everything is designed

Serwaa Brand

2010-12-10T03:05:00.000-08:00

This was the end result of a project for a client in Africa, who wanted to create a brand for his new company.
The logo had to incorporate an African woman as the name Serwaa was taken from the client’s mother. It also had to incorporate the nyame-dua, a religious symbol meaning "tree of god".

Fidelis

2010-06-13T12:43:00.000-07:00

This is a logo I designed for a local businessman who has recently started his own import export business.

2010-06-08T09:01:00.001-07:00

Conclusion of my Honours year project

2010-06-08T07:29:00.000-07:00

Conclusion of my Honours year project

From the outset I wanted to create a product that would work.
It had to deter crime in a functional and practical way but convey some of the ideology that was uncovered during my research.
It also needed to address the reason I chose to do the project, which was because of the criminal activity on my father’s business.

I believe that the final product is a viable solution to the problem of business crime and that the product would also be able to transfer over to a residential market.

The primary intention of the final product is to deter crime by changing and influencing the two main areas of physical environment and psychological mindset.

The physical environment is changed by the light source, which illuminates only the intruder and the space immediately surrounding them without making visible the rest of the environment, which can make possible entry points visible to intruders.

The psychological level is affected by the moving light source which removes an aspect of control from the intruder. The inability to escape the light source would not only cause surprise and then discomfort but would hopefully cause the intruder to leave, rather than risk being seen or caught.

Working Prototype model

2010-06-08T07:20:00.000-07:00

The working prototype model proves the principle behind the product/idea on a much simpler technolocical level.

The model is able to track a target using PIR sensors and light.

Crimelight

2010-06-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of my final surface model.

The final model looks and moves like the final product would.

Pre Assembly

2010-06-07T17:48:00.000-07:00

All the parts had to be preassembled before final fitting to ensure the different sections would assemble correctly and space was left to allow for priming and painting.

The final surface model in the image above is able to move as it would on a final product.
This was done using bolts and screw threads, giving the impression of how the product works but also adding to the industrial look of the product..

(more images to come soon)

2010-06-07T17:39:00.000-07:00

Using V-ray helped to generate and idea of how the finished product would look.

I had decided that the product would be a hidden object in order to aid the surprise affect that the initial triggering of the light requires to help deter crime. With this in mind I choose a satin black finish which the model was later painted.

Light

2010-06-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

The light for the centre of the lamp section developed a lot as the model progressed. I had originally designed the model to just have a simple painted concave section to represent the light source which then became a wooden bulb during the lathe process and later a real bulb.
The decision to insert the real bulb was one which I am glad I took as it significantly improves the standard of the final piece.
The biggest problem was getting the bulb cut without shattering the glass, which was easier said than done.

CNC

2010-06-07T17:19:00.000-07:00

I had originally wanted to make the model using the Zcorp machine but decided it was best to make the model using the CNC machine as it would be more cost effective and makes the model significantly stronger than the 3D printed version.
The top section of the surface model was made using a CAD model which was split into a front and back and cut using a CNC machine. These were later bonded together and finished with different grade sanding paper to flush the edges.

Model making

2010-06-07T17:07:00.002-07:00

The bottom to sections of the model that allow the light to swivel and pivot were turned on the wooden lathe and then cut on the band saw to create the two male and female sections.

2010-06-07T17:07:00.001-07:00

The Final Design

2010-06-07T16:53:00.000-07:00

Above is an image of the CAD model which shows my final design for the product.

This is the design which the surface model will reflect.

Final Decision

2010-06-07T16:10:00.000-07:00

This was a crucial point in my project, my lecturers were keen to see the product take a much more design orientated appearance, where as I had expected the product to look and function as an industrial style product.

With only a couple of weeks free to make the final surface model, and all of the design led concepts failing to meet my expectations for the appearance of the final object.
I decided to make the product look industrial, this decision was based on the industrial context of the project which I felt warranted an industrial style answer.
I wanted to create a product that was more compact than the others but would create the best solution to the problem.

I took on board my tutors comments about the importance of the final appearance and how a component driven model looked disconnected and aimed to create a product that was a single, more developed structure.

