Design of X

Below is my University Of Auckland "Design of X" assignment I took my insight from P1 (part 1 of the assignment) and further explored and developed it to create a design to solve the problem of VAR.

The Brief

Imagine and explore a world where your insight (from P1 — Future of X) has come true. Your task over the next six weeks is to concept, develop, and fabricate an artifact that belongs in this future world that does not yet exist.

Phase Breakdown
Research & Concept: Explore in more detail the context surrounding your future insight and find three possible artifacts that could exist in this future.

Research: Discovery phase

System maps (present & future)
– Ideas brainstorm
– Chosen concept rationale

Fabricate: Finalise the design and make.

– Fabricate the final artefact
– Render & photograph
– Artefact writeup

Develop: Progress one chosen concept.

– Form and material exploration & rationale
– Aesthetic mood board analysis
– Prototype physical mockups

Assignment 1

The problem with VAR

VAR was first set up to make the game more accurate and fairer, which in some cases did help the game become fair and more accurate. But with VAR becoming more and more advanced. Is it fair to say that there will be no need for referees shortly?

See, this is already happening in games because VAR has started overruling referees ' decisions. In the premier league, an average of over 115 goals gets overruled. This affects the league because whether it is a goal or not, teams get affected by goals as points. On who gets promoted or relegated. Many VAR decisions were fair and correct, but in some cases, there is that 1 goal that was very close, and that’s where it goes bad.

This then leads to Delays and Disruption.

VAR has also caused a lot of trouble. as the introduction of VAR was to improve offside decisions, it has also led to delays and disruptions that disturb the flow of the game. Watching a small clip from 5 different angles makes it a longer video review, which interrupts the rhythm and excitement of matches.

When players score a goal, they can no longer celebrate the carefree nature of the decision, they have to stop and look at the screen to see if it’s a goal or not.

In the foreseeable future, VAR's influence on football will only grow stronger, potentially overshadowing referees in decision-making. Despite its impact on accuracy, there's a risk of VAR disrupting the flow and excitement of the game, emphasising the need for a careful balance between technology and preserving football's essence.

Discovery Phase

Using my Insight from the first assignment, and taking on the problem of how VAR is running the game.

I created a mind map to understand the problem so I could understand logistics and other factors that can be taken into consideration.

Research Phase

After I created the mind map, I started thinking of a few ideas that could or couldn't happen in the future of VAR of football that could either help the game or make it worse.

The overall goal was to create as many ideas as possible for further development.

Below are the final 3, and on the right are all the ideas.

Ethical Guidelines for VAR Use: Concept: Establish a comprehensive set of "FairPlay VAR Guidelines" that emphasise the ethical use of VAR technology. These guidelines would define when and how VAR should be used, ensuring that it complements the referee's role and doesn't overshadow their judgment.
Transparency and Communication: Concept: Create an interactive "VAR Insight Platform" that provides real-time explanations of VAR decisions to both viewers and participants. This platform could offer detailed insights into why a decision was made, using visual aids to showcase the referee's thought process and the VAR's contribution.
Hybrid Refereeing System: Concept: Develop a "Referee-Verified VAR" approach where human referees make the final decisions, consulting VAR only when required to ensure accuracy. The VAR's role would be limited to providing additional information to assist referees in making informed decisions.

"Hybrid Refereeing System"

Out of the three ideas, I decided to focus on the third one, which was to develop a hybrid refereeing system. I then looked into design options for various ways I could create the device because, as a digital device that will be used to make accurate decisions quickly, exploring all of the options was essential early on.

On the left are all the design ideas I came up with on how to design the product. I explored many options on how to construct, how it will work and its overall features.

In the end, I ended up choosing the smart wristband and multi-screen device.

While looking and exploring my options I liked the idea of using the smart wristband and multi-screen device and making it one product to create my final idea.

Exploration

On the right are the exploration and photos of the main problems I researched with VAR, I also looked at current devices that can be used and their functions to take into consideration when designing my product.

Concepts

This device is a VAR armband. It is a phone connected to a wristband that only plays VAR videos, and you swipe to see the different camera angles.

With this device, there were a few problems.

The durability of it

In games, if refs need to cover themselves or if the ref trips and falls, this device won't be the best approach.

Comfortability
Protection when players are around.

To create a multi-screen device that is also portable is an extremely complex gadget. I first looked at the current problem and started looking for solutions from my research of current devices and current technology out there. I came to the solution for creating a device similar to the Samsung flip phone.

The design in the first concept was good, however, there were a few problems with the design. first, the 4 screen displays were too small. If the ref needs to make a quick decision the ref needs to make sure he can see everything that is happening. The other design problem was that the screen could be visible from any angle, if football players are angry about the VAR check they won't be giving the ref space to look over it privately.

In this design I created the screen to show 2 screens instead of 4, the screen will also have a privacy screen saver so that the person holding the phone (the referee) can only see what is happening on the screen.

Final design

As the main colour for the Multi-Screen Device in the final design, I went with navy. Navy is my colour of choice because it radiates classic elegance, quiet command, and neutral adaptability. The colour Navy's ability to offer discretion, camouflage, and wear resistance fits in perfectly with the demands of football referees. It also harmonises team uniforms without drawing attention to itself. In conclusion, navy enhances the device's practicality, durability, and sophistication, making it a perfect option that upholds tradition while embracing innovation on the football field.

