliding.htm
[Accessed on 02/07]

Wikipedia: Paragliding
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paragliding
[Accessed on 02/07]

DefenseTech (22/04/2005): GPS Jumpers
http://www.defensetech.org/archives/001506.html
[Accessed on 02/07]

CNN (30/09/2004): Smart helmet for motorcyclists
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/TECH/09/16/piers.tucker/index.html
[Accessed on 02/07]

British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association
http://www.bhpa.co.uk/bhpa/index.php
[Accessed on 02/07]

Garmin
http://www.garmin.com/aboutGPS/
[Accessed on 02/07]

GA Serving America: Navigating Communication
http://www.gaservingamerica.com/how_work/work_navigation.htm
[Accessed on 02/07]

Models used for new media 'networking' events.

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Thu, 8 Mar 2007 15:46:00 GMT

Examples of new media ‘networking events’ events
• http://www.futuresnetwork.org.uk/ - Futures is a new network for design professionals based in Merseyside. They target designers working in the communications field: graphic design, web design, advertising, interactive media and related services such as illustration and commercial photography by hosting a series of seminar events, networking and an online membership scheme and webspace for members’ portfolios to be showcased.
• http://www.wedesignforum.co.uk/ - The West of England Design Forum seeks to establish a dynamic community, which meets, shares knowledge and furthers the value and development of design in the area. We’ll tell you what’s happening and when. Membership is free. Activities include quarterly lecture series, regular monthly social evenings, portfolio surgeries for new graduate designers.
• http://www.thinkandadrink.com - Think and a drink is the monthly get together for the North East's digital industries. Each month the event has a Think - Presentations on topical issues affecting the sector; and a Drink - A get together in a local bar to discuss the issues and meet other people from the sector over a pint and some nibbles.

All three of the above events organisers go about hosting the events in similar ways. They usually theme the nights with a question to start up a topic of conversation e.g. “Who is designing our future? – The challenge facing designers in the West of England”. Some events are free to members and a cover charge is applied to non-members. Drinks, nibbles, and music are provided to give the event a more relaxed atmosphere. Guest speakers give talks to encourage discussions and everyone mingles with everyone else which makes feel less staged.

If I was putting on an event in Cardiff I think it would be best to have it in a pub that hosts live music so that everyone feels relaxed and you have some entertainment so that it doesn’t feel like all work and no play.

http://capcabal.net/2ndTuesday/
http://pulver.com/party/
http://spacestudios.org.uk/All_Content_Items/Events/New_Media_Networking_Event/
http://drewmeyersinsights.com/2006/09/27/all-about-blogs-new-media-networking-event-october-4th/
http://networking-guided.com/topics/networking-events.html
http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/en/Directory-Listings/Networks/?PageNum=1%26subjectarea%3dDesign+networks
http://www.designenterprisenetwork.net/design_events.html
http://www.wedesignforum.co.uk/events_xmas_party.asp
http://www.thinkandadrink.com/

Design for Change - Presentation Notes

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Tue, 6 Mar 2007 23:25:00 GMT

Slide 1 - Hello my name is Nigel Whitbread and I'd like to talk to you about VIS COM. A design concept for a helmet to be worn by sports enthusiasts who take part in motorcycling, parachuting, hand gliding or paragliding competitions.
Slide 2 - Imagine if you will driving a motorcycle in a road or off road race or piloting a hang-glider in a competition, and you lose your way because you haven't any form of sat nav. You know not which way to turn.Slide 3 - With sat nav you may never get lost, BUTSlide 4 - Your instrument panel or control bar starts to get over cluttered with more and more devices. You need to have wires trailing to a headset so that you can hear your sat nav's directions, because the weather gets too bad to see the screen, and so you can communicate with your ground or pit crew.

Slide 5 - Now imagine once more how life used to be with just the basics, but with the risks of losing your way, and maybe the race.
Slide 6 - With the VIS COM helmet you could have the best of both worlds. You can lose your cluttered instrument panel, and have the data infront of you instead, projected with a heads up display.
Slide 7 - And with built in GPS, you'd need never lose your way again.
Slide 8 - Using speech recognition software you will be able to access all of the applications completely hands-free, which means you will always be in control of your bike or glider. For example you could simply have the map disappear from the screen by saying...
Slide 9 - " Map off screen "Slide 10 - The concept itself is based around your traditional bike helmet
Slide 11 - But with added technology. It contains a CPU/GPS receiver, which put simply is the brains of the device and compute where you are using satelite navigation.
Slide 12 - A head set with a mic and speakers is to be used with the speech recognition software to control all of the applications and for use with the radio.

