Design is Dangerous: Just in the back of your minds...

I remember when I was about eight years old 'Heelys' were all the rage in my hometown. These shoes jumped to the top of every kid's christmas list in 2000-1 including my own. All of my friends wore there Heelys everyday, the neighbor kids would be whooping and hollering next door as they would pop the wheels out from the soles of their sneakers and glide across the ground.
In the beginning, the fad seemed harmless and a good new way for children to have fun. However, as I look back on it now, I wonder if there really was no damage done with these fun little rolly-shoes. If done at all, it's true the damage was not catastrophic. The kids didn't really know any better, they only saw a fun and faster way of getting from point 'A' to point 'B'. But these shoe-toys provided an excuse for laziness. No longer needing to walk along with their parents in the mall, the kids could roll alongside and not exert themselves at all.
Many may see this as an overreaction, and I acknowledge the seemingly silly idea I'm bringing forward, but I also see that with this huge surge in children's need for this way to keep themselves from working their legs even the slightest, a seed was planted in their minds.
With the creation of these Heelys, my generation was shown that with the right mindset, we could create anything we wanted to keep ourselves from exerting too much energy. And how much is “too much”? Who decides how lazy we get to become? With that memory wheeling through our head, in the future we might design the long-awaited hover chair! Heelys showed that creating a way to nix all physical exertion was just a little too easy.
Alright, so it's a little extreme, but the clip shown above from the Disney movie Wall-E just shows how design could hurt us if we don't show the proper restraint.

Design in Society: Harry Potter and the People Tree!

Here ye! Here ye! The Harry Potter franchise has performed a service to its audience (that is, apart from the fantastic entertainment that is already served up, if I do say so myself!)! By hiring an actress that shows an environmental and social conscious, the films have provided a link for die-hard fans between the world of Harry Potter and that of eco-consciousness.
I was viewing actress Emma Watson's official website (http://www.emmawatson.com/) earlier this week because I wanted to see what her next acting project would be after the Harry Potter series was officially wrapped up. I came across a link that showed all the 'projects' Watson actively involves herself in. Mostly related to fashion, this actress gets involved in a multitude of projects and doesn't just lie around or wait for things to happen. She gets things done!
Her collaboration with People Tree, the sustainable and fair trade clothing brand, was her effort to open a few more of the eyes of the younger generation to the benefits of buying from brands that show consciousness of the problems in the world and have a mind to fix it.
“People Tree is a Fair Trade fashion line whose focus is to bring global awareness to fair trade practices. Eighty percent of the collection uses 100 percent organic, fair trade certified cotton coming from disadvantaged communities in Bangladesh and Nepal. The royalties made from the collection will be donated to the People Tree Foundation, an independent charity working with People Tree” (http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2010/02/03/emma-watsons-eco-clothing-line-for-uks-people-tree-premieres-this-week/).

In case you're unaware, Fair Trade Certification is a series of hoops that manufacturing companies have to jump through if they wish to sell their wares with the stamp that says they were made in a way that treated workers and the environment in a courteous and fair way (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairtrade_certification#Fairtrade_standards).

With the fame she attained through her lengthy participation in the Harry Potter film franchise, Miss Watson has found the funds and attention needed to partake in a project that she believes is important, with the added bonus of being able to utilize her creative/artistic side as a “creative advisor” on the project.“I wanted to help People Tree produce a younger range because I was excited by the idea of using fashion as a tool to alleviate poverty and knew it was something I could help make a difference with. I think young people like me are becoming increasingly aware of the humanitarian and environmental issues surrounding fast fashion and want to make good choices but there aren’t many options out there” (http://www.emmawatson.com/en/Projects/People-Tree/).

Color Transforms: The Tie-dye Shirt Phenomenon

Color has a rather under-glorified role in society today. Many think of it as something that would definitely be noticed if absent from every day life, but certainly not a thing to be marveled at from day to day. Perhaps to marvel would be a bit much, but surely a bit of notice is merited to the noble form of expression that is color.
Lauer and Pentak discuss in their book Design Basics the importance that color holds for us in the world, saying “color appeals to our emotions and feelings”. With design being a form of communication between multiple parties, it makes sense that no way of expression would be left unused by the designer in his/her attempt to bring an idea to light or across the space between the producer and consumer of the design. Color is one of those methods of expression. And it may mean different things for different cultures or generations, but without color, we as players in the game of life would have a more difficult time expressing how we feel, what we see, not to mention combining the two to make art. Plus, the world would be a pretty boring one if washed in grayscale!

