http://hdl.handle.net/10369/20 2017-05-15T09:51:49Z 2017-05-15T09:51:49Z Frohlich, David Fennell, Jac http://hdl.handle.net/10369/8146 2016-11-17T19:01:29Z 2005-04-05T00:00:00Z

Cross-modal design research Frohlich, David; Fennell, Jac Sensory impairment is usually treated as a negative condition that requires inclusive design for correction or compensation. However, such impairment in one sense should be seen positively in terms of a greater awareness, and use, of the other senses. This suggests another form of inclusive design in which sensory enhancement can be extended to a much larger population. In this paper we discuss both approaches as different forms of cross-modal design research. We do this in relation to an inclusive design exercise on multi-sensory memorabilia for visually impaired people (Higgins 2003). This exercise was carried out to understand the needs and requirements of visually impaired people for future digital photography products and to take inspiration from these people regarding non-visual memory triggers for fully sighted people. Hence the findings of a user study were used to generate a series of inclusive design concepts of relevance to both visually impaired and fully sighted people alike. These included embossed or tactile photographs, a china tea service for recording special conversations, a shelf for curating stories with objects, and a book of maps representing special walks. The implications for transferring these ideas within HP will also be discussed. Higgins J. (2003) Multi-sensory memorabilia. Helen Hamlyn Research Centre Technical Report, Royal College of Art.

2005-04-05T00:00:00Z Frohlich, David Fennell, Jac http://hdl.handle.net/10369/8145 2017-04-06T13:42:33Z 2006-07-11T00:00:00Z

Sound, paper and memorabilia: Resources for a simpler digital photography Frohlich, David; Fennell, Jac In this paper we reflect on a body of work to develop a simpler form of digital photography. We give three examples of ‘Less is More’ thinking in this area which are directed and inspired by naturalistic user behaviours and reactions to design ideas. Each example happens to review the place of an old technology in the new scheme of things, and challenges a technological trend in the industry. Hence, we consider the role of sound in photography to recommend audiophotographs rather than short video clips as a new media form. We look again at the role of paper in photo sharing and recommend its support and augmentation against the trend towards screen-based viewing. Finally, we consider the role of physical souvenirs and memorabilia alongside photographs, to recommend their use as story triggers and containers, in contrast to explicit multimedia presentations. The implications for simple computing are discussed.

2006-07-11T00:00:00Z Treadaway, Cathy Fennell, Jac http://hdl.handle.net/10369/8144 2016-11-17T19:01:38Z 2016-09-14T00:00:00Z

Designing playful objects to support subjective wellbeing for people living with dementia Treadaway, Cathy; Fennell, Jac This poster presents research that is investigating the development of playful objects for people living with advanced dementia. The Ludic Artifacts Using Gesture and Haptics (LAUGH) research is a three-year international interdisciplinary project, based at CARIAD, Cardiff Metropolitan University and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The project proposes an investigation into handcraft and playfulness in order to inform the development of ludic artefacts to support the wellbeing of people with dementia. The project is partnered with Gwalia Cyf and supported by Alzheimer’s Society, Age Cymru and Dementia Positive. The aim is to design new playful devices to amuse and stimulate people with advanced dementia and bring them joy, fun and laughter. The research is examining ways in which haptics, gesture and sensory stimulation contribute to subjective wellbeing in later life. It is informed by qualitative research methods including case study interviews and participatory design workshops with experts, including people living with dementia, health and care professionals, technologists, designers and academics. Findings from the first year of the study have identified the importance of designing to: stimulate the senses, use implicit memory (procedural and emotional) and encourage haptic and tactile activity that is ‘in the moment’ and with low cognitive demand. The current design development phase of the research focuses on exploring how new materials and technologies can extend the sensory properties of the design concepts and enable them to be highly personalised. The final phase of the project will focus on an iterative design cycle, to refine concepts through a series of ‘live labs’ with people living with advanced dementia and their carers, and qualitative evaluation of their use. Findings from the research as a whole will inform the development of a toolkit for designing for advanced dementia as well as a range of design prototypes for playful objects.

2016-09-14T00:00:00Z Baldwin, Joseph Burleigh, Alistair Pepperell, Robert Ruta, Nicole http://hdl.handle.net/10369/8138 2017-04-06T13:33:24Z 2016-08-17T00:00:00Z

The Perceived Size and Shape of Objects in Peripheral Vision Baldwin, Joseph; Burleigh, Alistair; Pepperell, Robert; Ruta, Nicole Little is known about how we perceive the size and shape of objects in far peripheral vision. Observations made during an artistic study of visual space suggest that objects appear smaller and compressed in the periphery compared with central vision. To test this, we conducted three experiments. In Experiment 1, we asked participants to draw how a set of peripheral discs appeared when viewed peripherally without time or eye movement constraints. In Experiment 2, we used the method of constant stimuli to measure when a briefly presented peripheral stimulus appeared bigger or smaller compared with a central fixated one. In Experiment 3, we measured how accurate participants were in discriminating shapes presented briefly in the periphery. In Experiment 1, the peripheral discs were reported as appearing significantly smaller than the central disc, and as having an elliptical or polygonal contour. In Experiment 2, participants judged the size of peripheral discs as being significantly smaller when compared with the central disc across most of the peripheral field, and in Experiment 3, participants were quite accurate in reporting the shape of the peripheral object, except in the far periphery. Our results show that objects in the visual periphery are perceived as diminished in size when presented for long and brief exposures, suggesting diminution is an intrinsic feature of the structure of the visual space. Shape distortions, however, are reported only with longer exposures. This article was published in i-Perception on 17th August 2016 (online), available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2041669516661900

2016-08-17T00:00:00Z