Hey everyone. I’m Alex, one of the three developers in our group. As we start to nail down details of our project, I’m starting to get really excited about what we are creating. Today we had a group meeting and successfully tested Johnny Lee’s  solution to an Interactive Whiteboard using a Wiimote… very cool. (Johnny Lee Wii Projects)

I also have the honor of writing our first post about the book “Analog In, Digital Out” written by Brendan Dawes. As a group we will read through the book and then discuss our thoughts of each topic covered. The introduction to this book was based around Dawes’ feelings on inspiration. He talked about how using design websites and similar assets as inspiration for your own work tends to result in similar solutions to a problem. Whereas Dawes feels it is much more beneficial to draw inspiration from the real world and personal experience.

Additionally Dawes touches on his desire for minimalism. He discusses an audio system that can connect with iPods. This system has AM and FM, but on Auxiliary. When someone wants to use their iPod with the system, they simply plug it in. The system recognizes this and will switch to “iPod mode” automatically, making the Aux obscure and unnecessary. The last concept discussed in this section was the idea that making mistakes IS a good thing. When your results stray from the original idea, you can discover amazing things that you never intended. He called these “Happy Mistakes.”

It seems like most of us were in agreement, and that many of the ideas that Dawes stated are things that we have experienced ourselves. Given that we are all New Media kids, most of work is done solely on the computer and we all are guilty of abusing the “Ctrl – Z” function. This doesn’t allow for the flaws that give our work the same characteristics of hand drawn work. Steve mentioned a major feature of hard copy books, and that is that books can be physically manipulated. They are tangible. You can take a book anywhere you go, you can even lose it… Yes “the Kindle”, and “the Nook” do exist, but you don’t have to worry about a bound book breaking, or using up its battery.

Asa also shared one of his childhood stories. He explained how he used to climb up a tree in his yard, and how, even though he was in plain sight, no one seemed to notice him… because no one ever takes the time to look up. This goes with the idea that having an eye for detail really is a skill, and how Dawes believes in using our world as true inspiration.

So, to everyone, make an effort to notice the details around you. Explore different mediums, venture outside your comfort zone, become passionate about something new… and don’t forget to look up every now and then.