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
4. Eisenhower E-Memorial 4
9. Tool-making
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
14. The Universe is made of stories, not of atoms. — Muriel Rukeyser, Poet
15. Tools… invite self-expression
16. Cleveland Museum of Art TOOLS FOR EXPLORING
18. SLIDE TITLE Slide Subtitle 18
24. — Brett Victor
25. A tool addresses human needs by amplifying human capabilities. — Brett Victor, Designer
26. — Brett Victor
27. Tools… invite self-expression amplify capability
28. Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum TOOLS FOR MAKING
39. I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. — Confucius
40. Tools… invite self-expression amplify capability facilitate learning
41. New York Hall of Science TOOLS FOR NOTICING
55. We shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us. — Father John Culkin
56. Tools… invite self-expression amplify capability facilitate learning shape us & our understanding
61. Tech Museum of Innovation TOOLS FOR KNOWING OURSELVES
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
65. Tools… invite self-expression amplify capability facilitate learning shape us & our understanding
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
68. Thank You Sources and project links: talks.johndryan.me/post/tools @johndryan, @localprojects localprojects.com