Jeff Miranda's Blog

8.12.2011 - QR Code fail from Express clothing

While flipping through the junk mail, I came across a QR code on an Express clothing catalogue:

"Scan with our app! Don't have our app? Scan to get it!"

Fail!

30.11.2011 - Unintended Consequences of Visual Inputs

I was originally going to write about how QR codes stink but I think there's enough people out there that already share that sentiment. Then an episode of Spark got me thinking about visual inputs in general and how QR codes are yet another type of visual input along with bar codes, facial recognition, and landmark recognition.

This trend in creating computers to take on a more "human" quality isn't new. Engineers and developers have been slowly tyring out different ways to provide computers with input that go beyond the traditional "push-button" method. These include speech recognition (widely accepted), bio-metric recognition (fairly new), and bio-chemical recognition (coming soon?).

Computer inputs such as these are complicated and recognizing them is even more complex. Because of this there can be some unintended consequences of using this type of technology:

1. The new Nexus Galaxy allows users to use facial recognition to unlock their phones but doesn't differentiate between your actual face and simply a picture of your face:

2. Not only can QR codes contain ASCII data, it can also contain binary data. This carries the potential for users to inadvertently scan a QR code that contains malicious code. On a simpler level, a QR code can direct you to a website where malware is fed to your phone. Such was the case as demonstrated by Augusto Pereyra in Russia.

3. With traditional manual inputs you decide when and where you want to provide the computer with input. Now, especially in "smart homes" that have their own system for hearing and seeing users, the computer is always listening and watching users for a recognizable command. Real Big Brother type stuff that seems—to me at least—a bit creepy.

There's no doubt that these alternative inputs need further development. I can't help but gain an appreciation for the 4 billion years of evolution that allowed our brains to seamlessly process our surroundings. Facial recognition is one thing, but what about recognizing facial emotions? Or recognizing someone's face after it has aged 20 years? Or even recognizing a sibling based on facial features? Perhaps on a more esoteric level, how do we create computers to recognize the individual as a whole rather than the parts and features that make the individual? This type of Gestalt approach to computing and technology forces us to ask many difficult questions. What makes a person a person? And more practically, can it be taught to a computer?

Jeff

14.11.2011 - OSX Mail + DavMail + Exchange2003 = <3

I love OSX Mail. It's simple, easy to use, and searching for old emails is really quick. What I don't love though is that like many other email clients, it's a pain in the ass to connect to Microsoft Exchange Server because of it's proprietary protocols (surprise surprise). So for the past few years I've been simply ignoring the problem and living with accessing Exchange mail through the limited functionality of Outlook Web Access.

Until I discovered a wonderful little gateway called DavMail.

The main goal of DavMail is to provide standard compliant protocols in front of proprietary Exchange. This means LDAP for global address book, SMTP to send messages, IMAP to browse messages on the server in any folder, POP to retrieve inbox messages only, Caldav for calendar support and Carddav for personal contacts sync. Thus any standard compliant client can be used with Microsoft Exchange.

This little app has saved me so much time that I thought it deserved a blog post. I can now access all my Exchange data from OSX Mail, iCal, and Address Book. If you've ever had an irrational (or rational) urge to rid yourself of everything Microsoft, you might want to take a look at DavMail.

J

PS: If you're wondering why I need to connect to Exchange, it's a necessary evil of work.

23.10.2011 - My new phone book has finally arrived!

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8.10.2011 - The Big Picture of Steve Jobs

It's very easy to downplay the impact of a person who was a leader in the world of media and technology. When a person such as Steve Jobs dies, immediately after he's lauded for his vision and disciplined business sense, he's criticized for stealing ideas and "just" being a good marketer.

In my profession, developing strategies and long term goals is not just a part of design, it is design. Well crafted designs, in all fields, have a longevity that is meant to compliment an overall strategy for whatever the objective might be.

Steve Jobs made technology usable for everyday people. And he was a master at this.

