Unplugging

I am really looking forward to returning home to Pennsylvania in a few days. I told my mom that I wanted to shut off my computer, put it in a box, and not look at it for a week. I feel like the computer has become an extension of my physical self, just as my watch or glasses have become an integral part of me.

But, can I really unplug? Things happen at such a rapid pace in our digital world, that if I'm offline for a few days, I will surely miss a wealthy of information and activity.

How can I best communicate my absence? There is always the use of away messages and answering machines, but what if there was a way for me to send out a single message to the world that I will be unavailable for a period of time. I have 5 email accounts, facebook, myspace, and AIM accounts, a blog and a cell phone.

Whenever I have neglected one of more of these accounts for a few days, I start to hear complaints from family and friends. People expected to be able to get in touch with me at all times, and worry if there is no response.

If there were a service that could generate a message that could be circulated across all my methods of communication saying when I was going to unplug and when I expected to return, I wouldn't have to worry about my absence being unclear. I could relax knowing that I was not simply going MIA, but had an orderly way of declaring my vacation from the digital world.

Design Lessons from Nature

Sometimes as a type away on the mechanical tool in my lap, I feel detached from the natural world. But, if I really examine objects in nature, I discover qualities that can influence my design thinking.

Although I adore flowers for their delicate beauty, there is much more to them than vibrant colors, seductive shape and sweet fragrance.

The basic function of all flowers is the reproduction of the plant. A quick read through the information on botanical life from the University of Arizona's College of Agriculture site shows me that flowers are quite intricate.

So, although flowers may appear to be a common and simple form of ornamentation, they are actually a vital part of the complex botanical world. This insight can be applied by designers. It is not just about making pretty things. As designers, we are called to investigated the intricacies of functional application to inform the process of creating.

A Strange Shoe

When doing a Google search of my last name, Cioce, I stumbled upon this interesting piece of Italian design culture.

There is a type of traditional footware in Italy called "la ciocia" (pl. cioce or ciocie).

At first, it appeared to me that the form of this shoe was just the result of a strange fashion trend of ages past. But, I was surprised to find this footware is actually functional.

An article on the website of "The People of Ciocaria" Anthropological Museum says the following:

"Negli ultimi secoli sono state per eccellenza le calzature autocostruite piu' economiche; realizzabili con pelli bovine, ovine, suine, bufaline ed asinine, naturali o conciate, erano robuste ed adatte per camminare su campi lavorati e su percorsi impervi, nonchè resistenti a lavori usuranti, come la vangatura."

(In the last centuries they [la ciocia] have been the best self-constructed and economic footware; able to be made from the skin of cows, sheep, pigs, buffalo or donkeys, natural or tanned, they are robust and adapted for walking during daily labor and over broken paths, as well being able to withstand tough work like tilling soil.)

According to some sources, the design of la ciocia developed from the military footware of ancient Roman soldiers.

I was surprised to read that these bizarre looking shoes actually have a well tailored design for the functions that they were used for in the past.

Technology Snobs

I had an interesting discussing today with one of my professors before class. I was having trouble with the wireless internet in my apartment, so I couldn't get the email I was trying to send him to go through. We were discussing how dependent we are on technology and the panic that ensues if we cannot be connected, even for a little while.

Then, I mentioned how frustrating it was for me in undergrad when I would return from the high-speed dorms to my dial-up home over breaks. Yes, my parents still have dial-up internet access. My professor was blown away. He didn't know that dial-up even existed anymore.

When I carelessly send off an Adobe CS4 document to my boss, she has to remind me that we only have CS3 in the office and cannot open my file. I guess I'm a technology snob.

Technology Education

One of the highlights of my trips to Virginia was watching my grandparents experience Skype for the first time. My aunt often uses this application to communicated with her three children when they are away from home.

My grandmother and I talked a little bit about computers after her experience with Skype. She told me that she just doesn't feel she needs a computer. Evidently, my grandfather had offered to buy her one at some point, but she passed it up. She seemed very concerned about having to deal with computer viruses. I can't say it's an irrational fear. As advanced as computer technology is, there still is a lot to deal with as far as computer maintenance, unless of course, you are part of the small population of apple users, like myself. Mac's seem to be miraculously immune to viruses. The reason is supposedly that the people who create viruses don't bother targeting macs because it is such a small percentage of the population.

Perhaps technology will soon be advanced enough that people like my grandmother won't have to worry about the upkeep of the computer, and can enjoy the advantages of technology without the hassle.

Airport Design

During several hours in airports, I saw more even clearly that designers have a hand in everything!

