Digital Strategy, Design and Development
Digital Strategy, Design and Development
I am starting to research how mobile digital devices and convergence technologies affect our everyday interactions whilst ‘out and about’. In particular I am going to be looking at digital mobility and event interaction. A good starting example would be a trip to an art gallery or community event and considering how mobile digital devices, especially those we always have with us such as mobile phones, help enhance or distract from the experience of the event itself.
Mobile devices remain controversial in many public forums. Taking mobile phone calls on trains as well as the use of personal audio equipment has led to the introduction of ‘quiet carriages’ on trains in the UK and theatres and cinemas insist on devices being switched off. However at many events participants are increasingly encouraged to ‘text’ in or send pictures etc. from their mobile phones. With an increasing public awareness of the Mobile Internet and the interactivity it can bring new opportunities are opening for digital interaction in public spaces in new ways. For example it can be far easier to read information via the mobile web than hear it in a public space when there could be crowds and traffic to make accurate hearing difficult.
Also, there is the cost; both environmental and fiscal to consider. Many events generate huge amounts of waste in terms of paper information, which is quickly discarded and often out-of-date within hours of distribution. This is costly in terms of money and also with regards to the environment. Personal digital devices may well have their part to play here as well.
My own interest in the use of mobile digital devices has been encouraged by experiences at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in which the art was beautifully explained through their use of small digital devices. Since then I have become increasingly interested in how we can use digital devices to help inform and communicate these experiences in public spaces. I would very much welcome comments on these posts, which although research based will also personal in reflection. You can follow the strand by bookmarking http://www.3sheep.co.uk/tag/3sheepexplores/.
