R&D

In order to develop my system further, I am going to look at similar products that already exist, and how I can implement this research into similar products in order to influence my own product.

The first product, and the main inspiration behind my 12a? system is Common Sense Media. This is a website that claims to ‘rate, educate, and advocate for kids, families, and schools’. They allow users to log on and post reviews of films, rating them for their severity on 7 main categories. The system is very simple and I like the clean interface, as well as the fonts and small graphics to illustrate the categories.

 

 

However, as the website relies on it’s users to upload reviews (as either parents or children) there are a few discrepancies that can occur. For example it allows anyone to pretend to be a parent, and post a review of a very graphic film saying ‘suitable for children’ for example. For my system I will implement this very simple graphic with categories, however I will make sure only a specific team of people can post reviews, and not allow anyone to log on.

 

The second main inspiration is the parent’s guide on IMDB. It is less simple to follow than Common Sense Media, however it is a trusted review, and posts often in more detail, covering warnings that will spoil the plot with spoiler alerts:

The way they cover up major plot points with spoiler alerts I believe to be very effective, however it is not very visually pleasing, and you have to physically read the review to gain information and warnings, which a parent may not have time to do if they are quickly deciding on a film in the cinema. Therefore I will aim to implement a ‘spoiler alert’ system similar to IMDB’s, and I will aim to have the same level of detail but I will aim to make my product much more user friendly, and a more visual product – providing the info as quickly as possible – like in Common Sense Media. Additionally this parent’s guide section isn’t easy to find on the IMDB webpage.

 

The final inspiration in terms of trigger warnings for my product is the tumblr page ‘This Could be Triggering’ in which they show films, and what potential triggers that are present within the film e.g. Suicide, Death of a Parent etc.

 

This could be a useful layout in terms of trigger warnings, and I particularly like the sensitive blue and pink colours used. The way they write the triggers isn’t patronising as well which I like.

Having discussed my QR code idea I may have to slightly alter my output. Originally it was going to have a pop up, showing warnings and information about the film, however I have since discovered that QR codes do not store data themselves, they simply redirect to something else. Therefore I may have to create a website, dedicating certain posts to certain films.

 

EDIT:

 

QR CODE USES:

According to Smallbiztrends there are a number of potential uses for QR codes including:

• Use a QR Code to direct a customer to the URL for your website, Facebook, Twitter or other social media page.
• Use it to share a text message (anything from “Happy Holidays!” to “Have you seen what we have upstairs?)
• Use it as a discount code to be taken to the checkout counter for 10 percent off, for example.
• Use it on your business card with your contact details embedded inside the code.
• Use it to link to a Google Maps location for your new store location perhaps.
• Use it to link to a YouTube video or channel perhaps demonstrating new products or funny company videos.
• Use it to link to an app store download (perhaps of your company’s latest eCommerce app?)
• Use it to embed pricing for your products as an alternative for more conventional price tags.
• Put it on your website’s “contact us” page allowing people scan it and get your contact information direct on their phones.
• Put the code on the tables and walls of your restaurant as an easy way for customers to send off a Foursquare or Facebook status update.
• Put a code on your restaurant’s takeout menu allowing customers to scan it with their phones and instantly call to place an order.
• Put a QR code at the end of promotional videos taking viewers to a landing page on your website.

 

QR CODE ADVANTAGES:

After researching how QR Codes work I have discovered that ‘The most recent version is 177 pixels square, and it holds 1852 characters—enough for a few pages of information.’ (According to Gizmodo.com). This means I will have to compress my information to as little as possible, if I am going to use QR codes in order to bring up the information.

According to Smallbiztrends ‘The QR code has many advantages over a conventional barcode, however. The main advantage is that you can store up to a hundred times more information on a QR code than on a conventional horizontal barcode. In addition, QR codes can be scanned from any direction for 360 degrees. This makes them easier for your device to read and lessens the possibility of background interference.

The third main advantage is that from a marketing point of view, the code’s appearance is unique and interesting, increasing the likelihood of engaging the customer in any campaign where it might be deployed.

A QR code reader can be downloaded onto a smartphone by anyone, and they are mostly free of charge. This means that any customer can walk into your business with his or her smartphone, and scan a QR code which you have generated. An Android user can use something like QR Code Reader, and an iPhone user can download the Quick Scan app. Both are free of charge.

There are many websites allowing you to generate QR codes and again, most are free of charge. You can then download them to your computer for printing. A Google search for “QR code generator” brings up countless results, each offering different options. So it is simply a case of selecting the options that works best for you.’

This illustrates the advantages that QR codes can offer, and especially to me in particular.

 

QR CODE DRAWBACKS:

The article by Gizmodo then continues to discuss the negatives to QR codes.

‘This is due largely to the inherent limitations that QR suffers from. The system needs a steady hand to take the shot, the proper QR app to interpret it, and a data connection to load the webpage and content. So when advertisers put QR codes on freeway billboards, or on subway ads where there is little cell reception, and expect users to then go through the trouble of installing an app just to be taken to the desktop version of the corporate website, it’s little wonder why nobody bothers with it.’

