Reflections on a craft design protocol

For some years I have been working on a design protocol of craft, which aims to unearth the working principles of one cultural area (contemporary craft) of production for the benefit of another (interaction design). The methodology that led to its formulation comprised my research as a doctoral student in Interaction Design, and made up the bulk of my thesis [22]. The protocol has recently been more fully explored for the craft community, with each tenet explored in more depth [24]; however, several important publications and conferences in the field have emerged since its initial formulation and if it is to have any relevance, the protocol needs to be revisited in light of them. These include Sennett’s The Craftsman [36], Risatti’s Theory of Craft [34], and Adamson’s Thinking Through Craft [1]. In addition conferences such as Neocraft [3], and collections of writings such as Extra/Ordinary [5], which includes Mazanti’s SuperObjects model of craft [28], have developed the field immensely. This paper critically reflects on the protocol in this new expanded context

Disruptive design innovation: reflections on the relationship of design, science and art

The title of designer conveys a large number of historical, cultural, philosophical drivers and working practises that effectively range from the traditional engineer through to the individual interested in personal expression. The considerable differences originate and have evolved for a variety of reasons. The range is from capitalist necessity through to social inclusion. Today, the designer needs to have the ability to understand significant changes in technology, art and science as well as being an astute observer of human behaviour. Ultimately, the designer will need to convert ideas into objects and systems that people can understand and use. It is important to consider serendipitous design and disruptive design as it often involves risk taking and may be unpredictable in character. Disruptive design innovation can improve a design in ways that the customer or a market does not expect. The authors suggest a refreshing approach to design that is inclusive in purpose to enrich the act of designing and advocate a greater correlation between the art, sciences and design in reflecting the values, virtues and methods of working and the principles that guide the methodologies and processes which can be correlated into a coherent whole and with a clearer focus

Design of weak 1-D bragg grating filters in SOI waveguides using volume holography techniques

To answer the growing need for more versatile integrated spectral filters, we show that weak one-dimensional gratings can be designed towards any desired target spectrum. We follow a very straightforward design procedure to demonstrate the performance of these devices. Measurements and simulations show a very good correspondence with the target spectra. By analyzing the results, we also found that the design procedure can be refined by using simulated reflections, instead of relying on the calculated Fresnel reflections

Learning Design: reflections on a snapshot of the current landscape

The mounting wealth of open and readily available information and the swift evolution of social, mobile and creative technologies warrant a re-conceptualisation of the role of educators: from providers of knowledge to designers of learning. This need is being addressed by a growing trend of research in Learning Design. Responding to this trend, the Art and Science of Learning Design workshop brought together leading voices in the field and provided a forum for discussing its key issues. It focused on three thematic axes: practices and methods, tools and resources, and theoretical frameworks. This paper reviews some definitions of Learning Design and then summarises the main contributions to the workshop. Drawing upon these, we identify three key challenges for Learning Design that suggest directions for future research

The Serendiptichord: Reflections on the collaborative design process between artist and researcher

The Serendiptichord is a wearable instrument, resulting from a collaboration crossing fashion, technology, music and dance. This paper reflects on the collaborative process and how defining both creative and research roles for each party led to a successful creative partnership built on mutual respect and open communication. After a brief snapshot of the instrument in performance, the instrument is considered within the context of dance-driven interactive music systems followed by a discussion on the nature of the collaboration and its impact upon the design process and final piece

Secret-key generation from wireless channels: Mind the reflections

Secret-key generation in a wireless environment exploiting the randomness and reciprocity of the channel gains is considered. A new channel model is proposed which takes into account the effect of reflections (or re-radiations) from receive antenna elements, thus capturing an physical property of practical antennas. It turns out that the reflections have a deteriorating effect on the achievable secret-key rate between the legitimate nodes at high signal-to-noise-power-ratio (SNR). The insights provide guidelines in the design and operation of communication systems using the properties of the wireless channel to prevent eavesdropping.Comment: 6 pages, 9 figure

The Design of Capital Income Taxation: Reflections on the Mirrlees Review

This commentary reflects on the recommendations of the Mirrlees Review on tax reform with a special focus on capital income taxation. Regarding the alternatives of moving to a consumption based tax system, the commentary discusses the relative merits of choosing an ACE system (allowance for corporate equity) rather than a cash-flow tax on the company level. It reviews the arguments in favour of full elimination of tax on the normal return to savings at the personal level which contrasts with alternative tax reform proposals recommending a positive but low and flat tax rate on personal capital income. It also discusses how existing computational models would have to be extended for a meaningful quantification of the gains and costs of implementing a tax reform along the lines of the Mirrlees Review.Fundamental tax reform, consumption based tax system

Approaching Participatory Design in "Citizen Science"

This paper explores the use of participatory design methods in engaging older people in Citizen Science. Based on a pilot in a small Scottish town it looks at the application of designerly practices to bringing lay knowledge into professional practices around biological recording. Charting our journey, our initial focus on enabling people to collect biological data, with a focus on participatory methods and design thinking, and its evolution into work about what collecting biological participants enabled for participants. It captures reflections on well-being, mobility, changing environments and communities, and a growing confidence in themselves as experts in their own lives. The paper closes with some personal reflections on what we learnt as facilitators about the use of participatory methods. In particular the role of our own (and participants) tacit assumptions in framing approaches, and the need to open and flexible, to frame and reframe as process and outcomes shift