Tag: Lexicon

Omnipresence: This word signifies the fact that an element, physical or conceptual, is present everywhere. In the context of our class I can identify a few omnipresent elements, physical technology, which are basically the tools to complete a job; and “invisible technology”, like electricity, satellite communications, the Internet, etc.

Communication: this word signifies today much more than 20 or 30 years ago and it has become an essential part of live in the 21^st century. Some time ago, this word used to signify the exchange of information between two or more people, either in person, by phone, or in a letter, and not much more. Today, this is a word that describes an essential mechanism to accomplish any task. Communication today not only implies an exchange of information, but a long range of knowledge about what channels of communication will be used, for what reason, in what setting, etc. Communication today also describes professional fields not only related to the literal sense of the word, but to the technology related to the process. In other words, communication has become an essential part of our culture, and communicational channels, are today, some of the most popular technology used by humanity, which demonstrate the need we have of communicating. In past week lectures is explained how the omnipresent technology “affects communication in countless ways”, emphasizing that communication has become almost an independent force that changes with technology forcing us to change the way we communicate.

Distance: Literally, the space between point A and point B. In the context of past lectures, the word distance was related to a perceptual idea that is being created by technology and its “omnipresent-communicational” channels. Distance does not describe the physical space between two people anymore, because there is a new kind of “space” described in the past lecture “The Third Space”, the online space, a force “that draws people together-and can keep people-in numbers.” (pg4).

–                Choice: Is selecting one or more options, out of two or more options. In the context of our class, choice is an essential word, since is the most important element of any project or action taken. The choice is what decides the action, and depending on the choice made, the future of anything for good or bad is created.

–                Sustainability: It’s the self-survival of processes or systems, physical or conceptual. To me it signifies the idea that any creation can be long-lasting, self-maintainable, and adaptable to changes (environmental/cultural); in more simple words, a creation can withstand the effects of time, no matter how chaotic or stressful those effects are.

–                Innovation: is the process in which and idea or object is transform into something good that serves another purpose, or its original purpose in a better way. As students we have work innovating logos, we have work learning innovating ways to create visual aids, and we have worked with innovative technologies.

– Judgment:

This is the capacity of an individual to take a reasonable decision about a particular issue. In the context of designing, is very important to have good judgment, since it would be the judgment of the designer, which will create the adequate or inadequate design for the task.

–  Participatory:

This word to me describes the attempt to involve others in a particular event. In the concept of our class, the word can be taken in many different ways, always implying the fact that two or more elements are interacting with each other.

– Atmosphere:

In the context of our class, to me this word refers to the immediate mood surrounding a place or an individual. It can be positive or negative, always setting and affecting the quality of the physical or perceptual place one is interacting with.

– Character:

To me this word represents primarily the traits that make an individual who he/she is, although, in the context of the class, it represents much more. Character can be the feeling the presentation of a logo, or a collateral might have, and it also can refer to symbols and letters in a text.

Process:

Steps to take, or that were taken to achieve a goal. Everything and everyone with a good operative system around us are subjected to a certain process in order to function correctly. If the process is interrupted or discontinued in any of the elements mentioned above, then humans or things are considered unable to “process” information, which means that “it” is broken, obsolete, diseased, or dead. This fact makes the word very powerful, since is a word that describes a map, which better is know how to follow, since our society works in a process based system. if we or it are unable to process information or to follow certain procedures, then we or it, are not good for out society.

Environment:

The immediate surroundings of a living organism, or thing; usually it refers to the space, physical and conceptual, surrounding the element being discussed. Environment, depending in the context in which is being used, can take different significances or shapes. It can refer to the social culture in which and individual or a thing was raised or created; as well as it can mean the physical landscape in which that certain element is at. In our days, the word has taken a significance almost immediately related to natural elements, like the weather or the natural landscapes surrounding our location.

Technology:

Technology is a new God on earth (Google), and the main reason for human existence in the 21^st Century. How many times anyone has heard somebody else make the comment, especially in Oregon: what do you do all day without Internet? How do you communicate without a cell phone? I am bored; do you have Wi-Fi? All of which besides being annoying, is the proof that electronic advances especially in computers, have become an essential part of our lives. But technological advances are not just does related to electronic devices or satellite communications. Mostly everyone, everyday, wake up with an alarm, turn on a light, flush the toilet, take a shower, get dress, prepare breakfast, get in their cars, drive on a highway, and spent 10 hours in front of a computer, just to do the same actions backwards; I’m doing it right now, and you too. Without technology, none of the actions mentioned above, and all of those in between, would be possible. Technology is the element that makes humans’ lives easier, and also, what show the level of development of a society.

Convergence:

This is a word, which to me represent uniformity, where two different elements come together, or appear to do so. In the context of our studies, it can be define as the merging point where different entities or ideas start working in unison. Good examples can be Facebook, which is a social converging point for different people, organizations, services, entertainments, media, etc.

Connections: 

Besides the simple definition of this word, which is: the link that brings together two or more different elements or ideas, the word connection has taken a broad range of interpretations. In the context of our class, I interpreted the word “connections” as the resulting actions between different converging elements.

Identity:

Elements that make anything unique. Individual features or traits of a person or thing that distinguish them from another person or thing. In the marketing business, identity is what makes a product or service unique, recognizable, and stand above competitors. The identity can be defined by the type of service an organization provides, the quality of that service, the quality of the product being offered, location, and/or even by the logo of the establishment.

System: To me a system is a group of different elements working together in unison.

Transparency: Depending of the context of the word it can mean an element to which is possible see through, like a glass window or a food storage bag (Ziploc). In the context of morality, it means a honest and truthful person.

Quality: Is the standard by which we compare a thing to another. A good quality product or service tends to be better than the average, while a low quality product or service is usually the norm.