Slide 13/14/15 - The heads up display will be created by projecting transparent maps, up to the minute GPS data, speed, and other information onto the inside of the visor by using holographic laser technology

Design Sketch of VIS COM

Design for Change - Tutorial Notes

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:12:00 GMT

Helmet Headsets F1, Motorbikes, Hang Gliding
Sports Helmet Adaptability

P world scale, sports unions initiatives
E built, prize, sponsorship, how much does it cost
S introduce new members to competative sports, build communications device
T advancements in visor/eye/headsets displays, LCD-OLED, sporting technology, GPS, size weight, computing, skydiving helmets, batteries, car, bike

Presentation
Powerpoint
Prototype
Senarios

Input Session 3: Guest - James Cook. Social Networks

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:59:00 GMT

For next week's Output Session, address the following question:

* Which models are used for new media 'networking' events?

identify: find some examples in various locations, (eg. Silicon Valley, UK cities); describe them.
analyse: are there similarities between the examples that you've identified? can you generalize them, putting them into groups?
evaluate: in relation to the industry - what are the benefits, drawbacks etc of these events?

* What recommendations would you make for such a networking event in your local area?

evaluate in relation to your own, and local area's requirements
[these will be forwarded to james.]

Design for Change Links

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 12:00:00 GMT

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paragliding
http://www.defensetech.org/archives/001506.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/TECH/09/16/piers.tucker/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hang_gliding
http://www.bhpa.co.uk/bhpa/index.php
http://www.bhpa.co.uk/hangglidepower/index.php
http://www.bhpa.co.uk/paramotor/index.php
http://www.garmin.com/aboutGPS/
http://www.gaservingamerica.com/how_work/work_navigation.htm
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/hang-gliding.htm
http://www.skywingsmag.com/hg.php

Output Session 2: motivation

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 19:41:00 GMT

you have control on what you do

project matches your interestsd to give you motivation and keep momentum going with your project.

business catalyst
incubator Venture Capatalist
put in a building
sign here
we invest in you for 6mths
set of objectivea
if you reacgh them they will then invest in your business for a YEAR then reEVALUate the business
if your business has grown and is successful they will take a risk and invest in a % of business

spin outs

first tuesday venture capitalists people ideas ans skills and press

dot com craSH BY 2001 stocks and shares fell 2002/3 things were right down.

flavour of the industry changed overnight

you have control on what you do

project matches your interestsd to give you motivation and keep momentum going with your project.

business catalyst
incubator Venture Capatalist
put in a building
sign here
we invest in you for 6mths
set of objectivea
if you reacgh them they will then invest in your business for a YEAR then reEVALUate the business
if your business has grown and is successful they will take a risk and invest in a % of business

spin outs

first tuesday venture capitalists people ideas ans skills and press

dot com craSH BY 2001 stocks and shares fell 2002/3 things were right down.

flavour of the industry changed overnight

Design for Change - Development of Initial Ideas

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 16:18:00 GMT

Development of Initial Idea

After seeing a story on the New Scientist website about The First Hiking Maps on Mars, I started thinking how would people eventually be able to use this data in the future when you could actually hike on Mars or on the Moon.

I also looked at Virgin’s development for space tourism flights which will be up and running in less than 3 years. I felt that this would be the catalyst for more endeavors in the business and tourist market to get their slice of the space pie.

Using today’s technology you could view the maps on a PDA and use them for hiking using GPS technology, but if your wearing a spacesuit your not going to be able to hold a PDA and you definitely wouldn’t be able to control a stylus or touch screen.

My idea is to develop a concept for using and viewing electronic data using maps and GPS so that you could find your way round an unfamiliar planet or moon whilst wearing a space suit.

