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Katarzyna Haśnik 

MA Design for Change

Katarzyna's life mottos are Ancora Imparo, I am still learning and Creo, Ergo Sum, I create therefore I am. Regardless of a well-established career as Head of Design, UX/UI Designer Mentor, Tutor, Executive Creative Director, Senior Principal Lead Product Design, she continued to expand her knowledge at IADT, MA, DFC. Katarzyna is a Polish/Irish Researcher and Designer with a multidisciplinary tech industry background, including social and environmental safety, education, physical and mental health including disabilities, entertainment events, fine arts, photography, tourism, transport, logistics, insurance, finance with more than 15+ years of experience.

The Main Poster represents an open eye without focus and without a pupil and the closed eye is avoiding the demanding, sharp, bright strike of light partly which in the abstract form represents the light coming from digital devices, the orange, warmer light popular use during the night. Both lights, blue during the night and orange during the night do impact our eyesight. The best way is just to switch off and let our eyes do have a proper rest. The colour palette is loosely based on the IADT colour branding for the purpose of the On Show 2023 exhibition.
From Discovery, Define to Design and User Testing. Two Product Proposal Solutions had been proposed and both were met with positive and as well constructive feedback taken into account to benefit users of all ages and within various demographics. From printing products to digital mobile apps, which are in the process of design and prototyping. By applying the Design Thinking method, the stages of product design have been accomplished with success. Each section was given full attention from great insights in research, Final Master Project - Thesis Report Research to the actual products ready to be used by the general public to effectively track their time spend on the devices and establish new healthy habits that overall will bring benefit to their eyesight by promoting rest from devices where time can be put into face to face interaction, active life, sport and nature activities as users had shared.
The Abstract Eye in Human Form and the corresponding rhymed Poem symbolized us, detached from reality by hours spent with digital devices. Next time, think about how much time you spend on digital devices and how your eyes, head and generally your entire physical and mental body feels, and what about the people around you? Are those on the screens get more attention than those close by? The time spent on visual aid technology in entertainment, education and work is increasing and our eyesight is decreasing. By bringing product Design Solutions with a fun and friendly approach, potential users, can step into "the shoes" of the eye, personalised here and see life from a different angle. Enjoy looking after your eyes and watching your time spend on digital devices! Tracking helps!
Successful Graduation on the 10th of March, 2023. Special thanks to All the amazing People at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology for my Educational Milestone and for FYMMO IADT. New Chapter, let's begin! IADT Staff present at photos and during the Masters' Graduation Ceremony: David Smith: President, Head of Faculty of Film, Art and Creative Technologies; Dr Hilary Kenna: Thesis Supervisor; Shirley Casey, Clyde Doyle: Co-Program Chairmen; Dr Andrew Power: Vice President of Academic Affairs and Registrar; Dr Tina Kinsella: Head of Department of Design and Visual Arts, Faculty of Film, Art and Creative Technologies; Vanessa Gildea: Head of Department of Film and Media, Faculty of Film, Art and Creative Technologies; Dr Theresa Moylan: Head of Department of Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Enterprise and Humanities. Graduate Successfully MA Students: Elizabeth Ann O'Brien, Irish; Jenna Rose Storey, Canadian; Katarzyna Haśnik, Polish/Irish.
Abstract, Concepts and General Terms of the Project

Abstract: The aim of this research is to investigate, awareness, attitudes and levels of acceptance to the enhancement of the human eyesight by using augmentative technologies for both need (e.g. health) and desire (e.g. entertainment/aesthetics). Concepts: Social Studies Discovery of the attitudes and acceptance levels amongst the general public to sight augmentation technologies: assistive technologies for the visually impaired and technologies such as VR headsets, and AR heads-up displays. General Terms: Human Factors. Keywords: Public, Awareness, Attitudes, Eyesight, Human Augmentation Technologies, Accessibility Technologies, VR/AR, Human-Centre Design.


Introduction and Rational

The rationale for this research project is based on the discovered studies of an increasing number of visually impaired people globally conducted by the World Health Organization as well as nationally by the National Council for Blind in Ireland, which said: at least 2.2. billion people are visually impaired (WHO). In the Republic of Ireland 55.000, are visually impaired and 2.250 are completely blind (NCBI). The number of waiting for patient ophthalmic services in Ireland is 46310 adults (NCBI). The main factor in decreasing the sense of vision is natural ageing. Mostly impacted adults in their 50s (WHO, NCBI). According to the Central Statistic Office, 2016, the population over 65 is increasing in Ireland by 19.1% in comparison to the population between 25-64 increased by 1.9% (CSO). At the same time, estimated productivity losses in 2022 associated with vision impairment are $411 (WHO). The Computer Vision Syndrome diagnosis and treatment costs in the USA ¢2 billion every year (Blehm, Vishnu, Khattak, Mitra, Yee 253-262).


Further Objectives

The cost of vision assistive technologies production needs to increase due to the need of visually impaired people. WHO claimed that half of the number of visually impaired people could be prevented when acting accordingly (WHO). While at the same time, the number of jobs including the computer in The United States of America is 75% compare to the job with no digital screen (Blehm, Vishnu, Khattak, Mitra, Yee 253-262). According to the research conducted by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in Malaysia 70.6% number of workers using computers complained of eye strain caused by Computer Vision Syndrome (Loh, Reddy 128-130). Furthermore at the same time usage of vision augmentation technologies such as Virtual Reality and Augmentative Reality headsets is growing. Zion Market Research predicted VR sales reach $ 26.89. ARtillary Intelligence $18.8 for 2022 (Greengard 1-18). The academic literature review discovered the gap in the lack of conducted research studies to investigate the awareness, attitudes and acceptance levels amongst the general public of vision augmentation technologies.


What are the awareness, attitudes and acceptance levels amongst the general public to vision augmentation technologies?

The aim of this research is to contribute to finding out insights into the research question by focusing on the public and their usage of digital screen devices such as computer desktops laptops, mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, Virtual Reality headsets and Augmented Reality head-up display for personal and professional. While at the same time awareness of Vision Assistive Technologies testing for visually impaired people listed but not limited to white canes, guide dogs, Braille displays, prints, phones with large tactical buttons, talking devices, screen reading software etc.


Final Major Project-Thesis Research PDF Two Product Design Proposals PDF Final Presentation PDF
Design for Change
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