CCT333_Lab3

1. Describe Jan Chipchase's prior job (he now works at frog design []) in relation to his work at Nokia. What are the two names he is given in the article? (3 paragraphs) For seven years, Jan Chipchase was employed by the Finnish cellphone company "Nokia", where his job was to travel the world in order to collect information about human behaviour, such as how people communicate simply by observing them living their everyday lives. For example, Jan once stayed with a family in India, and questioned them about "the money they had, where they got their water and their power and whom they kept in touch with and why" (Corbett, 2008). It was interesting that the family whose income was about $88 per month owned a cellphone, which the father used it to run errands more efficiently for his boss. This information is then taken back to his company, where the technologists and marketers used it to create innovative products for potential consumers. This personal-level method of information-gathering is known as a "human-centered design".

As a result of his prior work, Chipchase has been given names such as "human-behaviour researcher", and "user anthropologist”. After his time with Nokia, Chipchase moved on to his current job at frogdesign; where he collects data in order to create and design unique products thus inspiring individuals and potentially change lives. This differs from his previous job where his main focus was researching human behaviour.

Jan also attends many design conferences, where he presents events such as "Connecting the Unconnected". He also writes a blog called "Future Perfect", where he posts images from his many journeys, along with descriptions for them.

2. “ It’ s really quite striking,” Hammond says. “ What people are voting for with their pocketbooks, as soon as they have more money and even before their basic needs are met, is telecommunications.” (World Resources Institute) In the spirit of this quote, describe four instances of how owning a cellphone enables users to better their lives. (4 paragraphs/ one for each instance)

Cellphones are changing the world. Owning a cellphone enables user's to better their lives. Here are four reasons why cellphones are benefitial: 1. Cell phones can save lives, simply by the fact that an emergency call can be made instantly. If someone witnesses a serious car accident or house fire, a cellphone allows them to immedately contact help. Also, people in developing countries could contact the nearest doctors if their children are ill.

2. Cellphones have the ability to increase people’s well-being, simply because of the fact that they can conveniently communicate and be reached. They allow people to connect to one another wherever they are, through a simple call or text. Cellphones are valuable in keeping in touch with loved ones, family, and friends, wherever they are in the world.

3. Cellphones are essential to business because they assist people to increase productivity. Jan Chipchase and his research team have spoken to people of various fields, such as “rickshaw drivers, prostitutes, shopkeepers, day laborers and farmers” (Posner, 2008), and most of them claim that their income gets a big boost when they have access to a cellphone. By making cellphones affordable in developing countries allows business to succeed, and the cellphone industry to flourish.

4. Cellphones are good for the economy, they are boosting business and technology is rapidly connecting the people of the world together. “Increasingly, the world’s commerce, finance, communications, media and information are flowing through this network” (Posner, 2008), as half of the worlds population are now connected to this network through mobile phones, thus integrating the world. This is an opportunity for people all over the world, even in developing countries, to succeed and prosper in life, potentially reducing poverty.

Corbett, Sarah (2008) “Can The Cell Phone End Global Poverty?” The New York Times. Online at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/13/magazine/13anthropology-t.html?_r=1&emc=eta1&pagewanted=all

Posner, Andy (2009) “How Access to Information Can Tackle Poverty and Pollution.” Next Billion. Online at: http://www.nextbillion.net/news/can-it-access-tackle-poverty-and-pollution