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Design, Technology, Philosohpy, Consumerism —
Research





May 2020
         Design, Labor, Automation: A Look at A.I. (Artificial Intelligence): Ethics and Aesthetics — Aldo Petruzzelli for IDSA — This paper's main topic will deal with the evolving role of designers throughout the centuries as it relates to manufacturing, and social advancements. It will also look into how such improvements somehow affected the profession. The paper is divided into two parts: the first part is a historical overview where major historical concerns are delineated, a general introduction to A.I., and what could be the next role for designers in the age of A.I., whereas the second part is a designed object analysis, more specifically, how certain design languages can fuel a faster adoption rate of new technologies or at least products that have to come off as more approachable and unintimidating. Scholarly articles, as well as books from cutting edge experts studying the impact A.I. may have on our workforce, will sustain the claims made in the paper. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), Ethics, Design for manufacture, Design History, Capitalism, Industry, Philosophy of Labor, Designed Objects Analysis, Design Aesthetics, Digital Assistants, Smart Speakers, Italian Design. Read More ...





June 2021
        Data, Aesthetic and Image Science - Can Augmented Reality raise awareness around Big Data? — Aldo Petruzzelli Research Proposal at SAIC — Visualizing Big Data in AR is going to be a stepping stone in revealing the issues of ineffective visualization methods that we currently have, given the superior engaging power of AR technology and its effects on the human brain. Visualizing Data correctly is going to demonstrate, unlike common theories, end-users desire to comprehend the multi-facets behavior of how personal data are tracked, collected, and redistributed, with a focus on the ridicule role the subjects (or victims) have throughout the process. How can we achieve that? The paper will attempt at explaining best practices on how to design experiences meant at teaching users meaningful topics put into context given the limitations of the medium. The affordances offered by AR far outweigh the drawbacks of its development, although researchers argue that AR itself should be used as an additional “sense” to enhance human cognition. Other literature, however, clearly shows the cognitive load AR has on humans, an important aspect and too often overlooked. Furthermore, we will answer questions like what are the inherent advantages of designing immersive analytics with AR? and lastly, what technical limitations are holding back users from truly understanding the Datathey own and help to produce? Read More ...



Visualizing Data correctly is going to demonstrate, unlike common theories, end-users desire to comprehend the multi-facets behavior of how personal data are tracked, collected, and redistributed, with a focus on the ridicule role the subjects (or victims) have throughout the process.







May 2021
       Design between the Tangible and the Intangible — Aldo Petruzzelli Research Proposal at SAIC — Interfaces are intangible by definition, meaning they don't exist in the real world as they're pieces of software but have significantly impacted the direction design is taking, at least in the consumer electronics space. Although terms like User interface and User Experience are not new, only recently have they been put on the spotlight as more and more physical design is moving in the background and leaving space to the digital experience of objects; this will be reiterated as objects become smarter than ever and will need to be controlled/interfaced with in some way. This research focuses on the impact AR (Augmented Reality) and, to a certain extent, IoT might have on the design direction and aesthetic of digital experiences and how designers might go about designing for several interaction modes; The end of the paper will also try to shed some light on the dichotomy between physical design and digital design by reinvigorating the concept of "total work," which in this context is referring to digital design as a consequence of material design and vice versa. Different use cases will also be discussed as a way to show users' changing behavior in interacting with objects whose form doesn't convey their function anymore or as a way to convey a concept of familiarity when technology moves faster than aesthetic sensibilities. Moreover, a rough breakdown of the differentiative points in the age of tangibility and intangibility is also laid out. Read More ...





March 2021
       Merging Data and Ethics: Humanistic Technology will save us — Aldo Petruzzelli Research Proposal at SAIC— Some of the topics mentioned in this essay are of interest to technologists, business people, and philosophers alike. These are some of the questions which we will attempt to answer. What is the most sensical way of using technology in daily lives? What are the individual, social and economic costs of deploying new technologies for general circulation? Humanism and dataism, two ideologies that deal with the implications of being human, among other things, offer answers to these questions. The goal of this essay is to analyze and critically evaluate them. Read more...