Augmented Reality: Gimmicky Trend or Market-Ready Technology?

This panel acknowledged that fact but more interestingly, they argued AR’s real-world value beyond entertainment. AR can be a very effective tool when we acknowledge just that, it’s just a tool and not a starting point. Below are a few examples of great AR usage:

1. Lego’s Toy Packaging

If you’re familiar with Lego’s AR project, you might argue, “but that IS a gimmicky trick”, which is probably true. But I think the way in which Lego capitalized on AR was pretty perfect for their target audience. You can imagine little boys (and girls) going nutso in the toy store when they see a fully constructed spinning helicopter right before their eyes. That enthusiasm for a very specific Lego product translates into direct sales.

2. USPS Virtual Box Simulator

Even the government has jumped on board with AR. For this project, they’ve created a tool that helps users determine which envelope or box size is needed for their mail items. You simply hold your stuff up to your webcam and it helps you with the selection. I was too lazy to print the eagle icon so I drew a box instead. Where should I mail this “crisp summer lager”?

3. Google SkyMap

And, of course, we can’t leave out Google. With their tool, you can explore the night sky by pointing your phone toward space, and they’ll show you a star map for your location in order to check out visible planets and constellations. I think this app is reason enough for me to ditch my tween phone.

One of the panelist in this session said this about infographics, and I think it sums them up beautifully – “Let the data do the talking.” They advised to always ask yourself the question, “What are we trying to answer?” and go from there. The data will say it all.

If you’re a reader of GOOD magazine or The New York Times, it’s likely you’ve come across some of the impressive examples that were presented in this panel. Below are a few of my favorites, and you’ll see that the data does in fact do the talking.

How Different Groups Spend Their Day – The New York Times

This infographic allows you to compare how different segments of the American population spend their time each day. Some of the larger categories include eating, working, household activities, traveling and TV. Below you can see the increased amount of time older Americans spend watching TV compared to the younger (those under 65). It’s pretty fun to play with.

Girl Power – GOOD magazine

GOOD magazine created this infographic in 2007 to look at gender imbalance among the world’s leaders. The grid is composed of various female leaders’ faces and each cell represents 1 million people governed. Shortly after GOOD created this infographic, Pratibha Patil was elected in India and a reader created a “revised” version – pretty funny.

The Hidden Cost of War – GOOD magazine

And lastly, infographics can come in video form as shown in this animation GOOD created in 2008. They estimate the cost of the War in Iraq and then walk you through how they came up with that number through a series of beautifully designed graphics. It’s pretty interesting/scary to see how it adds up.

Last month I outlined five SXSWi sessions that looked rather promising. And with the conference now just one month away, I’ve highlighted another five for you to add to your schedule. We’re in countdown mode!

1. Is Wordpress Killing Web Design? / Dan Oliver, .net Magazine

Oliver and the panel will debate whether or not CMS tools are hindering creativity in web design. I’m a bit confused by this session’s description because the tool, Wordpress in this case, has little effect on my personal creation process. The work my studio and I produce looks far from template-like. This confusion can be partly attributed to the fact that we focus solely on design rather than design and development saving us from execution fears (up to a certain point). Perhaps in this case ignorance IS bliss. All in all, it should prove to be a great show thanks to an interesting subject matter and a solid line up of panel members.

2. Where the Sidewalk Ends / Iain Coyle

I’m afraid this session might be the equivalent of hanging out in your bookstore’s Self Help section, but it sounds great so who cares. Coyle’s panel has a solid line up as well including designer/illustrator Frank Chimero and Thinking For a Living’s creator, Duane King. The panel will discuss the importance of personal projects – how they help one become a stronger creative and positively influence one’s client work. So if you’re needing a little kick in the pants to remind you of your original passion, the one you had before your clients stomped on it, this panel might motivate you to find it again.

3. Re-Inventing the Wheel: Sketching your own IA Process /
Chris Fahey, Behavior Design

We’ve all been there. You sit down with the research and tools ready to design and feel as though you don’t know where to start. It reminds me of Sidney Harris’s cartoon (below) which reads, “And then a miracle occurs.” So what exactly happens in that “miracle”? And what can we do to insure a “miracle” happens every time? Fahey’s session will shed some light on that process and hopefully help us all avoid those initial moments of panic.

