DESIGN IN SOCIETY: Green Technology

Image Source: http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/green-technology

One example of a utopian design that aims to improve society is the designs of green technology, such as solar powered houses, electric cars, and other environmentally friendly technology.  Products such as these aims to improve society because they are made with the intention of reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases, and work with nature rather than against it.  These designs are meant to reduce the negative impact that human’s involvement in the environment, such as pollution and waste.  Usually they are made to be recyclable or reusable.  One of the main goals of green technology is to create sustainable designs that are able to fulfill the needs of modern society, but to do it in a way that does not damage or deplete the Earth’s natural resources.  This technology also seeks to find an energy source that is renewable, by employing natural elements such as solar power, wood, and water as a means for energy production.  Green technology not only aims to reduce the amount carbon emissions given off by society presently, but also to remedy at least some of the damage that has already been done to the environment.  With issues such as global warming and the depletion of the O-Zone layer posing such a risk to the Earth, it is extremely important that society works together towards the conservation of our Earth by trying to find alternative fuel sources and work hard to reduce our carbon footprints. 

DESIGN IS DANGEROUS: Guns

Image Source: http://innovativecustomguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/gun2web.jpg

One example of how design can be a very dangerous thing is the design of weaponry, such as a gun.  Of course, guns are dangerous because of their ability to kill a person. Bullets are fired so quickly from a gun that is impossible to dodge them or and with the exception of wearing a bulletproof vest or being surrounded by something bullet proof, it is virtually impossible to protect yourself against a bullet.  Guns were made with the intention to do harm.  There are a lot of arguments that deal with the regulation of gun ownership and use, and whether or not stricter regulations on guns would actually be better for society.  Many studies have been done to examine the relationship between gun ownership and homicide and suicide rates.  Guns today are designed to be sleeker, more compact, easy to use, and above all effective.  Guns are used in today’s society for recreational hunting, war, and personal protection.  They were made specifically with the intention to cause harm, and are effective in doing so, which makes them an example of how design can also be a dangerous thing.

Color Transforms

Image Source: http://listart.mit.edu/files/Albers.jpg and http://facweb.cs.depaul.edu/sgrais/images/Color/Albers1%20copy.gif

Color has an amazing ability to transform the look of an object and to create a particular mood for an image.  In Josef Albers book, The Interaction of Color, Albers talks a lot about colors transformative abilities and provides many examples (such as the ones shown above) where different colored backgrounds can make the exact same color look completely different.  In the world of design, color has the ability to evoke many different meanings and feelings depending on their use.   A dark color scheme for a movie poster gives the impression that a film will be darker, action-filled, or dramatic.  Green is a color often used in the design of logos for environmentally friendly companies or products because it evokes the idea of nature.  The addition of color can also transform what might otherwise be considered a plain or mundane design into something with personality.  Ever seen something as simple as a coffee mug or glass with a colorful design painted on them?  It’s an object that we all encounter every, single day and yet with the additional of bright, bold colors it becomes unique in its own way and more interesting.  

The "Doctor Who" logo

Image Source: http://filmreviewonline.com/wp-content/gallery/doctor-who-logos/196212.jpg

Over the many, many years that the British science-fiction television show, Doctor Who, has been on the air, the logo for the show has changed as many times as the title character has.  For the newest series, which aired in the spring of 2010, and the introduction of the eleventh Doctor, the new logo was very distinct from its predecessors.  Where previously the Doctor Who logo was simply made up of the words, “Doctor Who,” the new logo has the added element of the letters “DW” made into a symbol resembling the shape of the Doctor’s iconic space-time travel vehicle, the TARDIS.  I was personally very impressed by the new logo for the show, particularly by the addition of the DW-TARDIS icon incorporated into it.  The DW-TARDIS icon is place between the words “Doctor” and “Who” so the logo is not symmetrical, however I feel that the asymmetrical orientation of the logo adds more visual interest than if it were to perfectly symmetrical.  Besides, if it were symmetrical than either the DW-TARDIS icon would have to be in the middle of the word “Doctor” or “Doctor” would have to be significantly smaller that the word “Who,” in either option the design would look very strange.  The use of gradients on the letters creates a very smooth, shiny look to the logo, which coupled with the blue and purple color scheme evokes a futuristic feel.  The logo is simple, but overall I feel that it effectively and perfectly represents the Doctor Who series.

ERGONOMICS: The Sony E-Book PRS-505

Image Source: http://gadgetscrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/sony-ebook-reader-prs-505.jpg

Using the five basic principles of ergonomic design: safety, comfort, ease of use, performance or productivity, and aesthetics, I am going to analyze the design of the Sony e-book model PRS-505.  There isn’t really much that I can say about the safety quality of the device, except that it seems to be a very safe object.  I see no qualities in it that would suggest that it is unsafe. 