On the way to Virginia I had two layovers, one in Las Vegas, and one in Chicago. I was always under the impression that all airports were basically the same. Some have more dated equipment and seating areas, but you always have long corridors and boring terminals. But there are actually people thinking about user experience in the two airports I stopped in.

In Las Vegas, when I stepped off the plane and into the terminal, I was surprised to see several rows of slot machines in a wide space adjacent to the seating area. Ingenious! I didn't gamble myself, but if that's why people go to Las Vegas, why not make it easier for them to do so? It was late at night when I arrived, but I can imagine during busier times of the day, there would be lots of people playing the slots to kill time. There were groups of gambling machines scattered all over the airport.

In Chicago, I had a long walk from the part of the airport where I arrived to the terminal where I would catch my connecting flight. But the walk was actually enjoyable because there was lots to see. My favorite part was was the colorful corridor with lights and music. The moving walkway eased you down a peaceful path of soothing colors and sounds. What a clever was to relax the weary traveler!

Beautiful Clutter

Since I've been trying to eliminate clutter from my life, I have been less inclined to buy knickknacks, trinkets, souvenirs, or really anything beyond the essentials. I will splurge on food because I can enjoy the experience without adding more stuff.

However, when I was wandering around after work, I ended up making my way into Chinatown. I had never been to that neighborhood before, so I spent a little time walking around to see what it was like.

There was stuff everywhere! I could not believe how densely those shops are packed. The jewelry stores sparkle from floor to ceiling.

My impression was that these shops were geared towards tourists. I didn't have the urge to buy anything, so I just observed from the street. But although I found the clutter of objects a little overwhelming, I couldn't help but notice the beauty of color, texture and light massed around me.

Extra Stuff

It has been easy to forget that I traveled to San Francisco with two pieces of luggage because I left one of them at my friends house near San Jose a few days after I arrived.

at the San Jose train station

I was so anxious when I was preparing to leave for California because I felt like I had to pack up my life. I wanted to be prepared for anything life would throw at me, but I only had room to bring the essentials.

I traveled with one large suitcase, one carry-on suitcase, and my backpack. I didn't seem like a lot, and actually, it didn't seem like enough. But dragging around nearly 100 pounds of luggage plus my backpack with two laptops got old quick. When I got lost in South San Francisco trying to find the Caltrain station, I was so tired that I wanted to leave my luggage in the street.

After staying a few nights with my friend in San Jose, I asked if I could leave some of my luggage at her house so I could travel a little more easily. I didn't have an apartment at that point and I knew that I might be hopping from place to place.

I figured I would find a place quickly, so I just took my little carry-on bag and backpack with enough clothes and stuff to get me through the first week of orientation and classes. That was 6 weeks ago.

essentials for the first week...or maybe the first six weeks

Now that I've been settled in one place for the rest of the semester, I'm planning to go back to my friend's house this weekend for the rest of my stuff. But honestly, other than a few extra changes of clothes and my PC laptop, I don't know what else I have in that big suitcase. I have gotten used to having less, and am not sure that I really want all this extra stuff.

What I Need

Today, each of the groups in our section tried out the exercises they created for our upcoming interview project. I volunteered to be an "interviewee" and was presented with the following task: using 10 Post-It's, label 10 things in your house that are necessities. Since we were in the classroom, not my home, I was instructed just to write the name of the item and place it on the wall. Sounds simple enough...

I am subletting a bedroom, so I really only had to think about one room, not a whole house. But once I started to think, it was difficult to come up with things that I absolutely needed. The first thing I thought of was a bed (although it's not actually mine, but I'm renting the room, so I figured it's kind of mine for now). Then I jotted down some other things: computer, glasses, cell phone, sweater, toothbrush, guitar, makeup, chocolate. Time was running out and I couldn't think of a 10th thing right away, so we decided to move on (although, now that I think of it, my credit card should have definitely made the list).

my three essential items

The next step was to narrow down to three essential items. After some deliberation, I chose, my computer, toothbrush and guitar. They each serve a different purpose in my life: the toothbrush is for health needs, and the guitar is for emotional needs, and the computer is for academic/social needs.

"Now choose one item," they told me. I thought carefully because I knew this would be the biggest indicator in the exercise of how I prioritize my life. I chose my computer, because in our technological age, I could not survive without my shiny new MacBook Pro.

my MOST essential item

How Much is Enough?

It is interesting to consider the concept of "enoughness" in the context of American culture. Many would argue that as a whole, we are a materialistic culture that values getting your money's worth: super-sizing, bulk items, and blow-out sales. We don't necessarily buy because we have a need, but because the sale is too good to pass up.

