http://alissahsanders.blogspot.com/2009/10/upcycle-lamp-shade.html?showComment=1256818219164#c5909439834175761047
http://lucindawaters.blogspot.com/2009/10/upcycle.html?showComment=1256818454409#c4277969389629763372
http://filpulido.blogspot.com/2009/10/upcycling-unwanteds-geared-up.html#comment-form
http://arezziguida.blogspot.com/2009/10/project-3-upcycling-unwanteds.html#comments
http://robotronblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/project-3-upcycling-vinyl-chair-peer.html#comments
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Project Three: Upcycling Unwanteds ...
Upcycling refers to the process of transforming something that is disposed of into something of similar use or grater value. Here I have definitely transformed golf balls into greater value, turning this type of trash into an object of utility and beauty. Not in any way, shape or form have I built up any more waste by creating this object of usefulness and beauty. The brief was upheld by displaying a high degree of innovation, through drilling holes into golf balls and threading them through a small wiring to create its beauty. This product is not just decorative but it also comes into great use when relaxing back and having a glass of wine. It incorporates the relaxation of the sport and the relaxation of the object itself.
The shape of the golf ball enhances a DNA molecule, hence the shape of the object which has been twisted using wire to show this shape. The indents on each of the golf balls shows how the DNA molecules are joined together to form this type of shape, wrapping around a wine bottle. Like no other ball, the shape of the golf ball has this special “dimple” feature which was designed back in 1908. Officially sanctioned balls are designed to be as symmetrical as possible and are designed based on platonic solids such as a cube which are regular polygons where all faces of the shape meet at a vertex.
Most golf balls used on a golf course through observation are usually white so I have kept the pattern of white golf balls in my product. The reason being is because of its high visibility colour which helps find the ball when lost or playing. The white coloured golf balls were used to pull away from the “trashy” look that the word gives itself. By continuingly using the same colour it provides a more elegant look and shows of the DNA Molecule shape when wrapped around a wine bottle which are usually dark coloured.
The shape of the object as mentioned a few times above represents a DNA molecule curled around a wine bottle. Once the wine bottle is removed from the golf ball wine holder, the shape of the wine bottle is still enhanced and very effective to the eye. This functionally and aesthetically pleasing object has both an interaction between the wine bottle and the golf ball, both being relaxing sports and activities to get away from the outside world of work and study.
The reasoning for the object being laid down is that when the wine is poured it is only being poured on a 45 degree angle and nothing above that, so therefore when the wine is being held in the wine bottle holder the wine settles at that level.
Inspiration came through as having to have grown up in front of a golf course and over the years collecting hundreds of golf balls which end up on our front lawn. Many shapes and ways were experimented into twisting and turning the wired golf balls around the wine bottle but this shape and length was chosen due to the proportion and weight of the golf balls as a whole the shape of the DNA molecule strand and the wine bottle both having that generic shape.
Upcycling golf balls and turning them into such a characteristic form was done so that all the lost and unused golf balls do not go to waste. Simply having to drill holes right through the golf ball and threading them through a strong and flexible wire and turning it into a wine bottle holder. When not in use the product could be simply a decorative or ornamental piece either for those who love the idea of wine bottle holders or anybody who loves the sport.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Seymour Powell: Designing Dream Machines
Seymour Powell gives us a sneek peek on how Industrial Design companies work. Guiding us through the steps into the design and manufacturing process of products in general, from the brief to the brainstorming and onto the research of every detail. In order for a successful product to be accomplished it was found that the process is undertaken through a lot of attention to every detail and endless effort for a well produced product.
Through the design industry the process of desiging dream machine products helps us to understand the difficulty and endless options we have to produce a product which the designer is satisfied with. In accordance to this, materials would be a very important part to the design as well as the ergonomics, the environmental issues and so on. The materials must be chosen carefully in order to accomplish less environmental products when the product is going to be destroyed of or thrown out at any time of its lifecycle.
Seymour fills us in on the design practices that go into designing industrial products, helping us to incorporate the importance of effective solutions. Although effective solutions starts of with a simple brief and constant communication which is the key to design. Without communication, the consistancy of the design and manufacturing process may fail miserably or succeed depending on the communcation involved. Communication is a necessity when designing and producing a product which you are planning to accomplish as it is always required.
As i have been learning through the year, the brief is always a major key part of the process as it is always needed to be referred to so that what the client wants is what is achieved in the end. Which leads me to the next point, the client. The clients needs and wants are always an important factor or else the design brief will not be achieved resulting in disappointment and anger to the industrial designers involved in processing such a product. Seymour emphasised how important the brief is and therefore is always a key factor in any design field.