Designed vs Industrial

2010-06-07T15:50:00.001-07:00

I then tried to create the X and Y axis using only the face from the ball design which resulted in this organic like shape being formed for the light section.

Using the PIR and camera section from a previous model I created this semi industrial/designed product which was an improvement from the other designs but still not what I had anticipated to achieve.

2010-06-07T15:49:00.003-07:00

I went on to try a larger ball design which would incorporate all the components into one product but really disliked the appearance of the object.

It also had no anthropomorphic characteristics which distinguished the product which is another reason why I discarded the design.

Design driven concept

2010-06-07T15:49:00.001-07:00

The first design was trying to incorporate the lower lamp section into the main body.
The problem I was met with is that the light source needs to be able to move in both an X and Y axis in order to be able to track a target.

I felt at this stage that the only option was to incorporate a ball like design into the product that would work like some ceiling mounted CCTV cameras I had seen during my research. This was going to allow me to rotate and pivot the light but was still leaving the PIR section behind. ???

Industrial Design

2010-06-07T15:25:00.000-07:00

The final design developed significantly from the initial mirror concept to this one which has a very component driven appearance. The product was set up in such a way as to utilise the bare 'off the self' components within different housing structures like the lamp, main body and PIR section.

I had initially thought that given the industrial context of the project and product that this is very much how the end product would look if it were available to purchase.

However, this concept developed further onto a number of other appearance driven concepts which I felt were poorer designs.

To see or not to see?

2010-05-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

Appearance is a key factor for my final product because it will either be a camouflaged object or a highly visible object.

The working model is currently a light grey colour as I originally thought it would help to show how the concept works, by improving the visibility of the PIR sensors which surround the base.
However, this may change in time as I believe that a darker colour would not only improve its appearance but also help to create a sense of concealment. After all, the purpose of the PIR on the final product is to activate the light and cause surprise.

Finishing

2010-05-30T13:12:00.001-07:00

The final housing for the product before priming and painting.

On the left you can see the connections for running the model. It would have been nice to conceal them within the model but for the sake of troubleshooting should any problems occur, I chose to mount the Arduino board close to one side.

Working model

2010-05-30T13:06:00.001-07:00

This image shows the working model being test fitted to ensure all the components fit and were correctly aligned.

Sensor Test

2010-05-18T02:39:00.000-07:00

To create a casing for the prototype model the PIR sensors are masked off so that their signal is reduced. I have done this to reduce the amount of interference created from multiple signals but also to stop the signals from each sensor from overlapping.

The video shows a test run to see that the face for the model will not block the signals from the sensors which are mounted behind the 6mm holes.

2010-05-18T02:38:00.001-07:00

This is an image taken from earlier manufacturing and testing. At this point I was testing the PIR with the Servo to check the connection and reaction between the two.

2010-05-18T02:30:00.000-07:00

This is an image taken from earlier manufacturing and testing. At this point I was testing the signal from the PIR sensor.

Light test

2010-05-13T13:55:00.000-07:00

Servo test with light attached.

Tracking servo test

2010-05-11T04:15:00.000-07:00

Testing the ability to track a target using the PIR sensors

180 servo test

2010-05-11T03:28:00.000-07:00

This video shows some testing of the working prototype model.

Following a person

2010-05-10T05:16:00.000-07:00

One of the concepts generated from this idea was that the light source would actually follow the persons instead of illuminating them. I believe that both would work however there are advantages to illuminating the target in a security sense.

2010-05-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

New Look

2010-05-06T06:59:00.000-07:00

This is a mock up of what the product could look like if it was trying to move a volume (light) as opposed to a surface (mirror)

Spotlight

2010-05-04T05:20:00.000-07:00

This is my second attempt, this time I have attached a shape to track me.

This is an example of how the product could work in an industrial setting, tracking the intruder until they leave the environment.

Video tracking, working!

2010-05-04T03:03:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at tracking using video.

I did this using Adobe After Effects and created a tracking path which I was then able to attach an object to.

I am pleased with the result and will try to create examples of concepts.