This model of e-book is very lightweight and thin, which makes it ideal for travelling.  As somebody who is in the habit of always carrying a book with them, I really like how easily this e-book fits into almost any bag or purse and the fact that it hardly adds any weight to the bag.  The e-book is a very good size, the screen is large enough to read from (and if you find that the text is too small, there are options to enlarge it), but the device is still very comfortable to hold and does not feel bulky when you are using it.  Also since the device’s screen does not have any backlighting, so it doesn’t strain your eyes if you are reading for long periods of time, like computers and other electronic device screens sometimes can.

This model is very easy to use, especially in comparison to other, newer models and brands I’ve encountered, which I have found to be more complicated and confusing to use.  The buttons are all very clearly marked on the device either with words, numbers, or small icons depicting the function of the button.  There are not a whole bunch of unnecessary buttons, just the ones to turn the pages, adjust the text size, go to the menu, scroll through the menu lists, bookmark a page, and turn the power on and off.  The device automatically opens the last page you were viewing when it was turned off, so you don’t have to worry about losing your page if you forget to bookmark it before turning the device off.  Charging the device is also very easy.  You simply connect it to your computer with the USB cable that comes with the device, and you can charge it while just working on your computer.  It is also very easy to manage your books and remove them from the device from your computer using the software that comes with the device or, if you lose the disk, you can download the program from the internet for free.  And if the device isn’t working properly, you can easily reset it by pressing the reset button on the back.

I have had this model of e-book for about five years now, and it still works very well for me.  The battery lasts a long time; however I don’t like that the battery lasts for a limited amount of time regardless of use.  So you can charge the battery completely, but even if you don’t use it at all, in a few weeks the battery will be empty again.  This is, in my opinion, the biggest flaw in the design of this e-book.  The device is able to hold many books at the same time, though I can’t remember the exact number, but even if you do manage to use up all the space built into the e-book, there are two slots for memory cards on which you can save and access even more books for the e-book.  The device also has the ability to have music and photographs saved into it, but it has been my experience that those files don’t save for long periods of time for some reason.  The e-book also allows the reader to choose between three different text sizes, to maximize readability.

I found the aesthetic design of the device to be fairly standard, but pleasing.  The silver color makes it look very sleek and shiny, and in general it is a fairly minimalistic design, with just the screen taking up the majority of the space and the necessary buttons.  However, there are a variety of different covers available for the e-book with which you can personalize the look of your e-book if you choose to.  Overall, I feel that the design of the Sony e-book is a successful one.  Yes, there are a few improvements that could be made, but it is easy to use, lightweight, and works well.

The Cartoon Art Museum: Storytime! Graphic Novels for Kids of All Ages

A few weekends ago I visited the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco, and looked through the current exhibitions there, including one called Storytime! Graphic Novels for Kids of All Ages.  I really liked this exhibition because for many of the comics being exhibited they showed the process of creating that comic.  From initial sketches to the addition of text, I found the layout of seeing these comics, some of which I recognized as from the newspaper or as cartoons from my childhood and others I was completely unfamiliar with, very interesting.  I liked seeing the comics take form before my eyes, and seeing the creative processes of the different artists there.  The exhibit also included some animated films, such as the Disney films, and gave insight into some of the techniques used for some scenes and the development of certain characters.  Other parts of the exhibition showed cartoons from various past eras with descriptions of the time period during which they were made.  I found this also very interesting as it made me look at each cartoon differently and gave me a better understanding and appreciation of the way that the time in which a work of art is made affects that image.  I really enjoyed this exhibited and being able to see the creative processes and inspirations behind some of the cartoons I recognized from my childhood and the newspaper, and learning more about others that was had previously been unfamiliar with. 

Word and Image: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie poster

Image Source: http://www.oclumencia.com.br/galeria/

As you have already probably guessed, I am a huge fan of the Harry Potter novels (and the movies), and since the newest film is almost here I’m going to discuss the use of words and image for the final films’ poster.  This poster is for both parts of the Deathly Hallows film. The use of text on the poster is minimal, especially for a movie poster, but I believe that it is both effective and fitting.  The full title of the film is not presented, simply the initials, H.P. for Harry Potter, and the number seven for the book.  Beneath this are the years that each part will be released.  The image shows a destroyed and burning Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the distance, with its image reflected in the water blow.  This image shows the great battle that will take place in the upcoming films at Hogwarts and the devastating effect it will have in the world of the film.  Hogwarts has been the primary setting for all the previous novels (and films) and here we see it being destroyed in the final battle between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort.  The image is dark and highly contrasted, conveying the dark tone the film will have as the heroes of the film are no longer in school and in the midst of a war.   Looking at this image tells me that the film will be dark and action-filled, but I feel the tagline is what really makes the poster strong: “it all ends here.”  The words not only convey that this will be the final Harry Potter films, but also tells us that this is where the final battle between Voldemort and Harry will take place.  This is where the story will end, and everything that has happened up to this point was all leading to this.

