History 513 2007-08 03. Studio

26 Sep 2007

Introduction to the studio component of History 513: a space for designing and making, for exploring the potential of various tools and techniques. We will discuss the idea of interaction design and the group projects for 2007-08: creating some prototype “history appliances.”

MacDougall, Rob. “History and Appliances: I Love the Gilded Age,” Old is the New New (25 Apr 2007).

MacDougall, Rob. “History and Appliances: The Case for Luddism,” Old is the New New (27 Apr 2007).

Saffer, Dan. “Ch. 1: What is Interaction Design?” in Designing for Interaction: Creating Smart Applications and Clever Devices. Peachpit Press, 2006.

Turkel, William J. “Coming Soon: History Appliances,” Digital History Hacks (12 Mar 2007).

Turkel, William J. “History Appliances: The Metronome,” Digital History Hacks (11 Apr 2007).

Turkel, William J. “Luddism Is a Luxury You Can’t Afford,” Digital History Hacks (17 Apr 2007).

Turkel, William J. “History Appliances: The Soundscape,” Digital History Hacks (9 Jun 2007).

Turkel, William J. “History Appliances: Spoka,” Digital History Hacks (19 Jul 2007).

Design a device to “dispense history”. In this exercise you will work together in small groups to brainstorm ideas for fantastic devices that “dispense history.”

1. Start by choosing an appliance (e.g., washing machine, microwave oven, hair dryer, lawnmower), a tool (e.g, scissors, key, hammer, shovel, knitting needles), a toy (e.g., sock monkey, ball, doll or action figure), an item of sports equipment (e.g., hockey stick, badminton birdie), a musical instrument (e.g., kazoo), or something else you might find lying around your house (e.g., key fob, eyeglasses, PEZ dispenser, erlenmeyer flask).
   

2. This is step two.
   

3. Now when you perform some action (e.g., press a switch, shake it, add water, turn a knob, put on a costume)…
   

4. The device somehow connects you to the past or to the flow of history (e.g., dispenses particular historical facts, puts you in communication with the dead, provides you with access to primary or secondary sources, etc.)

Once each group has had a chance to come up with some ideas, we will discuss them all together. At this stage, we won’t worry about realism or practicality, so be as imaginative as you can.

Basic HTML.

Easy. Work through the W3 Schools tutorial on HTML.