In the device, at the moment, the screen is showing the current World Cup game, Japan vs Spain. The problem in the World Cup game between Japan and Spain was about whether a crucial goal should stand due to a potential out-of-play situation. In the high-stakes context of a World Cup match, where outcomes have broad implications, this issue gained significant importance. The role of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) in reviewing the goal further emphasises the need for accuracy in decision-making. The debate surrounding the goal highlighted the complexity of football decision-making and showcased VAR's role in resolving such disputes, especially in prestigious tournaments like the World Cup, where fairness and credibility are paramount.

One of the most pressing concerns in modern football is the amount of time spent on video reviews, which can disrupt the flow and excitement of the game. The controversial goal in the Japan vs. Spain World Cup match serves as a prime example. The debate over whether the ball had gone out of play, coupled with extensive video analysis, led to delays that can be frustrating for players and fans.

Here's where the Multi-Screen Device comes into play as a solution to this issue. With its real-time, multiple-angle displays and intuitive touch and gesture controls, referees equipped with this gadget can quickly and accurately make crucial decisions without the need for prolonged video reviews. The device allows referees to view incidents from various perspectives and mark key moments for review efficiently. By providing referees with the tools to make swift and precise decisions, your device significantly reduces time wastage and maintains the game's tempo.

Moreover, the device's portability ensures that referees always have this powerful tool at their fingertips. Whether they need to double-check a contentious goal or analyse a crucial play, they can do so swiftly, allowing the game to continue without unnecessary interruptions. The result is a more seamless and enjoyable football experience for both players and spectators.

The Brief

Develop, iterate, or pivot your artefact from <P2. X Does not yet exist> to a highly refined, well-crafted design that's fit to be displayed in the MoMA Design Store (Museum of Modern Art).

Moodboard

Looking at more narrow yet curved shapes to give and more alien look and feel with added texture and harmony to bring balance between the two components.

Concepts

Designing a digital device capable of card storage and equipped with a notepad for capturing in-game thoughts, as well as recording notable events and incidents during gameplay.

Developments

From the concepts pages and exploitative mood board, I drew a few designs that show how I can use those unique shapes to create my product.

This was another approach I was thinking of going towards creating a swiping mechanism.

But since my product is going to be used in various weather conditions rain, snow etc I figured the device could break easily.

In the end, I chose to create a dive that is similar to the "snap bands"

When you open the band it's hard as a rock and steady but when u close it (snap it) it folds into its original position

I then went to Blender 3D and started to design the model.

3D Modelling

Here are the final 3 renders of the model

A close up of the UV Mesh

A rendered version

Final Render

Once I had the final design, I rendered it and imported the image into Photoshop, where I applied the screen image to the model because I was having trouble doing so in Blender 3D.

This Hero shot shows the process of opening and closing the device, demonstrating how it uses technology that's comparable to the snap band.

Hero shots

Making the Hero shot was a lot of fun. I started by adding a plane and giving it a grass texture. Next, I discovered a free model online and modified its textures by adding a football kit, referee uniform socks, and other colours.

I later uploaded these models into Adobe Maximo, a website for animation created by Adobe, where you can add 3D models and take advantage of a variety of tools for adding rigs to your model.

After that, I gave the model a rig. The finished product is shown on the left when I imported them back into the scene and inserted the Device I had previously designed.

Final Hero Shot

I still wanted to add a background because I wasn't happy with the result. So I opened Photoshop and imported the render. I tried to mix a stadium shot with a grass photo that I had already placed, but it didn't work, so I used Photoshop AI to make the background.

the final result is on the right.

In the ever-evolving landscape of football, the transformation of referee technology takes centre stage. Introducing a remarkable solution: a revolutionary Snap-Band Device, poised to redefine the way crucial decisions unfold on the field.

Consider a more sturdy and compact device with a thicker, more stable design. It has durability, which ensures its resistance in the face of the game's rigours. Now, accessing its functionalities is as simple as a snap - just like a snap band.

This innovative Snap-Band Device empowers referees with unparalleled live feeds from essential perspectives. With its user-friendly snap-open and snap-close mechanics, referees can quickly access key moments on the same screen. They can zoom in, slow down pivotal instances, and mark incidents for later review with ease. This innovation seamlessly bridges the gap between traditional refereeing and cutting-edge technology, ultimately enhancing the game's accuracy and fairness.

But the brilliance of this device doesn't end there. On the left side, it features a pocket card holder for red and yellow cards, ensuring referees have their disciplinary tools within easy reach. On the right side, it proudly displays the iconic Premier League logo, symbolizing the fusion of tradition and modernity.

Its enhanced thickness and sturdiness ensure game durability, while the snap mechanism makes it a breeze to open and close during crucial moments. Privacy measures are also in place to safeguard sensitive information from prying eyes and to maintain the game's integrity.

This game-changing Snap-Band Device represents a significant leap toward the future of football refereeing. It marries the sport's rich heritage with state-of-the-art technology, providing referees with a tool that allows them to make split-second decisions with unwavering confidence and precision. Seamlessly integrated into the dynamic world of football, this innovation has the potential to revolutionise the sport and redefine the boundaries of what's possible on the field.

In a world where technology continuously reshapes our lives, the Snap-Band Device stands as a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence in sportsmanship. It embodies the spirit of progress, ensuring that the beautiful game evolves while staying true to its roots.

Final Comments

This project took a whole semester along the project I learned and faced many challenges. From the initial ideation phase through concept development to 3D modelling and rendering.

The models I chose for the final Hero shot sequence don't appear human and have a strange structure. Due to time constraints and restricted access to free models on the internet, these were the best I could find and had to make work.

I faced numerous challenges, from perfecting the model on Blender 3D to achieving photorealistic renders. The journey was a balance of artistry and functionality, pushing me to overcome hurdles and ultimately deliver a product that represents our unwavering commitment to excellence.

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