Senior Design Conclusion

Thesis Presentations

I really enjoyed listening to these senior thesis. You can tell that most of them did a lot of research and it was impressive. There were a wide range of topics and I look forward to seeing their senior projects. Tony recommended that we look at their bibliographies to learn more about their research and subject matter.

Candy - Manual Designs. Candy was very professional in her presentation. She was knowledgeable with answers to questions. I took a good page of notes to use for the future. It was like being at a conference with a speaker.

Corina - Kinetic Typography. Corina had a myriad of examples to reinforce her topic and also included videos that synced with her speech. I felt that she put careful thought and precision in her presentation material. The body type was in all caps and was hard to read on her power-points.

Kelsey - Science Fiction. Kelsey's presentation focused on understanding the theories of distopias and utopian used in television. Fandoms, icons and examples were included. I especially liked her comment regarding the culture of fandoms, "I get you." Referring to how fandoms form groups and relate to each other because they can share a common experience. The science fiction fad of nerds being popular (ironically and asynonymous) was part of her research.

Alan - Understanding Virtual Reality Uses. I felt that Alan's presentation lacked focus and content. It seems like a good topic but I couldn't understand where he was going with it. It was an awkward presentation that needed practice to aid in confidence.

Unit 10: How People Decide

When reading this unit I recalled a Christmas purchase I made at Costco for a blu-ray player. I used my smart phone to look up reviews to help/research my decision process, johnny on the spot so to speak. #100 speaks directly to this scenario by pointing out that people prefer to see what they're purchasing before they buy. I think this is especially true for big purchases and less likely for smaller monetary purchases, like books or DVDs.

People want more choices and information than they can process," is something I can relate to. I research the heck out of things when I make a major process and even ask friends and family for input. The research of The Art of Choosing, where jars of jam were put on a table, is reminiscent of grocery stores setting up tables and offering samples. Again Costco is a prime example of this. They offer only one sample per table but have numerous product tables throughout the store.

Other noteworthy tidbits included (and self-explanatory in their titles):

• "People Think Choice Equals Control" - so true for us humans! "The desire to control the environment is built into us." 
• Mood influences the decision-making decisions
• Time is worth more than money
• Group decision making can be faulty

Senior Thesis Links

Since choosing my topic (Social TV, second screen, smart TV) I have noticed several television shows advertising second screen enhancements; among them are: Psych and The Walking Dead. Marvel has even gotten "into the game" with an app for Avengers to watch while viewing the film.

Psych
Following up on the tremendous success of the award-winning ‘Hashtag Killer,’ USA’s Psych has just launched ‘The S#cial Sector’, an eight-week multi-platform murder mystery. Directed by Kirsten Nelson (co-star Chief Vick), the competition can be accessed via desktop or tablet at SocialSector.usanetwork.com and Tweeted using #SocialSector. [Source: Lost Remote]

USA Network is crediting a second-screen experience for helping boost the audience for "Psych" by 10%. The network created the interactive murder mystery game ahead of the series' season debut, adding new plot twists and clues via its website, Facebook and Twitter. The game resulted in 99% of "Psych's" Facebook fans saying they screened the premiere live or the following day. Also, some 5% of those who took part in the game didn't know about the show but opted to tune in for the first time. [Source: Smart Brief]

Following the success of the Emmy-nominated game Hashtag Killer, PSYCH The S#cial Sector is a multiplatform game that allows fans of the series Psych to upload video content, play games, examine evidence, and post to a theory wall for the entire 8-week duration of the mystery. By interacting via computer or tablet, players can become active by using SocialSector.usanetwork.com or by tweeting using #SocialSector, all to help Shawn and Gus solve their latest mystery. [Source: gco]

USA Network Psych - has an engaging website and a section called "USA Sync"

WATCH LIVE AND PLAY ALONG!

Join LIVE when you watch select USA shows* and enjoy the USA Sync experience! As a show airs, you will get behind-the-scenes production notes and photos, video clips, polls and quizzes, and great commentary - all timed to the show's action.

When you see there is a Sync event for your favorite show, just go tosync.usanetwork.com from any device, or tap the show in the USA Anywhere app. To get the full experience, you have to watch LIVE! Sync up and experience your favorite USA shows in a whole new way.

Walking Dead

Not as intuitive as Psych's website. There's a section that includes apps and games to engage the viewer. One app uses social networking, via Facebook, to play games.

Unit 9: People Make Mistakes

This chapter was very short but emphasized to the why, how and what of people making mistakes. Of particular note - at least to me - was the age statements: "older adults complete tasks differently than younger adults." "Kang and Yoon found no difference in completion rates for tasks due to age, but older adults... used different strategies than younger adults." In addition, the type of errors, errors under duress, predictable types of errors and not all mistakes are bad, are especially useful tools of information that web developers and designers should keep in mind when creating forms and event sequences. Understanding the intended audience and designing for them is a key component to successful engagement.

Unit 8: How People Feel

I really liked seven basic emotions are universal. It proves that no matter the ethnic group, we're all the same! And taking something so elementary - facial expressions - is truly poignant in my opinion. Basic Seven: joy, sadness, contempt, fear, disgust, surprise, and anger. It explains how we all resonant with one another when seeing tragedy hit another nation.

One of the tactics I recently employed for a presentation came from #74 - anecdotes persuade more than data. During a nutritional science presentation, I related my own story in relation to researching the topic of magnesium. I think this successfully engaged the audience in a topic that would otherwise be too factual and boring.

Other topics I found interesting were:

1. People are happy when busy: "idle hands are the devil's work" as the saying goes! However, I don't think this is what the author's intentions is on this one. I think this comes down to people don't like to be kept waiting without a useful task to engage them.
2. People enjoy surprises: I somewhat disagree but maybe because most of my surprises aren't always good ones. However, I do enjoy receiving birthday cards and wrapped presents. Sometimes, the guessing of what's in the envelope or package is more exciting than the actual gift!
3. People want what is familiar when they're sad or scared - ain't it the truth! I picture my brother with his favorite blanket, my daughter who still has her Winnie the Pooh and myself seeking asylum when experiencing a panic attack. For some it's a tactile sensation, or something to hug and feel comforted, for others it might be a place that recalls happy times.  

DEFINITIONS

Amygdala versus thalamus: "the thalamus is the part of the brain between the cerebral cortex and the midbrain;" with the exception of smell, all sensory data is routed through the thalamus. The amygdala is "where emotional information is processed;"smell goes straight to the amygdala bypassing the thalamus. This is why some smells can trigger an emotional response. The smell of chocolate chip cookies baking might remind you of home, for instance.

Nucleus accumbens: "the part of the brain that is active when people experience pleasurable events."

Attention Restoration Theory: "asserts that people can concentrate better after spending time in nature, or even looking at scenes of nature" [Wikipedia]. There's a nice article on this at Pacific Standard Magazine, titled Thoreau was Right: Nature Hones the Mind: "A long line of the world’s thinkers — from Immanuel Kant to William James to Deepak Chopra — have recommended we take walks in nature to relieve stress and refocus our thoughts. And nature writers — from Henry David Thoreau to John Muir to Edward Abbey — have extolled the restorative benefits of nature."

“Everybody,” Muir said, “needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” 

Muir Woods National Monument, California

Responsive Web Design Hotlinks

A List Apart by Ethan Marcotte
HTML5 Responsive Web Design, MSDN Magazine
Responsive Web Design: What It Is and How to Use It, Smashing Magazine
Beginner's Guide to Responsive Web Design, treehouse blog
Where to Start by Trent Walton
Content Choreography by Trent Walton