Point-and-Shoot Camera

with Integrated Support Structure: Design Research

DESKTOP RESEARCHFIELD RESEARCH

INNOVATIONDESIGN SOLUTIONS

2.97x | Designing for PeopleCatherine McMahon

Xenia AntipovaFernando Núñez

Interchangeable Lens Compacts (ILCs)

“Small but Powerful” *accessories *quality lenses

*range of imagery*lightweight *portable

*large sensor*quality images

Point&Shoot“Ease of Use”

*simple *legible

*perception of quality (vs.phone)*single function

*rugged*camera is easy to share

Camera: State of the MarketBasic Product Groups(With slight emphasis on physical aspects over “smart” features)

DSLR“Bigger is Better”

*inversion of size judgement *professional quality

*sophisticated function*accessories*precision

*large range in cost*investment

Camera Phone“All-In-One”

*integrated device *quality is improving

*photo sharing*always with you*very personal

DESKTOP RESERACH

Based on Industry Reports the question is:

What kinds of features will allow a Point&Shoot to hold onto a portion

of the market share?

Support: Existing SolutionsNo Tripod

DESKTOP RESERACH

To do:*do not breathe*not at night*prop on something else*Lock elbows or use strap for leverage

Design Issues: (general)*inclusion / autonomy*quality / shake*protect camera *precision / composition*difficult angles

Support: Existing SolutionsTripod, monopod, etc... Functionality (point-&-shoot):

Function Categories (emphasis on tabletop)*traditional *remains attached*adaptable to environment*portable clever *mimics tools *awkward places *relates to the body*automated

Qualitative Concerns: *vibration dampening*durability*resist nature *anchors “sick-tion” *storage / portability*weight *degrees of freedom *look (emotive)*stability*precision joints / gears*self-image mirror*speed of attachment*speed of use

DESKTOP RESERACH

Speciality Camera: *camera takes novel images*unexpected outcomes determined by Camera-as-Medium*single function, one-liner

Camera: AlternativesInnovation in Image Culture

DESKTOP RESERACH

Post-editing Applications: *many options*user can test-look-test: experimentation*mimics analog material / medium*appears idiosyncratic *”playful” editing As a way to spend time

What do we mean by Image Culture?*picture taking and image viewing are separate activities *something unexpected happens via. PROCESS *image often times takes on properties of an OBJECT*innovation and difference are contained within a FRAME*there are exceptions to this (see later in the presentation)

Photo Booth Applications: *social themes: fat, old, etc..*user can test-look-test: experimentation*makes unrealistic imagery*works with composition*works with face recognition *”playful” photos As a way to spend time

What is it NOT?*Sharing Culture

Camera: AlternativesEscape from Form

DESKTOP RESERACH

Current Products: *abandon traditional bodies*utilize new technologies (lcd, touch screen, light field)*change the relationship to the user *both MORE and LESS moving parts than typical camera

Innovation is Not Always New: *folding strategies for compactness already exist*many include integrated supports / lens adjustability*challenge notions of portability and shape of compactness *integrate protective cases

Distinct Spheres in Photography Experience

Preliminary: Key InsightsCameras, Supports, Users

DESKTOP RESERACH

Human to Human InteractionHuman to Environment

InteractionPhysical Stage

ProcessFramed EditedReflection Stage

External Value AddedBecomes an ObjectNot all Photos Make itCirculation StageSeeing the

Image with Others Community Activity

Back and ForthPhoto Capture to Seeing to Capture

Who is Our Research Demographic?*Point&Shoot Users *Under 25 Less Disposable Income, Camera was a Present, Social Picture Takers *Over 60 Prefer Simplicity, Prefer Single Functionality “phone is a phone” and “camera is a camera” (NOT SAMPLED)*travels, enjoys many social activities (picture takers!)

Preliminary: HypothesesField Research

FIELD RESERACH

Observation by Type:

*Emotion and Meaning in Photography In-depth, Personal, Assess Experience Over Time Value established about Photography (3 Spheres)

*Site Specific, Physical, In-Action Behavioral, Responsive to Environment & Others

Initial Hypotheses about Interviewees:

*Users would primarily share images via. Facebook.

*Not interested in technical aspects of camera culture.

*No post-production.

*Do not want to take the time to use a support structure.

*Not aggressive about taking the “shot”...perhaps a bit shy.