I was definitely raised with an element of this mindset. In one sense, I learned to be very frugal, but at the same time, I became very absorbed with getting a deal on the things I would buy. From an early age, I was instructed to examine the unit prices in the grocery store, or scrutinize the clearance racks when buying clothes.

I am also guilty of having always been a pack-rat. I have held on to so many useless things because of trite sentimental value or the sense that it would need or be worth something in the future. Gradually I found myself being inundated with old paperwork, clothes I never wore, and boxes upon boxes of miscellaneous junk.

Now for the past month, I have lived with whatever I could fit into my small carry-on suitcase and backpack. Even though I have gotten tired of wearing the same few outfit over and over again, I have come to realize that I don't need much. This summer, I was so frustrated trying to clean out my room, knowing that I wouldn't be able to bring much when I traveled across the country. Although I did leave a bunch of clothes, papers, and junk behind at my parent's house, I feel like I am starting to get a sense of what is enough in my life and can eliminate some of the excess accordingly.

Creating a Prototype

After analyzing the information we gathered at the Alemany Flea Market, our group brainstormed with the aid of dozens of Post-It notes, about the design challenges we noticed at the market. Eventually, we narrowed our focus to fostering a community environment at the Alemany Flea Market and local marketplaces in general.

One of the things that stood out to me the most about the atmosphere of the market was the sense that we did not belong. If the sense of community is indeed one of the advantages of peer to peer interactions over online sales, it certainly did not apply to all who participated in the market. My team members and other classmates who visited the market felt similarly uneasy. Perhaps it was because we were not just ordinary shoppers, but were actually probing into the inner-workings of the market.

In any case, we hoped to make the experience for newcomers less confusing, as well as enhancing the experience for regular buyers and sellers. They way we hoped to achieve this was through a social networking site for buyers and sellers. We saw the Internet as a tool that could potentially strengthen the sense of community, rather than being a threat to the downfall of peer to peer sales.

Rightsizing

Out of curiosity, I googled the word "rightsizing" to see what would come up. The first three hits were definitions from a few different online resources. The word definitely has a business connotation, mostly relating to "corporate restructuring," often in the case of downsizing to reduce costs.

The next hit was a a website promoting a book called Rightsizing Your Life: Simplifying Your Surroundings While Keeping What Matters Most. The author, Ciji Ware, talks about the challenges of downsizing from a comfortable house in LA to a small San Francisco apartment. She and her husband, both in their 50s, had accumulated a great deal of "stuff" in their 25 years of marriage, and were attempting to downsize.

This idea of "rightsizing" is clearly a struggle for many Americans today. Our capitalist culture encourages people to buy, buy, buy. But, it seems like people are beginning to think critically about their lives and evaluate their possessions in terms of their needs.

Peer-to-Peer Marketplace Study

Okay I'll admit it, I've always hated collaborative assignments. Not because I'm completely anti-social (I don't think), but because it has largely been my experience that whenever I have to work with other people, I end up having to do the bulk of the work. So, I couldn't help but mumbled unhappily to myself when we were given a group project as our first assignment in Design Research class.

But, this isn't high school biology, I thought, so perhaps working with other designers will prove to be a better experience, right?...RIGHT! This is actually one project I'm glad I didn't have to do alone. On Sunday, September 7th, I went with my two partners, Charlotte and Jerry, to the Alemany Flea Market to observe face-to-face sales interactions and interview some buyers and sellers.

It proved to be quite an interesting experience delving into this little pocket of San Francisco culture. Even though one of my group members is a Bay area native, it seemed clear that we were "outsiders" in this environment and most people were not so willing to divulge information to us. All three of us were a little intimidated to start striking up conversations, so first we did a loop around the marketplace to feel it out.

Once we got our bearings, we tried to approach one seller together, but it must have come off as some sort of stealth attack because although the seller would answer a few questions, she was very reluctant.

There was quite an interesting array of items that varied from vendor to vendor. There were antiques, clothes, electronics, power tools, areas that looked like a yard sale transplants, and even a vendor that just sold shoes.

So, for "investigative purposes" I decided to get in on the action and buy something at the market. Although a violin at one table caught my eye, once I learned that it was $85, I decided that a table full of jewelry market as $1 per item would more up my alley. After sifting through the hodgepodge of necklaces and bracelets, I narrowed it down to three. Intending to buying two, I asked the vendor's opinion on which suited me best. "Ah," he said, "with my pricing system you can have 3 items for $2." "Sold!" I replied, wondering if I had just unintentionally haggled for a better price.

Less is More

Since I have left the majority of my things back at my parent's house in Pennsylvania, I have begun to appreciate living with less. I try to think of what all of that stuff is cluttering my room at home, and why I've held onto it for so many years.