LAB+1-4

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 * //LAB 1://**

Compare and Contrast: // Question: Compare and contrast a Sony Walkman with an Apple iPod, and describe the differences in their physical construction, interface design, technology and delivery of sound. Quick sketches are helpful for this analytical process. // Walkman vs. IPod The Sony Walkman is an analog system where music is stored non-digitally, making your music more susceptible to damages and errors. The iPod though, stores its music digitally which makes retrieving your music easier and improves the quality of music delivery. The interface for the IPod is Digital, and thus, reducing/eliminating the issue of storage space and cassettes. The materials used in the construction of the IPod is very similar, both the walkman and the IPod uses polish high impact plastic, but the IPod has a display screen which uses a LCD technology. The construction of the IPod is very compact this is due to the vast improvement in technology, and thus, the reduction of spaces needed for the mechanical/technological compounds. The delivery of sound for the Walkman and IPod are both delivered in an analog format where the music is transmitted through a physical process.


 * //LAB 2://**

1. I. Shelter: Money Maker Block Press helps alleviates poverty through helping the underprivileged sustain themselves by educating and creating systems of self empowerment. It does this by promoting entrepreneurship—in self sustainable businesses. Through Block Press individuals are better able to develop their infrastructure and at the same time create opportunities for economic empowerment.

II. Education: One Lap per child represents an investment in the children of developing nations. It affords underprivileged children the opportunity to expand their arisen through the opening of new technology resources to them. The promotion of education in children of developing nations creates a better chance of having future growth and development in their economy and industries because citizens are more educated, and thus, independent of state wealth fare.

III. Health: Perma Net serves a great duty in the lives of citizens who reside in malaria affected regions. It is designed to protect and repel against malarial mosquitoes which is the number one killer of children in Africa. Perma Net helps to reduce the risks and medical burdens associated with the treatment of malaria, and thus, save lives.

IV. Water: The Q Drum is a wonderful example of how design can be made to alleviate the stresses and issues faced in the daily lives of the underprivileged. The Q Drum is a well design instrument which takes into consideration but also modifies the procedure of carrying adequate quantities of potable water. This design enables for individuals to avoid the tedious subjections associated with the carrying of water through conventional ways (i.e. fatigue, probability of injury).

V. Transport: Big Boda Load-Carrying Bicycles are low cost bicycles designed for poor rural regions. This form of transport represents an easy and low cost mean for farmers and/or families to transport crops and/or additional persons to and from remote areas. Big Boda bicycles enable those who cannot afford conventional transports a low cost means to commute, and thus, be more capable to pursue economical and personal dreams.

VI. Energy: Solar Home Lighting System helps to provide the necessity of electricity in poor households which is not accessible to a grid and/or cannot otherwise afford to have electricity. It alleviates the limitation caused by not having electricity (i.e. own a cell phone to get medical/emergency aid). Also it allows parents to be more independent of the home to pursue work in the evenings.

2. Stakeholders enable for responsible design through their evaluation of the needs and requirements for a design, and through sample design. Through these process stakeholders are better able to predict the sustainability of their design by response feedback and assessing their findings.

3.
 * Design for the environment
 * Design for universal audience
 * Design for emprovement
 * Design for the Future
 * Design for the sustainability


 * //LAB 3://**

1. The role of Jan Chipchase is, as he would refer to himself, a “user anthropologist”. His work takes him into developing nation across the hemispheres, into the regions of poverty where opportunities for economic empowerment are little. Jan explores these areas to gain insight into the possible benefits and uses a cellular phone would create/play in enhancing the lives of these underprivileged citizens. Jan’s role is essentially a reporter. He serves as a window to these regions for Nokia which informs and influences Nokia’s product design for these markets.

Due to Jan, Nokia is better able to gain insight into these underdeveloped markets, and as result, be better prepared for marketing and selling their products in these developing regions. His findings of how these regions use cell phones, what they would benefit from through the use of a cellular phone, and current cellular trends are reported back to Nokia. Thus, Jan plays a vital role in Nokia’s ability to success in these markets.

Through Nokia’s analysis of Jan’s findings Nokia create/develop products which match the needs of these regions, thus, creating human-centered designs. As a result, Jan’s work reflects the interests these citizens and their region’s economic empowerment. For example, if Jan notices that in the region of Accra Ghana that the citizens are using their cellular phones as a way of transferring money then Jan ability to rely this back to Nokia for consideration when designing their products would be beneficial for this region.

2. The idea of microfinance supports the concept of a “Sustainable economy” in that those who cannot otherwise would not have access or qualify for credit or loans can now qualify or have access to such due to the empowerment of people like themselves. As a result of the available access to credit through there community they can empower themselves through expanding their entrepreneurship and/or etc. In this sense, microfinance is community oriented and serves the community of which it is built from.

Microfinance promotes the concept of “good governance” through helping those without “voices” gain opportunities for financial empowerment. The empowerment of communities will encourage its residences to become more involve in the decisions which will affect the region. Therefore, Microfinance engages the community through building communities that are economically stable and responsible.

//**LAB 4:**//

1. Annie Leonard defines the system of “material economy” as the stages of: extraction to production to distribution to consumption to disposal. In these stages products are created, used, and dispose of. Annie describes “material economy” as excluding the most important factor in its equation–the human factor.

The stages of “material economy” are not independent of each other. The system is very interactive in the societies, environment, and spaces in which it operates. As a result, the system is subjected to the limits and boundaries that are brought about by people and the environment of its operation.

Leonard describes the “material economy” as a linear system which repeats itself continually, which she describes as an issue in the longevity of the system. This is due to the fact that environment cannot maintain a linear system in a finite world because of its negative impact on the environment. Leonard describes the “material economy” as problematic, and thus, has to change.

2.
 * Extraction** is the first stage in the “material economy”. In this stage materials (natural resources) are extracted and made into the materials needed to create products. Natural resources are raw materials which are derived directly from the land.


 * Production** represents the stage of creation in the “material economy”. In this stage products (i.e. Toys, Bicycles’, and etc.) are made for distribution. This stage usually takes place in settings such as factories, and production planets and represents the most wasteful stage where energy and raw materials are use to make products that are non-recyclable.

In the **Distribution** stage products are shipped out using petroleum powered transportation to different regions of the world for consumption. Leonard describes this stage as ““selling all this toxic contaminated junk as quickly as possible.” The goal of this stage as Leonard state is selling products as cheaply as possible for quick turn over on profits.


 * Consumption** is the fourth stage in the “material economy”. The goal of this stage is to have as much consumer spending (buying) as possible. Consumption is the driver of the “material economy” and is very vital to the rate at which “material economy” grows.

The final stage of the system is **Disposal**, Leonard describes this stage as the final step in the system of “material economy” where everything which the consumer accumulate over the years is dispose of. These products usually end up in the landfills where they pollute the ground and water sources. This is stage has a direct effect on the planet and its sustainability of life.

3. Anna Leonard flash video is a perfect example of how visuals can be used as a tool to aid viewers when following dialogue. For example, the video presents very simple graphics which does not detract from the argument being presented. It does this by using graphics which represents keys elements in Leonard’s argument and nothing else that is unnecessary. Diagrams are used to represent each stage of the “material economy”—extraction, production, and etc.

Each stage of “material economy” is easily identifiable through its association with the graphics presented. For example, the stage of Production is represented visually as a diagram of a Factory with smoke coming from its chimney. Through these simple visuals aids Leonard’s presentation becomes more accessible of audience members with hearing disabilities, and thus, more interactive in its ability to communicate the message.