Friday, August 22, 2008

Task 5: Week 5 reflection

This weeks talk was from Paul Bennet based on designing things from the target markets point of view to have maximum effect and efficiency.

Paul really emphasised the point of 'bringing people into the process of creating things'. He started with the hopsital example where the hospital staff wanted to know how to enhance the patient experience. They were then forced to watch a 10 minute long video of thier ceiling inside the hospital. The instant realisation hit as they realised being a patient would mean staring at the ceiling, they realised that small things would have huge effect on the patient. This was successful as they were able to put themselves in the patiente shoes and various changes took place such as decorations and art on the ceiling, having social commucation white board walls so family and friends could leave messages etc.

One of Pauls main points were that 'tiny things could have huge impact'. He comes up with various examples one being how one day, some designer was walking his dog, and came back with bristles stuck on his socks. From this he designed velcro! Amazing how small things could become such huge successes. Paul really emphasised 'seeing things afresh and using them for opportunities' and has made the viewers realise that they MUST put themselves in the consumers shoe to really succesfully design products for them.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Task 5: Week 4 Reflection

This weeks talk was from Yves Behar on how objects tell stories. He starts the talk off with his childhood memories and explains to us that these memories from our childhood are everlasting. He recalls these crazy carpets with graphics and a huge towering shelf. Yves belives the humans have experiences with objects, and thus we need to design to match the human need. Objects bring value to the user, and so we have to create the right values.

Through looking at his past projects we are able to undertand his take on design. The first one, the leaf lamp was designed so that the user would have a whole new experience with a light. The leaf lamp was designed with two light settings; a glowy relaxed yellow, and an intense work white light. This really inspired me as this object matched human cycles so well, work and rest. He then moved on to Jaw bone; a bluetooth headset which he had designed to suit the human face shape which was very facinating. The Y water was the next project which was designed from the foundation of wanting to make a healthy fun alternative to the now standard soda's and soft drinks that children have now. He then moved onto the One laptop per child project, the XO laptop. This laptop was designed for children in poor countries so that they could learn effectively with new technology. It was designed to be low cost and durable as well as fun and interesting for the children, the story of how it was designed really touched me.

All in all this was a great talk reminding us to keep in mind the value of work we do. He also left me with a quote to remember:

"Advertising is the price companies pay for being un-original".

Task 3: Sketches




















"Boomerang Coffee Table" - Robert Klippel 1955
This table is an elegant synthesis of boomerang and 1950's scientific imagerary. It connects the subatomic building blocks of matter with one of the oldest living cultures tools, the boomerang. I found this table quite interesting as it captures the australian side as well as the scientific imagerary and turns out quite well. Also extremely well built out of painted wood and glass it inspires me.
















"Car of the Future" - Charles Frederick Beavais 1936
This car was designed by one of the first streamline stylists and it looks extremely different from the cars of the time (1930's) which had rigid lines and shapes. Based on a teardrop shape, this car had a rear engine and sported great aero dynamics. This car inspires me not because of its actual design, but the theory behind it. Streamlining and using a tear drop as a basis of its shape, this car was way ahead of its times. The teardrop shape is still seen in cars today!
















"Wiggle Chair" - Frank Gehry 1972
This chair was a highly scupltual struture made from, if u can believe it, corrugated cardboard. It was strong and extremely environmentally sustainable and friendly. This chair really touched me as its shape was very modern even though it was made in the 1970's. Such a great looking chair made from such a simple and easy to obtain material is a great design.














"Dates all Australian mop bucket" - Design Lab, E.D.Oates pty Ltd 1988
This was one of the first of the plastic mop buckets, and a great step forward from the old metal mop buckets. It was a one foot wringer at the centre of gravity allowing it to be used with only one foot! This was amazing compared to the old metal buckets where you had to struggle with two feet to keep the thing still and wring the mop at the same time.
















