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Expanded practice has been a great way of adding relative and appropriate context to my practice. It has also given me an opportunity to strengthen my writing skills, organise my findings (through weekly blog documentation) and collaborate/ understand individuals from alternate disciplines that I would not have otherwise met. It has also acted as a space in which I can consider matters other than I would currently be working on as part of my studio work. It has opened my mind up to the possibilities of what I may decide to do post graduation through industry visits and Q and A’s.

The series of visits consider what is relevant, the realities of working within the real world, alongside inspiring new concepts. The visit to Holition was particularly inspiring as it touched upon the bounds of virtual reality. The company’s collaborations with fashion houses made me consider the way in which individuals within my field will adapt to advancing technology.

The independent research that I undertook, particularly Project Jacquard, opened my mind to the concept of ‘computer clothing’. Wearable smart technology amalgamates the individual and the digital, taking them away from the screen, and blurring the boundary between the physical and the digital. The idea of digital anthropomorphism comes to mind, and the dark side of virtual reality is exposed through its hyper immersive experience.

Early on during the expanded practice unit, we were asked to make a presentation based upon two words associated with smart technology. ‘Coding’ never before had any resonance within my practice or sparked any particular interest. After having to research the terminology, I not only gained basic knowledge of what coding entails but also its cultural significance and status within the digital age. Overall, the predominance of advancing technology within an expanding and increasingly complex world has been introduced to me through this unit. I feel as though this unit has given a diverse spectrum of ways in which the concept of ‘smart city’ may be applied. Beginning the unit I knew nothing with regarding the idea of ‘smart city’, I feel I have gone further than the literal, absorbing a sense of blue sky thinking and realising its potential and contextual relevance.

During the unit, I feel I could have researched the companies we visited before our visits in order to come prepared with questions and quicken the pace in which I would gain an understanding of their practice. On the other hand, I was pleased that as the unit progressed, my confidence grew and I was able to offer opinion during discussion. I found on reflection, it would have benefitted me to have taken photographs and more notes during discussions and company visits. If I were to take this unit again, I would potentially, record elements of discussion I found of interest through audio and video recording.

"Project Jacquard". Atap.google.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.

"About Us | Holition". Holition.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 10 Dec. 2016.

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The ability to tweak live sound for superhuman hearing. 'Here' is an hearing aid for people who can already hear. It filters out certain noises and amplifies others-fine tuning hearing.

Mission: to put a computer, speaker and mic in every ear.

How it works: Outward facing section of earbuds act as microphones that pick up audio from surrounding world. Sound is sent through a digital processor and subsequently played into ears with no perceivable latency.

Range of potential uses: turning out annoying music in a supermarket,
muting a crying baby, turning up the base in a car stereo system, transforming live music experiences, layer listening (safely listening to music whilst riding a bike) means that Here doesn't isolate from the world.

My thoughts: The evolution and quality of communication is a common focus among innovators. The increasing complexities urban environments, structures and lifestyles both benefits and threatens systems of communications. People are busier and professionals are more in demand. Having a device that simplifies and selects relevant information will benefit the concept of a 'smart city' in that conversation and exchange within communication become increasingly efficient. Computing also becomes more immersive (people are taken away from their screens). By integrating a device within the body, one can use hands and sight (originally tied to hand held devices) to better their visual and tactile experience. People can live in the moment, and responses are therefore quicker.

"Here One - About". Hereplus.me. N.p., 2017. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.

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Project Jacquard is a start up company looking to weave technology into fabric, which they believe is the first step in computer clothing-where clothes become interactive surfaces.

The challenge: making the yarns highly conductive and scalable (for use on industrial looms).

Solution: The yarns are made to look very normal; however, they are also conductive. The can be totally invisible within clothing, giving designers complete creative freedom.

Aims: shrinking all components down to the size of a button, so users will not see/ feel technology inside garment. This will get tech out of the way, allowing for interactions to be more seamless/ natural. This will hopefully make it easier for softwear development and textiles / fashion to collaborate. Iconic designs will be moved forward and able to exist within an increasingly digital future.

Jacquard yarn structures-
Thin metallic alloys are combined with natural, synthetic yarns, making them indistinguishable from traditional yarns. The yarns make up sensor grids and touch sensitive areas. Machine learning algorithms then capture touch interactions, which wirelessly transmit to devices controlling a wide range of functions. LED and haptic give user feedback, connecting individuals to a digital world.