FIELD RESERACH

Site Observation: Physical Behavior At the MFA

*Remains in Comfort Zones, Seated, In Circulation areas*takes picture quickly while doing something elseWalking, sitting, etc.. *Simple bent elbows, standing up straight*doesn't show anyone the photo in the moment it is taken*take one shot, not multiples*quick

*Gets in close*has a purpose*does what they want*will extend the position to get the shot*moves backward and forward*Horizontal and Vertical photos (isn't bound by the given ergonomics of the camera) *Moves around an object or a space*takes multiples of the subject*steadies camera with body

Site Observation: Physical Behavior At the MFA

FIELD RESERACH

*Very Physical, Uses body for Support, triangulates *has a purpose*does what they want*All over a space*not necessarily intent on documentation*Social, playing with others in the space *Immediately looks at shots with friends*Laughs*Makes faces, does odd behaviors, things you wouldn't do if not taking a photo*misuses environment

FIELD RESERACH

Site Observation: Physical Behavior Photographers by Type

The Object Taker*gets in close*interested in abstraction, composition*has uses for the photos later *still, primary pleasure lies in the picture taking

activity*way to dissect an object *similar to Engaged User but more self-contained*way of SEEING

Picture as Proof*emphasis is on sharing*doesn't break away from the group*feels obligated, responsible *casual about composition

Engaged Users*take over space*are not shy *having fun *camera is excuse to play*photography is integral to their

experience of place*love to pose / get unique angles

(physical)*interact with objects and others *way of BEING

Object Taker

Engaged User

Picture as Proof

All Photo-takers

USER CATEGORIES

USER MAPPINGphoto taking process

Get out

camera

Turn on + adjustfeatures

Arrive at

planned

event

Notice something interesting

Be anywhere

doing anything

with anyone

Upload Share

Snap photos for evidence

Engage with camera

+ environment

Take shot of a cool object

Keep on phone/ camera

Desire to photograp

h

BRIGITTE heavy photo-takerbiological engineering studentloves travel and her friends

_highlights

_sample uses

owns:

• takes photos as a way of interacting with friends (sometimes people get exasperated with the frequency) – an activity

• documents everything, especially in new places and situations, with all sorts of angles and poses

• snaps many photos for her mum (who has not been able to travel) and also shares with friends

• camera case had been stolen, while water spilled and destroyed first camera (which had no protection)

• would love a way to take photos of attractive people without being obvious

• has not used a tripod previously but could envision doing so

Engaged User

Picture as Proof

_highlights

_sample usesFRANCISCOheavy photo-takercivil engineering studentloves piano and languages

owns:

• has photo taking relationship with father

• maintains photo albums and shares in family slide shows; every time that he looks at a photo, sees a new detail

• travels a lot and takes photos; animal shots = time sensitive

• occasionally uses tripods but time and flexibility is a concern

• trouble with taking photo of Byzantine mosaic ceiling in a Venice church, fear of placing camera on ground

• to ensure quality of Hong Kong night landscape used stabilizing fence and special nighttime mode

• had camera, when wiggling, would distort perspectival shots

• thinks the smartphone cameras will soon approach the same quality and features as point-and-shoot cameras

Object Taker Picture as Proof

_highlights

_sample usesGEORGIAmoderate photo-takermechanical engineering studentloves swimming and the arts

owns:

• shoots together with her photography dad and his professional equipment

• takes photos at events, e.g. underwater photo-taking during• swimming team FL training session

• with group photos, takes several shots then shows best version; hard to get group together if it doesn’t care

• decorates room with prints

• timing and potential hassle of a tripod is of concern, especially since quality is not a high priority

• hard to use camera when it is in case, which is in backpack, especially since camera turns on in a long time; but snapped every five minutes in tenth grade France trip

Engaged User

_highlights

_sample usesMARIELheavy photo-takerphotography studentloves family events

owns:

• shoots at weddings and sports events, volunteers her services to her family

• before taking a photo, arranges and cleanses lens, organizes equipment, sets up arrangements, and corrects lighting

• does not like tripods since they are too much of a hassle (they are heavy and hit everything on its way) and is now accustomed to not use them

• owns monopods for ease in portability + cheaper price but they break easily; used ten in last five years

• would want camera and any subsequent support structure to be smart and facilitate the photo-taking process

Object Taker Picture as Proof

_highlights

_sample uses

light photo-takerengineering studentloves swimming and sailing

MICHELLE

owns:

• usually takes photos during the summer (leisure time)

• uses her iPhone camera for everything but planned events

• sends photos to people at birthdays + graduation, and attached to thank you notes

• would rather watch than take photo of something cool

• does not want photo-taking to ruin memories and detract from enjoying an experience

• have not had a problem with quality, though has found it hard to take photos in metro

