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Updated: Wednesday, January 25

Creation of the PeRSoN.NeL iPhone App, August 2011

It was the logical evolution of the PeRSoN.NeL URL-shortening site and the Augmented Reality layer (also allowing the display of virtual sculptures via 3D) that were already created to beautify your virtual life.

The iPhone application in fact provided the possibility to integrate these elements and add the option for paid min-e-art via In-App purchases. In addition social media functions like 'share on Twitter' and 'share on Facebook' are added and the opportunity to decorate your actual location via a Foursquare checkin.

Get the App and see and experience it for yourself.

The project was realized in cooperation with Up2Technology.

In the ongoing effort to create the Ideal Library webpresence we added various modules (like the one for highlighting subjects and related library titles and a 'decorative' one for displaying artworks) and created widgets that allow users to take library functions to the online places they frequent the most. For example, in the image below you see library widgets added to the personal portal Netvibes.

Similarly, the widgets could be added to your iGoogle page, Hyves (the Dutch variety of Facebook) or your personal website. All of these innovations can be seen on the new library site of Deventer.

The project was realized in cooperation with Info.nl (Full Service Internet Agency) , BSL (Development), Link Design and Up2Technology.

Augmented Reality in a serious game, December 2010

As part of the library innovation project we explored the possibilities of Augmented Reality for extending the library function. This resulted in the 'serious game' called "Expedition Deventer" (see the introductory video in Dutch below). The game allows teams of students to explore the past, present and future of the city with the help of library materials. The Augmented Reality component (using technology by Layar) has the unique ability to present photo, video and 3D information in a physical context.

Upon completion the game was nominated for the Dutch Digital Heritage prize and to our pleasant surprise: WE WON!

The project was realized in cooperation with Fabrique (brands, design & interaction)

Storytelling/Architecture/Technology/Experience Orlando, October 2010

Another opportunity to present the PeRSoN.NeL Augmented Reality concept was provided by the Themed Entertainment Association at their SATE'10 conference in Orlando, Florida. Before an audience of theme park designers, museum directors and entertainment professionals I presented "Be a Person Of Interest", an argument for allowing people to be a 'point-of-interest' in Augmented Reality.

The type of information a person could 'carry along' ranges from decorative art to functional messages like the one shown above.

Designing the Hybrid City Shanghai, August 2010

VIRVIE's latest venture, launched at the beginning of this year, is PeRSoN.NeL (www.prsn.nl). It's a service that allows you to decorate your virtual life. The first vehicle for this decoration was the (shortened) link, as it is so often used in online social communication. But as of this fall it is possible to decorate your own augmented reality (using Layar).
In this presentation "Living with Individuals", I explain the need and benefits of this kind of 'virtual decoration' as I call it. It was presented at Designing the Hybrid City, in Shanghai on August 17th, 2010.

The Ideal Library Website, September 2009 (and ongoing)

In extension of the national future library online project, VIRVIE is asked to design the new library site for the 25 libraries of Overijssel (a Dutch province). Next to implementing 'Web 2.0 principles' like widgets and social interaction, the design needs to align with the newly devised Ideal Library store concept. Next to a new visual identity, this involved different 'worlds' for specific target audiences and bookstore-like frontal display of covers.
The first version of the new site was released together with the opening of the remodeled library location in Zwolle Zuid:

(click the image to see the website in action) 

This first release includes a display-widget with six different worlds, a search engine with different visual interfaces and a location widget with realtime opening hours.

The project was realized in cooperation with Info.nl (Full Service Internet Agency) and BSL (Development).

REBOOT11 Kopenhagen, June 2009

VIRVIE is most interested in the crossover between the real and the virtual world, because that is where the (human) action is. Not everything that happens offline should happen online, but some things seem to be left out undeservedly. For example, in the real world important people or special events get a statue, a building, a streetname or .... a postage stamp.
The physical stamp has the unique capability of conveying an additional message with it. This now seems to get lost. Is there, or will there be an online equivalent?

The presentation "From Reboot with Love", losely connected to that James Bond 007 movie, addresses the need and possibilities for an e-stamp. It was presented at Reboot11, in Kopenhagen on June 26th, 2009.

