Primary Research

Technology in Future with the Experimental Art.

Posted on by sawadahayato

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Kirsten is a student in Nanjing Art Institute and her major is experimental art.

Kirsten think that is very important of technology on contemporary art and can not be ignored.

About my emphatically question about the impact of technology on contemporary art, she says, “Without science and technology, may be many great works of art will gone.” This view is agree d by most of people. The emergence of Pop Art, science and technology progress, is cultural phenomenon of commercial competition and the emergence of industrial development under the combined effect of many industrial materials are used as art material, stainless steel, plastic, chemical fiber, neon light tubes can also become a sculpture raw materials. The promote by scientific and technological development to the arts can not be ignored.

Another important point that Kissten said is the impact of technology on art is permeable. From the creation of the root causes which affecting the art look. She began to talk about the art from World War II, while give me the comparison of technological development and contemporary art to explain the important, this is what impressed me a lot. She gave the example of the neon done by Tracey Emin to explan this point to me. I have got some similar view with her. Creative thinking and conceptual of artists in some extent, affected by the historical era in which the political, economic, cultural and technological aspects. The digital technology is such popular that as a modern technology, is will bound to affect the artist’s creative thinking and processes to let them create more works about art contain digitized elements.

Kisten is very optimistic to the development of new technologies. Her attitude is inclusive and open, “I think the advancement of technology gives us more possibilities, this possibility also for the artistic diversity provides fertile ground.” When I asked about her own creation whether the time will be to use the new technology, she readily replied not reject, but not overly dependent. I think that freedom of thought and creativity independent to an artist is a very good and important.

Interview Transcript with Kirsten Lee.

Posted on by sawadahayato

R：Red Huang

K：Kirsten Lee

 

K: Hi Red.

R: Hi Kirsten.

R: Hello. Can you easily tell us about yourself?

E: I am a student in Nanjing Art Institute.

R: What’s your major?

E: laughs) experimental art.

R: That are the different between experimental art and traditional art?

E: experimental art is more tend to contemporary art. Unlike traditional painting, we are encouraged to be creative with a variety of materials, the media also has become enriched. Sculpture, installation, video and even lighting can be your creative medium.

R: It sounds very cool. So what do you think your future will be like?

E: I think in the future, the media will become more abundant. Throughout the contemporary art which after World War II, you will find that in the past, many famous works are confined to the easel painting and installations. But in recent years, there has been a lot of media work more on the exhibition. In addition to paintings and installations, video and lighting works are also more and more. Like two years ago in Shanghai K11Z exhibition, that Yayoi Kusama exhibition “I have a dream”, there is a mirror with light and space to do the work. Do you know about that the exhibition?

R: Yes, I know. but I was not home that time, so I can only saw some pictures on the Internet. Honestly from the scene that the picture looks really great.

E: Yes, Kusama is a very great artist.

R: Do you think science and technology for the future of contemporary art are important? In the perspective of a creator, can you talk about this?

E: I think they are very important. I just said someone even use imaging and lighting to do the artwork. As we all know, the lighting and imaging technology has made rapid progress in recent decades. Many contemporary artists are keeping up with technological development. Often much higher in the acceptance of new technologies than the average person. In the use of more active. If Tracey Emin in today, the well known one may not be her neon artwork, but LED artwork, hahaha.

R: Hahahahaha, your example really makes sense.

E: Oh, that was just a joke (laughs

R: So what do you think the future will be?

R: If we don’t have today’s technology, what changes you think there will happen to the pattern of contemporary art?

E: If there is no technology, it may be lose many great works. Occupy the main market will still be the easel painting and sculpture.

R: Can you give some examples? With some well-known works as an example.

E: Damien Hirst with his famous works “The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living” is a shark immersed in formaldehyde solution prepared. If human did not invent the formalin preservative technology, then this work would never have been born. If the anti-corrosion technology is not advanced, it will bring great trouble. Because contemporary art is particularity, in the storage and transport it is more troublesome than traditional art.

R: So the technology is a new trend in the contemporary art world? Is there someone no denial of the use of new technology?

E: Of course. Some artists have their own prefer things, even stubbornly only with the traditional process. In addition to retro addition, choose this way also can reflect the artist’s personality. Tracey Emin as an example there are a lot of embroidery art. I think this is closely related with her female identity.

R: how do you think about the impact of technology on contemporary art?