Levi Partnership-

Project Jacquard have teamed up with Levi to create a modern version of denim, which is interactive yet authentic. The digital connectivity is provided through a smart tag. The garment remains washable and durable as the smart tag is detachable. The first project concept is the Commuter Tracker Jacket, targeted at the urban bike commuter. Technology is embedded to allow the user to control their mobile phone experience through what they wear (the jacket).

My Thoughts?

As a society, the distinction and separation between the physical and the digital is increasing. With television dramas such as Black Mirror setting narratives that capture a near future society, existing not as physical beings but as digital components and data, the invention of computer clothing makes these concepts a reality. As we progress more and more into the digital age, we will have to adapt in order to maintain a successful economy. The wearable technology allows efficiency in an increasingly fast paced world. Problems are not only needing to be solved at present but they need to be predicted and prepared for. Time saving devices that allow increased mobility, I believe will free up user time and allow for multiple challenged to be faced. Communication will become stronger and allow for a better connected society.

"Project Jacquard". Atap.google.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.

https://atap.google.com/jacquard/

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What is Digital Greenwich? A company setting out to implement the 'smart city' strategy assigned to Greenwich in 2015.

How does Digital Greenwich innovate? One of the key proposals for how Digital Greenwich will implement the strategy is that of transforming the Greenwich economy. Although Greenwich has a high visitor economy thanks to the O2 centre and historic maritime landmarks, a large proportion of the economy has suffered due to automation and the closure of various factories. Digital Greenwich plan to re boost the economy in this sector by encouraging the growth of entrepreneurial digital business skills. The council are looking to implement cloud based data alongside commissioning pilot projects.

What Idea/ project inspired me?
I found the driverless technology the most interesting concept as it presented an idea that I had not come across before. The self driving cars are said to reduce accidents, congestion, and emissions within cities, alongside making for a more enjoyable driving experience.

How does Digital Greenwich relate to the idea of a 'smart city'?
Digital Greenwich are working together with the council to resolve future problems with 'smarter' solutions. Through a series of more efficient methods, Digital Greenwich hopes to aid the growth and regeneration of the area.

"Smart City Strategy". Digitalgreenwich.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.

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What is Soda? A creative agency that specialise in fusing the digital and physical world as a tool for enhancing culture and learning.

How does Soda innovate? Soda as a company often work with schools, hoping to enlighten the younger/ next generation. The agency has undertaken work such as light installations within a school campus that displayed patterns created by children,which translated videos taken by students to data. The piece 'Energy' lends itself to a commitment to regeneration and education.

What Idea/ project inspired me? I particularly liked the site specific work '4luv'. Now out of date (project completed in 2003) the units were attached to trees in Loch Lommond National Park, displaying their number and inviting passers by to send an SMS, ideally a declaration of love. The project was undertaken at a time before social media and many dating apps ect. It is interesting how using SMS as a means of communicating love now seems nostalgic.

How does Soda relate to the idea of a 'smart city'? One of the stand out features of Soda is its equal interest in the physical and the digital. I believe that a 'smart city' is about cohesion and a capacity for mediums new and old to exist together.

"About — Soda". Soda.co.uk. N.p., 2017. Web. 8 Dec. 2016.

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What is Holition ? A Digital creative studio, working predominantly with brands, illustrating concepts and visualising trends and patterns within businesses.

How does Holition innovate?  The studio dedicate 30% of their work to research. In particular, students are invited to pose ideas and challenge concepts that Holition help to realise. Holition specialise in 3D digital experiences and emerging technologies, which often go on to exist in the context of fashion.

What idea/ project inspired me?  EIGHTHSENSE- a collaboration with Lauren Bowker and her exploration house THE UNSEEN. A wearable body piece that was pattern/ colour sensitive in relation to human electromagnetism- this piece reminded me of work I had previously undertaken, which looked at the growing popularity of an interest in the inner working of our bodies and wellness. I particularly liked how the craft work of the structured body piece and digital data were fused together during this piece. The project posed questions such as; how comfortable are we as a society showing our emotions? Is communication of emotions easier to express through digital media rather than face to face discussion?

How does Holition relate to the idea of a 'smart city'? As part of Holition, individuals work as psychologists and anthropologists, analysing human behaviour. Holition are able to gain an understanding of a societies needs and desires; therefore producing systems such as the Grabble projection which simply displays trends and patterns of human consumption, allowing companies to assess their success in targeting a specific market. This increased level of efficiency influenced by digital technology enhances and shapes the way we live.

About Us | Holition". Holition.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 10 Dec. 2016.

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What is Arup? An independent firm designing for a positive future through the collaboration of designers, engineers and planners.