Technologies to consider

• Electronic textiles for use as buttons that can be incorporated into the suit
• Heads up display to be viewed on the inside of a helmets visor
• GPS (Global Positioning System) using satellites
• Speech Recognition Software
• Touch Screen Technology to be able to use the helmet itself as a touch screen
• TV Camera and viewer
• Hardware and Software

Links
Motion-sensitive spacesuits could generate power
The first hiking maps of Mars
Virgin boss unveils space trips
'Personal spaceflight revolution' beckons
New face on space flight
'No experiments' for SpaceShipOne
Unknown future of space tourism
Virgin Galactic: The logical next step
Virgin Galactic
HowStuffWorksSpacesuits
wikipediaSpacesuit
wikipediaGPS
wikipediaHeadsupdisplay
wikipediaEyeTap
wikipediaTouchscreen
wikipediaSpeechRegognition
Moon colony 'within 20 years'
Colonize the Moon before Mars
Colonizing The Moon
Holographic projector for your future PDA
Sportvue MC1
MiVu

Motivations for Working In the New Media Field

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 16:55:00 GMT

Sitting down and really thinking about it I’d have to say that my motivations for working in new media are:

Money – I find that my wife works far too many hours in her chosen field as a financial advisor and always seems to be on the road, so I want to be able to take over the responsibility of being the main wage earner so that she can slow down while we try for a family.
In a small way fame but only because having your name known in the industry will help with networking and getting better work.
For the good of society – I would much rather be working for a charity or NGO (Non Government Organisation) than for a large advertising company because I think I’d have greater satisfaction if I thought that my work might be helping to make a difference as opposed to making money for the sake of making money.

Some of these motivations have started to become apparent in my personal project. I’ve managed to link it with The National Museums & Galleries of Wales (NMGW), which is Wales' premier heritage organisation. ‘The NMGW develops, cares for, studies and encourages access to its collections for the benefit of society in perpetuity. Although an independent chartered body, NMGW is supported by the National Assembly for Wales as an Assembly Sponsored Public Body (ASPB) and receives its core funding through grant-in-aid.’ Because it’s a fairly new area to specialise in I think it’s also a good way to stand out and try and get my name known.

Richard Branson seems exemplify all of these motivations in one way or another. Branson's business empire is owned by a complicated series of offshore trusts and companies. The Sunday Times stated that his wealth is calculated at £3.065 billion; if he were to retire to his Caribbean island and liquidate all of this he would pay relatively little in tax. He’s been involved in numerous record attempts from crossing the Atlantic in record time, the hot air balloon crossing of the same ocean and a few years later the crossing of the Pacific ocean by hot air balloon. He’s also made numerous cameo appearances on TV and film and his high public profile often leaves him open as a figure of satire. On 21 September 2006, Branson pledged to invest the profits of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Trains in research for environmentally friendly fuels. The investment is estimated to be worth $3 billion

‘Ridiculous yachts and private planes and big limousines won’t make people enjoy life more, and it sends out terrible messages to the people who work for them. It would be so much better if that money was spent in Africa – and it’s about getting a balance.’
Richard Branson on life, philanthropy, and money.

Design for Change Brief

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:07:00 GMT

Brief

Your client, who you can assume is a community, charitable, public or business organization, has commissioned you to help identify key changes in the social, economic, cultural or technological environment and to suggest concepts for products and initiatives which can address those changes.

For example, you may consider how people are using technology in their everyday lives, in their own ways and for their own needs.
How does choice impact on how everyday things are used or are likely to be used in the future?

In response to this you are required to identify, describe and evaluate what you believe to be the key changes and possible evolutions in these environments, with a particular emphasis on opportunities for the design of new interactive tasks, systems or products.

From this initial audit you must then consider a new or novel task, system or product that you would like to investigate and further develop to concept prototype stage and offer researched evidence in support of your proposal. Evaluate and specify design concepts to capture this opportunity.

60% of marks
You are required to develop a prototype which will be presented to your client. Presentation content will be discussed with tutors.

10% of marks
In addition you will need to develop short design report including the following constructs:

• Research and discussion documents

This must take the form of a written design report. You are advised to revisit guidelines for previous modules on design research.

Research into the history of your specified design concept, find out if it came from the convergence of technologies or if it was a technological progression.

Discuss the nature of this product or initiative and all that it currently encompasses.

• Concept document

Specify a design concept to capture the opportunity these changes create.

You could choose to follow a structured process by asking the following questions and using the answers to assist you.

WHY would people want to use a particular technology?

WHAT would they want to do with the technology?

Use scenarios of how real people might actually
use your application/platform/product/tool and note how this might then change and improve your initial set of answers.

This should include an introduction, summary and complete list of references.