E: I think the advancement of technology provides us with more possibilities, this possibility also for the artistic diversity provides fertile ground.

R: Yes, Can you boldly predict the future relationship between technology and art? Just ask you in the past.

E: ah, I’m sorry I tend to change the topic. I think the future of technology should be able to achieve a breakthrough in terms of human perception. For example, there have been 3D visual images, 4D holographic projection, the sense of hearing with a stereo, I think the future should also be a breakthrough in the sense of touching. By the time the artist’s work may be more let people to feel virtual reality, and as a greater extent convey what you want to convey to the audience.

R: Are you going to concern and the use of the latest technology, and tend to use them to complete your work it?

E: I will be concerned about it, also at the time in the creation to take into account of new technology. But I will not place undue reliance on new technology. I like to try a variety of media, to find their own more possibilities.

R: Thank you very much for your cooperation!

E: You’re welcome.

Future Technology, The Perceptive from a Film maker

Posted on by elliotfan

Stanford Chan, graduate at Digital media and currently working in a film making studio in Hong Kong. I interviewed him about his perspective of future technology development in film industry. His unique knowledge and views of future technology is very inspiring and we have interesting conversation. Here is the transcript of out interview.

Stan [2015, pers. comm., 14 October]explained that the development of making film is moving toward to a cheaper,nicer and faster process. From small models and props to green screen, technology makes film making process easier. Most of the undoable scenes now can finish by program. He said that technology used in film making will be going on this direction.

He said that technology in film making industry are developing process without a real actor and actress in the set. He includes a example of a movie, Fast and Furious, it used technology to ‘change the film making future’. The actual actor is recreated with the actor’s brothers. It uses old clip of the movie to generate the facial expression. In the other example, he told me that a Japanese animation. Captain Harlock, is using a technology to design and create a world. The film is done by a role play avatar inside this world. Stan has compared this two new technology thats completely change the traditional film and animation process. Both technology is already access and can be develop forward.Technology will be play a large role for his work in the future. Every scene will need technology to complete and will need less space, props and other equipments.

As the technology will do most of the work in film making industry. It will be easier for who have less skills and resource to participant in this area. It only requires people who can create a good story, they do not need actor or studio to complete their work. People can express their ideas and present in a film format. I think that this technology can be used in different way in design world. It can create a demonstration for architecture, a fashion runway walk or a presentation for a design. I think his perspective is very possible in the future.

He [2015, pers. comm., 14 October] also thinks that the experience of watching a film will be complete different in the future. Audiences can be participant in the film and have an interaction with the character. Audiences will not be a third person who are only watching the movie. Interaction will be very important in the future. Experience will be major lead in technology. It will develop into the form that people can use and be part of it.

Technology is developing to help things become quicker and easier. Stan bring up an idea with technology may take over people jobs. Jobs can be done by a more simple, faster and need less requirements for it. However, he also point out that everyone can bring their creativity to the world easily, it will changes the perspective of the world.

Interview Transcript with Stanford Chan

Posted on by elliotfan

interview is completed at 14 October 2015 by Elliot Fan for educational purpose.

E = Elliot Fan(me)

S = Stanford Chan

E: Can you introduce yourself?

S: My name is Stanford Chan. You can just call me stan. Well, my background is somehow connected to Australia because I did my undergraduate program in UNSW.

E: Oh really, What subject did you study?

S: I did digital media. And I finish my degree about one and a half year ago.

E: So, what are you doing now?

S: Right now I am working in a film making studio in Hong Kong.

E: Ok, so lets start, what do you think the future of film making industry?

S: If you want to learn about the future, then you need to know a little about the past. Around 70s – 90s, it was the best moment of Hong Kong film making industry. At that time, there were one to two film on screen every week. The technology isn’t as advanced as today. Taking one shot could be very time consuming. You know, set up, location, props. And also need to pay attention about the weather, lighting…there are much more difficult and expansive then nowadays. Today, all you need is a green screen and the rest can be done by CG technology.

E: Interesting.

S: So Elliot, you want to learn more about the Hong Kong film industry of the film industry in general.

E: I would like to know more about the film industry in general, what is your insight?

S: Have you watch the latest fast and furious movie?

E: Umm…No.

S: Thats ok, it wasn’t a very good movie anyway. But the technology behind it, is quite fascinating. Paul Walker, one of the key actor died before the film was done. The film was using a cutting-edge technology, footage from previous series and body double work from is brother Caleb and Cody Walker.

