THE POLLUTION ESIGN Manifesting a possible future to communicate current research Bill Gaver, Ben Ho

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THE POLLUTION E-SIGNManifesting a possible
future to communicate current researchBill
Gaver, Ben Hooker, Anthony Steed, John Bowers
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• Approach and issues
• Proposed to attract members of the public not
  normally drawn to scientific documentaries,
  complementing a pedagogical approach
• finding alternatives to scientific exhibits etc.
• finding continuity with ongoing research
• pursuing dissemination in parallel with core
  scientific research

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• 1. Scenario for future pollution information

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Pollution is complex
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Sensors are varied
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But displays tend to be simple
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Ben Hookers previous work
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Alternative Communicating seams and ambiguity
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Mobile telephones as plausible technology
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• Scenarios as a product and a process
• Product focuses on implications of ongoing
  research
• Forecasting everyday encounters as communication
  of research
• Towards public understanding before specific
  research is done
• Process informs and integrates design paths
• Broad picture of the future motivates and
  integrates designs
• Specific designs embody broad scenario

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• 2. The Pollution e-Sign

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The Pollution e-Sign
Public sign appearance Self-evident
technology Electronic presence Web presence
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Design development
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Elements of the Pollution e-Sign

• Prototyping an unfamiliar future
• mundanity
• clarity
• Blue-jacking to simulate futurepublic ubicomp
• prevalent
• push media

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• 2. Field Tests (w/ John Bowers)

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Siting the sign Location, location, location
Site 1 Gloucester road
Site 2 Kensington Gore
Site 3 Exhibition Road

• visual clutter
• tube station

• bus shelter
• public accountablity

• public thoroughfare
• line of sight and minimal diversion

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Features and composition of the e-Sign

• Self-evident technology?
• oh for a mobile phone
• Timing and coordination
• receiving messages v. seeing the sign
• Payoffs for inspection
• activity logs
• backlight
• Indicating activity
• the little blue light

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Communicating research

• Feedback cards
• only occasionally
• Understanding the sign
• once told
• Understanding the implications
• apparently quickly
• Understanding the project
• unclear
• the website

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• 3. Next steps

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• The Many Facets of the Pollution e-Sign
• Investigating mixed electronic / physical
  signage
• Embodying a potential future
• Promoting public understanding of science

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• Onwards
• Redesigning the e-Sign
• increasing clarity
• indicating activity
• From signs to networks
• pollution gradients
• exploiting the Grid
• Beyond the Grid
• electronic architecture
• other sensors
• community information