Novak, James Final Thesis Redacted
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Responsive Design and 4D Products: Enhancing Human Experiences Through Ubiquitous Computing Author Novak, James Published 2018-03 Thesis Type Thesis (PhD Doctorate) School Queensland College of Art DOI https://doi.org/10.25904/1912/3706 Copyright Statement The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise. Downloaded from http://hdl.handle.net/10072/380531 Griffith Research Online https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au Responsive Design and 4D Products: Enhancing Human Experiences Through Ubiquitous Computing JAMES I. NOVAK B.Design (Architecture), B.Design (Product), Honours (Digital Media) Queensland College of Art Griffith University Gold Coast, Australia Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Supervisors: Dr Dale Patterson Professor Jennifer Loy March 2018 i ABSTRACT As the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds increasingly blur, there is concern that humans are becoming subservient to computers and machines. Human- centred design principles are quickly forgotten as new technologies become the focus of research and commercial interest, resulting in a gizmo culture. Computing technology has become ubiquitous, however, the ubiquitous computing vision is yet to be realised after decades of developing ever faster, smaller and cheaper sensors. While ubiquitous computing research has been dominated by engineering and computing disciplines, this thesis argues that today, the majority of technological hurdles to more human-centred interactions between people and technology have been overcome, and designers must now lead development of products that empower humans and encourage more sustainable relationships with technology. Specifically, product and industrial designers are being enabled by new software to develop more life-like products that have both physical and digital presence, no longer creating single static solutions to problems, but designing systems whereby products can adapt and evolve over time. This leverages the rapidly increasing quantity of sensors within products and the environment, and requires new thinking beyond the interface as a means for utilising this data. Employing a research through design methodology, experimental prototypes have been developed to understand how current technologies can be applied to products and design systems in order to allow them to adapt over time. Qualitative and quantitative results show how new symbiotic relationships between people and products are emerging, and are part of broader shifts within research disciplines like architecture, additive manufacturing and robotics to move towards more interconnected systems through the fourth industrial revolution. This thesis calls for product design research to adopt a unified approach to this new generation of 4D and responsive products, ensuring increasingly life-like technologies empower humanity rather than suppress human flourishing as control is resigned to machines. Keywords: Computer-Aided Design, Human-Centred Design, Parametric Design, Product and Industrial Design, Ubiquitous Computing, Visual Programming Languages ii STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY This work has not previously been submitted for a degree or diploma in any university. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the exegesis contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the exegesis itself. (Signed)_____________________________ James Novak iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Statement of Originality.................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. iv List of Figures ................................................................................................................... viii List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... xii The Papers Included are a Mix of Sole-Authored and Co-Authored Papers ............... xiii Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... xv 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Research Context ........................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Responsive Design and 4D Products .......................................................................... 7 1.3 Research Questions................................................................................................... 10 1.4 Significance of Research ........................................................................................... 11 1.5 Methodology ............................................................................................................. 14 1.6 Thesis Structure ......................................................................................................... 16 1.7 Publications ............................................................................................................... 18 1.7.1 Publications Presented Verbatim in this Thesis ............................................... 18 1.7.2 Publications Informing Sections of this Thesis ................................................. 18 1.7.3 Publications Not Included Within this Thesis ................................................... 18 1.8 Definitions.................................................................................................................. 19 1.9 References ................................................................................................................. 20 2 Literature Review and Introduction to Responsive Design and 4D Products .......... 24 2.1 Chapter Preamble ..................................................................................................... 25 Abstract ............................................................................................................................ 29 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 29 Human Evolution in a Digital Era .................................................................................... 30 People, Products and Systems ....................................................................................... 32 iv Designing in Context ....................................................................................................... 34 The Changing Role of Designers ..................................................................................... 35 Introducing 4D Product Design ...................................................................................... 40 4D Design Examples ........................................................................................................ 40 The 4D Landscape............................................................................................................ 43 Empowering Products ..................................................................................................... 45 Conclusions ...................................................................................................................... 47 References ....................................................................................................................... 48 Key Terms and Definitions .............................................................................................. 51 2.2 Chapter Epilogue ....................................................................................................... 51 2.3 Final References ........................................................................................................ 53 3 Responsive Design ............................................................................................... 54 3.1 Introduction to Responsive Design .......................................................................... 55 3.2 Drawing the Pen: From Physical to Digital and Back Again.................................... 59 3.2.1 Section Preamble ............................................................................................... 59 3.2.2 Abstract ............................................................................................................... 62 3.2.3 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 63 3.2.4 Context ................................................................................................................ 63 3.2.5 Drawing with Code ............................................................................................. 64 3.2.6 Mypen – Custom Ergonomics............................................................................ 66 3.2.7 Mypen – Custom Aesthetic ............................................................................... 68 3.2.8 Conclusion........................................................................................................... 70 3.2.9 Section Epilogue ................................................................................................. 71 3.3 Recoding Product