E: Very interesting, so they done the film without the actual actor?

S: Exactly. And I believe the Hollywood will no longer need real actors and actress. Everything can done by the computer.

E: So you think technology will completely change the film industry?

S: Yeah, Totally. In the future, there will be no different between film and animation… well, no exactly, but yes. For example, Angelina Jolie, with her consent can be in the same movie with minion and you won’t be able to tell the difference between a fictional character and a real person.

E: How does it actually be done? Will it be very difficult? Does it require to take every single shots of Angelina and adding CG effects at a later stage?

S: No, this process will be much simpler. All you need is to full scan Angelina and the rest can be done by the animators or the computer can automatically do the rest for us. This will be an evolutionary change to the filming industry!

E: How exactly will this technology reshape the industry?

S: There are huge potentials behind the full scan technology and animation. For instance, actors will no more need to go for casting , all he or she needs to do is to full scan the body and send it to the film company for simulation. The computer can then use the big data, to analyse and calculate the best casting for the movie.

Besides, acting skill will become pointless. The processing power of the “super film computer” will determine the quality of the film. Human factor plays a minor through the whole process. Theoretically, different roles for making a film in today can be substitute by a single computer.

E: As you mentioned, ‘human factors will play a minor role in the filmmaking process’, what do you actually mean?

S: Let me make it clear. I don’t mean the computer will get rid of human involvement in the process. All I mean is that the threshold for making a professional standard will be much lower than nowadays. Anyone can make blockbuster without any budget, anywhere, anytime.

It enables audience to be the film maker. Just like when digital camera was first introduced. I guess making film in the future is as simple as playing an app on smartphone. There will be no producer, no audience, everyone is a pro-user.

E: What you are saying is very inspiring. How long does it take for the technology to develop to this level?

S: What I’m may sounds like science fiction. Personally, I don’t think it will take long. In fact, I am skeptically about the technological capacity of Hollywood. I think they are able to make film with no real actor now. The Hollywood just don’t want to scare the public and affect interest of some people in the industry. I think it is definitely feasible to make a movie with just CG effect, full-scanning and computing simulations. Have you ever heard of the Japanese animation, ‘captain Harlock’?

E: What’s special about it?

S: The creation of this animation is different to traditional animation. This anime was not done by drawing frame by frame. The was no need to write the script beforehand. Instead, the creation of this anime is similar to making an online game. A whole world is designed and the script writer is able to change it as many time as he like just like playing the online game.

Having said that, it took five years and hundred people to produce this anime. Nearly 900 servers were used for storing and processing the world of this anime. This anime was produced in 2013. Can you imagine what can be possibly do in the future. You smartphone or your tablet may able to do it.

E: From your perspective, do you think these are good or bad changes?

S: This is a vey good question. I don’t think a definite answer for you but I believe it is a good change for everyone but not the filming industry. The filming industry may no longer exist. As I said before, everyone can become a scriptwriter. There will be no need for real actor and everything can be done by super computer. I think there will be no job leave for people like me but I will not be desperate. Indeed, I am happy to see these changes because people are more feely to express their ideas and it enables everyone to produce a high quality film as long as they have a good script. I am hoping people will be more creative as they can experiment all possibilities with almost zero-cost in the future. This is a dream. A world which genre of film is not limited by the market, by investors.

E: With technology development, do you think the concept of ‘film’ could be re- defined or will cinema still exist given that people can watch any film on personal device?

S: Yes film will have a new definition. I think film will be more than just for watching and listening. It will become an experience. The cinema may evolve to a venue for facilitating this kind of experience. For example, you are watching star wars in the future cinema. You can be participate as one of the character and have an experience to talk to r2d2 & bb8 face to face. You are experiencing the story as a first person, not a third person who is simply watching and listening.

With the advancement of virtual reality technology like the introduction of oculus rift. The potentials for enjoying a film is limitless.

E: One final question, if the technology is developing just like what you described, what category of film will be the first to adopt these new technology?

S: The porn movie! There s no doubt that porn movie is the first to adopt the new tech. I am not joking. There are many examples that the porn video is the early adopter of new tech. For example, the early development of internet is supported by the investment on porn. The internet makes the distribution more flexible. Some people have already tried to create virtual reality porn, a new kind of porn movie that the audience can move their to watch the movie from different angles. Imagine in the future, you can choose the porn stars in the video and have a full control what they are doing……. The porn industry will never miss out this opportunity.

