Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
encrypts all traffic between the two machines using public key encryption tech-
niques, making it very difficult for anyone else to access the data. It can also be
used as a reliable way to penetrate firewalls delivering data securely.
If product designers are working on a single design, a tool that can highlight
changes made to the design by different people is very valuable. These changes
may be quite subtle and may occur asynchronously. It is also valuable to be able
to provide a visual history, which illustrates the development of a design, making it
possible to track back through the various changes that have occurred. In this way,
it is possible to observe how a design has evolved over time (and based on inputs
from multiple team members).
The virtual design environment at Studio Levien includes tools that allow for
the quick comparison of images, allowing significant changes to be noted. These
features are used to provide users with information on the progress being made in
a project and can also be used to identify the contributions made to a project by
individual contributors.
The image comparison tool creates three image forms: source, operator, and
result. Each form always keeps one image in the computer's memory. In order
to locate the differences between two images the user has to open the image that
they wish to compare in the source and operator windows. This service uses a C++
and Python algorithm, as well as wavelet decomposition, to break the two images
into pieces and then searches for similarities, producing the remaining parts in the
“results” window. Such a feature allows a large team that may be dispersed geo-
graphically as well as in terms of time zone to work on a single design efficiently
and effectively.
Overall, the virtual design environment at Studio Levien offers a portfolio of
IT-based tools that support the various aspects or stages of the design process, and
more importantly, collaborative design. Next, we examine some of the implications
for future research based on the experience in developing and implementing the
virtual design environment at Studio Levien.
4.5 Research Implications and Conclusions
The research which has gone into the design and development of the virtual design
environment indicates some promising avenues for future research. One area of par-
ticular interest is the development of the environment to support the education of
new product designers. Design students and lecturers require a range of tools and
technologies that can mirror the professional context, whilst simultaneously allow-
ing students the maximum range in their creativity, encouraging experimentation
and a reflective approach to learning. Educators need to be able to track students'
individual progress and provide meaningful and timely feedback. Future studies
may consider how such a virtual environment may enhance the learning process in
product design.
Another area of research relates to the development of a visual search engine tool
that can aid product designers. Future studies may consider the desired attributes
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