caseStudy_firstBornMultimedia : operationSmile

For the re-launch of Microsoft’s Windows Live platform, Firstborn was approached by Emmy Award Winning studio Digital Kitchen and Wexley School for Girls to create a generative art exhibition to be projected onto a seven-story sphere located at New York’s South Street Seaport.Microsoft teamed up with Operation Smile and as part of the event there were numerous kiosks at the Seaport for visitors to get their smile captured and have it projected on the sphere. Using Processing, Firstborn was able to create particle generated art, which was projected on the sphere.

The images that were used in the installation were fed live from photobooths around the outside of the area. Patrons would see their own photographs used in the overall exhibition.

You can see a fantastic case-study on Firstborn’s website here.

caseStudy_ 5 Gbs chip for $10

A new silicon chip developed in Melbourne is predicted to revolutionise the way household gadgets like televisions, phones and DVD players talk to each other.

The tiny five-millimetre-a-side chip can transmit data through a wireless connection at a breakthrough five gigabits per second over distances of up to 10 metres. An entire high-definition movie from a video shop kiosk could be transmitted to a mobile phone in a few seconds, and the phone could then upload the movie to a home computer or screen at the same speed.

read the complete article here

caseStudy_ mitInstantHouse

In emergency housing situations the manner in which solutions manage the cost and timing of deployment is perhaps one of its most critical factors. The Instant House, project developed for MIT’s Separtment of Architecture, by Marcel Botha and Lawrence D. Sass, tries to achieve a fast, cost effective system relying on digital technologies. This example studies the nature in which design and digital fabrication can be utilized as a relief effort for natural disaster areas, refugee camps or any other improvised emergency human habitat. It promotes the use of a system that is rapidly deployable and scalable, while fostering individuality within the larger rebuilt community.

Botha and Sass intend to create an atypical solution in large quantities for emergency, transitional and developing contexts, while giving agency to the end user, through generative computational methods and CNC fabrication techniques. The process lends itself to customization, embodying principles of lean production, flexible computer-integrated manufacturing strategies and reduced cycle times. A direct instantaneous link can be established between generative design and fabrication and evaluation system. The end user can participate in this decision process, without incurring cost beyond the initial technological infrastructure.

The Instant House ships as a flat packed structure ready for implementation. A generative system that mechanizes the interaction between user, designer and fabrication, attempts to effectively deploy customized dwellings without incurring a cost premium. It is not intended that the process proliferates cosmetic change, but more importantly structural and spatial variation.

More information can be found here and here.

caseStudy_theCloud

Before you even read on any further have a look at this youtube video of the object.

The Cloud, by UK based Troika, is a installation for British Airways in the new Heathrow Terminal 5. The completely CNC fabricated 5m long struture is clad in no less than 4638 flip-dots, which were traditionally used in the 70’s and 80’s on public signs at train stations and airports. The visual and audio qualities that over 4000 mirror discs have as the flip individual are completely reminiscent of travel, and are perfectly suited for the entry to the luxury lounge of the terminal.

Each of the flip-dots are individually computer controlled, programmable by processing. The dots are individually connected to one of two solid state electronic drives, which in turn are linked to 134 smaller distribution boards within the object. In total, almost 5000m of wiring is hidden beneath the clouds glimmering surface.

There is also a great video of the installation process on youtube here.

caseStudy_parametricLamp

As a part of the 2006 Salone Satellite in Milan, Fluid Forms exhibited their new parametric lamp. A web interface has been created allowing customers individual control over 3 parameters, in addition to material selection.

While the web interface is a little bland, they had a much better example of the lamps parametric interaction capabilities through the use of a punching bag. Within the punching bag, pictured below, are a series of sensors that detect impact, which transmit in recorded information to a computer. Potential customers are provided with a pair of boxing gloves and asked to ‘design with their fists’ until they reach a form that they are happy with.

The impact of their blows are shown via a projection screen, providing a real-time display of their piece of design. A prototype of the lamp is on display in the image above, with this particular demonstration being constructed from a translucent plastic based material (exact details unknown).

You can view a fantastic video of potential owers of the lamp designing their own on this webpage.

caseStudy_TrekProjectOne

Trek are a USA based bicycle company, specializing primarily in the production and sale of road bikes. Their Project One service offers the complete customization of their road bikes and also spans across into their mountain and tandem products.

In principal, bike customization is nothing new. Anyone can purchase individual components and build a bicycle of their own. Trek, however, offer this service in it’s entirety, from frame and paint scheme through to specific component specification and frame personalization. On top of this, the final product is factory built and delivered to the customers door.

The first set of options allows you to choose the specific frame type and size to suit your riding style and requirements.

The paint finishes is first specified by a overall scheme.

Each scheme has a wide variety of colours that are able to be specified in almost any combination.

Individual component specification is required for everything from the wheels and breaks, through to the seat post and water bottle cage.

Your name can be added to the paint finish, along with the logos of bike related charities that you may way to sponsor.

After you have finished customizing your bike the interface provides you with a full break-down of your selections, a final price and purchase options.

Although the interface and product provides a high level of customization based upon standard parts, one very important aspect has been overlooked. Every individual rider is different and the Project One only allows for selection of standard size frames. Intrinsic differences in human proportions means that that two people who who are 180cm tall will have different arm lengths, meaning that a custom frame size may be required. There are obviously adjustments that can be made in the components; seat height, stem length and crank length to name a few, but a fitted frame would be much more precise.

Fully fitted frames are in the realm of professional racers, and are a expensive and time consuming product to design and manufacture. I would expect that the profit margins and market demand are too small for Trek to offer a service such as this to the general public.