information aesthetics

[infosthetics @ EPFL] a light-emitting meeting table that monitors specific aspects of cverbal onversations (e.g. amount of time spent on topics or the relative amount of time a person talks) captured via directional microphones & that displays a real-time visual feedback of the conversation state using arrays of colored LED lights.

beneath the frosted-glass surface of the table, an electronic circuit board with 128 individually-addressable multi-color LEDs provides a low-resolution visual display. the "Reflect" table aims to encourage to collaborators to participate in a more balanced manner, without providing precise suggestions on what to do next.

[links: craft.epfl.ch & craft.epfl.ch (PDF)|thnkx Khaled]

see also:
. conversation table
. verbal conversation clock.

continue reading "reflect conversation table" »

aesthetic & ambient & infographic & physical . comments (3)

a mobile phone application, freely distributed for Symbian phones, that visualizes personal mobile communication usage patterns. the application sits on the periphery of the machine, monitoring the connectivity through the number & type of calls received, & then subtly displaying those in the form of a generative graphic. "some days will be really colorful & wired, others quieter & more reflective, either way the resulting visuals will always be personal, unrepeatable & unique."

each new contact (phone number) in a cycle is assigned a color throughout a cycle. a color transparency mirrors the level of a call's intensity, measured by how long one takes to attend the call. duration. the size of a call symbol, full circles: incoming calls, open circles: outgoing calls, expresses the duration of the call.

[link: cada1.net|via swissmiss.typepad.com]

continue reading "mobile phone usage collage" »

aesthetic & ambient & infographic . comments (0)

an eco-visualization concept that aims to increase the awareness of energy usage. everyday objects are used to generate energy by piezoelectronic components that generate a small amount of electricity when moved (pressed down). the applications range from a simple keyboard button press (19mW) over opening a door (0.2W/s) to sitting on a chair (412W/s)

[link: yankodesign.com|via psfk.com]

see also:
. visualizing CO2 emissions
. enerjar
. energy saverclip
. vision energy sculpture
. energy joule
. energy tree
. carbon eco-viz
. power-aware cord
. wattson display
. power point graph

continue reading "silent energy consumption visualization" »

aesthetic & ambient & physical . comments (0)

a modular, visual facade system that is able to simulate a pixel-based hull for any building or wall surface. like a dynamic membrane, it allows a building to express, communicate & interact with its environment. the Flare system consists of several tiltable metal flake bodies supplemented by individually controllable pneumatic cylinders. each stainless steel flake reflects the bright sky or sunlight when in vertical stand-by position. when the flake is tilted downwards pneumatic piston, its face is shaded from the sky light & appears as a dark pixel.

[link: flare-facade.com|thnkx Peter]

continue reading "kinetic reflection media facade" »

aesthetic & ambient & architecture . comments (1)

a new temperature-sensitive varnish that can be applied to road surfaces to visually warn drivers about dangerous conditions.

the varnish is made of a polymer containing a thermochromic pigment. the same type of coating is already used to make bath thermometers & frozen food packaging that responds to temperature change. however, it is the first time such a coating has been used to monitor road temperatures.

[link: newscientist.com|via neatorama.com|thnkx Martin]

see also color changing concrete & thermo-chromic tiles

continue reading "visual road temperature warning" »

aesthetic & ambient & architecture . comments (2)

an ambient eco-aware visualization cup as the external surface of the cup is printed with a second layer of heat sensitive ink that is revealed when hot water is poured into it. when hot water is poured in, the image of sea over land appears as a direct representation of the slowly heating waters on our planet.

[link: via marketing-alternatif.com & adsoftheworld.com|thnkx Mart!n]

continue reading "ambient persuasive tea cup" »

aesthetic & ambient & infographic . comments (1)

a commercially available ambient data panorama that dynamically reflects the overall "mood" of a rich information environment. the so-called "data atmosphere" reacts in real-time to multivariable changes (e.g. stock market data), that are then mapped to visual counterparts (e.g. ocean waves, sun strength, wind speed, rain). the resulting information display can be interpreted "without cognitive effort".

"once the stock market opens, our 3D simulation comes to life, & people start 'breathing' business information."

[link: bashiba.com|thnkx Ralph]

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aesthetic & ambient . comments (5)

a dynamic ecological sculpture designed as an "artistic barometer for resource efficiency". the concept proposes to place data-driven dynamic artifacts in public & private space that continuously represent the consumption of water, electricity & organic fuels. according to the designers, by representing such normally invisible processes, an emotional connection is made that leads to a higher awareness of the energy issue in society.

this project was selected as 1 of the very few finalists at the prestigious 2007 BrainPrize competition.

[link: braunprize.com & hfg-gmuend.de]

see also energy joule & energy monitoring device & eco-visualization & patterns of energy use & power-aware cord & standby visualization & power socket bar chart & wattson energy display.

continue reading "vision energy sculpture" »

aesthetic & ambient & physical . comments (0)