Leuty Parker

Blog

  • Ray-Ban x Meta

    Having written my dissertation on SWTs (smart wearable technology), I felt it necessary to test a model out; the Ray-Ban Meta. I only heard about it through word of mouth.

    After choosing my preferred Ray-Ban style and ordering, the wrong prescription was sent. Exchanging took a month before the correct pair finally arrived. Overall awful customer service. But, for those who choose to in innovative product, some directions:

    • Try them on to check the fit and make sure they look fabulous.
    • Download the Meta AI app to link actions to your phone (I’m still learning it though ).
    • Put on the glasses and press the button above the right lens to take a photo—the LED blinks, and it saves to the Meta app
    • Holding down that button will record what’s seen.
    • Tap the touchpad on the side to play/pause, or swipe to adjust volume.
    • These glasses can control Amazon Music, Apple Music and Spotify.
    • Talk hands-free. Message on WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, Facebook — all from your glasse. “I can’t filter by messaging app. Check your phone for new messages”
      …but when there’s a new alert, the glasses announce who it’s from, jussi not the content.
    • Customise voice and language settings to your preference…. I chose the Judy Dench option!

    As I wear them, I’ll find out more actions and update….

  • Louboutin’s sugnature

    If you didn’t already know, you can tell a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes because they have red soles (which are patented!).

    Christian Louboutin’s red soles began in 1992 when he painted a shoe’s black sole with his assistant’s red nail polish, finding it more elegant and striking. The spontaneous “happy accident” became the brand’s iconic symbol of passion and luxury. Then, while designing the “Pensée” shoe, Louboutin found the black sole banal, and again, dull. Spotting his assistant’s red nail polish, he impulsively painted the sole, sparking his signature look. Some trace the red heel’s link to power back to King Louis XIV, who reserved red heels for nobility.

    The bold red sole transformed the shoe, inspiring Louboutin to make it the signature of all his designs. And the red sole evolved beyond aesthetics to symbolize passion, confidence, luxury, and the brand’s identity.

    The red sole is trademarked, officially registered as Pantone 18-1663 TPX.

  • I’m grateful for…

    A tool, well-known for its use in NA, helps boost mental wellbeing. My friend introduced it to me, and now we have a morning ritual of texting each other what we’re grateful for.

    It feels like a quick reminder — nothing too deep — just a note of the positives, things that don’t necessarily affect our day-to-day wellbeing.

    By cutting my list down, I have to really consider what deserves a place on it — what am I genuinely grateful for?

    By narrowing down my list, I really have to think about what truly belongs on it — what am I actually grateful for?

    Quality beats quantity.

  • Apple Watch

    I have a series 7 (very old), but this post can comment on this product on a whole.

    Launched in 2015, it marked a strong entry into the SWT market—a seamless convergence of technology and commercial product. With all the functionality of advanced tech, it stood out by transforming into something more: a fashion statement.

    A fashion designer should prioritise ease of use; the fastening is awful, hard to adjust for different wrist sizes, and a real letdown for such an iconic product.

    In conclusion, it falls short as a fashion product. A standard watch fastening would not only resolve the ergonomic issues but also provide the familiar, intuitive experience users expect.

  • L’Oréal x IBM

    L’oreal = cosmetics.

    Many businesses, obviously , include an R&D department, and for cosmetics, this includes scientists, skincare, makeup, haircare and packaging, all glued together with the development department. This is only in the HQ, though, manufacturing takes what has been from the HQ.

    What makes any company in a predictive industry (fashion) , is having to understand what’ll be the trend, tomorrow. This prediction will instigate development, therefore the presumption must be well backed up.

    Where L’Oréal meets IBM is through their exploration in technology.

    L’Oréal products can be seen, without psychically pulling it on, L’Oréal call it “virtual beauty” L’Oréal creates “beauty experiences”, which is why traditional UX can be explored so viscerally.

    With this R&D collection and experimentation gives a HUGE amount of data.

    With this raw materials will be chosen , what combination are decided and how much.

    Safety, performance, quality, compliance and sustainability… and the rest. All this development would take forever!

    But what if… this process could be done digitally. Like L’Oréal’s earlier stages… “virtual beauty”.

    … where IBM comes in… using a custom AI model can help organised and conjoin those results. Where computers collaborate with the human designers, to enhance their work.

    Ages of results found by experts can be analysed and assimilated using AI to predict what’ll be next.

    In essence, the AI dies all the long, dirty work. It takes time results of what has been designed and experimented by the humans.

    After so much testing and results being gathered, the data is “AI ready”. The predictions can tell what the next steps should be.

    Get ready for the future move.

  • #AppleWatch

    I have a serious7… old, I know. But continuously evolving. This post is on my model, but the product in general.

    From various primary and secondary research, in general, this smartwatch sticks to primarily several functions: a watch, a timer, reminders and email.

    There are other, more sleep or sports focused apps, but for me, researching a single product, that focuses solely on being the best of the best of that field, means the data is more focused and the results are easier to digest.

  • Focus

    This blog history has been ALL OVER THE PLACE, true. But this TBI journey, you may know, has been a (difficult) journey of rebuilding my identity.

    …. Involving completing an MSc.

    With that, I had to write 10000 words exploring the SWT (smart wearable technology) market. This paper may get published, I do believe my main focus will be there. And probably post some interesting findings here😏

  • Accessibility

    In my traumatic brain injury, I didn’t have too many mental implications, however, my pshocal effects were heart breaking. Trying to strengthen my balance and muscles meant gym, workout, gym, workout, gym…..

    The biggest heartbreak was not being able to walk in my beautiful high heel collection. With high heel brands’ flat shoes( (like Jimmy Choo) my heels still remain. Just gathering dust, while I design a strategy to teach me to get this skill back.

    Come join me, you know joy want to….

  • Jimmy Choo

    Go big, or go home. Splashing out on a pair of premium, fabulous shoes makes you paranoid to to damage them.

    When you’re learning to walk, you’re likely to damage them.

    So my thoughts are, investing in a pair of Jimmy Choo FLAT pumps has exponentially improved my walking.

    Well worth investing in my wellbeing; probably not the main intention behind this design.

  • Edinburgh Fringe …. so far; part 1

    Yesterday I saw the play “Echoes Across Time”. A show in the Edinburgh Fringe festival.

    Easily the most entertaining, engaging show that unapologetically grabs your attention

    The whole cast is deaf, so is solely signed, with subtitles and a verbal translation for the sign language illiterate.