Seymour Powell finds that drawing by hand is what makes him achieve the final brief perfectly and successfully. He tries not to allow technology take over his thinking or design and therefore he will be able to accomplish a fulfilled product that the client will be happy with in the end.
Through the design industry the process of desiging dream machine products helps us to understand the difficulty and endless options we have to produce a product which the designer is satisfied with. In accordance to this, materials would be a very important part to the design as well as the ergonomics, the environmental issues and so on. The materials must be chosen carefully in order to accomplish less environmental products when the product is going to be destroyed of or thrown out at any time of its lifecycle.
Seymour fills us in on the design practices that go into designing industrial products, helping us to incorporate the importance of effective solutions. Although effective solutions starts of with a simple brief and constant communication which is the key to design. Without communication, the consistancy of the design and manufacturing process may fail miserably or succeed depending on the communcation involved. Communication is a necessity when designing and producing a product which you are planning to accomplish as it is always required.
As i have been learning through the year, the brief is always a major key part of the process as it is always needed to be referred to so that what the client wants is what is achieved in the end. Which leads me to the next point, the client. The clients needs and wants are always an important factor or else the design brief will not be achieved resulting in disappointment and anger to the industrial designers involved in processing such a product. Seymour emphasised how important the brief is and therefore is always a key factor in any design field.
Seymour Powell finds that drawing by hand is what makes him achieve the final brief perfectly and successfully. He tries not to allow technology take over his thinking or design and therefore he will be able to accomplish a fulfilled product that the client will be happy with in the end.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Annie Leonard: The Story of Stuff
Annie Leonard is fiercely dedicated to reclaiming and transforming our industrial and economic systems so they serve, rather than undermine, ecological sustainability and social equity. She is the author and host of the online film, “The Story of Stuff” which exposes the hidden environmental and social costs of current systems of production and consumption.
She begins to explain to us the important system in process which is in crisis at the moment. The materials economy starts off with:
extraction à production à distribution à consumption à disposal.
This process is the system where stuff moves through. Its a linear system which interacts within the world and involves things like the economy and culture. As a result of this people both live and work along the system not only creating “stuff” but also creating the crisis, ie. Polluting the environment.
EXTRACTION: is the natural resource explortation, which wipes out animals and therefore running out of resources for the rest of us. As a result, figures show that a third of natural resources are consumed on this earth which is equally equivalant to cutting down 200 trees/minute in the Southern Hemisphere.
PRODUCTION: the creation and assembly of goods. It is said that there are over 100 000 synthetic chemicals which impact the environment. These synthetic chemicals are put into all products, as a result putting toxics in and taking toxics out to manufacture products. These toxics are not only harming us as humans but also bringing them into our homes, schools and public environments which we interact with every day. Toxics build up in our food chain and as a matter of fact people still work with toxic products, still knowing how dangerous toxics can be for them to inhale and at the same time work with. Contaminated and lethal toxics leave our factories and create pollution all over the world. What makes it even worse is that factories are moved overseas for cheaper labour and resources but do not think about the pollution they create somewhere else.
CONSUMPTION: the amount of money and expenditure used up to create these products is unbelievable. Materials are kept flowing and not only are used for a small amount of time but are then thrown out. 1% of products are used after six months of being bought and the rest of the 99% is trashed and never used again. Things like health care and education are a significant part of this wide world put people don’t take it into as much consideration but rather ignore it.
Planned and percieved obsolescence are a major part of the system in crisis. Both of these make products useless as quick as possible so we can buy new ones, eg. Compters and bbq’s. It’s amazing to know how quick manfucaturers and designers make “stuff” break, potentionally making people to go out and buy more of the same product or an alternative to what you already have.
PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE: is changing the look and aesthetics of a product. For example, fashion. From one year to the next fashion changes from fat heels to skinny heels back to fat heels the next. This type of obsolescence keeps us buying things as the trend or fashion changes from one year to the next, just to keep up-to-date.
RECYCLING: there isn’t enough recycling at home so it is all then sent to the waste to be sorted out making the job harder for workers and time consuming. Some things are manufactured to not be able to be recycled or burnt because of the toxics in the product.
Dioxin is a man made substance which disallows products to be burnt when it is sent to the landfill. A substance like this is very harmful to society and creates more rubbish on this earth, adding up to the equivalent of 4.5 pounds of garbage a household creates in a day. All this rubbish is burnt in the insinerator and then taken to the landfill, although if the product cannot be burnt it is just left in the landfill to rot.