The Web-report in its entirety should be a minimum 1000 words.

Time structure

Week 1
• Team allocation [the team dynamic will aid you in your evaluations during your prototype development
• Group work and discussion with Stuart Neil
• Idea generation

Week 2
• Peer assessment [progress of team development]
• Development of initial ideas to form a one page document
• Documented research and discussion

Week 3
• Peer assessment [Stuart]

Week 4
o Project deadline 9th March 07

Schedule:

Tuesday 13/02/07 10am:
Briefing, Split into working groups and begin research.

Wednesday 14/02/07 10am:
Group work and discussion with Stuart Neil.
Idea generation.

Tuesday 20/02/07 10 am:
One page - Development of initial ideas to be emailed to : sneil@uwic.ac.uk
Assignment development

Wednesday 21/02/07 10am:
Assignment development

Tuesday 27/02/07 10am:
Individual tutorials
Assignment development

Wednesday 28/02/07 10am:
Individual tutorials
Assignment development

7th + 8th March 10am:
Presentations

Web-reports Deadline 9th March 06

This schedule may change notification will be put on the DfIM notice boards on a daily basis.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods

100% coursework.
Delivery of:
• Written, practical & presentations of assignment that demonstrate the required learning outcomes (70%)

• Contribution to discourse as demonstrated through group work, seminars, tutorials (15%)

• Development of Personal Progress File, through theory and practice (15%)

Assessment is undertaken in relation to student’s ability to achieve required learning outcomes.

Assessable components:

Presentation
Think ‘Dragons Den’
You will have a short amount of time to present your ideas and communicate to your client the idea for your project. Remember this needs to be conveyed in a way that your client will understand quickly.
Supporting visual materials may be included. Consider the presentation methods very carefully to ensure that you communicate your research findings clearly and effectively. (Refer to guidance notes on presentations).

Prototype
Start to develop physical products that will help you communicate your ideas. Your prototype may be a storyboard, paper prototype, model prototype, software prototype or a combination of prototypes. Remember that your ideas are based on novel, creative and innovating methods, so let this be something that transpires in your prototype. Help communicate this creativity to your employer by developing a prototype that reflects its nature.

Reports
Your written web-report should be no less than 1000 words in length. Your web-report should be detailed with the correct assignment details and bearing your name, student number and email address.

Maintenance of Personal Development Journal
You must ensure that your Journal reflects your critical evaluation of this module. Refer to the Journal briefing sheet for details.

Seminars and Tutorials
Group seminars will be conducted in the Lab and should be used for reflection and for establishing a framework for discussion on which the group presentation can be built. These may be student or staff led and may include discussions with visiting speakers. See schedule and notice board for information.
You must ensure that you book regular tutorials with staff throughout this module. Booking sheets are available on the notice board.

Directed Reading:
• Students are expected to undertake significant directed reading in all aspects of the course and will be set reading tasks from the reading lists to extend and reinforce module content.
• The library's physical and electronic resources are also heavily utilized.
A selection of key reference books are available in the DfIM Lab.

Required reading:
• Negroponte N. Being Digital., 1996, Coronet;

Recommended reading:

• Castells, Manuel (2001) The Internet Galaxy, Oxford (Paperback - 304 pages (31 October 2002) Oxford University Press; ISBN: 0199255776)

A good journal issue to look at would be:
• Howard, Rainie, and Jones, 2001;Days and Nights in the internet: the impact of diffusing technology American Behavioral Scientist (special issue on the internet and everyday life)

Tracey and Anderson 2001 “The significance of lifestage and lifestyle transitions in the use and disuse of internet applications and services “American Behavioral Scientist (special issue on the internet and everyday life)

• Brand, S. How buildings learn, 1997; Orion Paperbacks;
• Castells, M. The Informational City. 1989 Blackwell, Oxford, UK..
• Alexander, C. A Pattern Language, 1978. Oxford University Press Inc, USA;
• Card, S. et al Readings in Information Visualization , 1999. Morgan Kaufmann;
• Jones, J C. Designing Designing, Phaidon Press, (Architecture Design and Technology Press), London, 1991
• Jones, J C. Design Methods, 2nd Edition, Van Nostrand Reinhold (International Thomson Publishing), New York, 1992
• Tufte, E R. Visual Explanations: Images and Quantities, Evidence and Narrative. Graphic Press, 1997.
• Maeda J. Design by Numbers, The MIT Press, 2001;
Woolman, M. Digital Information Graphics. Thames & Hudson, London (Spring 2002)

LEARNING OUTCOMES
On completion of this modules students should be able to demonstrate:

Subject-specific skills
• Evaluate economic, social and technological aspects of change;
• Evaluate requirements of design for emerging technologies;
• Critically assess impact of change on design, production and use of interactive products;
• Deploy appropriate design principles to development of interactive software product of system.

