“Refresh Dublin is an event that promotes design, technology, usability and standards. It is a part of and inspired by the Refreshing Cities movement. The intent of Refresh Dublin is to provide a cross-discipline insight into all things design, interactive, creative and technical, so that different disciplines can learn from each other.” – RefreshDublin.org

How did Refresh Dublin start?

Photo by Niamh Redmond (view ‘WHAT IF’ set on Flickr)

I attended the advance/ member preview of the new Science Gallery exhibit yesterday evening – ‘What If…’.  The exhibition investigates where design meets science to explore the weird, wonderful and sometimes scary possibilities for future technology. The exhibition is curated by leading London based design duo Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby (www.dunneandraby.co.uk).

The project features some very visual and interesting design works, produced by twenty designers from around the world, as well as a range of thought-provoking questions. The exhibition is interesting to me on a number of levels. (more…)

On June 12th, 2009 I attended the first TEDxDublin event, which was organised by Aaron Quigley and hosted by the Science Gallery.

The previously recorded TED talks that were show at the event were: 

• - Pattie Maes on the Sixth Sense. TED Link
• - Robert Full on Learning from the gecko’s tail. TED Link

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FITC (Flash in the Can) is one of the largest and longest running events for the design and technology community. The 2009 Toronto event celebrated what it means to “live, think and play outside the lines” this year, with three days packed full of inspiring sessions focused on the art and craft of interactive design and technology.

Interestingly, the “Flash in the Can” name is a reference to Adobe’s Flash software and CAN – taken from Canada. The inaugural festival previously focused strictly on Flash. However, the scope of events has broadened to include motion design, creative inspiration, mobile and gaming technologies as well as other forms of interactive and digital media technologies such as Flex, Air and others.

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My contribution for Ada Lovelace Day is dedicated to Susan Kare.

Susan Kare, the “Mother of GUI”:

Have you ever used a Macintosh computer? If yes, do you know the key on the bottom left of your keyboard that says  “command”. Can you picture the cloverleaf-like “infinite loop” symbol beside that? Or how about the the “Happy Mac” icon image to the left? Kane designed them.

OK, so you’re not a Mac user. Do you know the fonts Geneva, Chicago and Monaco? Kane created them.

How about Facebook – have you ever received or given a “gift” on Facebook? You know the pixel images that you can send to a friend? Kare designed many of the icons for the Facebook Gifts application.

So, you don’t use a Mac, you haven’t heard of those fonts and you’ve never been on Facebook?! Have you played Solitaire? Kare designed the graphics for the computer game. (more…)