To further build on the tech task, today's lecture reminded us about the use of metaphor in our design to make an interesting and even fun interaction.
How will I apply this to an Auto Bed?
What are the linguistic connections (where are the puns)?
What metaphors are associated with waking from, and going to, sleep?
For a start, the physical state and the action associated with moving in and out of bed play a large part. The attributes of the world in the morning also come into it.
That list should be enough to get me started.
What about the fun element?
I was directed to the High Voltage Ejector Bed by inventor, Colin Furze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVzn1pl4nlo). While it is very novel and fun to watch, it only looks fun to be part of the interaction if you are wide awake and ready for your bed to catapult you onto the floor. For me the best bit was at the very end, when Colin presses the plunger on a Coffee Plunger... ... and it explodes (the metaphor or pun being 'plunger' - as in the plunger on the detonator of an old fashioned explosive). Ha Ha Ha.
I don't think that a catapult bed is the way to go, but it certainly leads somewhere.
In the article, Designing for Fun: How Can We Design User Interfaces to Be More Fun? (2004), Ben Schneiderman suggest that designing for fun is achieved by adding an extra layers or enhancements to what is present once good design has been achieved. He writes, "...designers are now beginning to develop theories of user engagement through fun-features: alluring metaphors, compelling content, attractive graphics, appealing animations, and satisfying sounds. When the functionality and usability have been accommodated in the design, it is time to add the extra touches and flourishes that delight and amuse users. These can be an appealing splash of color, an engaging animation, or a pleasing sound. A shimmering rainbow, a zooming movement, or a crescendo of trumpets can bring a smile to many users’ faces."
Is the fun element purely the icing on the cake, or can it be more. Can the cake itself be the fun surprise? I think that it can be.
How will I apply this to an Auto Bed?
What are the linguistic connections (where are the puns)?
What metaphors are associated with waking from, and going to, sleep?
For a start, the physical state and the action associated with moving in and out of bed play a large part. The attributes of the world in the morning also come into it.
- Lie Down - Get Up
- Wake Up
- Rise and Shine
- Roll Out
- Turn Out
- Arise
- Awake
- Wake
- Out like a light
- Arouse
- Open your eyes, and Wake Up are both sleeping metaphors used in other contexts.
- The early bird gets the worm.
- Up with the birds.
- Up at sparrow's fart.
That list should be enough to get me started.
What about the fun element?
I was directed to the High Voltage Ejector Bed by inventor, Colin Furze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVzn1pl4nlo). While it is very novel and fun to watch, it only looks fun to be part of the interaction if you are wide awake and ready for your bed to catapult you onto the floor. For me the best bit was at the very end, when Colin presses the plunger on a Coffee Plunger... ... and it explodes (the metaphor or pun being 'plunger' - as in the plunger on the detonator of an old fashioned explosive). Ha Ha Ha.
I don't think that a catapult bed is the way to go, but it certainly leads somewhere.
In the article, Designing for Fun: How Can We Design User Interfaces to Be More Fun? (2004), Ben Schneiderman suggest that designing for fun is achieved by adding an extra layers or enhancements to what is present once good design has been achieved. He writes, "...designers are now beginning to develop theories of user engagement through fun-features: alluring metaphors, compelling content, attractive graphics, appealing animations, and satisfying sounds. When the functionality and usability have been accommodated in the design, it is time to add the extra touches and flourishes that delight and amuse users. These can be an appealing splash of color, an engaging animation, or a pleasing sound. A shimmering rainbow, a zooming movement, or a crescendo of trumpets can bring a smile to many users’ faces."
Is the fun element purely the icing on the cake, or can it be more. Can the cake itself be the fun surprise? I think that it can be.
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| Surprise! Dull icing, exciting cake. IMAGE: https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/rainbow-layer-cake/4969fed8-141e-45f5-9a04-e03addd20fbb |
More to come...
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