Video Reflections: Powell Seymour: Designing Dream Machines

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Dick Powell and Richard Seymour bring attention to the meticulous detail that is involved in the design process and development of a product from start to finish. Taking a clients brief and developing the best possible solution to the brief whilst creating a highly successful final model. One key aspect they focus on is the ability to communicate. This is important when working in team situations, but also essential to constantly refer back to the client and there needs as to assure they are happy with the progress and then the final product.

Another important thing to note was their emphasis on visual communication skills. Computer modeling is essential but a preference towards highly skilled hand drawings show new designers that drawing skills are one thing that any employer values greatly and can be the ice breaker as to whether you are employed or not. This video is essential for every design student to see as its detailed look into design practices highlights the attention to detail, processes, skills etc. that we will come across and be required to develop in our future careers.

Upcycling

When i first chose to upcycle the tin can into a product of value, i knew that i wanted a piece that was of beauty and use, but was also attached to the wall. The fact that it had to be a useful product, a bookshelf felt like an adequate solution.

First i examined the properties of a can. The ribs on the exterior, the ability to stack, etc and what most stood out to me was the different colours of the interiors of the cans. e.g baked bean cans had an orange interior, others were gold, or white, or silver.Immediately i knew that i had to incorporate this into the bookshelf as a main feature.

Then came the challenge of how to arrange the cans in an aesthetically pleasing way. I wanted to maintain a simple, uncluttered look by using minimal cans, but the challenge was getting the strength from the cans that i needed without going overboard with the number of cans i used. After testing several ways of arranging the cans, the final design seemed the best.

The final design was also affected by the way in which i linked the cans. This was done by pop riveting the sides. But to maintain strength i had to alternate the cans top to toe as to get rivets in either end. The rivets also allowed for a natural curve to form which also influenced the final design. Other options such as glue and slotting the cans within each other were also explored but issues arose as the glue would give way under any form of intense pressure, and the slotting didn't allow for the cans to sit flush against the wall.

Overall i was a bit worried how the final product looked, but then i placed the books on it and they make it look much better which was a relief. The shelf held the books steady and was able to maintain the weight, as once it is attached to the wall it becomes a very strong shelf.

Peer Comments

Danielle Taouk
Alissa Sanders
Guida Arezzi
Jonathan Biet
Susanna Li

Video Reflections: Annie Leonard: The Story Of Stuff

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Leonard focuses on educating the general public on consumerism and first begins by introducing the life stages of a product and highlighting the destructive nature of the 'linear system' and its destructive nature as well as the implications that this has on the earth.

Videos such as this inspire future designers to be wary of the choices they make whilst designing a product, and also the lasting affect unsustainable design has on the environment and our infinite sources into the future. By observing the possible affects and minimising the impacts through thoughtful design, it encourages a more sustainable future and a stronger economy.

Postal Presents: Instruction Sheet

Rationale: Postal Presents

In the initial development of my ideas i played with the practice of simple weaving, and i wanted to incorporate this into my final design. I found weaving to be a simple way for the consumer to have a pleasurable interaction with their present. I also wanted to choose a product that would be used on a daily basis rather than something that sat on a desk or table as a form of decoration. This led me to a ladies hand clutch.

Keeping in mind the fact it was to be a flat pack present, I played around with the idea of 'wrapping' the clutch in a floral insert which initially acted as wrapping paper, and then transformed into a small pouch which could then be placed into the clutch. The simple rectangular shape allows for easy postage, easy assembly and an economical shape by which to maximise the usage of sheet material. Polypropylene is used internally as a support structure and the properties allow for the bends to act a excellent hinges. The fabric on the outside is intended to create a more feminine, vintage look to avoid the polypropylene cheapening the look of the clutch.

Peer Comments
Stephen Mesa
Nina Harcus
Lucinda Waters
Fil Pulida
Valerie El Khouri

Video Reflections: Ross Lovegrove: Organic Design

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Ross Lovegrove takes a philosophical as well as aesthetic position on design. He focuses on an objects form and how form can touch people’s souls and emotions. Design, Nature, Art is what Lovegrove lives and designs by. Observing natures natural forms, curiosity in the not so obvious to the eye, and creating a beautiful contemporary design and amazing art. It’s not only about sourcing from nature, but also respecting our infinite resources that we take from nature then create into dull boring everyday products.

The water bottle is a perfect example. His aim through developing this water bottle is to put a ‘skin on water’ and develop a bottle using its natural form. He wants it to become a future icon, which ‘elevates peoples perception of contemporary design’.

‘Industrial design is the art form of the 21st century’.

He believes in designing for the future, as we move towards new ideas for materials such as using biopolymers, and using beautiful forms that nature creates. He even takes a step further; ‘Could we be manufacturing products out of food stuffs in the future?’ He sees organic design as ‘fat free’ design, liberating form by taking away any unnecessary materials and creating a product that is essential and contributes to a consumer’s sense of being and the relationships that have with their objects.

Lovegroves philosophical views should help designers in stripping back to designing from their basic natural instincts. Instead of designing purely from human ingenuity, allow hidden aspects of nature to help create beautiful things.

