Design 21: Social Design Network

Click for a NISSAN concept car

Presentation board 2

experiencing technical difficulties with regular scheduled programing.

better image pending.

Presentation board 1 Large format

Presentation board 1 compressed format

added dimensions/notes Click for Mechanical Drawing

Click for MECH. Drawing

NY Times article on Cell phone Jammers

Cell Phone Jammers: "The technology is not new, but overseas exporters of jammers say demand is rising and they are sending hundreds of them a month into the United States — prompting scrutiny from federal regulators and new concern last week from the cellphone industry. The buyers include owners of cafes and hair salons, hoteliers, public speakers, theater operators, bus drivers and, increasingly, commuters on public transportation."

The world is being affected by cell phone talk, so much so that businesses are buying illegal technology to cut off the use of cellphones.

“It’s counterintuitive that when the demand is clear and strong from wireless consumers for improved cell coverage, that these kinds of devices are finding a market,” said Jeffrey Nelson, a Verizon spokesman."

There is a market for this social phenomena... quieting cell phone talk.

"Gary, a therapist in Ohio who also declined to give his last name, citing the illegality of the devices, says jamming is necessary to do his job effectively. He runs group therapy sessions for sufferers of eating disorders. In one session, a woman’s confession was rudely interrupted."

“She was talking about sexual abuse,” Gary said. “Someone’s cellphone went off and they carried on a conversation.”

“There’s no etiquette,” he said. “It’s a pandemic.”

This shows how people don't know when and where to use their phones.

Bloomberg's new Sound laws

This article mentions Mayor Bloomberg's new sound laws. Its been 32 years since the city updated its sound laws, Bloomberg is trying to make the city quieter, by giving police officers the ability to issue fines/tickets to violators without special sound measuring devices, they can just judge the sound at a distance, if it is plainly audible police can move to strike. For example car stereos if heard plainly from a certain distance can be issued a ticket. Dog barking is written into the code, you now have 5 minutes at night to quiet your dog before you can be ticketed and ten minutes during the day. These are only a few examples.

"Already enjoying the endorsement of City Council speaker Gifford Miller, the noise policy is expected to sail through the council this fall. Ultimately, it will be judged on the basis of perception: Will New Yorkers find the city more livable because it’s quieter, or less livable because they’re being harassed over their air conditioners? The most promising aspects of the proposal deal with lessening noise at construction sites with sound barriers and blankets for jackhammers, welcome at a time when construction is booming (although beware the generous exemption allowances)."

While the city is still a noisy place my product will act as a buffer between sound legislation and the day to day noise we can expect.

"It’s also true that no legislation can curb the new sound of the city, one that has les...

Cell phones in Austria

This is a link to an article about cell phone use on public transit in Austria.

It shows overwhelmingly the general WORLD consensus of the over-use of cellphones.... Governments are attempting, or at least considering ways to reduce the level of noise made by inconsiderate people on cell phones.

They are setting up "Zen zones", places where you're cell phone must be on silent. Although these actions still rely on people just being Considerate. Its difficult to enforce this issue.

"Taking a cue from France's national railway, which offers phone-free "zen zones" on high-speed trains, Austria's second-largest city this week began ordering public transit commuters to keep their phones on silent mode."

"The crackdown in the southern city of Graz has triggered a noisy debate between advocates of free speech and people who say they're simply fed up with having to listen to annoying ring tones and intrusive cell phone chatter."

I think this shows promise for my project.

Introduction:

I am using design to heighten social awareness of noise pollution in New York City through a cell phone case which allows the user to escape the persistent noise of the city as well as keep ones own noise pollution under control.

Key Research Findings:

• Since the 1950's standard room-to-room reduction has been steady at a Sound Transmission Coefficient of 34-40. Meaning that approximately 34 to 38 db of sound reduction is achieved by the walls we live within. This is not sufficient to keep noise from a loud conversation at 85 db from penetrating a wall.

• The Department of Environmental Protection received 49,221 noise complaints in 2008, an increase of over 21,000 since 2004.

• The Department of Environmental Protection has recorded noise violations from 2004 to 2008. Each year the number of noise violations has increased. In 2008 there were 3,420 noise violations as compared to 2004 where there were only 1,449.

• "Noise is the number one Quality-of-Life complaint in New York City" Mayor Bloomberg said this on June 13,2004.

Target Audience:

25-35 year olds, working professionals who use cell phones for business as well as networking purposes.

NFP: Noise Pollution Clearinghouse "Good neighbors keep their noise to themselves."

Location/Context:

New York City Where there is noise, and where there is quiet, challenging cell phone etiquette in public places.

Target Market:

Mass Market

Age Group:

25-35

Cost/Marketing Techniques:

P...

Whole Foods style public eating

Talking in a computer lab

Talking in the street