Color and design can also be a form of communication from person to person not only in the professional setting of producer/consumer. Between one generation and another, color can be an explosion of opinion and voice for those who need a way to express frustration or even dissension. The tie-dye shirt was an outburst from the younger generation in the late 1960s, as a visual way of communicating opinions and the belief that they needed to shake things up!
“Tie-dye came back in style in the 1960's when a great movement emerged among young people that emphasized individuality. It was time to "do your own thing." Each person could make a statement by tie-dyeing clothes with a personal combination. Tie-dyed sheets were used as room dividers and wall hangings. Silk and cotton banners were used as backdrops for rock and roll concerts” (http://www.harmonytie-dyes.com/_special/history.html)

Colors evoke and inspire communication, but they can also be the form it takes. For some who have a quieter voice than others in this world, color can be the most important thing; the thing that enables them to show their true selves,beliefs, and thoughts to the rest of humanity. Design and color can work together to reach a mutual goal, but can also work separately. Either way, both can be a method of expressing freedom!

Have fun, designers! Have fun!

Sometimes the industrial design of an object becomes unnecessary in larger society, this happens rarely, but I noticed it one day when I was visiting my mom's office. On one of the buildings' walls was a clock that had the standard minute and second hand tic-tic-ticking away the time, but the numbers were all piled at the bottom and a big "Whatever!" was plastered across the face of the clock.

This mass produced product shows that in some social environments the designs that we thought hold us afloat every day, when replaced with a new witty or ironic design, may be able to be put to the same use but with a fresh look and design.

Now to be fair, when I was younger this clock always frustrated me to no end. I would walk past it and each time look up with confusion. I wondered, why would someone make such a useless object?! For a fourth grader, who has enough trouble telling time on one of those darn round clocks anyway, this little creation here was simply preposterous, though the bold expletive I found enjoyable even through my irritation!

This proves that the usefulness of industrial design will never really go out of style, due to the need of the simple and practical in various stages of life. These industrial designers were probably the ones behind the design of the digital clock anyway, due to their understanding of the need of some for a simpler way of telling time.

However, as the setting  matures, there is certainly  no problem with throwing in a little humor in to replace something that has been rendered unnecessary in the current environment! Have fun, designers! Have fun!

Ergonomics

The car company Toyota has built up a loyal and supportive crowd of followers over the years. With their reliable cars, efficiency, and constant innovation, Toyota quickly lured many car-buying-hopefuls to its dealerships. This was a company trusted and respected by its consumers. That was all good and well, until 2007 hit.

If Toyota was planning to produce reliable products with the ability to be put to good use by the public, they should have gone down the check list of everyday ergonomics one more time. A hierarchy of rules is useful in order to build a profitable product, and starting in the 1930s "Toyoda", the company's initial title, was the automotive star everyone wanted to hitch their bandwagon to.

The original heads of the company valued the organized system of following the basics of ergonomics, and the profit that naturally followed. With 'safety' as a solid base-rule for building its vehicles, its no wonder Toyota rose to power and popularity so quickly. First building trust with consumers in Japan, Toyota didn't skip steps for company quick saves or cut any corners. The original bosses understood the design conversation between producer and consumer and built their vehicles in accordance to the ergonomic expectations of their buyers.

With 'safety' as the number one prioritized thought behind building all of their cars, all cars were sold with the assurance that the families entrusted to their automobiles would be in good seats. With 'comfort' as the next area of ergonomic necessity, Toyota also made sure that those seats were made in the most comfortable form possible. Showing consideration for their buyers, Toyota never made a drivers seat out of a plank of plywood, but cushioned and formed to fit the contours of a human body, their cars were made with thought of what would be most comfortable to the driver and passengers.

'Ease of use' and 'performance' were obviously key ingredients in the Toyota stew of success back in the day, but perhaps, more recognizable to consumers today is the incorporation of those next rules of ergonomics in their famous (soon to become infamous) Toyota Prius. A button to start the car's engines made the use of the car key virtually obsolete, and this  nifty little detail sparked consumers' interest and left other car companies in the dust. Adding GPS systems in the cars was just icing on the 'ease of use' cake.

The 'performance' step of ergonomics (a step that I believe should be a little further down towards the base of the ergonomics pyramid) was the real draw for Toyota consumers when the first prius came out on the market. The fact that the car was a new model hybrid  showed ultimate attention paid to the nations growing environmental concerns. With extremely high fuel efficiency and millage, this car had eco-conscious car buyers flocking to the Toyota dealerships. And Toyota didn't fall short in the 'aesthetics' department of ergonomics, with their continuous attempt to make their efficient car no slacker in the sleek and modern appearance category.