PIR sensors

2010-04-29T02:49:00.000-07:00

PIR sensors come in different shapes and sizes, allowing for different detection distances. Typically an outdoor PIR sensor is working at a distance of 12 - 15 meters.
The model I am making will only use a short range 5 meter PIR because it will be used indoors as a example.

Watts

2010-04-28T03:21:00.000-07:00

Looking at standard security lights available to purchase in store and online the average bulb for a floodlight model is around 200 - 500 watts.
The watts required for a spotlight model to allow it to be bright enough to illuminate a target area are 60 - 200 watts.

Light, Volume or Surface?

2010-04-28T02:13:00.000-07:00

The final product will either have a light source which moves or a light source which is reflected off a moving mirror.
I have done some research with lights to see how much lumens or Watts the light would need to be for the final product and whether or not the mirror would be required to direct the light.

Moving the surface (mirror) would be much easier than moving the volume (light) however it would complicate the product thus making it more expensive to manufacture and leave more opportunity for error.

Taking this into consideration, I have decided that the final product will probably move the light source (volume)

Adobe after effects

2010-04-27T02:47:00.000-07:00

I am working on a video at the moment, trying to track a person in an open environment using Adobe after effects. I will hopefully have something which will convey the principle of the concept.

After effects motion track

2010-04-27T02:42:00.000-07:00

Tracking in a Parking Lot

2010-04-27T02:21:00.000-07:00

An example of video tracking picking up multiple objects.

Why video Tracking

2010-04-27T02:19:00.000-07:00

Video tracking works by comparing a background image with a live video feed.
For example this video picks up the moving objects by comparing them against an empty park.

Video tracking can be highly accurate, but it is also very complicated to reproduce. I want to create a model which will prove the principle of tracking a target with a light source.

In order to do this I am plan on using PIR motion sensors and an Arduino board.

Limelight

2010-04-15T04:47:00.000-07:00

A mock up of how the product might look.
The mirror/reflector is mounted on an X and Y axis allowing the light to be moved in any direction. The light source is mounted below the reflector and below that are the video camera and the PIR sensor which triggers the product.

2010-04-15T02:00:00.000-07:00

I have taken the decision to go with an earlier idea which was a moving & tracking light source.
My reasons for making this choice relate to some of the research material from the police and the feedback from the questionnaires.

Business owners main use for security was to act as a deterrent.
Police records have indicated crime peaking in the darker winter months.

With the most instances of business crime taking place in the evening the logical decision seems to be to generate a product that will have a deterring effect during the evenings, when businesses tend to be unattended.

This is a qucik mock up of what the product could look like as an attachment for a building.

There would be a PIR motion sensor mounted on the bottom of the product which would activate the product when triggered. The light would then switch on and reflect off the mirror which is mounted on an X and Y axis servo.

The small camera would be able to track an intruder within the environment and send the relevant information to the mirror in order to entrap the intruder in light where the only means of escape is to remove themselves from the environment.

2010-03-30T05:02:00.000-07:00

Taking into account the territoriality aspect of the research material, this idea works by trying to keep someone from approaching the building.
Their distance could be measured using Ultrasounds transducers, like the ones used in car parking sensors. This information would be relayed to the necessary components and cause floodlights to eliminate the building. The closer you get to the building the brighter the lights.

2010-03-30T04:23:00.000-07:00

I want my final outcome to. . .

Use light as a tool.
Interact with the movements of an intruder.
Cause the actions of someone to change.

Fact

2010-03-30T04:17:00.000-07:00

The information gained from the police has proved that the majority of crimes against commercial businesses takes place at night.

These crimes peak in the winter months when the dark evenings set in.

Territory

2010-03-30T04:12:00.000-07:00

Territory :
"An area that something considers as its own and that it defends against intruders"

2010-03-30T03:44:00.000-07:00

EL Lighting is an innovative light source which comes in strips, sheets or wires.
It could be a possible solution for the light source used to illuminate the territorial features found from my research.

2010-03-29T06:59:00.000-07:00

This idea creates lights which are representative of the type of space.

The more lights within the space the more public the space.
The closer you are the more solitary it becomes.

