On Small Experiments

Was listening to a book review from one of our partners earlier and they mentioned a book which focused on adding small experiments into one’s life to help break down larger tasks, or remove the barriers causing procrastination so one can discover some other aspects to their processes, work, and/or life.

This reminded of the consistent practice here of doing lots of research and experiments around physical-connected devices and spaces with a goal of looking at the ripples of identity, experience design, and social interactions. We highlighted a few of these in a recent notable reads collection. Simply speaking, looking at connected experiences beyond the screen, and where more than just eyes and ears are engaged.

What could happen when you start treating some of these smaller, intimate devices as more than just a signal? Well, you might find yourself sketching ideas for something a bit more. For example, what could play with something like the Tiburn smart/connected badge do for you?

This is essentially a badge that you can program to show almost anything, in three colors (black, white, and red). When at certain networking events (for example last week) and they give you one of those lanyards, one could essentially “copy” and make their own. It could be the “this is a knowledge worker signal” when traveling thru areas during the weekday rush hours. Last fun bonus, it’s got the ability to pass info to others thru the NFC bits… so then getting from the “hey, what company is that” to the “tap it for more info/to connect with me” bits hella faster

Small experiments… 😏

Cause you never know what you might learn when you break your mental models about how things are done.