However, in 2007 it was in these steps of 'performance' and 'ease of use' that had really had a vital hand in rocketing Toyota's pride and joy, the Prius into fame, that resulted in the  company's plummet back down to earthly levels of inadequacy. By a simple error, for which I'm sure all of Toyota car makers are smacking themselves in the head, of a floor mat that proves to have to much traction on the drivers side, Toyota's reign came crashing down. "Toyota recalled 55,000 Camry and Lexus ES 350 models in 2007 because of complaints of unintended acceleration caused by the mats sticking under the accelerator pedal. The NHTSA said consumers continued to report instances of uncontrolled acceleration in Toyota models after that recall."

Read more: http://www.evolvingexcellence.com/blog/2009/09/toyotas-inexcusable-failure.html#ixzz15Pb0gEXB
at Evolving Excellence

This recall showed that in the 2000s, Toyota was cutting a few corners in ergonomics, sidestepping 'safety', 'performance', and even 'ease of use', with the unbelievable error of sticky mats. However, perhaps even more embarrassing and inexcusable than this 2007 failure to follow the basic rules of designing a consumer friendly car based in ergonomic reason is the fact that Toyota had to recall millions of cars again in 2010 due to an acceleration pedal issue once again. If a company finds fault in a product, it stands to reason that this company would and should do everything in its power to then follow the 5 areas of ergonomics research to the letter in order to create a sound product for their buyers. For these consumers are putting their safety, the number one priority and base in the ergonomics pyramid, in Toyota's hands. Now, Toyota is trying to backpedal and salvage the  loyal consumer base of its past with documentary-style commercials showcasing the loyal Toyota customer and his continued use of and faith in the Toyota vehicle.

Design in a Poem

Weave thread through a pattern,

Splash vibrant paint on an urn.

Meld metal into a swirling ring,

Combine colors that make a heart sing.

Construct a building; curved and tall,

Hang unique lanterns to light the hall.

Make  a wooden toothbrush handle,

To never throw away.

And stick a tall wax candle

On a spike to make it stay.

This thread, paint, lantern, and wooden handle

Show that people in the world care.

We put thought into every couch, nail, and sandal;

Now look! See design everywhere.

Understanding the Partnership: Word & Image

The designers of the catalog for the clothing line Anthropologie, are famous for their unique photography and layout. I’ve mentioned in a previous blog my belief that this unprecedented page design spikes interest in viewers and does a very successful job of luring in shoppers and their money. But with this weeks interest in how words and images can work together in a design, I want to bring notice to the detail that the layout designers of this magazine do a fine job in combining word and image to create a successful and edgy look for the catalog. The layout design shows a turn for the modern age, with combination of lettering layered on top of an image in the catalog. This gives the magazine a scrapbook-like feel, appealing to moms and teens alike.

Anthropologie

Along with beautiful photographs and clothing that makes an impression, the company Anthropologie chose to collaborate with some artists who really know what they’re doing in terms of catchy new layout design.

The photographer captures words and letters as a dynamic way to create dimension within the photo. By stepping away from the old Walmart and GAP photos of attempting to draw attention to the clothing by shooting it against a dull backdrop, Anthropologie’s photographer incorporates many different elements of expression in the photos, including the use of letters as a partner in creating a fresh view for the fresh look of the season’s clothing line.

Wal-mart image

Anthropologie

Anthropologie

Calligraphy as a Passion of Words Intwined with Images on the Page

When an artist combines two passions, that of creating letters and images, a beautiful form of expression is born. One well known method of this combination is the art form of calligraphy.

Originating from ancient cave paintings and Egyptian hieroglyphics, the impulse for man to sync letter and image together to create a system of communication has fluctuated in terms of complication and creativeness.  In the early forms of written communication, man used only what today we would classify as images or pictures. The picture below shows the early Egyptians’ form of writing. Obviously, they found something that images could be a successful form of written communication. This is because images can express meaning just as easily as a letter. An ‘L’ can be communicated by two lines, one horizontal and one vertical meeting an angle, and, just as successfully, by a few lines that make up a lion image (as in the Egyptian alphabet). Both are images designed to communicate a meaning from human to human, the only difference is in the society in which the image/letter is used.

More recently calligraphy has become known as a form of art infused within the letters society uses every day. Now able to distinguish between the letter and the image, as opposed to their acting as one in the same, calligraphy enables the artist to communicate beauty along with the worded message. With the invention of the computor, and the various typefaces that came along with it, calligraphy almost met with its extinction; however, humanity has not lost its desire for images to portray beauty, nor the desire to derive meaning from an image. A computer-created font can seem beautiful, but it lacks the honest determination to create something new and wonderful for the world to admire. Mankind will never lose the desire to interpret the meaning behind paintings and sketches. Calligraphy is the evolution and combination of humanity’s form of expression.

