From first looking at the brief I was somewhat intimidated by it. This was mostly to do with the fact that I only read through the first two paragraphs, which went straight over my head, before I disregarded it. However after reading through it a few times and discussing it during our lectures. I think the brief itself is not as bad as I first taught.
To start, I have begun researching various technological websites. Investigating existing/upcoming technology as I feel I have limited knowledge in this area. I am also researching past advances as I feel “you need to know where something has been to know where it is going”. While researching I have also started brainstorming possible future concepts.
Yesterday I chatted with Mìcheal and guest lecturer Sam Butler. We discussed the various ideas I had generated. This for me was very helpful as I got some feedback on how promising each idea was and possible problems regarding each. I was also told to deliberate on the other side of a technology, which is its meaning. The reason being the majority of my ideas were based totally on the technological side which was limiting the possibility of growth. Thinking about the meaning behind a technology would result in a much richer and original concept. I was also asked to think about the social aspect of technology.
From revising my list of ideas and thinking about my earlier conversion with Mìcheal. I decided the concept which had the most substance and originality was the virtual reality contact lenses. This was echoed by another guest lecturer Mike Blow who I chatted with yesterday evening. One use for these lenses, besides the obvious use in computer games (completely immersive 3D enviornemts), could be in the emergency sector by using Augmented Reality. Firefighters, for example, could wear these lenses entering a burning building. The lens would then have a 3Dimensional map of the buildings interior displayed on top of what the firefighter would already see through his own vision. In a sense the firefighter would then be able to see in the dark, through smoke etc. Another use would be in the Medical area, where doctors could practice highly challenging operations. With these lenses a doctor could work on virtual patients to develop there skills. One problem with this example however would be some sort of virtual gloves would have to be invented as well.
Some of the advice that Mike Blow gave me during our conversion regarding this concept was to:
- Look into what has been done already technology wise with virtual reality lenses.
- What stage the research is at now and where is it about to go.
- Think more about the various uses this concept could have, which may lead to a very original/interesting outcome?
- Think about why the Virtual Reality Goggles didn’t take off - versus - Why these new lenses will?
1 comment:
Following our discussion just now I think your idea is a perfectly valid one to run with. Look at Peter Payne's research into augmented reality last year and I seem to remember other students considering the subject.
What we said last week about the importance of understanding the wider meanings and potential impact of your 'invention' is as important as any technical considerations. A number of film titles came up as we talked and I'd look at these as past speculation about the future is always useful in relation to this particular brief.
Use a variety of research methods, typically academic and more playful. Consider media as 'the extensions of man', the culture of surveillance etc.
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