That's why I take it somewhat personally when the efforts by him, and others like him, are downplayed for their importance. As a graphic designer I'm always trying to develop designs that find a balance between form and function and fit within my client's long-term strategy. It's always about the big picture. And there's a real lack of imagination when someone is unable to see the big picture that Jobs was trying—and did create.

Yes, he didn't invent the mouse. He stole the idea from Xerox. His visit to Xerox is well documented. But he changed it from a $300 device to a $15 device and connected it to a GUI. He made the technology accessible to the public.

The Superbowl ad of 1984 costed millions and didn't even contain a product shot. The Board fought him on this every step of the way. But after it aired it was praised for the originality in its message and evocation of emotion. A 1984 ad referencing Orwell's 1984 that villainized the IBM-esque institution using no product shot was able to show audiences there's an alternative to the status-quo. Brilliant.

In 1998 Jobs was severely criticized for accepting a cash injection from Microsoft, a direct competitor, to stay afloat (it also helped Microsoft hold off the anti-trust lawsuits). The money allowed them to continue development of the candy coloured iMac G3 which was released a year later to numerous awards and critical acclaim. A computer that sported a design that was fun and allowed the general public to make an emotional connection with.

With the successful launch of the first device in the i-line of Apple products, Jobs capitalized on the success with one successful launch after the next. iPod, iTunes, iPhone and iPad. Stocks rose and the fanatical customer base grew (I'm included in there too). Over 75% of all MP3 users use an iPod. iTunes revolutionized the music industry and the iPad is the leading seller for tablets and notebooks. If you include "satisfied" along with "very satisfied" they are number one by an incredible margin in customer satisfaction.

Steve Jobs wasn't "just" a marketer or "just" a good businessman. He was a visionary who set out to make technology and media work for people.

He'll be missed.

J

16.09.2011 - Modular Design by the $1K House Project from MIT

From MIT, the first prototype of the "$1K House" project was built in Mianyan, in the Sichuan Province of China. It was designed by Ying chee Chui, an architecture graduate who's goal was to build affordable housing for areas hit by natural disasters (the house can withstand an 8.0 magnitude earthquake).

The prototype didn't hit the $1,000 budget goal and instead cost $5,925 to construct. I would still consider this a success because if we look at the design it was created with modularity in mind. It uses one rectangular room that can be duplicated, rotated and adjoined to other modules creating the house.

"If you know how to build a single module, you can build the whole house" says Chui.

Modularity in design allows us to create reusable, scalable, and standardized elements while preserving the need for customization and individuality with many examples in office furniture or customizable fashion. By designing with modularity, we're standardizing the elements, and because things are standardized they can be reproduced in mass quantities at an affordable price per unit. It's common to see something that's made up of multiple modules. But what Chui has done here is that a house can be made up of many rooms or of just one room. In essence the part is the whole.

Once the prototype goes into mass production I have little doubt that Chui and the $1K House project will hit their goal. It's a great example of modular design being used to help disaster victims in need. You can check out the full MIT article here.

J

13.09.2011 - The Cintiq 24HD (can someone lend me $2500 please?)

The only thing cooler than the Cintiq 24HD is the stereotypical ultra-hip graphic designer with his thick black rimmed glasses, black oxford button-up and just the right amount of silver hair. A perfect mix of hip and experience!

J

12.09.2011 - Calgary Corporate Challenge kicks off!

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Calgary businesses square off in popular events like basketball and curling as well as not so popular events like tug-of-war and trivia in the annual Calgary Corporate Challenge. I was at the kick-off party in Olympic Plaza where businesses try their hardest to stand out. The theme this year revolved around music with the concept line "Push Play". Teams did their best to stand out by wearing everything from ridiculous 80s hair wigs to the mobility-impeding iPod box cutout. It seemed though that the more outlandish the outfits were the more they tended to blend in amidst the chaos. So much so that the normal everyday business suit stood out like Kanye West at SXSW.

Jeff