Designing (with) Tools — the work of Local Projects

A talk I gave on Local Projects' work for the New York Chapter of the IxDA, on Sept 17 2015.

"As designers, we find ourselves working with increasingly new technologies and data sources — Virtual Reality, quantified-self, RFID, internet of things, interactive architecture, and more. Technological trends change so rapidly: how can we use them in meaningful and enduring ways? This question drives Local Projects, an award-winning experience design and strategy firm. Our work for museums, brands and public spaces invites visitors to… browse an entire art museum with just a facial expression… explore the invisible conversations taking place between smart home devices… become a designer with a digitally-augmented pen… and explore biometric data captured during a museum visit. In this talk John illustrates how our core design principles borrow from the ancient practice of tool-making, with examples from a number of these key innovative projects."

Video here: https://vimeo.com/johndryan/designing-tools

Transcript

1. Designing with Tools
   JOHN RYAN, LOCAL PROJECTS
   @johndryan, @LocalProjects
   

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4. Eisenhower E-Memorial 4
   

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9. Tool-making
   

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11. The most significant step that
    ever was taken in human history,
    the thing that turns animal into
    man was making tools…
    — Louis Leakey, Paleontologist
    

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14. The Universe is made of stories,
    not of atoms.
    — Muriel Rukeyser, Poet
    

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15. Tools… invite self-expression
    

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16. Cleveland Museum of Art
    TOOLS FOR EXPLORING
    

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24. — Brett Victor
    

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25. A tool addresses human needs
    by amplifying human capabilities.
    — Brett Victor, Designer
    

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26. — Brett Victor
    

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27. Tools… invite self-expression
    amplify capability
    

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28. Cooper Hewitt
    National Design Museum
    TOOLS FOR MAKING
    

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39. I hear and I forget.
    I see and I remember.
    I do and I understand.
    — Confucius
    

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40. Tools… invite self-expression
    amplify capability
    facilitate learning
    

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41. New York
    Hall of Science
    TOOLS FOR NOTICING
    

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55. We shape our tools, and
    thereafter our tools shape us.
    — Father John Culkin
    

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56. Tools… invite self-expression
    amplify capability
    facilitate learning
    shape us & our understanding
    

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61. Tech Museum
    of Innovation
    TOOLS FOR KNOWING OURSELVES
    

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64. Tools are intended to bring about change.
    They exist so that we may do more, see better,
    gather information, transform things, make
    decisions, investigate new frontiers, interact
    more fluidly and precisely, achieve higher forms
    of aesthetic satisfaction—extend our reach.
    — Tools Exhibition, Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum
    

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65. Tools… invite self-expression
    amplify capability
    facilitate learning
    shape us & our understanding
    

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67. Technology is nothing. What’s
    important is that you have a faith
    in people, that they’re basically
    good and smart, and if you give
    them tools, they’ll do wonderful
    things with them.
    — Steve Jobs
    

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68. Thank You
    Sources and project links:
    talks.johndryan.me/post/tools
    @johndryan, @localprojects
    localprojects.com
    

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