1 Step Closer to Utopia

Design is a process used to help society’s way of life, to improve upon existing models and to create a better, effortless future.  Believe it or not, we are a far away from complete bliss, but there are companies and designers looking to change that.  A big deal currently is options to help the environment and create less pollution.  This where Volkswagen’s new electric scooter design comes into play.  This electric bicycle scooter hybrid can completely fold into itself and fit conveniently in an automobile’s trunk, where it can be charged.  It was designed to take the user where four wheels can not take them.  It also is better for the environment because it cuts down on automobile emissions.  The bike has no pedals; it is completely powered by electricity.  It can go twelve and a half miles on a single charge and can reach speeds up of up to thirteen miles per hour.  This design helps society because it encourages environmentally friendly transportation without denouncing the automobile.  It also promotes a better way of life, as the consumer will experience new things and locales it otherwise wouldn’t have noticed.  The design is aesthetically pleasing and there isn’t any physical effort needed which are usually two main concerns when consumers debate between automobiles and bicycles.  I feel like this design is here to stay because it is an accessory to your car, yet a whole different vehicle that presents options to the consumer.  This electric scooter will expand horizons and help the environment of society.  One step closer to Utopia indeed.

This will change the way you look at Color and Interior Design

Josef Albers color theory emphasized the dynamic and shifting nature of color.  For example, deepening into three-dimensional space, and colors blurring and vibrating when next to each other.  I found a design that encompasses this shift of color as well as color revealing or hiding itself to the naked eye.  It is called heat-activated paint.  The concept behind it is that colors emerge when it is exposed to heat; therefore it creates a unique image around your home depending on the temperature of a room or the whole house.  It is ingenious because it is many designs placed into one; its versatility of patterns is infinite.  Color brings mundane things to life, and improves on a multitude of items from Tupperware to Casino floors.  Color can create a new beginning or a final solution.  Who would think that dining room walls could vary day to day, hour to hour in color and pattern?  I, for one did not think it was possible, but I am glad that someone showed me that it is.

The innovative technology can also be applied to posters, which can be interacted with, by touch and so forth.  This design can change interiors worldwide forever, think about it: interactive walls, posters, tabletops, and etcetera.  I also like the idea that as the day cools down; the color will fade away to its original state.  It’s like a visual watch made from color and not numbers.  This is just the beginning, and I am eager to see what alterations and upgrades are made to this idea in the future.  

Progress or Impending Danger?

Volkswagen has designed a miniature version of one of their cars to cater to little people.  This “mini-gol’ is the Volkswagen Gol’s thirty percent smaller concept car.  I found this intriguing concept on the Internet a few days ago.  At first, I thought it was great and a testament to society’s inclusion of all people.  Upon further review however, I have changed my stance and believe this is a major safety issue.  If I’m driving eighty miles per hour on a freeway turn and this car merges in front of me, I may not see it.  I am concerned that most cars’ front hoods would block their view of these smaller cars.  The car’s top speed is barely seventeen miles per hour which makes it unfit for even street driving, where the speed limit is usually around thirty or thirty-five miles per hour.  

This car should never make it beyond automobile events, because it is unsafe to other motorists.  It is hard to see, drives at a very slow rate in comparison to larger vehicles, and it would create a lot more harm than good.  The problem is there are already blind spots with vehicles now, imagine if these cars were allowed on freeways and streets, the blind spots would be endless.  Subsequently, all existing cars would have to have alterations to their mirrors to see more places that may cause danger.  I understand the intention of creating this car, but I feel like this particular model is too great a risk for automobile owners.  My opinion is to create a car that has more height but it still accommodates little people as the Mini-Gol does.  I don’t believe this danger is an intentional consequence, but I feel like the design process may have been misguided.  Safety is one of the first things you concern yourself with when sketching out a design.  It is socially responsible to consider how a design will affect society’s well-being.

HERGONOMICS

            In recent years, scarves have made a comeback in the fashion world.  They are a simple accessory, yet the design that can go on them varies greatly.  A design needs to have functionality, creativity, proficiency, reliability, and usability.  It needs to fill in a need and continue to do its job well after its been purchased.  I came across a product that is highly fashionable and is tailored to give the consumer a unique experience.  The product is called the Hermes scarf and it’s made from the company of the same name.  Many celebrities are clients of these scarf-makers, including Oprah Winfrey and Madonna.  Every scarf that is made is hand stitched and printed and come with a scent.

            Ergonomics is all about a user’s interaction with a design.  There are five areas of ergonomic research: safety, aesthetics, comfort, ease of use, and its performance or productivity.  I will apply these areas to the Hermes scarves and see how they stack up.  All these areas are vital to a design’s success, although the level of some such as aesthetics does not need to be as significant to some consumers.

            Safety is self-explanatory.  The product must not injure, impair, or kill its consumer.  Safety plays a bigger role in some designs over others.  The Hermes scarf isn’t made out of harmful material and it won’t come to life and constrict your neck, so this product is safe.