Designing a Space for Technology

Posted on by benjamindavidfrancis

Design, and by extension design technologies, allow users to understand their environment via thoughtful, innovative interactions. Technological advancements provide a more comprehensive understanding of our environment, while simultaneously allowing for the development of more complex, socially integrated and culturally specific design ideas. Drawing on an interview with architect, Katie Hubbard, this post aims to discuss how technological advancements have increased our ability to create engaging, relevant and innovative design outcomes.

Technology, as discussed by Folletee et al. [2004], has expanded the definition of design. In an industrial design context the physical product no longer exists in isolation, but is surrounded by supporting systems. Digitally, in tech support, websites and online forums, and socially in how the product effects its environment, and visa-versa. This is most evident in the advent of social media technologies and how it has impacted all levels of society.

This notion was reinforced and extended by Katie Hubbard [2015, pers. comm., 20 October], where she inferred that via the emergence of new technologies, specifically augmented reality, we can create a more unified connection between design and its environment. Hubbard continues, noting that we must grow past our capitalist obsession with financial gain if we are to make any great developments in design, for it is only once we remove the prospects of profits that we can truly appreciate, understand and explore the context for which we are designing. This is most evident in the recent Barangaroo development and the transformation of the project from a subtle, sympathetic community level development, into an elitist, restrictive and controversial venture.

Hubbard’s [2015, pers. comm., 20 October] primary interests lie in contextual research, and developing innovative projects that respond to these situations. This is most evident in her work regarding the mobilization of public spaces, incorporating art, user interaction and fostering thought provoking designs.

Park Common [Hubbard 2014] is a proposed redevelopment for Flinders Street train station, in Melbourne, Australia, where she suggests the transformation of an urban space into a ‘public park’. The design itself is a public experiment, a space where events and movements converge into a larger system. The project facilitates inclusion and social interaction on a myriad of levels.

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The design opens access to the currently inaccessible landmass, by providing users with a ‘chewy-pink-hillside-of-happiness’ [Hubbard 2014] canopy, an expanse of memory foam propped over the current site to enable users to play and interact with the site.

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Hubbard [2015, pers. comm., 20 October] notes that good design attempts to cater for interactions between people, adding a sense of connectivity to a series of otherwise distinct modes, where the collective drama of city life can unfold.

Other projects by Hubbard [2014] include Green is Gold, an environmental initiative to repurpose non-recyclable, disposable, takeaway coffee cups. The interactive installation invited users to plant herbs into the cups and place them inside the installation. The projects foundations lie in reclaiming under utilised spaces, the creation of engaging and creative spaces, engendering public participation, and producing a platform to voice environment, political, social and cultural aspirations.

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Design technologies have facilitated an environment in which anything is possible. Now, it is the responsibility of the designer to ensure that we create innovative, relevant, culturally sympathetic and socially exciting designs, that intelligently respond to their environment.

Bibliography

Hubbard, K 2014, ‘About’, Katie Hubbard, viewed 22 October 2015, <http://www.katie-hubbard.com&gt;.

Hubbard, K 2014, ‘Park commons’, Katie Hubbard, viewed 22 October 2015, <http://www.katie-hubbard.com/park-common/&gt;.

Hubbard, K 2014, ‘Green is gold’, Katie Hubbard, viewed 22 October 2015, <http://www.katie-hubbard.com/green-is-gold/&gt;.

Folletee, M.S., Ostroff & E Tauke, B 2004, ‘Good, better, best: using universal design and digital technology to develop great products’, The technology teacher, vol. 63, no. 8, pp. 13-15.

Interview Transcript with Katie Hubbard

Posted on by benjamindavidfrancis

LAB A 85202

Assessment 1: Research Portfolio

[primary research | interview transcript]

30 September 2015

 Completed by Benjamin Downey [12021705]

 

Understanding the social responsibility of design, and by extension how design technologies, play a role in social development.

 

  1. Name? Place of work? Why design?

Katie Hubbard, Bachelor of Architecture, University of Sydney

Place of work: Tzannes Associates

To explore designs potential to help the human condition. Design is integral to how we live our lives and I want to be apart of that, and more importantly, discover how design can impact how we live our lives.

  1. Future study? Why?

Currently undertaking a Masters of Fine Art at UNSW

Will complete a Masters in Architecture at the University of Sydney in 2016.