As they said in the video, ads make us unhappy with what we have, although it makes us “right” in some way if we go shopping to fix the unhappiness. Media is another major influence as there’s more “stuff” and less “stuff” of whats meant to make us happy for example leisure, family and friends.
THE STORY OF STUFF – some say its unrealistic but others say its BY THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE.
She begins to explain to us the important system in process which is in crisis at the moment. The materials economy starts off with:
extraction à production à distribution à consumption à disposal.
This process is the system where stuff moves through. Its a linear system which interacts within the world and involves things like the economy and culture. As a result of this people both live and work along the system not only creating “stuff” but also creating the crisis, ie. Polluting the environment.
EXTRACTION: is the natural resource explortation, which wipes out animals and therefore running out of resources for the rest of us. As a result, figures show that a third of natural resources are consumed on this earth which is equally equivalant to cutting down 200 trees/minute in the Southern Hemisphere.
PRODUCTION: the creation and assembly of goods. It is said that there are over 100 000 synthetic chemicals which impact the environment. These synthetic chemicals are put into all products, as a result putting toxics in and taking toxics out to manufacture products. These toxics are not only harming us as humans but also bringing them into our homes, schools and public environments which we interact with every day. Toxics build up in our food chain and as a matter of fact people still work with toxic products, still knowing how dangerous toxics can be for them to inhale and at the same time work with. Contaminated and lethal toxics leave our factories and create pollution all over the world. What makes it even worse is that factories are moved overseas for cheaper labour and resources but do not think about the pollution they create somewhere else.
CONSUMPTION: the amount of money and expenditure used up to create these products is unbelievable. Materials are kept flowing and not only are used for a small amount of time but are then thrown out. 1% of products are used after six months of being bought and the rest of the 99% is trashed and never used again. Things like health care and education are a significant part of this wide world put people don’t take it into as much consideration but rather ignore it.
Planned and percieved obsolescence are a major part of the system in crisis. Both of these make products useless as quick as possible so we can buy new ones, eg. Compters and bbq’s. It’s amazing to know how quick manfucaturers and designers make “stuff” break, potentionally making people to go out and buy more of the same product or an alternative to what you already have.
PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE: is changing the look and aesthetics of a product. For example, fashion. From one year to the next fashion changes from fat heels to skinny heels back to fat heels the next. This type of obsolescence keeps us buying things as the trend or fashion changes from one year to the next, just to keep up-to-date.
RECYCLING: there isn’t enough recycling at home so it is all then sent to the waste to be sorted out making the job harder for workers and time consuming. Some things are manufactured to not be able to be recycled or burnt because of the toxics in the product.
Dioxin is a man made substance which disallows products to be burnt when it is sent to the landfill. A substance like this is very harmful to society and creates more rubbish on this earth, adding up to the equivalent of 4.5 pounds of garbage a household creates in a day. All this rubbish is burnt in the insinerator and then taken to the landfill, although if the product cannot be burnt it is just left in the landfill to rot.
As they said in the video, ads make us unhappy with what we have, although it makes us “right” in some way if we go shopping to fix the unhappiness. Media is another major influence as there’s more “stuff” and less “stuff” of whats meant to make us happy for example leisure, family and friends.
THE STORY OF STUFF – some say its unrealistic but others say its BY THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE.
Peer Comments for Project TWO
Maria Park:
http://yhsggool.blogspot.com/2009/09/creating-prototype-of-gift-that-could.html#comments
Kate Barclay:
http://katebarclay.blogspot.com/2009/09/project-two-postal-presents.html?showComment=1254735729138#c1304494849094255508
Nina Harcus:
http://ninaharcus.blogspot.com/2009/09/postal-presents.html?showComment=1254736069454#c8893763190900114114
Julian Chow:
http://julianides.blogspot.com/2009/10/project-2-postal-presents.html?showComment=1254738311488#c6564221391459327572
NianCi Liong:
http://nianciliong.blogspot.com/2009/10/project-two-postal-presents.html?showComment=1254738947501#c5024730532412832994
http://yhsggool.blogspot.com/2009/09/creating-prototype-of-gift-that-could.html#comments
Kate Barclay:
http://katebarclay.blogspot.com/2009/09/project-two-postal-presents.html?showComment=1254735729138#c1304494849094255508
Nina Harcus:
http://ninaharcus.blogspot.com/2009/09/postal-presents.html?showComment=1254736069454#c8893763190900114114
Julian Chow:
http://julianides.blogspot.com/2009/10/project-2-postal-presents.html?showComment=1254738311488#c6564221391459327572
NianCi Liong:
http://nianciliong.blogspot.com/2009/10/project-two-postal-presents.html?showComment=1254738947501#c5024730532412832994
Monday, September 28, 2009
Postal Presents; The Orbit Bowl
This naturally looking form was inspired through a light which was found as i did my research on folding techniques. The 'Orbit' looking bowl was transformed from a 2D shape as I played with different shapes and experimenting by cutting the shapes up and joining them together. My task was achieved successful by creating a prototype of a gift that could be collapsed and sent through the mail in an ordinary C4 envelope.This bowl does not only bring about a pleasant surprise to the reciever but it also engages the reciever in an interactive way when they recieve it and turn it into a 3D object. It allows the user to use it as a bowl or simply a decorative piece on a table, anywhere and everywhere. I allowed the bowl to be a useful object so that the reciever not only uses it once but gets great use out of it over again therefore making it continually usable.