            The Hermes scarf does its job well.  Its productivity has been upgraded to include a cashmere and silk blend for colder climates in order to keep a person warmer than their original silk scarves.  It is a fashion statement, but it does keep the buyer warm and that is the scarf’s number one priority.  One scarf in particular has a zippered outside pocket to put an mp3 player, so you can listen to music while you stay warm.

            Comfort and ease of use can be rolled into one.  The soft silk fabric or cashmere blend feels great upon the skin, and once its put on, it’s hardly noticed.   With a few twists and knots, this scarf becomes completely functional and is ready for the cold night air.  This scarf is definitely easy to use.

            Aesthetics is where the Hermes scarf shines.  One glance at this product, and you will know you are taking in something special.  It feels great, but it looks even better.  I am a fan of images and patterns that take risks, so look no farther than the Hermes scarf.  Hermes has used many motifs as inspiration for their scarves such as: the French Revolution and Texas fauna.  The colors are vibrant and the patterns are crisp on these scarves.   Most of the scarves follow a military or equestrian motif. 

            I would love to be a proud owner of a Hermes scarf, but unfortunately my budget won’t allow it.  They are quite pricey, however they are made of fine materials and have fine craftsmanship, which has to count for something.  I am an advocate for finely designed products and I feel like Hermes should receive recognition for their flawless pursuit of consumer satisfaction, aesthetic supremacy, and for passing their ergonomics exam.

           

DESIGN FOR THE TIME

            I was watching cable television this weekend and my mind began to wander.  I was watching one of the countless home design shows on HGTV.  I have become more and more interested in these shows; I watch them all the time with my Mom.  I know why they are so popular; they allow the audience to be a critic.  It is like watching movie previews before the actual movie comes on.  It allows the viewer to instantly criticize and debate on what is being altered to the house.  This is a draw to me, and I know others watch these shows because of this.   I also asked myself when did these interior design shows become so popular?  It really shows how design in society has grown and expanded to encompass television.  I feel that design in society is growing because people are becoming more aware that they don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics to achieve functionality.  For example, mp3 players used to be chunky and blocky and were very frustrating to control.  Now, we have the iPod touch: sleek, subtle, and very user-friendly.  An even better example would be the history of phones all the way to the progression of cellular phones.  Design in society is growing everywhere.  Commercials are more visually creative; chairs are art, living in every way and form, has been revitalized.  However, where does it go from here?  Does it stop and stall for a while, or does it storm forward like a runaway train?  Remember to keep your eyes open and you will notice the answer in due time.

PEOPLE ARE AWESOME

            The title says it all.  People are awesome, grossly, wickedly awesome.  There are so many feats and survival stories to name.  With today’s technology, the pure awesomeness of people is able to be put on display for the world to see.  I can see the best ping-pong shots or the best trick basketball shots.  I think the one aspect that is most important about this is people are creating new feats and designing videos to show to everyone.  The minds of America are about competition and viral videos are a way to currently compete.  I can only begin how much time it took to think of hitting a basketball with a bat into a hoop twenty feet away.  Once you create a feat, it takes hours, months, maybe a year to accomplish the feat.  I feel like people who accomplish these feats and post these videos have to be design-oriented.  There is a lot of planning, and then they have to implement that plan.  It shows what the average human can do albeit a lot of free time.  I appreciate people who work hard to entertain society in unique ways.  If you take a few minutes and watch the video I have attached, I guarantee you will be entertained or I will eat my blog.  The physical feats of man or woman are a sight to behold, and I never get tired of witnessing it.  Watching an awesome feat is like an awesome design that only a human can perform.  Design is people and people are design.

Check it out: PEOPLE ARE AWESOME

Dont fail me now- Worded Images

            The word fail or epic fail has become a popular topic in recent years.  It is a simple topic but the material for it is endless.  Fail basically is a term labeled for any embarrassing act, grammatical error, or where a seemingly lack of brain exists in society.  It’s one simple word, but it creates intrigue when labeled on an image that seems harmless at first.  The fun is finding a picture that has fail stamped on it, and then trying to find what the fail is.  It is interesting to witness the oddities of the world.  It’s hard to believe that some of these objects were created this way, or written in such an odd manner.  In this case, the image is stronger than the word yet there is a place for both.  If that word indicator wasn’t there some wouldn’t even notice anything wrong with the picture.  The fail images I have seen personally range from the bizarre to everyday life.  It makes me wonder who thought to witness the irregularities in society and then make them public?  It’s an interesting take on words and images.  It can be seen as criticism but I see it as tongue in cheek humor and a lighthearted way to de-stress.  There are whole websites dedicated to these words and images and have created a strong following.  I wonder why when words and images are put together, humor is often the intended result?  I think it is because once the target audience is laughing, or has laughed the rest will follow.  I mean of course, no company or designer wants to be an EPIC FAIL.