“It all ends here!”

Word and Image: Mom’s Cancer by Brian Fies

Image Source: http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/3250-23-tm.jpg?w=350&h=256

During his lecture in the Design 001 class, Brian Fies talked about the relationship between word and image in his graphic novel, Mom’s Cancer.  One of the images that he used as an example of his use of words and imagery was the image of his mother sitting with a panel bisecting the image between her head and her body.  He explains that he had multiple reasons for bisecting the image in such a way, the first was because the panel looked like a window, symbolizing that the reader is looking in on her.  The second reason was that it symbolized her medical condition; she had both a brain tumor and a lung tumor.  The words for this image are bisected in a similar way as the image.  In the upper panel, the words all describe her psychological condition, such as depression, while the bottom panel describes her medical condition, the pain she is experiencing and her physical reactions to the medications.  In this way the words and the images work together to show the reader what she is going through.  The words tell us this, but the image illustrates this for the reader, and together they create a powerful image that shows the reader the struggle that his mother is going through, both physically and mentally.

Forget the Comfort Zone

After watching Gary Hustwit’s documentary film, Objectified, a comment made by one of the designers reminded me of the topic of the role of play in design, discussed in class.  The designer, Chris Bangle, was talking about the designs of cars and how repetitive some designs are and how this shows that people are often very afraid to walk out of their comfort zone.  I really think that designers should always take the time to experiment and play with their designs.  It’s important to try new things and new techniques because that’s how you learn.  So often we get stuck in these trends and after a while of just simply seeing the same thing over and over again it gets boring, and we forget what made the original design so great.  Designers should never be afraid to experiment with their designs and try new things.  Even if you try a new technique and it doesn’t work for the design, you can still learn from it.  Maybe it’s a technique that you can use in a different design.  Or even if it’s just a failed experiment, you learn “well, don’t do this again!”  You should never be afraid to think outside the box and play around with a design.  You never know what you might learn.  Be creative.  Be unique.

The Motorola H710 Bluetooth

Image Source: http://di1.shopping.com/images1/pi/58/8d/a0/28588693-100x100-0-0.jpg

A Bluetooth is a wireless device that allows the user to continue talking on the phone without having to actually hold the phone.  The Motorola H710 Bluetooth is very compact, and hinged so that the microphone can be folded closed when the device is not in use.  A small plastic arch wraps around the user’s ear so that the device doesn’t fall off.  The largest button on the device is located directly in the center of the Bluetooth and allows the user to answer and hang up on calls with the push of a single button.  The design of this object does indeed address the issue of needing a hands free wireless device for your cell phone, and it is an aesthetically pleasing design, it’s very sleek and shiny.  I personally, like the combination of silver and dark blue; however I do feel that the design has some flaws that have been improved upon in newer models.  To begin with, while it is still small, the device still a little bit bulky in comparison to other models available.  The earpiece just sits awkwardly on your ear, held there only by the thin plastic arch, where newer models take some inspiration from the ear bud headphones to that they fit better and more securely into your ear. The build of this Bluetooth makes it more likely to fall off your ear if bumped than newer models.  The plastic arch is rather rigid, so it’s not the most comfortable to wear for long periods, where many newer models are more flexible.  I do feel that the design accomplishes its goal of being an effective hands free wireless device, and its sleek design and color scheme is aesthetically pleasing. However it is an older model of Bluetooth, about four years old, and I feel that the design has been improved upon in the last few years, to make the Bluetooth even more comfortable and easy to use.

Objectified: Form and Content

Image Source: http://www.moviegoods.com/images_blog/objectified.jpg

Gary Hustwit’s documentary, Objectified, examines the relationship between everyday objects and the people who design them.  One of the key ideas that are emphasized throughout the film by the different designers interviewed is that the form of a design is directly derived from its content.  Good design identifies the needs or wants of the public and seeks to meet that need.  One of the examples discussed in the film is the design of a potato peeler.  The designer of this object decided to improve upon the design of most potato peelers because his wife, who had arthritis, had trouble keeping a grip on the peeler.  Thus the designer sought to design a potato peeler which fit more naturally into a person’s hand and would require less force to keep a firm grip on it.  Designer, Dieter Rams, states that “good design should make a product useful” and understandable, while David Kelly states that “bad design is where the customer thinks it’s their fault that something doesn’t work.”  The film highlights the process of designing an object such as the potato peeler, where the designers considered a variety of different handles, really taking the time to consider how the handle would fit into the hand and whether or not it effectively solved the problem at hand.  Ultimately, their design was inspired by a bicycle handlebar. I think that the film does a good job at making the viewer think about the thought process that goes into the mundane objects that we use on a regular basis, things that we often take for granted.  The film challenges the viewer think about the details of design and what makes a particular design effective…or in some cases, ineffective.