The material used is polypropalane, which achieved the soft natural look of the bowl, allowing the 7 pieces joined together to form a curved look. the aesthetically pleasing bowl was definately achieved creating a sophisticated look of sheet qualities.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Ross Lovegrove: Organic Design
THE NAUTRAL WOLD HAD THE RIGHT IDEA ALL ALONG. Ross Lovegrove also known as “Captain Organic” is truly a pioneer at Industrial Design, definitely a name to go into the history books of design. He believeS in qualifying the present moment in design and utilising new technologies with new materials to define new shapes.
Ross recognises that the form of nature touches soul and emotion for both himself and other designers. I found that he responds well to all types of form especially the organic type, this excludes any superficial or artificial structures.
The world of James Watson and Amy Loven inspire Ross Lovegrove the pure distinctiveness of their thinking, finding instinct a huge influence in his design career. He manages to find everyday things in the twenty-first century and evolves them into beautiful things from natural and organic forms, elevating peoples perceptions and developing them into pure compositions.
DNA; Design Nature Art. Ross believes that this was what inspired him to design the Water Bottle that his definitely most famous for. He found whilst designing this organic product that observation, curiosity, instinct and photography work together to form art. This piece of art was surely an impressive form of skill were the bottle is an icon of water, giving different shapes. His conception of this design was to show that nature improves with every greater purpose were natural growth patterns are created by these forms.
Continuing with the natural growth pattern, it was said by Ross that you cannot be restricted by the form of nature therefore inspiring him to pursue his future designs through new organic materials.
One specific design which stood out to me was the $1.7 million chair made of magnesium, designed by a Wales designer in 2007, being both organic and essential. The polymers used in them change into elasticity.
Other organic designs contribute to Henry Moore’s work were there is a spiritual connection between relationships and sensual things. The natural forces that bring these together is found to be the maximum beauty of the single surface structures and how they flow.
Another natural and pure design I found quite interesting was the drop of water on heat. This design later evolved into a spectacular car design were it was solar panel during the sun and at night it was a street light.
For Ross Lovegrove he leans towards efficient things, design that are fat free and healthy products built by composites of nature. He found that “modern materials allows us to do modern things”, this is something I found very true and distinctive through the video reflection or organic designs.
Ross Lovegrove seemed to be inspired by unusual and natural things, sticking an elephant skull in his studio. Other inspirational products in his studio would’ve been the polycarbonate chair which is being made in Italy, most likely near finished and also the bike which its handles folded back.
“OVERTIME IS THE PASSION OF DESIGN”… an inspirational quote by Ross Lovegrove.
Ross recognises that the form of nature touches soul and emotion for both himself and other designers. I found that he responds well to all types of form especially the organic type, this excludes any superficial or artificial structures.
The world of James Watson and Amy Loven inspire Ross Lovegrove the pure distinctiveness of their thinking, finding instinct a huge influence in his design career. He manages to find everyday things in the twenty-first century and evolves them into beautiful things from natural and organic forms, elevating peoples perceptions and developing them into pure compositions.
DNA; Design Nature Art. Ross believes that this was what inspired him to design the Water Bottle that his definitely most famous for. He found whilst designing this organic product that observation, curiosity, instinct and photography work together to form art. This piece of art was surely an impressive form of skill were the bottle is an icon of water, giving different shapes. His conception of this design was to show that nature improves with every greater purpose were natural growth patterns are created by these forms.
Continuing with the natural growth pattern, it was said by Ross that you cannot be restricted by the form of nature therefore inspiring him to pursue his future designs through new organic materials.
One specific design which stood out to me was the $1.7 million chair made of magnesium, designed by a Wales designer in 2007, being both organic and essential. The polymers used in them change into elasticity.