Hella Jongerius

Over the summer, my mother and I were rerouted several times while attempting to catch our plane to Ireland. Of course, each time we had to be flown somewhere we had not intended to visit, we were overjoyed, but the one place that really caught my eye was Amsterdam. I was wonderfully surprised to find the beautiful fashions I saw on the people and in the shops in the Netherlands capitol. I think the reason I appreciated this fashion goldmine so was because I had never specifically herd that the Dutch people were exceedingly fashion forward.
While watching "Objectified" in my Design 001 class I was introduced to a designer whose work I found beautiful, unique, and innovative. And wouldn't you know it - she's Dutch! Mrs. Hella Jongerius.
I appreciate the beautiful way she designs vases, 

she claims she's channeling tradition and modernity when creating a new pot or ceramic. Jongerius made her mark in the commercial industry that all of us can relate too when she won a pitch to design the 1.5 liter Evian water bottle(never marketed). 

This woman shows such versatility in the objects she chooses to design, showing that very little can dissuade or hold her back from letting her designing mind create wonders.

This bath mat is like nothing I've ever seen before, and I feel the repletion and texture she gives to this object elevates it as not only a utilitarian product but as a piece of art.
When designing chairs, Jongerius can create such variety. Two chairs, used for the same purpose; the act of sitting, can be so completely different. As a designer, she shows that she understands the conversation of design between the creator and the recipient with the different ways in which she designs a chair.

This design shows off a sleek and simple form. With it's jet black coloring, the chair exudes professionalism, and with the inventive way that the front legs create an almost seamless line to the back of the chair is fresh and cutting edge. This chair would probably suit some buyer for a high-end company. It's nothing to outlandish to draw attention, but it has just enough subtle edge and beauty that it would be appreciated in an up-and-coming corporate environment.
To show the flip side of this coin, or chair creation, Jongerius can also design a chair that is just as much new thought and simplicity, but catered to a whole different crowd.

The bright red coloring of this stool shows that it is meant to make a statement in a room. Noticeable both for its shape and color, this simple but intriguing seat would do well in a younger person's room, maybe a dorm room in college. The brightness and new shape shouts independence and individuality.
One purpose. Two very different designs. One innovative woman.

Industrial Design: Unity in Form

I have a pair of stainless steel kitchen sheers sitting on my desk. As a highly useful product, it is no wonder this tool is mass produced. While many of the attributes of its design were chosen for their logical usefulness, others, like the achromatic black coloring, were chosen for aesthetic purposes. The asymmetry of the handles was incorporated in order to fit a hand more comfortably (as one handle holds four fingers, the other one, one handle is naturally longer with more room than the other). While a practical choice, there is no doubt that a certain unique visual dynamic is given to a piece of art or industrial object when asymmetry is part of the design.
The serrated edge on one of the scissor's blades along with those in between the two handles show a pattern, repeating this module of the object in an anticipated sequence. The serration is important for the scissors to cut through tough foods in the kitchen, such as chicken bones. The designers could have stopped the serration half-way down the blade and the tool could have retained the ability to cut chicken bones, but this would be less aesthetically pleasing, so there was no reason to do so.
The entire form of the kitchen sheers create unity. Without the asymmetrical handles, or the black coloring, or the serrated edge, the scissors would not be the successful product that they are today. A success for the industrial designer; “I like to look at it and I like to use it”!

Interaction of Content and Form in "Objectified"

Understanding the historical content for a design idea helps us to see the reasoning behind its form and formation. In Gary Hustwit's documentary “Objectified”, 

a designer makes the connection that the main goal of industrial design is mass production.The concept of industrial design in and of itself was an interesting topic for me. I had never really put much thought into the fact that the curve of the handle that most gardening sheers are built with these days is very helpful to me and makes them much easier to work with than old, straight-handled clippers. The design of the every-day world had never struck a chord with me while I was to busy being hypnotized by the in your face design content behind such things as fashion.
What really grabbed my attention was when design editor, Alice Rawsthorn, brought up a historical reference as to why mass production was so key in the success of industrial design. The first emperor of China ran into a problem when he was waging war when attempting to expand his empire. If an archer died in combat, another archer could not utilize the dead man's arrows because they had been made to fit only his bow. In order to neutralize this problem, the emperor “came up with a way of standardizing the design of the arrows so that each arrow would fit any bow”, Rawsthorn explains in an interview.

When the historical content of a major design descision is explained more understanding can be reached when observing a designed object as to why this form was chosen over that.