Design students show off apps and tools for the future

Published On Wed 27 May 2015 by Roddy Isles

A news app that automatically provides balanced coverage from across the political spectrum, a `calming bear’ to help children overcome anxiety and a restaurant reviewing platform for people with food allergies are among the next generation of innovative applications developed by University of Dundee students for this year’s Art, Design & Architecture Degree Show.

Students on the Product Design and Digital Interaction Design programmes at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design not only come from a digitally connected generation, they are developing the tools and applications that could become the next trend or bring new benefits to whole sections of society.

Stephen Macvean’s `Almanac’ project is one example. Throughout the general election campaign and last year’s Scottish referendum, a constant source of public debate, and often anger, has been that of bias across the media.

`Almanac’ removes that issue by providing users with a balanced news agenda. His app is coded so that it automatically balances `right’ and `left’.

“I developed Almanac from research I did into general atmosphere among people in Scotland following the referendum,” said Stephen (24), from Edinburgh. “There was a lot of comment about how much of an impact social media had on that campaign but I found that one major influence of it is that it led to people becoming really entrenched in their opinions, a result I think of them being quite narrow in how they get their news.

“People often tend to follow those on Twitter for instance who share their political point of view, the same as people have traditionally done with newspapers, so often they are only getting one side of the argument. That can skew the sense of what is really happening. What Almanac does is balance that out.”

Jodie Anderson (22), from Wick, has developed a `Calming Bear’ to help children with anxiety issues. Her bear isn’t just a cute toy, it also houses a vibrating motor that pulses every four seconds.

“The whole idea is to help children slow down their breathing rate when they are experiencing anxiety,” said Jodie. “I have been working with psychologists, and also with children at a primary school in Wick, and it is clear that managing breathing techniques can really help calm children.

“A lot of kids have a comfort toy. This adds an extra dimension while still being something kids can cuddle and hold.”

David Todd’s own problems with an intolerance for dairy products led to him developing an app that could offer a reviewing platform for people with similar issues. His prototype `Digestable’ app lets food allergy and intolerance sufferers share reviews of restaurants, detailing how accommodating they are for customers with specific needs.

“I had really bad stomach problems for a year and eventually discovered I couldn’t have dairy,” said David (21). “Suddenly I was the complicated person when it came to organising going out for meals. That also got me thinking what would be the best way to find the places that really work for allergy sufferers and who will best accommodate them.”

David did a survey for 120 allergy sufferers for his project, which showed they felt restaurants are generally not doing enough to accommodate allergy sufferers.

“I also found that the people whose advice on this they are most likely to trust are fellow sufferers, so it made sense to combine these issues in an app where people could offer tips, advice and reviews,” said David.

“I think it also encourages restaurants to get involved and raises awareness of a customer base they need to accommodate. For some people it is literally a life or death issue.”

The University of Dundee Art, Design and Architecture Degree Show 2015 runs until to May 31^st and has already attracted record crowds.

The annual Degree Show turns the University into Scotland’s largest exhibition space for a week, with over 300 students from the University’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and the School of the Environment showing their work to thousands of visitors.