Other organic designs contribute to Henry Moore’s work were there is a spiritual connection between relationships and sensual things. The natural forces that bring these together is found to be the maximum beauty of the single surface structures and how they flow.
Another natural and pure design I found quite interesting was the drop of water on heat. This design later evolved into a spectacular car design were it was solar panel during the sun and at night it was a street light.
For Ross Lovegrove he leans towards efficient things, design that are fat free and healthy products built by composites of nature. He found that “modern materials allows us to do modern things”, this is something I found very true and distinctive through the video reflection or organic designs.
Ross Lovegrove seemed to be inspired by unusual and natural things, sticking an elephant skull in his studio. Other inspirational products in his studio would’ve been the polycarbonate chair which is being made in Italy, most likely near finished and also the bike which its handles folded back.
“OVERTIME IS THE PASSION OF DESIGN”… an inspirational quote by Ross Lovegrove.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Projects Assessed for Experience Enrichment
Emily White http://ides1031ewhite.blogspot.com/2009/09/flower-toilet-brush.html#comments
Julian Chow http://julianides.blogspot.com/2009/09/experience-enrichment-project.html#comments
Shan Shan Wang http://shanshanw.blogspot.com/2009/09/project-one-experience-enrichment.html#comments
Stephen Mesa http://stephengmesa.blogspot.com/2009/08/rational.html#comments
Chelcie Nielson http://chelcienielsen.blogspot.com/2009/08/experience-enrichment-rationale-and.html#comments
Julian Chow http://julianides.blogspot.com/2009/09/experience-enrichment-project.html#comments
Shan Shan Wang http://shanshanw.blogspot.com/2009/09/project-one-experience-enrichment.html#comments
Stephen Mesa http://stephengmesa.blogspot.com/2009/08/rational.html#comments
Chelcie Nielson http://chelcienielsen.blogspot.com/2009/08/experience-enrichment-rationale-and.html#comments
Monday, August 31, 2009
Experience Enrichment; The Ahoi Juicer
This functional and pleasurable “Ahoi Juicer” is one of a kind, used for both children and mothers in the kitchen although can be more pleasurable for the children. The shape of the product is like a boat, stimulating the idea of both the ocean which children love and helping in the kitchen with their mums. My mood board aims to present a single mother with three children
§ Coping on an average income
§ Living in a small apartment
§ Loves spending time with her children although works 5 days a week
§ Loves when her children help in the kitchen hence why I’ve made a pleasurable boat looking juicer/toy for the kids to enjoy. Therefore allows the children to cooperate
This boat looking juicer can be used both in the kitchen and as a children’s toy when the lid of the juicer detaches. When used in the kitchen it can encourage a healthy lifestyle for the children, allowing them to want to juice away fruit or lemon when mum is cooking in the kitchen.
§ Coping on an average income
§ Living in a small apartment
§ Loves spending time with her children although works 5 days a week
§ Loves when her children help in the kitchen hence why I’ve made a pleasurable boat looking juicer/toy for the kids to enjoy. Therefore allows the children to cooperate
This boat looking juicer can be used both in the kitchen and as a children’s toy when the lid of the juicer detaches. When used in the kitchen it can encourage a healthy lifestyle for the children, allowing them to want to juice away fruit or lemon when mum is cooking in the kitchen.
Once the lid is detached off the boat container the children can drink from either end of the juicer making it pleasurable for the children once they’ve finished juicing. Because the lid is detachable children can clean the juicer once finished from the kitchen and can be used as a toy making it pleasurable even when the children need something to play with in the bath as an alternative.
If this “Ahoi Juicer” was to be manufactured it would be made of a plastic mould, making it easier for the mother to clean up in the kitchen, able to store away without being an unreasonable size and fun for the children however they choose to use it.
As children love having different choices I’ve allowed for the juicer to be used as both a functional and pleasurable item. This light yellow colour was chosen as it is associated with joy, happiness, intellect and energy which is definitely a colour which relates to children. It gives a warming effect, arouses cheerfulness and generates muscle energy.
If this “Ahoi Juicer” was to be manufactured it would be made of a plastic mould, making it easier for the mother to clean up in the kitchen, able to store away without being an unreasonable size and fun for the children however they choose to use it.