• uses photos to describe something for someone else

Engaged User Picture as Proof

_highlights

_sample usesSARAHlight photo-takermechanical engineering studentloves dance and documentaries

owns:

• event-focused photos (infrequent instances)

• uses camera phone for impromptu shots

• finds “MySpace” pose in fitting rooms to be awkward, applies to self-taken group (lopsided) shots as well

• would want at least dual screen for self-photos

• time is of concern; quality not as much – wants to capture moments in an easier + quicker manner

• photo-taking is intrusive when you're just trying to hang out

• reviews photos of events not “held in her head”

• post-edits photos in iPhoto; uses all possible features

Object Taker Picture as Proof

_highlights

_sample usesTOMASHI

moderate photo-takerarts technology studentloves cooking and reading

owns:

• documents artwork, lectures, gallery openings; personal use

• does not want to be “that obnoxious person that is always taking photos.”

• has “these entire memory cards full of stuff” that sometimes share on Facebook, usually not

• likes taking photos, “seeing what I like to see”

• has paranoia of “buying non-Canon equipment and losing my camera completely”

• would upgrade to DSLR for portability and professional quality; would want tripod

Object Taker Picture as Proof

Key Insights: Emotion and Meaning Hypotheses Evaluated, Conclusions...

Initial Hypotheses about Interviewees:

*Users would primarily share images via. Facebook.

They did, but they also printed photos, stored them without revisiting, made slide shows for family events, etc... Photos were objects with value as individual things and not just as bragging rights (Facebook) or data.

*Not interested in technical aspects of camera culture.

For the most part they were not, no discussion of lenses, or accessories, but surprising was also the lack of focus on quality, as long as photo functioned to mark memory for most that was enough.

*No post-production.

Users did edit photos much more than expected, this was in part to address quality issues, but more to address problem areas in the images, cropping, blemishes, etc...

*Do not want to take the time to use a support structure.

For the P&S users this was often the case, though a speedy and easy structure might be useful for some, perhaps on an upgrade to ICLs (speculation). Putting the camera on the ground or somewhere it had the feeling of threat was a taboo, even for cheap and fairly robust P&S cameras. Support is not just for precision but it acts as a threshold between the world and what is perceived to be delicate electronics. (metaphor of flower and roots)(anecdote about Expensive Leica Camera Base).

*Not aggressive about taking the “shot”...perhaps a bit shy.

Not universal, people had different levels of enjoyment (and dread) about the act of picture taking.

FIELD RESERACH

Key Insight: More Desk ResearchEngaged Users

DESKTOP RESERACH

"But it made me think about posing. What are we talking about when we say that a photograph is posed? Here's my hyperbolic answer, for what it’s worth: all photographs are posed, every single one of them. Every one of them. Every last one of them. They're all posed. Maybe they're not all posed in the same way, but they're all posed."

-Errol Morris speaking about his new book on photography, Believing is Seeing. (Filmmaker, Philosopher)

Key Points:

*Isolate Sphere of Photo Taking

*Human / Human / Environment / Camera Interaction: Physicality is Important

*Focus on Photography as Activity: Way of Being

*Camera is a Prop for a Certain Kind of PLAY

Innovation: Links to Other IdeasArt, Culture, Form, etc...Miranda July, 11 Heavy Things, Venice Biennale

INNOVATION

mise en scène

How can photo taking transform an environment?

Could the camera also create new relationships?

Innovation: Links to Other IdeasArt, Culture, Form, etc...Ricky Leacock, Cindy Sherman, Camera's Relationship to the Body

INNOVATION

“Screw the tripod.” -Ricky Leacock

Could a Support Structure be: *a part of an experience?*supported by the body?*playful? *performative? *a human experience as opposed to a technical one?

Instead of focusing on: *Perfection*Autonomy*Isolation

Design: ParametersFunction Comes Back, Small Changes

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

General Analysis:

*Quality and precision are not top priority. *Increased functionality is important. *Physicalize and relate to the body vs. autonomy and hands-off approach. *Increasing Human to Human to Environment interaction is key. *Support is also a threshold to environment, integrated with camera but must also feel different (more robust). *Perhaps form can innovate from traditional rectangle.

Emotive Design Goal: *Focus on pleasure and play in the picture taking experience. *Looking at images as they are made is important. *Visibility for sharing with friends in the moment is important. *Support system is a function of exploration and experimentation.

Functional Design Goals: *Lightweight and portable. *Degrees of freedom. *Speed of use.

Design: Relationships Initial Sketches

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Design: Relationships Initial Sketches

DESIGN SOLUTIONS