2010-03-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

A meeting with the tutors has caused me to rethink the output for my project.

I am trying to integrate it with elements from my research, mainly the territoriality aspect, to try and make a product which will have an effect on a person within an environment by reinstating this notion of territorial.

In this idea the territorial markers are eluminated in the dark. These could be eluminated all the time, or activated by trip sensors etc.

Attention

2010-03-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

Projecting objects which draw attention to the intruder effect the environment but I feel that by not making the intruder visible the product will not be as effective as a deterrent.

2010-03-24T08:27:00.001-07:00

Inspired by an earlier post this idea would project a live video feed of the intruder on the ground in front of them, with the intention of informing them that their actions are being recorded, processed and fed back to them, effecting the psychological mindset of an intruder but also the physical environment giving the product more chance of working as an affective deterrent.

Discription

2010-03-24T08:19:00.001-07:00

A nice idea but practically impossible to implement as it would require too much computing etc to not only categorise items of clothing but also to accurately feed the information back to intruders as a miss description could cause them to believe the product is faulty.

Unfortunately it also has the problem of the initial projection based concept which is that it wouldn't affect enough of the environment in order to create an effective deterrent.

Target

2010-03-24T08:18:00.001-07:00

This idea could work.
It has the benefit of effecting intruders or two levels like the talking cameras from an earlier post, but also would require a combination of technology and practice to improve its effectiveness, like the smart CCTV also from a previous post.

Think twice

2010-03-24T08:17:00.000-07:00

The projection of questions would be fairly simple to create as a product and would help to influence peoples actions by questioning there presence however I don’t feel the product does enough to affect the environment or the intruder and would fail to deter crime.

2010-03-24T04:28:00.000-07:00

This was an interactive wall in Norway which turned shadows into light.

An interesting twist on the work of Philip Worthington.

This would make for a really nice product that projects shadows as images or light.

2010-03-24T04:13:00.000-07:00

Phillip Worthington made this piece called shadow monsters which altered the shadow cast by user.
The results were totally random and were generated depending on the movements of the user.

Again this is an example of something which could work as a security type product which would interact directly with the intruder causing him/her to think again about what they were about to do.

Interaction

2010-03-24T04:07:00.000-07:00

This is a piece of work by Simon Heijdens which interacts using the movement of passers by.

A piece like this, using projections which change to give a response to the movement of someone within a given environment could be an output for my project as the interactive nature could help to influence peoples actions.

2010-03-24T03:28:00.000-07:00

This was an art instillation from 2002, by Marie Sester.

One of the ideas I had for my project was to create a security light which when triggered would cause a spotlight to shine on and track the person who triggered the light.

There are a couple of increased advantages of having a targeted light source over a floodlight.
The targeted light source would reduce the amount of property that is made visible then that of a flood light reducing the visibility for an intruder.

It would also put a great deal more emphasis on the intruder, singling him/her out in an environment. There is also the added factor of not being able to escape from the light which increases discomfort.

The only way you could escape the light would be to remove yourself from the area which, according to my survey results, is the overall objective of a security product.

Controlled Convergence

2010-03-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

I have decided to use controlled convergence as a tool for concept selection, I can select the ideas that are worth continuing and then develop them further to hopefully come to a final idea.

Morphological analysis

2010-03-12T04:49:00.000-08:00

This is my second analysis to help generate ideas.

This one is using some key research material as the core sections of the framework. Each side of the triangle has been assigned a word which categorises the three main factors for creating an effective security system.

By listing lots of different factors under each heading and selecting one from each I was able to generate a large number of different concepts.

Smart cctv

2010-03-12T03:52:00.000-08:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_7775000/7775188.stm

A good example of using technology to develop an existing security product thus improving its effectiveness and making it more efficient.

Again this is an aspect which could be applied to my final idea.

Talking Cameras

2010-03-12T03:51:00.000-08:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6703281.stm

This is the type of increased effect I spoke about in a previous post, with an outdoor security product interacting on a number of different levels and senses.

I believe that a combination of impact levels could be key to a practible & successful security product.

Morphological Example

2010-03-08T05:54:00.000-08:00

The example above shows one such scenario created from this method of idea generation.