Colgate toothbrush - Colgate 1990's?
This toothbrush was made from the theory that the toothbrush could be a reusable item. Its known the the bristles of a toothbrush wear out, but the handle remains usable. Thusly colgate designed a toothbrush with a changable head, saving material and being environmentally friendly.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Task 5: Week 3 Reflection

"From can touch peoples soul and emotion". This was by far the most spiritual hippy-style design video ive ever watched, but was made humourous by Ross Lovegrove.

Ross has three conditions that he designs by. Dubbed DNA by himself, these are Design, Nature and Art. Most of his inspirations come from natural found materials and objects which he describes as devoid of everything unneccesary and full of what is needed, of which i agree with. He observes how nature grows things, natures groth pattern and uses it as inspiration to design pretty much everything. He designs intelligent form through trusting instict. A very 'to soul' approach to design of which i very much admire because if i could think of half the things he can come up with, i may very well pass this course with flying colours.

This video has touched my own design theory very much. Id never have thought of designing with nature inmind nor getting inspiration from such a source.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Task 5: Week 2 Reflection

One of the major take-home message from this video was the integration of 'Human-centered design' into successful design. This video outlined various ways of how designs have been more human centered. Examples being how they tried to 'humanise' the workspace cubicle by putting home style touches inside.

This video has made me aware of the rapid speed of technological advance in the role of design as well as the major role of human centered design. It has inspired me and left me in awe at some of the new projects accomplished by the designers.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Task 2: Good Design

The O-Grill 3000




Designer: Elite Design Company (Taiwan)


Bronze, Industrial Design Excellence Awards 2000


The O-Grill 3000 is a light weight portable grill designed for outdoor use. Weighing less than 11.34 kg (25 lbs) and sporting a 225 square inch 9450 BTU stainless steel burner, this grill has features that rival its heavier, more cumborsome and expensive models. This portable grill also comes in 6 different colours allowing the buyer to have a colourful eye-catching but yet functional lightweight grill. The O-Grill 3000 also comes with retractable legs and a detachable storage compartment which also enchance its function.

The O-Grill 3000 is great for camping, tailgating, RVs, picnics , beach parties, apartment decks / balconies and even the extra grill for those backyard parties.


Specifications:*
Portable LP Gas Grill that uses standard propane gas cylinders and features a clam shell design, retractable legs, and a handle for easy transportation. The grill includes a storage case with optional detachable light with a durable PL lamp and is ANSI Z21.89 a-2006 / CSA 1.18a-2006 test approved.
Fuel: 14.1 oz / 17.4 oz propane gas cylinders
Body: Stamped sheet metal with integral grease pan
Heat Output: 9450 BTU
Run Time: 4 hours (14.1 oz cylinder)
Cooking Surface: 225 sq. in. porcelain-enameled cast-iron grid
Weight: 24 lbs
Dimensions: 20.5"x8.5"x23" (525x215x580 mm)



Visual Analysis



















6 Eye catching colours















Open view of Grill






Various features of Grill

LINE: Friendly, gentle lines created by simple shapes which give the unit a nice welcoming feel.
BALANCE: Grill is symetrical and easily distinguised by the large oval shape
CONTRAST: Bright primary colours contrasting against light/dark greys. This contrast defines the cooking area from the stand and other various attachments.

FORM: Simple and clean. Bulb like shape of grill seems very clean and gives it a fun and outgoing personality. Stand and other attachments also personify the object giving it 'legs' and a 'back'. Ergonomically shaped handle allows easy carrying.
COLOUR: Strong primary colours along with silver and black options allow product to be targeted not only to younger buyers, but even more mature buyers.
TEXTURE: Lightly textured polymer giving it a soft look.
PROPORTION: Large grill oval shape dominates the object giving it authority.

References:
http://www.idsa.org/IDEA_Awards/gallery/2008/award_details.asp?ID=617
http://www.pro-iroda.com/ogrill.htm

*Specifcations taken from
http://www.pro-iroda.com/ogrillorder.asp
All images taken from IDSA.org or pro-iroda.com