4. Beyond the Desktop / Peter Murholz, Adaptive Path

The public at large quickly familiarized itself with the iPhone and Wii interfaces. So what’s next? Murholz will show us where things are heading with new, unfamiliar interfaces. I’m sure the iPad will make an appearance here and I look forward to hearing Murholz’s perspective on what this means for future products and user interaction.

5. Web Accessibility Gone Wild / Jared Smith, WebAIM

Good intentions, bad results. Smith will shed some light on the accessibility mistakes we’re making, how they’re hurting users, and how to correctly go about web accessibility. He’ll explain what appropriate alternative text looks like, how to make complex images such as graphs accessible, and how to apply accessibility practices to web apps.

One of the best things about living in Austin is having SXSW in your backyard. This city turns into one giant party for a good week with a steady flow of geeks, film buffs, hipsters and free booze. If you fall into the geek crowd like myself, you might be interested in these interactive sessions below which will take place March 12-16. With two months still ahead, SXSW has posted a preliminary list of confirmed panels. I already have a comically long list of ones I’d like to attend, but here are five recommendations to start with:

1. Interactive Infographics / Casey Caplowe, GOOD

The designer in me is drawn to this session – serious eye-candy. GOOD consistently displays beautiful infographics both in their magazine and website. I assume Caplowe will walk us through examples such as these Transparency graphics. Yum. Read the full description.

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2. Revealing Design Treasures from the Amazon / Jared Spool, User Interface Engineering

If you’re like me and dread holiday shopping, Amazon was probably your one-stop-shop last month. So much for keeping it local. Anyway, Spool will uncover some of the great and not-so-great aspects of this monolithic e-commerce site. It should be an interesting dissection to watch. Read the full description.

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3. Designing the First Fifteen Minutes / Rob Goodlatte, Facebook

Goodlatte will share some insights in creating a user experience that keeps the user from immediately jumping ship. I’m especially interested in this one due to the SwapYourShop online community I’m collaborating on. Read the full description.

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4. Fluid Web Typography: Many Types, Many Faces / Jason Cranford Teague, consultant

I was banking on a Get Your Glyph On sequel* but have yet to see it listed. If it doesn’t surface, I won’t be totally and utterly heartbroken thanks to Fluid Web Typography. I’m hoping it touches on new legal solutions for font downloading as I discussed in this post. Read the full description.

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5. Long Distance UX / Lisa Kamm, Google

Our SwapYourShop team is always interested in learning more about collaboration among global teams, and what better way to learn than from Google? Kamm will share tips and tools on creating a smooth and effective long distance collaboration experience. Read the full description.

*I’m confused by this one. It appears as though Get Your Glyph On 2 is happening due to the web page but perhaps it hasn’t been confirmed because it’s not listed here.

Jared went through months of rehabilitation in Houston, and with the support of his friends, family and employer (GSD&M), he continued to grow healthier and was able to return to Austin. In 2002, Jared began painting with his mouth and the rest is history. He’s developed an incredible collection over the years and is a huge inspiration. You can check out the full story here.

Jared and his wife, Kimberly, reached out to me earlier this Fall looking to redesign the Dunten Studios website. So over the past couple of months, we’ve been working on the new e-commerce site and it’s been awesome every step of the way. I mean it, and I can’t say that for many freelance jobs. The new site launched just in time for Jared’s recent gallery showing. All of his paintings, originals or giclee reproductions, are available to purchase online at the new www.jdunten.com.

Jared’s drive and unwillingness to fully accept life as a quadriplegic has also helped form The Will Walk Foundation.

This foundation will help fund the research necessary to find a cure for spinal cord injury (SCI) paralysis. “30 individuals paralyzed by spinal cord injury will come to Austin, Texas to be put into the first U.S. human trial of adult stem cell therapy. All that stands in the way is funding. We are working in concert with others to raise funds for this research.” – The Will Walk Foundation. If you’re interested in donating or signing up for future fundraising events, you can do so on the Will Walk site.

All in all, it’s been a total joy working with Jared and Kim Dunten and I encourage everyone to check out his artwork.