Tuesday, 24 February 2009

The Concept

Talking Club:
Steven's grandad is a member of a 'Talking Club.' This is an organisation where people of all ages (in this case the elderly) meet to talk about current situations, experiences, books, news articles, etc.

Concept:
coffeeblog is a coffee table that can record and play back opinions, thoughts, stories and debates. The table will have 3 modes standby, record and play back. If there is no sound in the room then coffeeblog will be in standby mode. however, when there is any background noise the table will switch on. The table will either enter record or play back mode depending on whether there is a cup of tea or coffee on the coaster. whilst listening to the playback setting if the user wants to join the debate, or add to the story they can then switch to the record setting. this is done by playing at cup of tea/coffee on the table. This way of interaction is inspired by Steven’s grandpa who likes to sit on his sofa beside the coffee table and talk to his visitors and feels comfortable talking in this environment.

Value:
We cannot underestimate the value of the insights of the elderly. Not only are they the most experienced in their previous line of work, but they are also consumers for many businesses.

Relate to Working:
With these opinions made public businesses can hear, lease with, and even hire the person who made them. They will provide a link between the working world and the elderly.




So, the idea in it's current form:

A coffee table that can record and play back opinions, thoughts, stories and debates.

The table will have a record, and a playback setting. Whilst listening to the playback setting, if the user wants to join the debate, or add to the story they can then switch to the record setting.

There will be no on button it will be either weight (items on the table) or sound (noise in the room) activated. [to be confirmed]

More to come...

Tuesday, 17 February 2009

Working prototype v.1

Please excuse the bad video angle, unscripted explanation and general lack of preperation but this is version 1 of our prototype.

After an extremely productive day we manage to refine our idea and produce a sound activated circuit that plays another person's story.

Cheers to Morv for the vid.

Thursday, 12 February 2009

Desktop Background

Feel free to use our company background on your computer!

Tuesday, 10 February 2009

mp3 Player Working

We got our mp3 player (VMUSIC2 chip) working today!

Friday, 6 February 2009



this is our 100 ideas book and banner

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

Reinturpritation of the brief

COMMUNICATION ESTABLISHES A NEW WAY OF WORKING.........
_______________________________________________

our interpretation of the brief

Communication is essential for companies in the 21st century.
Through a familiar medium, teaching communication as a new way of working will be perfect preparation for reemployment.


breadandbutterdesign.

Monday, 2 February 2009

Company Values (02/01/09)

STRIVING FOR A SENSITIVE SOLUTION.

Novelty, one function products are rarely seen in your grandparent's home.
By giving a new function to a familiar product we can sensitively network the older generation and give them a new way to communicate.


MAKING TECHNOLOGY INSTINCTIVE.

A object that does not require a manual.
That's' aesthetic, texture, sound and design tell the user what to do. It does not do the unexpected, for it is incapable of doing so. The user is instantly an expert and comfortable using it. Core Value


LINKING GENERATIONS

For most of us, the way we communicate with our grandparents is by visiting them, a formal occasion where food is cooked, etc. Younger generations can communicate instantly and informally (for example text: 'hey, howz u?'). This is possible for the older generations. Our networked object should be used by the grandparent, their children, and their children's children to communicate simple, yet interesting information on a more instant, informal fashion.


YOU CAN DO WHAT WE CAN

The elderly often share the view that things are beyond them because they 'ain't what they used to be.' For a start 50 years more experience in learning should be a hefty head-start. Our product will give the elderly enough motivation to learn and enough interest to try.