As children love having different choices I’ve allowed for the juicer to be used as both a functional and pleasurable item. This light yellow colour was chosen as it is associated with joy, happiness, intellect and energy which is definitely a colour which relates to children. It gives a warming effect, arouses cheerfulness and generates muscle energy.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Yves Behar: Designing Objects That Tell Stories
Yves Behar, an inspirational Industrial Designer has given advice to young designers, a quote by him which I found interesting, taking it into consideration as I study design. This being, “Develop you own direction: design is one of the very few fields where differences are celebrated, so find your own route.” He describes his style as the fusing of storytelling and fluidity, where the potential for technology, poetry, commerce and culture merge with the physical world; hence his successful products designed and selling well on the market.
Reflecting upon the video I watched on ‘Designing objects which tell stories’, I discovered that designing from the inside out, products will be more personal, customised and unique. Rather than applying a style or visual signature to everything we touch and rather than selling a specific idea of what beauty if or is not.
For some designers story telling is a strong influence in their work and I established through the video that Yves Behar’s childhood memories led him to design unusual products which helped in begin his career in the design industry. Through attending a Design School, he established a passion for design, leading his way to work as a design consultant. Through this he opened my thoughts about design by designing the “skin” of an object therefore working on important things such as the entire human experience. Were technology, functionality and matching humble human needs are identified in objects.
An example I found interesting was the digital watch which rotates from reading the time horizontally or even vertically without bending your elbow. The connection between these two gave me a further understanding about the importance of designing objects that tell stories and the human experience.
Another interesting object which I discovered was interesting is the ‘Bending Leaf Lamp’, this being a popular design well known by most designers. The lamp gave a “new experience” to the user, were the shade of light could alternate from a warm to a bright work light giving the mix of colouration a humanistic sense.
As a learning and developing designer, Yves Behar mentioned something very important which I found quite appealing. Being as designers we create a relationship between products we use everyday, adding and bringing value to objects functionality and beauty. Yves Behar believes that taking out the “nerdy” and technical features in a product brings out the beauty of an object, allowing the user to appreciate the product a lot more.
I found that designing from inside out as mentioned above, sketching and putting the product in full 3D view pushes the boundaries as a designer, at the same time being able to continue to attach the user in many ways with the product. Thinking out loud, as often as I do, also helped Yves Behar discover different objects which told stories, not only from his childhood but also growing as an adult and developing into a successful designer.
A connection between objects and humans which tells stories is the “Why” Water Bottle. He found it interesting and amusing how the most common object used in our everyday lives connected to the most common question most children ask, “why?” or “why not?”. The passion, communication, advertising and marketing drive as a designer leads designers to design unusual products and projects like the “Why” Water Bottle.
In conclusion, design creates a conversation, breaking the ice between reality, human experience and problem solving. It allows people to connect and communicate a breaking point of what they use everyday, conversing casually with others about products they find interesting as a design.
Reflecting upon the video I watched on ‘Designing objects which tell stories’, I discovered that designing from the inside out, products will be more personal, customised and unique. Rather than applying a style or visual signature to everything we touch and rather than selling a specific idea of what beauty if or is not.
For some designers story telling is a strong influence in their work and I established through the video that Yves Behar’s childhood memories led him to design unusual products which helped in begin his career in the design industry. Through attending a Design School, he established a passion for design, leading his way to work as a design consultant. Through this he opened my thoughts about design by designing the “skin” of an object therefore working on important things such as the entire human experience. Were technology, functionality and matching humble human needs are identified in objects.
An example I found interesting was the digital watch which rotates from reading the time horizontally or even vertically without bending your elbow. The connection between these two gave me a further understanding about the importance of designing objects that tell stories and the human experience.
Another interesting object which I discovered was interesting is the ‘Bending Leaf Lamp’, this being a popular design well known by most designers. The lamp gave a “new experience” to the user, were the shade of light could alternate from a warm to a bright work light giving the mix of colouration a humanistic sense.
As a learning and developing designer, Yves Behar mentioned something very important which I found quite appealing. Being as designers we create a relationship between products we use everyday, adding and bringing value to objects functionality and beauty. Yves Behar believes that taking out the “nerdy” and technical features in a product brings out the beauty of an object, allowing the user to appreciate the product a lot more.
I found that designing from inside out as mentioned above, sketching and putting the product in full 3D view pushes the boundaries as a designer, at the same time being able to continue to attach the user in many ways with the product. Thinking out loud, as often as I do, also helped Yves Behar discover different objects which told stories, not only from his childhood but also growing as an adult and developing into a successful designer.
A connection between objects and humans which tells stories is the “Why” Water Bottle. He found it interesting and amusing how the most common object used in our everyday lives connected to the most common question most children ask, “why?” or “why not?”. The passion, communication, advertising and marketing drive as a designer leads designers to design unusual products and projects like the “Why” Water Bottle.