Design is not limited to one field, having an understanding of all facets of design can help in understanding the myriad of ways design can effect its environment and society.

  1. Since you’re first foray into the design industry, how have you seen the technology develop?

Design technology has developed greatly since I started studying in 2009. Firstly the transition from 2D to 3D representation, where currently 3D is the norm. 2D presentations are out of date, and generally only used in conjunction with a 3D format.

The next technology that has started to emerge is Augmented Reality, or virtual reality. This technology provides users with the opportunity to ‘experience’ the building, design or object in real time. This new technology has taken the form in virtual reality glasses and digital applications.

  1. Where do you see the future of design technology?

The future of design technology has its roots in the digital environment. This will occur because of the comparatively cheap production costs of digital production compared to that of creating physical prototypes. Methods of digital design development and presentation is an area I find increasingly exciting, primarily because it will allow architects, industrial designers etc to become better designers. We will have the ability to explore design concepts in greater detail and resolve problems with greater accuracy and vigor.

  1. Where do you see design sitting in society?

Design, and by extension design technologies, are an integral part of society.

Design should integrate itself into its existing environment [social, environmental, political, economic]. Good design is subtle, the best design is when users are unaware they are even being aided by a particular design. Poor design is a result of a lack of understanding of the wider context of a design.

Design is integral to helping the human condition, it is a part of everything in our environment, both at an individual and community level.

Moreover, modern design technologies have begun to influence live on an individualistic level, specifically in regards to creating and maintaining a sense of identity through social media.

  1. What do you consider the greatest strength of design?

Designs greatest strength lies in understanding context, and solving problems based on this understanding.

There are two branches of design, regionalism and globalization. Regional design focuses on one specific context, addressing issues that exist in that environment. Materials are sourced locally and the design process is a collaboration between local communities and institutions.

Global design has its roots in the global community, where projects have a global reach. Designers have an overarching understanding of the global situation, however the designs are often unsuitable for smaller, regional contexts.

  1. Where do you think design doesn’t live up to its potential?

Big scale [global] developments, such as Barangaroo, where the projects are too focused on profit and have lost sight of their context. Often these projects turn a public situation into a private one, in which the final design is not accessible to the entire population.

An increased focus on profit leads to a loss of contextual understanding, leading to a loss of detail, ultimately resulting in an inherent loss of social relevance.

  1. Where do you see design sitting in the future?

I have a rather pessimistic view of design in Australia at the moment. Design firms are too focused on profit, and have lost sight of their context and the reasons they are being created.

Unfortunately the capitalist system we survive in will not change in the near future and so a profit focused design industry will no doubt remain.

What I hope to happen would be an increased importance placed on society and how the design interacts and exists within the societal context. Long-term outcome needs to take precedence over short-term profit.

  1. What are you most excited for in regards to design technologies? Why?

The merging of art and design, specifically, the great benefits of combining art and architecture. Mobilising art in public spaces as means to bring together different aspects of life, including social, economic, political and environmental.

When art and design are removed, what remains? The modern environment cannot survive without design, and great design cannot survive without the context in which it exists.

I am particularly excited to explore how design can approach social issues, such as the current problems involving Indigenous Australians. By understanding their historical context, we can begin to design objects or spaces that touch on the existing social issues. This may be in the form of solving specific problems, paying respect to certain event/traditions or people, or educating the wider public about the current conditions.

Furthermore, design has the potential to make life better, from day to day activities, to making cities easier to live in. City planning plays a pivotal role in how inhabitants live, survive and thrive, and can be used as a mechanism for solving some city specific problems [for example, the current rental crisis in Sydney]. Designers should look towards understanding why these problems exist and imagining innovative solutions with the help of newly developed design technologies.

Finally, the normalisation of augmented reality in the design industry will force us to start a new conversation on how we live our live, introducing questions such as ‘what is reality?’ or ‘what is designed?’.

Interview: A Designer, Technology & the Future.

Posted on by laurenelaine42

For my primary research, I interviewed Thomas Fitzpatrick, visual designer and illustrator and also my awesome yet annoying 26 year older brother. I asked him about his views, understanding and interpretations of the future and technology. He has worked as a designer for about 5 years now working at agencies and also freelancing. He may only be 6 years older than me but he does have a different and insightful perspective of the future and technology. You can read the full transcript of the interview here.