Demonstrating the future library online, June 2009 

"The proof of the pudding is in the eating", therefore the Association of Dutch Libraries (VOB) decided to make the previously devised concept for the future library online into a two-part working demo. VIRVIE translated it's concept into mockups for a site and widgets and supported the design and build. The first part of the demo consists of a portal based website. The portal adjusts to the specific user in terms of content and look&feel based on their age and location (below is the site for an eleven-year old).

The second part consist of a widget that can operate in an external environment e.g. Netvibes, iGoogle, Social Network profile page, a personal website, or on an iPhone.

Visualizing the future library online, November 2008
 
The (Dutch) libraries face a double challenge. On the one hand they have to service people in the library buildings and provide added value, on the other hand they need to stay a relevant factor in the online information overload.

The Association of Dutch Libraries (VOB) formulated an ambitious vision and strategy to face these challenges, among which a personal library portal for everyone.

VIRVIE was asked to advise on the concept of the personal library portal, giving special attention to the current social networking and 'widgetization' trends. The result a visual scenario with a working PC and iPhone demo environment (including a personal bookshelf and sharing library search results with friends).

The project was realized in cooperation with Wilfred Nas (frontend-developer) and Leon Mussche (illustrator).

Experience Architecture Forum Boston, August 2008

There is a fine line between the real and the virtual, one that VIRVIE actively strives to blur. Because this becomes relevant for the work of 'real/physical' architects too, VIRVIE was invited to present before the Experience Architecture Forum at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

"Breaking the Real/Virtual Barrier", presented in Cambridge Massachusetts on August 7th, 2008, culminates the effects of popular social sharing on real life and the ideas of 'exterior dashboards' and 'shareable buildings'.

In the discussion afterwards you hear Gregory Beck AIA, organiser of the Experience Architecture Forum asking some questions.

(Please excuse us for the suboptimal lighting and some involuntary 'sound effects' throughout the video)



To see the slides and read the notes go to my Slideshare (it will be updated soon).

The Web and Beyond Amsterdam, May 2008

VIRVIE likes to stretch the boundaries and apply (new) technologies in unconventional ways. Inspired by the developments in Social Networks and Open Standards the idea of "Party at My Place" is created, which was presented at The Web and Beyond - Mobility, in Amsterdam on May 22nd, 2008.

The presentation elaborates the idea of using the new open web standards to build a mansion-like website where you can host a virtual party.




To see the slides and read the notes go to my Slideshare.

Pecha Kucha Rotterdam, April 2008

In a continuous effort to spread its ideas, VIRVIE got the opportunity to present at Pecha Kucha, in Rotterdam on April 24th, 2008.

In this presentation the inspiration for virreal architecture is explained and possible future developments are discussed.
(N.B. the noise in the beginning is a little loud)




To see the slides and read the notes go to my Slideshare. 

Interface Exercises

In a constant search for new ways to interface with the user and connect not only on a functional, but more so on an emotional/inspirational level we are doing some exercises. The first is a take on Coverflow (as known from Apple's iTunes). The idea is that you browse through (images of) the pages and based on that impression go into a particular page.

Click on the image to see a demo (thanks to AenA Productions):



Even though the images might not be as up-to-date as the actual pages, they give off a lot more 'scent'-signals than the average navigation button. 

NTT DoCoMo Int. Architectural Design Competition, 2006

The theme for this second competition was 'Public Space for Ambient Intelligence'. VIRVIE entered a submission called 'SEE:DELETE', which presented the concept of lenses on different real life situations where information could be added or deleted from that situation.



The submission was accepted but did not receive an award. VIRVIE now seeks to further develop this concept and is looking for opportunities to realize it. 

EuroIA summit Berlin, 2006

There are numerous projects where VIRVIE's influence is noticable, but they were all 'under cover'. VIRVIE's first real act out in the open is a submission to the EURO IA summit in Berlin, which was presented on September 30th, 2006.

The presentation challenges the field of Information Architecture. I suggest the analogy between structural engineers and a buildings architect on the one hand and information architects and a ‘virreal’ architect on the other. The ‘virreal’ architect being more visionary and ambitious ;-)