Using this as a tool for idea generation and selection, I am going to get into the workshops and start playing around with some materials and parts and components to try and generate some concepts.

Morphological Analysis

2010-03-05T03:44:00.000-08:00

Following a lecture on idea generation and selection I have decided to use a technique called morphological analysis. This process will allow me to create a number of different scenarios by mixing and matching different factors to generate numerous ideas.

I am hopeful this will aid in generating some tangible ideas develpoing from my research that I can use to drive the project forward.

2010-02-24T05:49:00.001-08:00

Ink security tag. There could be room for this idea to be applied to business security. e.g. smashing a window or braking a perimeter causes the tag to burst generating evidence or rendering something useless

Eve Ensler on security (TED)

2010-02-24T05:01:00.000-08:00

"Security is elusive, it’s impossible. We all die, we all grow old, we get sick, people leave us, and people change us. Nothing is secure."

An interesting talk which talks about security.

2010-02-24T04:43:00.000-08:00

Over the top security products already exist but can they actually be functional?

2010-02-24T03:41:00.000-08:00

Imagine remote surveillance you could access and use from the comfort of your home?

This concept is not impossible, the US army are already using remote vehicles like this to carry out tasks such as surveillance.

2010-02-24T03:37:00.000-08:00

A nice concept which uses unusual means to create a barrier which if crossed causes an inconvenience.

The principles behind this design could be applied to my final design.
Making it harder to complete the intended task.

2010-02-24T03:32:00.000-08:00

A concept for an intelligent street light which only emits light when needed, when people are around.

Light could be the answer to combating the night time crime.

2010-02-24T03:28:00.000-08:00

The concept that a scarecrow works on could also be a possible route to look at.

2010-02-24T03:23:00.001-08:00

Playing with light is far from new, perhaps something like this would help create a surprise element?

Board Idea

2010-02-22T03:01:00.000-08:00

This is an idea I had for the design of snowboards.

The idea is that the outside edge of the foot would be raised in order to help line up the foot with the leg. I believe this would help to improve the comfort of board stance but am unsure whether it would have a positive or negative effect on board control because obviously the toes and heels are being raised away from the board edges.

This idea came to me a couple years ago when I started snowboarding and was playing around with my binding set up to try and make it comfortable.

Let me know what you think?

2010-02-17T03:10:00.002-08:00

Buildings which rise or fall, blocking entrys or making it harder to gain entry.

2010-02-17T03:10:00.001-08:00

Obsticles apear when alarms sound.

2010-02-17T03:03:00.000-08:00

Low level security cameras which capture images unexpectedly.

Taking the aspect of surprise from other security products like the outdoor light and applying them to other products.

Light

2010-02-17T02:21:00.000-08:00

A concept for a desk lamp which has a great deal of potential to function outside as a spot light.

Perhaps this could be developed.

Service

2010-02-17T02:05:00.000-08:00

A service based business which aims at delivering essential security advice and information to businesses.

Could be a practice solution, however I would prefer if my output for the project is a product and not a service.

Prints

2010-02-17T02:02:00.000-08:00

Surfaces which act as recording devices.

Touch

2010-02-17T01:46:00.000-08:00

Texture is an important part of how we interact with our environments. They can cause us to make decisions on what we buy, wear and even eat, with this in mind I am considering the texture of objects being used to manipulate people’s actions?

Out of Place

2010-02-16T06:13:00.000-08:00

Out of place products may seem like a silly idea but people react differently to product and circumstance?

This relates back to semiotics which I spoke about in a previous post.

Prints

2010-02-16T06:12:00.000-08:00

Surfaces which act as recording devices.

I Thought I Saw . . .

2010-02-16T06:10:00.000-08:00

Products which to the unfamiliar look like people or in this case guard dogs ?

Reinforced Warning

2010-02-16T06:05:00.000-08:00

This idea help to conceal the windows but also puts to use dead space creating

optional signs which can be displayed at night and turned away during working hours.

sound

2010-02-16T05:16:00.000-08:00

Placebo products that appear to be something they are not.
Sounds playing and lights moving at night imply the presence of others.