Thomas spoke a lot about his practice as a designer and how it is impacted and influenced by technology. He is always looking a screen. He works on a screen all day and then watches the TV or plays a video game for his down time at home. As I asked him how technology impacted his life, he was sat at his desk designing a mobile app. He said “…I’ve got three things open. I’ve got my monitor, I’ve got my laptop and then I’ve got my phone plugged in so I can see what my design looks like on the phone as I’m designing.” [T.Fitzpatrick 2015, pers. comm., 20 October]. It is clearly evident that technology plays a large role in his design practice and his life in general and will continue to be in the future.

Thomas working with three different technologies at once.

Thomas working with three different technologies at once.

An important topic I wanted to ask Thomas about was the role of designers in the future. Personally, as a visual designer and illustrator, he feels that he doesn’t have a significant role in shaping the future. He states that “In terms of changing the world, I think that kind of concept is bandied around too freely and too easily.” However, he speaks of his time working at Digital Eskimo, a user centred design studio. “I learnt a lot there in my two years…that place really made me appreciate the role of a designer…”. [T.Fitzpatrick 2015, pers. comm., 20 October] His design practice is fulfilling for him yet he doesn’t believe he shapes the future directly.

The question that sparked the most response from Thomas was about our impact on the Earth with technological advancements. In short, his response was “We’ve f***ed up with technology, but we will hopefully fix it with technology.” He is very passionate about sustainability and has recently become vegan “…because the amount of green house gases contributed by the meat industry is around 51%…”. The Vegan Society states that “…according to the UN, [the livestock industry] generates more greenhouse gases than all transport combined.” (The Vegan Society, 2015). He compared the views of the  meat industry to smokers in the 40’s. It was the norm then until reports showed that it was detrimental to our health. You look at smokers today and judge them for their stupidity. This is what could happen in a few years time to the meat industry. We will look back and be disgusted with how we treated animals with utter disregard for the environment.

Finally, I asked Thomas if he believes that technology is a force to be reckoned with in the future. He hesitated at this question at first but concluded with this – “Yeah, it could go either way. In terms of it being a force to be reckoned with, yes it could turn Earth into a wasteland. Or, it will be amazing. It will be all lush and green with plants on buildings, everything will be solar and wind powered and awesome. And then we’d have solent green. That would be the only bad thing.” [T.Fitzpatrick 2015, pers. comm., 20 October].

Bibliography:

The Vegan Society 2015, Take the Vegan Pledge, viewed 22 October 2015, <http://www.vegansociety.com/try-vegan/take-vegan-pledge&gt;

The Vegan Society 2015, ‘World Environment Day: 3 reasons why going vegan can save the planet’, pressat, 4 June, viewed 22 October 2015, <http://www.pressat.co.uk/releases/world-environment-day-3-reasons-why-going-vegan-can-save-the-planet-19cbe110017d759e0bcb5bae6a42dce5/&gt;

Interview: A Designer, Technology & the Future [transcript]

Posted on by laurenelaine42

20 October 2015

Completed by Lauren Fitzpatrick (12048880)

This is the full transcription of the interview: A designer, technology and the future. In this interview, I questioned Thomas Fitzpatrick, visual designer/ illustrator and my awesome 26 year older brother, about his views, understanding and interpretations of the future and technology.

WARNING: This interview contains coarse language – apologies from my bad mouth brother.

LAUREN:
So in this interview I will be asking you about your views, understanding and interpretations of the future and technology.

THOMAS:
Can I begin by saying that is incredibly broad? It could mean anything. Anyway, go on.

LAUREN:
Just to get you into the future thinking mood, what would your preferred future be like in 2050?

THOMAS:
Wow, okay, I might be dead by then. I don’t know, I’m kind of happy as things as are. I’m kind of stuck in my ways. I’m not really going to change anything. In terms of my practice, unless there is something absolutely game changing in the next few decades, I really can’t see myself changing. My work flow and the devices, technologies and apps that I use at the moment are fine. If something better comes along I might change but I don’t really think about it. I just get on with it and do my work.

LAUREN:
From a designer’s point of view, how important is it to have knowledge of the past to shape and transform our future?

THOMAS:
I don’t think it’s that important. Everything has been done, so don’t fucking worry about. I try not to look at other people’s work or even look back on my own work. Again, just get on with it and do it to the best of your ability. Don’t worry about what other people are doing and what people have been doing in the past.

LAUREN:
But you know how some people say what if we revert to old values, do you think that will actually happen?