Bad Design Poster

Experience Enrichment

At one stage or another, most of us would have experienced the joys of playing with wooden building blocks as toddlers. Over time little has changed in the materials of this much loved baby toy. Although soft foam has been introduced as an alternative to wood, there is no other variation in the materials used. And so I saw an opportunity to challenge the conventions associated with the all-common wooden building block, by using silicone rubber with the addition of internal magnets.

Silicone rubber is becoming increasingly more popular and in some cases is also replacing many plastics used in the manufacturing of baby products. Concerns were raised over the effect toxic plastics were having on toddlers. Now used in baby bottles, dummies and teethers, amongst other things, silicone rubber has now been proven to be non-toxic to babies. Therefore if a child chooses to chew on the block, it is of no harm to them and can also act as a substitute teether. Previous wooden blocks were hard and often cube shaped, making it awkward for a baby to put in its mouth and also hard avoid hard sharp edges.

Designed for toddlers aged upwards of one year, these blocks aim to enrich the experience toddlers have during playtime, firstly achieved by the intriguing feel of silicone rubber in the hands. It has an unusual soft rubbery texture with the bonus of flexibility and the ability to bend and stretch, yet return to its original state. It is quite a pleasurable thing to hold and manipulate. Foam building blocks, whilst soft, also have some downsides. Small toddlers with teeth can chew on these blocks and hence leaving teeth marks, this can also happen when a pet dog gets a hold of them. While foam blocks can be placed in the washing machine and cleaned, the silicone blocks have the benefit of no retaining germs inside, and can easily be rinsed under warm water and even put through the dishwasher every so often.

The magnets inside the blocks occur on all four sides of the triangular pyramid, therefore allowing each individual block to be connected to one another on all sides. The blocks aim to encourage the urge to construct things and challenge the toddlers thinking, whilst the magnets help to eliminate the structure from being easily knocked over and destroyed, while also allowing for easy disassembly. The triangular pyramid was the chosen shape as a way to further challenge the conventional cube and rectangular blocks. These pyramid building blocks allow a child to first see the importance of triangles in shapes such as hexagons etc, while introducing children to more complex geometric shapes as they continue to build.

Interesting toys can enrich a child’s playtime experience in more ways then just the physical feel and taste. The silicone pyramid blocks also encourage social interaction with other toddlers and even their parents. The ability to share new toys and work together to build something, are skills a baby needs throughout their life. Also important is to make sure a toddler has fun while playing and associates it with a feeling of content and satisfaction possibly after creating something with their new silicone blocks.

Peer Comments

Nicholas Baroni
Danny Kim
Mitch Lockley
Jason Vergara
Greg Shar

Video Reflections: Yves Behar: Designing Objects that Tell Stories

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Yves Behar focuses on the true meaning and value of a product. How the whole object should have a reason and meaning behind it, tell a story as to why it is the way it is. Taking something that seems normal and boring and bring a more personal value to the object. Example is the Y Water, redefining an otherwise average product into one with a story for is creation. "As designers how we can create a different relationship between work and our world?'

He talks about matching the human need to relate to an object through emotion and its story for being. Looking at designing from the inside out and bringing a more humanistic feel to something. Designing from interior to exterior without putting a 'skin' on it puts a greater value on a product.

Behar adds another dimension for designers to continue. What is the story of this object? He aims to make products more valuable on a personal level by considering interior and exterior and give a meaning to everything designed.

Video Reflections: Don Norman: Emotional Design

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Don Norman discusses how he shifted to new process of thinking. Where he once would be associated with a product that was usable but ugly he now tries to understand beauty and pretty things and how emotion affects designs and what people think of designs.
He moves away from purely functional objects, to ones that are 'neat and fun' e.g the ping pong table with the fish. The fish aren't functionally essential to play but their addition to the table makes the consumer happy and makes it fun.

But Norman still highly values function for example the knife; he said it's 'wonderful to look' at and well balanced, yet it still fulfills its main function perfectly which is to cut.

Norman divides his theory of emotion in design into three parts; behavioural, reflective and visceral. How our emotions such as anxiety and fear affect how we work, how we make decisions etc. and how if we have a pleasant experience with a product we perceive that it works better. Example is the Mini Cooper, although not perfect people are still told to buy it as it is fun to drive.

Normans view on design raises an important issue that can help designers take into consideration the emotions the consumer experiences whilst interacting with a product. Are they having fun? A positive experience? How can this be improved? Showing designers that, yes function is important, but sometimes somethings beauty can be enough for a consumer to appreciate a product.

Good Design: Mini Micro Scooter

Product Sketching

Video Reflections: David Kelley: Human Centred Design

David Kelley looks at the consumer and their relationship with a space or product. As technology and society changes, so has the needs and desires of the consumer. His aim is to bring the focus back to the needs of the user, and allowing human-centred design to personalise the interaction between consumer and product by bringing personalities and behaviours into product. One example is the office cubicle. The investigation into the walls, making them move and give the user a hug, in an abstract attempt to make it more 'human'. Also the wilting flower aims to reconnect the user with their environment, personalising the experience and the space.

This video brings the focus back to the consumers needs. This is important for up and coming designers as it shows the importance of maintaining a personal relationship between consumer and product rather than purely focusing on the functional aspects of a product

Shape of a Scent