Cognitive skills
• Understand essential concepts, principles and theories;
• Solve problems through the application of appropriate knowledge;
• Critically appraise and review a range of practices;
• Compare and evaluate various methodologies;
• Analyse tasks, systems and products;
• Synthesize various methods, approaches and theories into a distinct, personal practice;
• Think creatively;
• Develop ideas, concepts, proposals and solutions in response to a brief and as self-initiated activity;

Practical Abilities
• Specify and design interactive products or systems;
• Publicly present their own work in a cogent and concise manner;

Please refer to Module Handbook for further information

Entrepreneurship & Professsional Practice 2

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:10:00 GMT

Input Session 2

What are your motivations for making work in this field?

Money?
Fame?
"Contribution to knowledge"?
For the good of society?

Are these motivations apparent in your personal project?

Identify examples of projects that exemplify each of these possible motivations, (and any other that you may think of.)

----
Notes from Input Session Seminar

Production Processes Gantt Chart

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Fri, 2 Feb 2007 15:33:00 GMT

Production Processes update2

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Thu, 1 Feb 2007 16:23:00 GMT

Breakdown of all the different design elements used to produce an interactive banner for the npower brief - Final Development

Mask created to act as a spotlight rollover

npower logo and banner box to contain the interactive advert

Panorama made up from a series of still shots

Tagline - Uncover your savings by switching to npower

Simplified image of the panorama that is uncover by the rollover mask

Blur of the above image to help create the sketchy animation effect

Still of the final advert

Production Processes – Understandings of Project Management

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 12:55:00 GMT

To understand more about the production processes used by professional organisations, I arrange to meet up with two different companies to ask them about the production processes they use.

The first company I talked to was Sequence, who employ over 30 skilled staff, are one of the 50 fastest growing digital companies in the UK and the largest new media house in South Wales. There I talked to one of their account managers.

The second company I talked to was Filco which is a family run supermarket chain in South Wales and I talked to their Advertising Designer.

So as not to overwhelm them with too many questions and take up too much of their time I settled on five questions to ask.

Q1. Is the majority of your business client based or speculative work?

Sequence
At Sequence about 40% - 50% of their business is client based but the rest is speculative work, where they pitch ideas (invitation to tender) to companies like the BBC and other clients (existing and non-existing) based on what they might like.

Filco
At Filco all their work is produced solely for the supermarkets they own and for their website but of that work about 70% is client-based, and that is dictated by the Directors and what they specifically want to promote on a week by week basis. The other 30% is speculative designs pitch by the Advertising Designer to the Directors.

Q2. How is your team structured in terms of in house and freelance expertise?

Sequence
At Sequence they try to keep everything done in-house as much as possible to avoid complications and keep the costs down, but they will on occasion, when deadlines are tight or they need experts to produce complex Flash productions bring in freelancers from a pool of people they’ve worked with before. The Executive Management team at Sequence is built upon the dynamic professional model and they claim that this is without doubt key to their ongoing success. They also claim on their website that the direct ‘hands on’ approach exhibited ensures continuing client satisfaction, sustained business development, as well as excellent ongoing commitment from all employees.
All paper based printing is done outside of house.

Filco
At Filco all their work is produced in house by the Advertising Designer and his assistant, who liaise directly with the Buying Director and Director who are all based in the head office. Even though it’s a smaller company than Sequence in terms of design output they produce all their paper based printing in house from A4 to wall sized posters.

Q3. Do you use a standardized project cycle model on each job?

Sequence
At Sequence they use different processes for different jobs i.e. a graphics leaflet would use a different process to a website or game. DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method) is used on the majority of their work because it assumes that the client will want to change things along the way and suits a more flexible way of working and keeping the client involved.
They also use Prince 2 on projects that need a more controlled environment especially when dealing with companies or government agencies who use this model in their own departments.

