http://www.formula-d.co.za/blog Designtalk - a blog discussing design, technology, education in and beyond South Africa Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:34:47 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en

Formula D Interactive recently developed a Virtual Chemistry Lab, as a safe, low cost alternative to the standard chemistry laboratory in schools. The heart of the system is a so called object recognition table. The interactive platform consists of a 50" High Definition rear projected screen prepped with lots of computing power. Sophisticated pattern recognition technology allows users to navigate content information by placing physical cards onto the table’s glass surface. ]]> http://www.formula-d.co.za/blog/2011/12/22/innovating-education-in-south-africa-formula-d-interactive-presents-a-virtual-yet-tangible-chemistry-lab/ ibali is a public furniture design concept designed by Johan du Toit and Michael Wolf from Formula D interactive in their spare time. ibali offers an extra service to city dwellers: It inspires. A recent city branding initiative gave Cape Town the title: City of Inspiration. Cape Town and its citizens are rich with inspirational people and stories that are linked to specific places and streets in Cape Town. ibali – space of inspiration aims at creating islands of inspiration in the city allowing citizens to step out of the stream of everyday life to get a dose of hope and inspiration.]]> http://www.formula-d.co.za/blog/2011/12/01/ibali-speaking-public-furniture-design-to-inspire-citizens/ http://www.formula-d.co.za/blog/2011/11/10/product-design-in-cape-town-an-interview-with-johan-du-toit/ http://www.formula-d.co.za/blog/2011/10/20/toppling-godsigner-jenna-mervis-talks-to-cape-towns-mugendi-m%e2%80%99rithaa-about-transformative-design/ #leftcontainerBox { float:left; position: absolute; top:30%; left:0px; z-index:1; #F0F4F9} #leftcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; clear:both; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; width:55px; height:60px; padding-bottom:2px; } #bottomcontainerBox { float:left; height:30px; width:100%; #F0F4F9} #bottomcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; height:30px; width:85px; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; } In this Pecha Kucha style talk, Michael Wolf presents the potential of serious games and edutainment to enhance learning. He uses the example of the Open Budgets Game, which has recently been designed by Formula D interactive, Michael’s design company.]]> http://www.formula-d.co.za/blog/2011/10/18/the-open-budgets-game-a-serious-game-for-civil-society-organisations/ #leftcontainerBox { float:left; position: absolute; top:30%; left:0px; z-index:1; #F0F4F9} #leftcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; clear:both; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; width:55px; height:60px; padding-bottom:2px; } #bottomcontainerBox { float:left; height:30px; width:100%; #F0F4F9} #bottomcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; height:30px; width:85px; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; } Earlier this year, an angel fell from the sky onto the tiled floor of Victoria Station, London, and began interacting with commuters. It was a beautiful piece of augmented reality by Axe as part of their Excite promotion. It was also a visible marker of where the virtual world is headed: terra firma. From virtual [...]]]> http://www.formula-d.co.za/blog/2011/05/09/gamification-gaming-the-real-world/ #leftcontainerBox { float:left; position: absolute; top:30%; left:0px; z-index:1; #F0F4F9} #leftcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; clear:both; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; width:55px; height:60px; padding-bottom:2px; } #bottomcontainerBox { float:left; height:30px; width:100%; #F0F4F9} #bottomcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; height:30px; width:85px; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; } The Cape Town Design Network (CTDN) invites you to subscribe to its mailing list. This will ensure that in future you receive all notices of meetings and any relevant information. Go to www.ctdn.co.za to subscribe or follow their Twitter feed. Here’s what CTDN has to say in their recent newsletter: “The Cape Town Design Network [...]]]> http://www.formula-d.co.za/blog/2011/04/29/cape-town-designers-join-the-cape-town-design-network/

• What are technology tools for learning?
• How do technology tools benefit the classroom of today?
• What are the requirements for the design of tools for the classroom of tomorrow?
• What are the key technologies for the classroom of tomorrow?

In this blog post I will deal with the first 2 questions.]]> http://www.formula-d.co.za/blog/2011/04/14/how-to-design-technology-tools-for-the-classroom-of-tomorrow-part-1/
The old Burger Street prison in Pietermaritzburg has exceptional historic significance for South Africa and its people. The building is a monument for the ill-treatment of human rights in South Africa during colonial rule and Apartheid regime. Formula D interactive has been commissioned by Project Gateway to present a conceptual road map for the creation of a state of the art museum within the walls of the prison. Whilst maintaining the original layout and harsh features of the location, the proposed exhibits enhance the authentic experience with information graphics as well as cutting edge multimedia displays.]]> http://www.formula-d.co.za/blog/2011/03/10/ghandi-prison-interactive-museum-project-in-south-africa-seeks-funding/ http://www.formula-d.co.za/blog/2011/03/01/technology-education-versus-design-education/