It also raises discussion about the issues of malicious QR codes. ‘The codes can also be used to transmit malicious code, in what’s known as “attagging.” Since anyone can create the codes, it’s easy to write a bit of malware, put it in a QR code, and slap that code over a legitimate tag. Some sap scans the bad code and, if his permissions are set too loosely, the code could give itself access to everything from the camera to the contacts to the GPS data. Or it could connect to an infection site loaded with browser exploits. The phone an become part of a bot net, or be used to send unauthorized texts—hackers in Russia once used QR to commandeer phones to send $6 international SMS messages.’ This means that I will have to consider security risks when developing the system.

Although I feel the Gizmodo article is very pessimistic, it raises some good points, and I will reflect upon these pessimistic views when developing the system.

 

 

References:

Tarantola, Andrew. Gizmodo.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.

O’Neill, Mark. “What Is A QR Code And How Does It Work?”. Small Business Trends. N.p., 2015. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.

After researching how epilepsy can be triggered in films, I have come across a common list of triggers within film:

‘Ceiling fans

Light seen through a fast-rotating ceiling fan may trigger a seizure. Using a slow-rotating fan would reduce this risk.

Cinema films

Watching films, including 3D films, at the cinema doesn’t pose a risk in itself. However, some films contain images such as flashing or flickering lights, which could trigger a seizure.

In the UK, the British Board of Film Classification states that it is up to the film makers and distributors to identify works in which there may be problems with flashing lights. They should then make sure that, if necessary, warnings are given to viewers about this. However, there is no guarantee that this will always happen.

Interactive whiteboards

Looking at an interactive whiteboard is not likely to trigger a seizure, unless the material shown contains flashing or flickering lights, or contrasting patterns.

Lighting

Fluorescent strip lights and light bulbs may trigger a seizure if they flicker because they are faulty. Otherwise, they should not cause you a problem.

Flashing Christmas tree lights

Flashing Christmas tree lights that are put up by public organisations in the UK, such as local councils, have to comply with health and safety regulations. They should not flash at a rate that could trigger seizures in most people with photosensitive epilepsy

Christmas tree lights that are sold to the public do not have to comply with health and safety regulations. They could flash at any rate, so there is the possibility that they could cause you to have a seizure.

Flashing novelty badges

Novelty badges do not have to comply with health and safety regulations, so they could flash at any rate. There is the possibility that these could cause you to have a seizure.

Red flashing bicycle lights

Red flashing bicycle lights (light emitting diodes, or LEDS) have triggered seizures in a small number of people. This has happened when they were very close to the lights, setting them up.

Strobe lights

You may come across strobe lights in places like night clubs, discos and theme parks.

In the UK, the flash rate of strobe lights is restricted to a maximum of four flashes a second by the Health and Safety Executive. This rate is considered to be safe for most people. However, some people with photosensitive epilepsy may still find strobe lights could trigger a seizure.

Patterns

Some high contrast or moving patterns can trigger seizures in some people with photosensitive epilepsy. Here are some examples.

• Black and white stripes
• Some patterned materials and wallpapers
• Large areas of floor and ceiling tiles with high contrast lines
• Looking down a moving escalator

Sunlight

Being in sunlight is unlikely to trigger a seizure if you have photosensitive epilepsy. However, looking directly at certain patterns connected with sunlight could trigger a seizure. Here are some examples.

• Sunlight through slatted blinds
• Sunlight through trees, viewed from a moving vehicle
• Sunlight reflected off moving water
• Sunlight through moving leaves
• Sunlight through railings, as you move past them

Sun beds

Sun beds may trigger a seizure if the tubes flicker because they are faulty. Otherwise, they should not cause you a problem.

Wind turbines

In the UK, the flicker frequency of wind turbines on wind farms should be limited to 3 Hz. This flicker rate is unlikely to trigger a seizure.

Wind turbines that are not on wind farms are not subject to the same planning regulations as wind farms. If a turbine is in the wrong position in relation to the sun, it could create a strobe effect. This could trigger a seizure for some people with photosensitive epilepsy.

If you live in the UK and have concerns about a planned or existing wind farm, you may wish to contact the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA), who can provide contact details of specific wind farm operators.’

 

With this in mind, I will take the relevant triggers to film (for example lights travelling through a ceiling fan) and will implement them as warnings in the final product.

 

References:

Seizure triggers for people with photosensitive epilepsy | epilepsy action (2016) Available at: https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/photosensitive-epilepsy/triggers (Accessed: 8 February 2016).

I have honed in on my ideas and have decided to focus my attention on the film rating system, and particularly 12a ratings due to the current transparency.

I am going to probably use QR tags to trigger the information popping up on perhaps a phone or other smart device, which can be placed on a poster, trailer, or any other promotional material.

I am going to continue my research by looking into epilepsy, and PTSD and what could potentially trigger these within films, and tailor my system to suit these.