Project #1 Lost & Found

Eddie's Red Watch

In this project I had to draw in code language an object that was described to me in plain language. Eddie, my partner in this project, described a gift from his sister which he has lost. This gift meant a lot to him especially because of its sentimental connection. I re-created the object for Eddie in P5.js and I can't wait to see his reaction to it.

Design Process

Designer: Jessica Jabr - Assignment Partner: Eddie Chen - Object Description- Color: Strong red, kind of shiny - Material: plastic - Additional info: rectangular shaped screen - 2 straps - has 4 buttons on its sides - electronic display - shows time on it 11:08 AM - Casio brand The object was described to me in plane English language and there weren't many specs mentioned on the sizing. The most details about the object I had to work with were the color, and shape. I was able to tell that the object is a Casio watch and was also able to estimate the model which Eddie described. I tried my best to dissect the object in order to begin drawing it. I sketched it down on a piece of paper and then began transferring my drawing to p5.js. The process of sketching was easy as I did a simple design to be able to translate it in code. First I coded the screen with its two layers and 4 buttons on its sides, then I created the top and bottom straps, then the loop on the bottom strap with the details, then the black seal and hook. After that, I created the openings on the top strap. I also added the brand which gave it a more real look. One of the main reflections in the designing process is being able to draw out details and particular twists which make the object become closer from the description. Another reflection is jumping in between parts of the design to add or remove a certain detail to the part of the watch. I did not have all the details sketched but as I began drawing on p5js, I started having more ideas on what to add to make the watch look more real.

Reflection

The more I understand technology and how it gets created, the more I get assured that it's not neutral. For the past couple of years there's been constant attempts at neutralizing it and those attempts live on when better tech is created. People who are aware of the bias in creating and using technology are taking action; therefore, technology is not 100% biased nor 100% neutral. Google map's and other apps pro-active roles in hiding parts of the truth is a definite bias in technology. In addition, the creation of maps on paper was also biased and so the ones who created them had the power of sizing nations and continents. The issue lies within the entity creating, the entity telling the story. "Show the people as one thing, over and over again, and that is what they become." -Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie touches on the danger of the sigle perspetive and this is the power of storytelling. One of the single stories for a long time has been the women's role in technology. We've come a long way in redfining these roles. One of the major issues aside from the roles is the inequitable pay. The underlying assumptions are gender and what a certain gender is capable or incapable of doing. I had the chance to attend The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Technology last year, in Orlando and one of the most empowering moments of my life was during that event where I decided to change the course of my life. All my life I had been the recipient and experienced the inequity in the tech industry so I decided to start creating and take back the power of technology. Similarly, the process I went through in making this sketch reflects how technology isn't neutral and that there's sometimes a single story that leads to an outcome. When I heard Eddie's description, I assumed a model and drew a shape accordingly and my final sketch is the result of both the description I heard and my assumptions; therefore, this story isn't single. It has two perspectives: input from the owner and assumptions of the maker.