Filco
At Filco they use a project life cycle passed around Prince 2. At the start of a project they formulate a plan of action, which involves
• Planning
• Initiating
• Directing
• Controlling
• Managing Product Delivery
• Managing Boundaries
• Closing Project
At lot of the work produced is adapting previous designs with this weeks offers so once your past the first few stages the Advertising Designer and his assistant are pretty much left self directed for the rest of the project.

Q4. How do you encourage collaborative working and successful communications with your clients/employers?

Sequence
At Sequence they believe that customers shape the project. They believe that you have to have an equal partnership and make them feel like their involved every step of the way. Right from the start employees are chosen for specific projects based on how well they think that they will get along with the clients. When they’re given a brief from the client they specifically ask what are the MUST HAVES, SHOULD HAVES, AND WON”T HAVES to make sure that right from the start your going in the direction the clients want.
Clients have easy access to the account and management departments who can inform them on the progress of their projects and are always kept in the loop.

Filco
At Filco they have a very open office based structure, with everyone based in the same office at their main supermarket. As it’s a family business passed down through the generations they still hold family values at the heart of its operation and encourage an open approach to projects where everyone is involved in equal measures no matter how much input the might have in the end design.

Q5. How do you test your work before completion; I.e. User / Expert Testing?

Sequence
At Sequence they mainly use in house expert testing. Elements of their work are first tested in isolation e.g. a flash button, and then the whole project is tested for full functionality. The Design and Development teams work together to bring the project together as a working product. Then the development team test the work, before they pass it onto the Quality Inspection team who test the product (using profile testing – role playing as the user that will be using the product) before they pass it onto the client for them to test.
They will sometimes use expert testing – special testing is often required for disability websites, where they use people with disabilities as expert testers. They also sometimes use children to test sites if it’s possible and necessary.

Filco
At Filco the Advertising Designer and his assistant perform expert testing before passing it on to the Directors who perform their own usability testing. They rely mainly on their own experience and marketing skills.

Future Schools

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:37:00 GMT

Saw this feature on BBC Breakfast this morning.

Follow the link to read and watch the full story
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/6315991.stm

Future school

Mission control or the school of the future?

Things aren't what they used to be in the classroom.

Where once pupils stared at blackboards - they're now almost as likely to be peering at podcasts.

New technology is being used to help the way our children learn.

One primary in Devon has invested £250,000 in state-of-the-art kit.

Every pupil has their own computer terminal and podcasting and web design are all part of the

Breakfast's Sarah Campbell has been to Broadclyst Community Primary School to investigate

Entrepreneurship & Professsional Practice - BBC Commissioning

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 14:50:00 GMT

The Commissioning Process at BBC Wales (New Media Department)

The BBC states that its relationship with independent companies and the programmes they produce are a fundamental part of achieving our overall aims and objectives, and is keen to commission cross-media productions.

The main examples of these are:

• Websites - integrated programme sites, live webchats or online community applications such as chat rooms
• Interactive TV - Enhancement of linear programmes through additional audio or video content, voting, messaging or gaming
• Mobile Devices - Text messages, WAP content, MP2/3/4 downloads, 3G video downloads, streaming and bluetooth content distribution

BBC Wales and independent production companies...

How The Commissioning Process Works
BBC Wales has specific commissioning rounds throughout the year which are initiated by a commissioning brief. The brief sets out the programme/s they are looking for, gives an indication of particular strands with examples of previous commissions and defines the tariff range within which the license fee payable by the BBC will fall.

When the brief is issued they set a timetable within which they will make decisions regarding shortlisting, interviews and commissioning.

- Example of commission -
December 2006
Young Adults - BBC 2W / BBC TWO Wales
BBC Wales wishes to commission exciting multiplatform entertainment for a younger audience demographic. Closing date 30 January 2007.