In conclusion, design creates a conversation, breaking the ice between reality, human experience and problem solving. It allows people to connect and communicate a breaking point of what they use everyday, conversing casually with others about products they find interesting as a design.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Don Norman: Emotional Design
Don Norman is an author who writes about the relationship between technology and people. In addition to this he facilitates in the need to make products that appeal to the emotions as well as to reasons. He believes that pleasant things work better.
Beauty and emotion are two of the important things that Don Norman is trying to understand whilst at the same time figuring out how the product works. I found that this video opened up my mind to what some products are all about, for example the Phillipe Stark Juicer. This is made so that its neat and fun but can not be used to the clash in materials used for the product and acid. To capture the beauty of this product Don Norman has put his Phillipe Stark Juicer in the foyer of his house.
Another example I found which related to beauty and emotion very well was the knife. This knife was beautifully designed and of course was very functional as it apparently cut very well.
Most of us have subconscious minds, as we see clever products without noticing its significance. Intense fear paralyses our thoughts and effects the way our brain works. At the same time anxiety helps us to focus and changes the way we think. Something else I found very interesting is that you got to be a little anxious to get your work done and at the same time trying to set your self a dead line. Brainstorming is another way to configure ideas, although this tends to be a more neater and fun way to think without any criticism.
Three levels Don Norman believes to be important are Visceral, Behavioural and Reflective. Both Visceral and Behavioural tend to be subconscious thinking, being unaware of your surroundings and sometimes in control. A good example I found of VISCERAL is red is for hot and exciting.
BEHAVIOURAL allows you to mainly be in control of your surroundings, eg. when driving around a demanding corner in an extremely fast car. I learnt that behavioural is about emotion and acting subconsciously, using your muscles to relax yourself.
REFLECTIVE has no control of what your doing, having no sense or state of consciousness for example, Hummers attract more attention on the roads than thought of before buying the product.
Beauty and emotion are two of the important things that Don Norman is trying to understand whilst at the same time figuring out how the product works. I found that this video opened up my mind to what some products are all about, for example the Phillipe Stark Juicer. This is made so that its neat and fun but can not be used to the clash in materials used for the product and acid. To capture the beauty of this product Don Norman has put his Phillipe Stark Juicer in the foyer of his house.
Another example I found which related to beauty and emotion very well was the knife. This knife was beautifully designed and of course was very functional as it apparently cut very well.
Most of us have subconscious minds, as we see clever products without noticing its significance. Intense fear paralyses our thoughts and effects the way our brain works. At the same time anxiety helps us to focus and changes the way we think. Something else I found very interesting is that you got to be a little anxious to get your work done and at the same time trying to set your self a dead line. Brainstorming is another way to configure ideas, although this tends to be a more neater and fun way to think without any criticism.
Three levels Don Norman believes to be important are Visceral, Behavioural and Reflective. Both Visceral and Behavioural tend to be subconscious thinking, being unaware of your surroundings and sometimes in control. A good example I found of VISCERAL is red is for hot and exciting.
BEHAVIOURAL allows you to mainly be in control of your surroundings, eg. when driving around a demanding corner in an extremely fast car. I learnt that behavioural is about emotion and acting subconsciously, using your muscles to relax yourself.
REFLECTIVE has no control of what your doing, having no sense or state of consciousness for example, Hummers attract more attention on the roads than thought of before buying the product.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Good Design
BLACK AND DECKER DUSTBUSTER 18v
This 2009 Award winning Design is a cordless 2 speed, 18 volt hand vacuum with 10-position pivot nozzle; rotating 200 degrees. The dust buster is used for cleaning mess in small to large spaces, ideally for the home.
Product Sketching; Sydney Design 09
Burlap Chair 2009
Julie Paterson Clothfabric
Julie Paterson Clothfabric
Santamonica
Denis Santachiara
Metal Petal
Kristian Aus
Kristian Aus
Nest highchair by Sally Dominguez
Sydney 2002-2004
Sydney 2002-2004
Chest of Drawers by Droog Design
Netherlands 1991-2006
O + Side Table
Kent Gration
Kent Gration
Warrior Stool
Thinking Ergonomix
Thinking Ergonomix
Monday, August 3, 2009
David Kelley: Human Centred Design
David Kelley a well known philosopher likes to see every university student add design to their thinking or to his or her skill set. As a result to this he says “It’s like a religion. It’s the disease I’m trying to infect everyone with”. A well known fact to life as design is portrayed in many aspects in everyday life. Briefly researching David Kelley before I watched the video “Human Centred Design” gave me a better understanding of who he is and what he really does.