How does Arup innovate?Our discussion centred particularly around innovative lighting design, problem solving for a majority of environmental issues.
After a brief introduction to the company, as a group we were asked to pitch solutions for problems we face within an urban environment.

These problems/ solutions included:

Rodent infestations- reflective garments to ward off/ sneaker soles that release sound or smell to repel.

Commuter congestion-
Light up tube carriages to signify capacity (red=full, green=space)

What idea/ project inspired me? Glasgow School of Art - Reid Building. Having previously visited the Reid building I was interested to gain an understanding with regards to it's engineering and basic concept. One of the main aims when designing the buildings structure was to integrate disciplines, which has been achieved by the inclined tubes and planes that are intersected by a sweeping stairway. The driven voids create space for the building to breathe and open up the dense studios- almost as an antidote to the recently burnt down mackintosh building standing opposite.

How does Arup relate to the idea of a 'smart city'?
Through cross disciplinary practice and an emphasis on engineering, Arup work as a team to design for a better and positive world. The designers at Arup struck me as wanting to achieve the simplest possible solution to the concept presented to them. I believe a 'smart city' is driven by a need for efficiency.

Glasgow School Of Art - Reid Building | Arup | A Global Firm Of Consulting Engineers, Designers, Planners And Project Managers". Arup.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.

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A presentation centred around the understanding of nature to inspire self healing materials. Three types of self healing materials are often focused on such as capsule, vascular and intrinsic; however, during this talk, the latter was focused on. Mimicking nature to inform new innovative textiles has been popular within science for the past twenty years and continues to solve problems forecasted for the future. With an increasing growth in medical knowledge, self healing materials are proving essential for progression.

The biometrics lab at Penn state have been working on the use of squid ring teeth proteins as a basis for self healing materials. Squid ring teeth are architecturally similar to the repetitive nature of silk proteins, and also have elastic qualities, meaning they can be applied to many investigations.

Thermal processing uses methods such as, extrusion, hot press, injection moulding, 3D printing as part of the investigation. Materials have been proven, through simply adding water and gentle heat, to recover to original state. The materials fabricated from squid ring teeth range from thin film, powder, 3D geometrics, fibres, colloids, film coating, nanotubes, nanoparticles and micro channels.

The flexible nature of the squid ring teeth allows for an investigation into its optical properties.  Within advanced textile fibre industries, the self healing textile can contain enzymes to detoxify environments. Farmers can wear garments to protect against pesticides, soldiers against chemical weapon exposure, doctors against viruses.

The use of 3D printing to create medical meshes for hernia repair is another example of how self healing materials are being utilised. Whereas the common materials used currently either lack the ability to dissolve or dissolve too fast, the new self healing material acts as a coating.

In summary, the squid ring teeth have proven to possess unique features as bioplastics from process ability, elasticity, optical superiority, self healing, self assembly and screening library.

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1.     What is Digital Privacy? The right to privacy of users of social media. It has been a particular social concern of recent, where questions occur such as – ‘who is digitally responsible?’ And ‘what does it mean to be digitally responsible?’ An abundance of surveillance disclosures questioned cloud storage and social media.

2.     Privacy suggests control over information BUT now people are starting to realise that we don’t necessarily have the tools for meaningful control. People and companies that you didn’t even know exist have access to personal information. A lot of this can be traced back to website trackers who build profiles of users to target advertisements at them.

3.     The problem grows- it used to be expensive to physically store data but now it can be stored inexpensively digitally. Regulations have been put in place within the banking industry to limit the amount of data stored; however, the hoarding mentality remains the same- ‘it might come in handy one day’.

4.     What is interface? Simply, the interaction with another system/person. In a digital sense it means the shared boundaries across two separate components of a computer system in order to exchange information. These exchanges can be made between a computer and human for example.

5.     Examples of computer interfaces- THE MOUSE, developed by Douglas Engelbart in 1964, played a crucial role in the rise of the graphic user. The mouse originally had many different shapes but in its most original form, consisted of a wooden shell and two metal wheels.

6.     Companies have since tried to add features such as mini joysticks and air ventilators to keep the hand sweat free but the standard shape still remains the same after all these years.

7.     What is coding? Telling the computer what you want it to do, typing step by step command for the computer to follow. Learning to code is like learning a new language- or a multitude of different languages. Languages range from those used for gaming to those far more complex used for setting up completely new systems.

8.     Coders are like the architects and builders of the digital age. Coders are needed to operate everything digital form website to microwave. Coding has been likened to the literacy of the 21st century and is now being taught at primary schools.

9.     There will be 1.4 million jobs in the next ten years but only 400,000 graduates to fill them.