THOMAS:
Ah yeah, absolutely. It can potentially go full circle. You can definitely see it in web design as an example. When it first started there was no real visual design applied and it goes through all these phases like that phase when people were adding texture and making everything look real. And then web 2.0 came along and everyone’s going flat with super subtle gradient and bevelling and now it’s kind of going back to that more textured hand-made feel. It happens in waves. Yeah, it happens in waves.

That kind of view makes it seem that one way is right as well which is bullshit. If you back to the old way because it’s the best way, well no. There are so many different ways, people work so many different ways.

LAUREN:
What kind of roles and importance do you think designers have for the future and technology?

THOMAS:
Pretty big. I mean myself personally I don’t see myself contributing much as an illustrator and visual designer, you know, I have done UX stuff for like educational and government stuff which is all great and worthwhile. In terms of changing the world, I think that kind of concept is bandied around too freely and too easily. A lot of people say that and it’s bullshit. You look at people’s studio websites and they’re just like a service design and they’ll be like ‘Oh we make life changing products. We are shaping the world.’ And it’s just no, you’ve just made a fucking mobile app for a bank or something, that’s not changing the world you dickhead. That’s just bringing in more business for what ever particular app your making for whatever particular client.

But having said that, there is definitely designers and stuff out there making things.

LAUREN:
Well this whole subject I am studying is about interdisciplinary design, so architects or product designers would be more likely to do something that would affect the future.

THOMAS:
Yeah definitely, but that’s from my point of view as a visual designer. But yeah, having worked at Digital Eskimo which is a user centred design studio, I learned a lot there in my two years. I learnt a lot about user experience and that place really made me appreciate the role of a designer, even just a visual designer, and how much that affects a person’s experience using a particular product you’re designing. Even all the research that goes into something and all the thought behind why have I made that button a particular colour and why have I placed it there. Sorry, trailed off a bit there.

LAUREN:
To what extent have human beings changed the Earth with technological advancement and is this change irreversible? Will we ever revert back to lo-fi technology?

THOMAS:
Well one, we fucked it up. I mean, really badly. I have been trying to go vegan as you well know because I have several vegan friends and I’ve always been very interested in that topic and sustainability in general. And my reasons for going vegan were my health and sustainability because the amount of green house gases contributed by the meat industry is like 51% which is just mental. And that will change.

I was having a conversation the other day and we were just like, you look at smokers back in the day in the 40’s and 50’s when everyone smoked and it was just the norm. Then in the 50’s that started to change when reports started to come out saying well no, this is actually detrimental to your health and people look at smokers now like your are disgusting. Why are you doing that? Your’e an idiot, your’e killing yourself! And we were just sort of saying that I reckon like, probably your generation and potentially the next generation, that will start to change and we will look back on this time now and go wow, we were fucking animals eating all this meat with utter disregard for the environment. And it will be that same process where we look back at smoking now. Ah what was the question again?

LAUREN:
So to what extent have we changed the Earth with with technology and will be ever revert back?

THOMAS:
I mean, we’ve fucked up with technology, but we will hopefully fix it with technology. There’s lots of good stuff out there like, you know, I try to keep abreast of that stuff because I find it fascinating, like the solar highways and solar tiles. I don’t drive because one, I’m lazy and two, because it contributes quite a fair bit as well to greenhouse gas. And you look at electric cars now and they’re freaking cool. There’s lots of new technology coming out and as grim of a picture as it is right now I have faith that there are lots of designers out there that are working on stuff, it’s just a matter of government funding and everyone agreeing. Obviously there are lots of climate skeptics out there. It’s just complacency for a lot of people, they are stuck in their ways. I mean I care, but it’s more just like philosophical. I’m not actually going to do anything. I am at least trying to go vegan and not using so much energy and not buying so much shit and stuff. That in a way does help. I’m not going to design an app or do something that’s going to change people’s views on climate change, I can only do these little bits and pieces. It’s the little things that count, they all add up.

LAUREN:
As a visual designer you primarily work on a computer and you also have daily interactions with other technologies such as your phone. How do your daily interactions with technology affect you?

THOMAS:
It’s detrimental to my health. I have really bad RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) because of the amount of illustrating I do and I don’t really look after it. I spend all day looking at a screen. When I’m not working, I’m still looking at a screen because I’m watching tele or playing a video game. I’m always in front of a screen and loads of different screens. Right now I’m designing a mobile app so I’m working between – well look, I’ve got three things open. I’ve got my monitor, I’ve got my laptop and then I’ve got my phone plugged in so I can see what my design looks like on the phone as I’m designing. But that’s just the way it is, that’s the way design is at the moment. Web and app design, you have to see how it looks on the final product.