As the years go by, technological objects are becoming more popular and more useful as we interact with new things in our day to day life. Although to have successful technological objects out on the market, prototypes are needed to support the material, detail and understanding of the product done by many designers now-a-days. Without prototypes I think there would be a different approach to the product and people may perceive the product in different ways.
Many products take a while to create as the end product relies on the prototype to be a similar mock up of what the real thing is going to be like. Although in general products are becoming more focused on humans, bringing in aspects such as behaviours and personalities and adding this approach into many designs. Therefore making jobs more enjoyable as they can relate to it a lot more, and interpret products in there own way.
Communication on the other hand is a very important key in design and is always incorporated in every design process. It embeds not just the environment but also services to products. 3D models and renderings are also apart of communication, especially through products. It helps the audience to visualise and put forth a statement about what the message is.
Through high technology, Prada is attempting to become bigger and better at what it sells and is trying to achieve not only a retail role but also a cultural role. The custom technology brought out is a major challenge for Prada, so there is no need to have every product on the shelves in store. Alternatively they have “RF” tags which I think are a clever and intelligent way to inform clients, customers and staff about various other products, such as colour and sizes.
The change rooms are another clever and bright idea, showing another way of communication between the client and the staff. It all gets put up on a screen and the information is brought up as you try the garment on. The liquid crystal glass of the change room becomes opaque and then becomes transparent, allowing for others to review the outfit at the same time. The magic mirror acts as another communication base, with a 3 second delay allowing you to have a glimpse of the way the fabric flows in motion in different angles.
Digital and Biomedical issues have been addressed in London through something similar to their Subway System already running. This technology which interacts around humans expands information when plugged into the computer and runs through “stations”. This source used by both adults and children when visited helps give an understanding of how technology is beginning to incorporate humans more and more.
Something which I found very entertaining was the flower which wilted in disappointed when somebody left the room. As a result shows us the relations and extent to which technology is being used and incorporated in our daily life.
The “Spyfish” was another great innovation which I thought was intellectual as it was a piece of technology where you could scuba dive without getting wet. Immersing you into the experience of the under water life which is equip with a powerful light to acknowledge and take for granted what we don’t see very often. This technology as a result took seven to eight years to put together although is definitely a great way to show how humans are being integrated in past, present and future technology.
As the years go by, technological objects are becoming more popular and more useful as we interact with new things in our day to day life. Although to have successful technological objects out on the market, prototypes are needed to support the material, detail and understanding of the product done by many designers now-a-days. Without prototypes I think there would be a different approach to the product and people may perceive the product in different ways.
Many products take a while to create as the end product relies on the prototype to be a similar mock up of what the real thing is going to be like. Although in general products are becoming more focused on humans, bringing in aspects such as behaviours and personalities and adding this approach into many designs. Therefore making jobs more enjoyable as they can relate to it a lot more, and interpret products in there own way.
Communication on the other hand is a very important key in design and is always incorporated in every design process. It embeds not just the environment but also services to products. 3D models and renderings are also apart of communication, especially through products. It helps the audience to visualise and put forth a statement about what the message is.
Through high technology, Prada is attempting to become bigger and better at what it sells and is trying to achieve not only a retail role but also a cultural role. The custom technology brought out is a major challenge for Prada, so there is no need to have every product on the shelves in store. Alternatively they have “RF” tags which I think are a clever and intelligent way to inform clients, customers and staff about various other products, such as colour and sizes.
The change rooms are another clever and bright idea, showing another way of communication between the client and the staff. It all gets put up on a screen and the information is brought up as you try the garment on. The liquid crystal glass of the change room becomes opaque and then becomes transparent, allowing for others to review the outfit at the same time. The magic mirror acts as another communication base, with a 3 second delay allowing you to have a glimpse of the way the fabric flows in motion in different angles.
Digital and Biomedical issues have been addressed in London through something similar to their Subway System already running. This technology which interacts around humans expands information when plugged into the computer and runs through “stations”. This source used by both adults and children when visited helps give an understanding of how technology is beginning to incorporate humans more and more.
Something which I found very entertaining was the flower which wilted in disappointed when somebody left the room. As a result shows us the relations and extent to which technology is being used and incorporated in our daily life.
The “Spyfish” was another great innovation which I thought was intellectual as it was a piece of technology where you could scuba dive without getting wet. Immersing you into the experience of the under water life which is equip with a powerful light to acknowledge and take for granted what we don’t see very often. This technology as a result took seven to eight years to put together although is definitely a great way to show how humans are being integrated in past, present and future technology.
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