Mads Waatland Jakobsen

Mads Waatland Jakobsen - Wacom Inkling 

http://www.wacom.com/en/Products/Inkling 

*Background*

The Inkling consists of several devices but the most important parts are
the pen, and the clip-on receiver. You clip on the receiver on a piece of
paper and use the pen on the paper to sketch, draw, write down ideas or
doodle. Then you connect the receiver to a computer and it copies what you
previously drew on the paper into a digital program like Photoshop or
similar. The pen is pressure sensitive and you also have several different
tips which you can change according to your need.  There is also a layer
function which enables you to easy make a new layer, and manage them when
you plug it in the computer.

*Relative Advantage*

People who rely on sketches and ideas to perform in their jobs will find
this superior to the standard pen and paper for several reasons. Firstly, a
creative spur may happen at any time, so if you are sitting on a bus,
train, or the beach etc. the inkling can provide you with the ability to
have a digital sketch of your idea at any time. The inkling also lets you
improve your sketch digitally whenever you get a hold of a computer with
the necessary software. This is an advantage because it’s somewhat
troublesome to scan images; there are issues with the quality of the scan,
and the fact that you need a scanner.   It’s an easy way to show people in
another building/town/country your idea/product just by sending it by mail,
which is an advantage over the fax, (and again the scanner + e-mail).
However, a relative disadvantage is that you have to recharge it, something
you don’t need with a basic pen & paper.  Another disadvantage is that it
requires software on your computer to operate. However, people in the
target group, working with advertisement, graphic designs, concept art etc
would already be familiar with the software.

*Observability*

I find the degree of observability low. People can see it when you use it,
but not the “end product” which is the digital format of your sketch. It is
also difficult to understand by observing it in action what I actually do.
However, I don’t think this will affect the adoption rate much, since
Inklings target group is people in the same working/social environment as
people who already have it, not random people on buses.

*Trialability*

Sampling in public could be an option to get the public to try it, but
since the target group is relatively narrow, I doubt it will have any major
effects on adoption rate. But aimed at the right persons, in advertisement-
, graphic designers-  and  concept artist conventions  the trialability
could massively increase adoption.

*Compatibility*

The inkling is compatible with modern societies to a considerable degree.
It follows as a natural extension of the increasing digitalization of
everything, in this case drawing. However, there might be some purists who
feel that sketches should be done on pen and paper, but sooner or later I
think it’s going to fade away.

* *

*Complexity*

It is a fairly easy to use for people in the target group. For others
though, the inkling is a bit complex. It requires a computer, software to
process the sketches on your computer. To actually use it is as simple as
drawing on paper, and the target group is usually rather tech-savvy.

*Adaptability*

The Inkling is already an adaptation of several things like sensors and
pens, and the degree of adaptability is fairly low. The inkling might be
modified to attach to other surfaces i.e. clay to record and receive 3D
modeling.