BBC Wales wishes to commission exciting multiplatform entertainment content for a younger
audience demographic. It will lead on ‘primetime’ television with strong ‘family’ branches on
line, and possibly on the radio. The minimum television requirement will be 20 x 30, hitting
the screen May 07. We are therefore seeking imaginative, innovative and distinctive
propositions from Independent Production Companies in Wales with strong track records in
high quality and high volume entertainment programmes for young adult audiences.
Premise:
Content for a younger BBC Wales demographic (18 – 30): a popular entertaining watchable,
irreverent, informative brand of content that will attract younger viewers. It will give them
loyalty to BBC Wales and to its content in this ‘light’ entertainment genre. It will be talked
about, push the envelope, be different, contemporary and innovative but watched.
Brand:
The Brand will be developed for television, online and radio in various manifestations. These
content manifestations will target specific aspects of the demographic from relax, sit back, be
entertained and feel amused and ‘naughty’ to the edgy, knowing, ‘kool’, rude. We want the
Brand to change their view of BBC Wales, its content and its relevance to them and get them
to watch and use other BBC Wales content with regularity!
Content:
We imagine that it might be celebrity led and have Music and Sport as its backbone, but also
celebrity gossip, fashion, news items and live bands.
Process:
BBC Wales therefore would welcome substantial tender proposals by January 30th 2007 that
include:
1) A content proposition that matches (and expands on the above brief) highlighting,
Editorial, style and key personnel ‘on’ and off’ screen.
(Screen test dvds of any unknown or new discoveries will be appreciated)
2) A production process schedule from research to broadcast.
3) Company CV and track record.
4) a ‘style’ showreel.

Outside these specific commissioning rounds they do look out for the ‘next big thing’, so you can send your ideas in at anytime and try a convince them that you are ‘it’

It has become increasingly important in a multi-channel environment to maximise the potential for ideas and programmes put forward to BBC Wales. You need to consider BBC Network, cross genre and cross media potential and think whether a programme would work best on television or radio, whether it could have an interactive element or have shorter spin offs on 2W, for example.

Even if your expertise does not encompass these areas the BBC can help you develop, realise and maximise your ideas for collaborative ideas and formats.

Proposal Layout
• Title
• Volume and Duration
• Indication/Acceptance that the programme can be made on the allocated budget
• Delivery
• Key Talent (Intended presenter, director/producer, other relevant individuals)
• Your name and contact number on all pages (even if you have sent a covering letter with these details)
• If your proposal is centred around a specific individual or organisation you will need to state whether they have given you permission to film
• Highlight any area with potential link ups for new media and other media
• If there is a time factor linked to the project please state this at the top of the proposal
• Concept/Synopsis: No more than one side A4, stating in your first paragraph what or who the programme/s is about and what it will show us

Confidentiality
BBC Wales will treat as confidential any proposals received. The BBC adheres to the code of practice as agreed between the Alliance for the Protection of Copyright and BBC, ITV, C4 and Channel 5.

Submitting Ideas
Outside of publicised commissioning rounds, in the first instance please send your ideas through to the Commissioning Department either by email to commissioningwales@bbc.co.uk or by post to Martyn Ingram, Room 3023 Broadcasting House, BBC Wales, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ. Your ideas will be registered and then discussed with the relevant genre heads within BBC Wales.

New Media Department Details
Email:newmedia.wales@bbc.co.uk
Telephone: 02920 323077
Fax: 02920 322169
Address: Room M2001, Ty Oldfield, BBC Wales, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ.

Links
http://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/newmedia/index.shtml
http://www.bbctraining.com/newMedia.asp
http://informitv.com/articles/2006/07/19/bbcannouncesradical/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/04_april/25/newmedia.shtml
This is the one
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/info/commissioning/content/newmedia.shtml

Entrepreneurship And Professsional Practice 1

nigelwhitbread@yahoo.co.uk (Nigel Whitbread) — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 13:52:00 GMT

Information regarding the Entrepreneurship & Professsional Practice module will be posted at http://dfim-e-and-pp.blogspot.com/

Input session from Simon
Employment - contracts - scales of business - me(1) -definition of scale of business - number of people - working self employed in bigger businesses - why do larger companies sub-contract employees? - advantages/disadvantages - cost.
BBC assumption - used to be a big employer of smaller companies project by project - sub contract and part time contracts - mid 90's went to full time employment in house. (SME's) small to medium sized enterprise.
Look at NMA - New Media Age magazine.
See what BBC are saying about its New Media Dept.
How do you go about getting work with the BBC? Cardiff/Bristol - List of Suppliers - Open days for perspective clients.
How do Channel 4 get their new media stuff done?
BBC has to have a percentage of its work done outside of London.
Endemol UK producers of Big Brother for Channel 4 - break up of companies for bigger competion

http://reader.kaywa.com/
http://www.shotcode.com/