ADVERTISEMENTS-IMAGES SUPPORTED BY WORDS

You’ve heard it so many times before: “A picture is worth a thousand words.”  Well, how much is a smartly put together picture that contains words as well?  An image such as this can be priceless to a company, for example.  Not only does a picture with words advertise, if done in the right manner it shows the consumer that the company has a sense of humor.  Make a person laugh, and they will be more interested in the product then they previously were.  I personally enjoy advertisements that appear like someone actually put some thought into it.  The world is full of mindless advertisements.  If it weren’t, the Super Bowl commercials wouldn’t be such a big deal.  I believe social media such as this, can change a person’s day and it can remain in their thought processes for a while, it might even be a conversation piece.  The picture can be translated by itself, but when it’s accompanied by a short and to the point phrase, it hammers the message home.  Words without image sparks up an imagination.  An image without words leaves the mind to create words.  An image with words leaves little to the imagination and leaves the mind satisfied.  I browse the Internet for hilarious images, and visuals that have been uniquely created.  I enjoy unique intelligence and I think the combination of words and images is a way to show that intelligence.  I hope to some day, design images that spark emotions and/or thoughts to the public masses.  I feel like fun advertisements are a great way to influence people, by humor and smarts.

OBJECTIFIED

Objectified was an eye-opening film for me.  I really enjoyed the parts about the chair designs and Jonathan Ive from APPLE.  As I was viewing this film it re-instilled in me that I want to be a designer.  I enjoyed the design process from ideas to realization and then improving the existing model.  I admire the idea that was stated in the film that the best design is the simple design.  The idea that its functionality is based on what’s not noticed, but aids the consumer while using the product.  It was also interesting to see how small adjustments could help he overall function of a product.  For example, the hedge cutters and the handles were slightly manipulated to make it easier to hold.  The whole piece on APPLE was very interesting.  I liked how it was stated that APPLE is one company who really cares about design and lets that show through many facets, such as store and product design.  Jonathan Ive was interesting as he explained how different products were made and the small subtleties of the macbook.  I really took note of his statement that “indicators should not be visible when they are not indicating something.” That quote stood out to me because it is so true but I never thought about it that way before.  I lie how APPLE ease of use without compromising the aesthetic of the product and the comfort the consumer experiences when using an APPLE product.  I would recommend the film, “OBJECTIFIED” to anyone has ever felt creative or felt the need to create.

THE WILDERNESS DOWNTOWN

Arcade fire is a band I admire; I really enjoy their song entitled, “Wake Up.”  It is refreshing to see a band that is creative in other outlets as they are with their music.   Currently, musical expression has been lacking in the music video medium.  Many can argue that the best music videos of the year are Kanye West’s “Runaway” and Arcade Fire’s “The Wilderness Downtown.”  The latter put a completely new twist on the music video medium.  It can only be seen on the computer, and it can honestly be said that it touches every viewer.  It’s simple, you type in your childhood home address and wait for the magic to happen.  The first time I viewed this, it was almost too personal but I liked it.  It created an epic motif, a feeling of want and anxiety.  As I watched I was in suspense, waiting for the outcome to reveal itself.  Even though I was anxious to see the end, the ride that the video took me on was well worth it.  I love when a designer creates a visual story that stirs up the viewer’s emotions.  The creation of this music video and its design shows how far technology has come and what tinkering with a computer can create.  Arcade fire shows that they care about their fan base with the creation of this video.  It is interactive and slightly addictive.  As a result, their music is heard more and more and creates more attention because of how their most recent video was constructed and distributed.  I suggest everyone should witness this creative design at least once.

CHECK IT OUT: http://thewildernessdowntown.com/

MASS PRODUCED

IPods and iphones are mass-produced because there is a large demand for their services.  The Apple Company has the benefit of their apple logo being an iconic symbol in the world.  When consumers see that symbol, it creates interest in their brand.  IPods continue to reinvent themselves and have been around now for a while, however every time one is used, it feels revolutionary.  The unity of its design and its simplicity is what makes it so popular.  The iPod does so much yet its simple to maneuver and its aesthetically pleasing.  There are small design details in the iPod that makes the consumer experience so responsive that they are hooked to the product for years to come.  I noticed on most iPods there is a focal point that helps the visual aesthetic and immediately leads you to where the consumer can begin to operate the product.  From the first iPod to the iPod touch there has been a monumental shift of visual idioms.  The first one was a bulky monstrosity, whereas the touch is a sleek dark full screen model.  The touch practically blends into its environment; the subtlety of its interface resembles industrial camouflage.  I have had both, and it’s surreal to think of how fast the iPod has changed and re-created what an iPod is to the consumer masses.  Apple recreates and improves at an unsurpassed rate and it is hard to envision what they can possibly come up with next.  Whatever they make, I’m sure millions will be anticipating and trying to get their hands on the product.