Directional Drivers

2010-02-16T03:04:00.001-08:00

Obstructions and intentional objects within an environment to push people in different directions.
For example, gravel makes noise when walked over and isn’t an ideal route if you want to remain unnoticed.

Colour & Shape

2010-02-16T02:11:00.000-08:00

Red triangle warn

Colour & Shape

2010-02-16T02:06:00.000-08:00

Blue rectangle inform

Colour & Shape

2010-02-16T01:44:00.000-08:00

Red circles prohibit

2010-02-15T06:35:00.000-08:00

Making a security light with the added benefit of sound when activated is a great idea which already exists in the residential market.

I am unsure why this has not yet made the transition to the industrial market because this feature could increase the effectiveness of a security light product increasing the important surprise effect.

Who's There?

2010-02-15T06:23:00.000-08:00

The personal aspect to security could create some interesting concepts.

Security objects which could convey human characteristics

Trips which trigger low level lights for example like a torch would perhaps convey an illusion of presence?

2010-02-15T06:09:00.000-08:00

Using light and colour as warnings is not new, could something like this warn off criminals?

Colour Associations

2010-02-15T06:05:00.000-08:00

Green = GO
RED = . . .

Some tests have proven that by adding blue street lights in city centres where there are high levels of violence it is posible to actually reduce the amount of violent crime.

Would red lighting have the same deterrening effect and cause people to stop what they are about to do?

This may be worth further investigation.

2010-02-15T05:40:00.000-08:00

Road marking which act as territorial markers reinforcing the transition from semi-public to
semi-private but would conflict with road traffic markings.

Light beams

2010-02-15T05:22:00.001-08:00

Is it possible to communicate to others that there are people present at different areas of a city or town?

Vertical beams of light which indicate someone’s presence in an industrial estate to others elsewhere is one way but has a number of different problems like levels of light pollution and disturbing planes.

Community sites

2010-02-15T05:18:00.000-08:00

Perhaps industrial sites which are more like a community than individually owned areas would help to convey a move substantial sense of ownership.

The use of a combination of research theories could cultivate much more controlled environments instead of the current fenced off plots of land which tend to create areas of segregation.

Also, should these areas be declared as private property? Surely declaring the space as public creates the chance of encounter.

Protection - Detection - Response

2010-02-15T03:05:00.000-08:00

A trap which works with multiple triggers would improve detection and could help to establish a much better response.
A fly trap works by using small hairs on the inside open surface.
First a fly lands on the this surface and hits a single hair, which alerts the plant to its presence, and then the time between the fly triggering a second and third hair establishes how quickly the fly is moving and dictates how quickly the trap closes.

A great example of biomimicry then if . . .
Trigger 1 alerts the owner to the presence of someone on the property
Trigger 2 alerts the authorities
Trigger 3 alerts the intruder that he has tripped an alarm, by which time the response is already in motion.

This is not unlike some of the theories put forwards by Bruce Schneier, who talks about security as a triangle which relies upon the next side in order to function effectively.

Protection - Detection - Response

Man Trap

2010-02-15T02:38:00.000-08:00

The original box trap ?

Is simple security the answer?

Home Alone

2010-02-15T02:35:00.000-08:00

Perhaps the answer to security lays in the everyday? Using what's around you in order to secure what is rightfully yours.

However there would be some legal issues surrounding home-grown security products so this is probably one avenue I won't explore further.

Semiotics

2010-02-15T02:11:00.000-08:00

Semiotics, also called semiotic studies or semiology, is the study of sign processes (semiosis), or signification and communication, signs and symbols, and is usually divided into three branches:
Semantics: Relation between signs and the things to which they refer; their denotata
Syntactics: Relations among signs in formal structures
Pragmatics: Relation between signs and their effects on those (people) who use them.

These factors tie in well with some of the theories I have read through as part of my research and help to make clear the meanings that people can obtain from objects, which is what some of the concepts are intended to portray

Sight

2010-02-11T03:51:00.000-08:00

Red lines which travel the length of the business park act as boundary with open areas highlighting entry points.