In terms of daily life, technology does affect my social life. I just text people, I don’t call them. I have the odd friend who will actually call me and have a conversation on the phone. Everybody else I just text. It’s just easier. It’s right there. I’ll be working and I’ll have messenger open or I’ll be texting while I’m working. You don’t even know you’re doing it. I don’t think about it. It’s not inherently bad, I still think I can communicate fairly well even though I text all the time.

Having worked nearly five or so years as a designer and illustrator, there’s nothing better than being in a room full of people. Like at Digital Eskimo, I’d never done it before, we use to do lots of workshops with the clients and stakeholders and that was super beneficial because your’e all in the same room, you do all these exercises, it’s fun, people open up and it’s so much better collaborating than say if you had them on a conference call on Skype. You get a better product at the end when doing that.

For my practice, I use a Wacom tablet for my illustrating, but I still do sketch everything first in a sketch book then take a photo and go over it. I still do that because it’s still nice to get that initial sketch, thought or idea down on paper. I could sketch straight into Photoshop but it just feels better doing it in a sketch book.

LAUREN:
You grew up in the 90’s and witnessed the greatest technological advancements. Dial-up internet to you is like fast wireless internet connection to the youth of today. In about 15 years technology has evolved incredibly fast. What is do you think is going to happen in the next 15 years?

THOMAS:
Not much is going to happen, I think it’s kind of happened now and there’s not going to be any huge leaps in the next few decades. Everything we have now is just going to be getting a little better and better each year and that’s it. Everyone is really comfortable with it and I really can’t see anything hugely game changing in the next two decades. I mean, Apple and Google and Microsoft are most likely working on new shit. You know, Google had the Google Glasses a few years ago. What the fuck has happened to that? That technology has just fallen off the face of the Earth. I don’t think people were ready for it for starters because it’s just kind of weird. And I don’t agree with that kind of wearable technology anyway, even though I have an Apple watch. I think that’s just too far and it’s bad. A good example is people walking down the street on their phone not looking around and having no idea what is happening around them. I don’t know, that stuff kind of scares me a bit, I don’t think it will be that beneficial to humanity as a whole, I think it will be detrimental. Look, it’s Skynet. That’s probably what’s going to happen.

LAUREN:
Robotic technology is developing rapidly and many feel uneasy about this? What is you view on robots potential assisting humans in the future?

THOMAS:
I think it’s awful. Yeah, I think it’s terrible. It’s so lazy. Its just ridiculous. You look at the extremity of it and we will probably turn in to fat pigs. An awesome example is the film Wall-E. If we really let ourselves go and just keep on going in that direction, I mean, that’s a incredibly fantastical view, the picture that Wall-E paints, but it could potentially happen. It is amazing. You look at Yasimo, that first humanoid Japanese robot, it’s bloody amazing. It can run, it can do all this awesome stuff. Just to get that shit to run like a human being is a massive feat. But, I wouldn’t want one. It’s just creepy. Because then we just completely loose our connection to humanity and what it means to be human in a way. As cool as Terminator is, I don’t want that to happen!

LAUREN:
Speaking of, the classic films like The Terminator and Blade Runner are iconic depictions of futuristic hi-tech societies and shows a future where technology overpowers humanity. Do you think that technology is a force to be reckoned with in the future and why or why not?

THOMAS:
That’s a deep question. I will start by saying that Blade Runner is my favourite film. I have watched it a ridiculous amount of times it’s so good. Yeah, it is a force to be reckoned with. It’s probably going to go either way. You know, Terminator and Blade Runner and all this Sci-fi films, those are all slightly dystopian, they’re not full on dystopia, the world has just gone a little bit shit. Like the first Mad Max, the world is a little bit shit. The bombs haven’t been dropped yet and it’s like they’re running out of natural resources and then the second one, it’s an absolute wasteland. Could go like that, potentially. Why not? Yeah, it could go either way. In terms of it being a force to be reckoned with, yes it could turn Earth into a wasteland. Or, it will be amazing. It will be all lush green buildings, plants on buildings, everything will be solar and wind powered and awesome. And then we’d have solent green. That would be the only bad thing. I’m sure human tastes quite nice.