Designing Dream Machines - Seymour and Powell

This video opened my eyes and isolated the process in which is often undermined and overlooked. This involves the design and art making practice that designers go through to have that certain 'zest' of X- factor for their clients. The extent of their research, prototypes, models, sketches and most importantly, dedication has put me off, yet at the same time inspired me as a designer.
I now realise how much dedication must be put into my work, not just a ' thats good enough ' job.

Designers have to overcome obstacles and solve problems and dilemmas in order to satisfy not only themselves but the client and their expectations and guidelines.
It was also good to see that even the best have problems and make mistakes. Things always dont go to plan and we must, as designers, self adapt and adapt to our clients needs. The BnA motorbike's main objective was to still incorporate the image onf the old bike whilst still being modern and meeting the brief.

Peer Comments

Jen Jun Zhu
http://jenjunzhu.blogspot.com/

Chelcie Nielsen
http://chelcienielsen.blogspot.com/

Charmaine Chen
http://charmainechenpy.blogspot.com/

Daniel Kotzen
http://danielkotzen.blogspot.com/

Fiona Lee
http://fionalee-ides1031-2009.blogspot.com/

Upcycling: The Tool Box

From the very start of this project a number of ideas zoomed in one ear and out the other. Some seemed impossible and some seemed to easy but they all shared a common idea. This idea was to design something along the same lines of context of the trash it was made out of.

During my research I thought of alot of things that just wouldnt work because of time and labour constraints, such as welding nuts and bolts into a hammer. I played with the idea of repititon, and a series of smaller objects becoming a bigger object. - 'The whole is greater than the sum of its parts'

I began to start experimenting with old pens i had at home. I disassembled the parts and started to play around with what i can make. I drew up some sketches and made the base out containing walls of my unrefined accessories box.
As I ventured on, I started developing self impressive ways on how to twist and change different parts of pens to my advantage.
I thought to myself that it was rather simple and therefore further refined my accessories box by adding an interior second shelf that presents itself as the case is opened.

This pro took me quite a while as to how to make all the components work without fail or breaking.
I pursued with the idea of making the entire model out of nothing but pens, and this included no hinges or joints or locks.
I made the hinges out of sliced pen shell casings and ink tubing. I also twisted the ink tubing into a lassoo to act as a lock and keep the box shut.

I see much potential in the mass manufacturing of this as there are so many old and used pens that are just thrown into the garbage. The disposability of a pen has become an advantage to me in the assignment. Overall I am quite pleased with my final outcome because I never thought the components would actually work at the end. :)

Annie Leonard: Story of Stuff

Our current linear system of production is quite opaque as we are lead into a false sense of awareness of a flawless method, but Annie Leonard reveals that it is far from this. Calamaties such as climate change, disease and harmful wastes are a result of the system that doesn’t take into account natural factors and limits including us as humans.

Annie Leonard has revealed and educated on how our world is run by industries and not for people. Corporations are depleting our finite natural resources and thrive on over consumption. Apparently, according to Leonard, 80% of the earths natural resources are gone.
This was a huge shock to me and really opened my eyes of how not only corporations, but we collectively as individuals are responsible for this because of our consumer driven ways. Annie reveals how everyone is so concerned with the commercial world that the quality of life in terms of happiness has dropped since the 1950s. People are working more to spend more.

A moral question for industrial designers is whether is to change the way we design and mass produce in risk of our careers, or continue and risk our future lives. It is clear to see that there must be a change if we want our future generations to be happy, or even have a life. Money makes the world go around, but what happens when theres no world left?

POSTAL PRESENT

I thought this project was quite fun. When i first started I thought it would be quite difficult but the more I explored folding and cutting it began more apparent and easier.
I began with ideas of 'holders'. These included mobile holders, shoe holders, shelves, toothbrush holders. My shelf attempt was a fail so then I tried to make an ipod dock. I succeeded in doing so, and then further developed this ipod dock into three docks. This eventually formed into a remote control dock with 3 ports. As the fundamental base of the cutting diagram was established i further developed the folding and cutting, making it more appealing and at the same time quite 'fururistic' and technologic - as the name suggests 'control station.'
This product is a universal item as everybody as it has a household purpose and everybody can use it. The days of searching for that television remote under your seat are over!


PEER-COMMENTS
Glenn Aldy Janto
http://glenaldyjantoides1031-2009.blogspot.com/
Kate Barclay
http://katebarclay.blogspot.com/
Alissa Sanders
http://alissahsanders.blogspot.com/
Brett Rushbrook
http://brettrushbrook.blogspot.com/
Kiran Kashyap
http://kirankashyap.blogspot.com/

Ross Lonegrove: Organic Design

Ross Lonegrove, self dubbed Captain Organic, is a pioneer of product design. His love of form is quite inspiring as he aims to touch peoples souls and emotions. His concepts of simplicity and nature are what allow him to create ‘intelligent form.’

Lonegrove aims to elevate peoples perceptions and respect to nature by creating art. He achieves this by ‘observation, curiosity, andinstinct.’ His water bottle was quite impressive. With his appropriation drawing of water, he captures his own ideas and reflection of this natural entity and simply creates this vessel with the flow and beauty of the content itself. I found this quite inspiring.

One discovery I made and drew inspiration from was the fact that Lonegrove’s though on nature is quite endless. His inspiration formed from whale bones and even human bones is one idea that I would have never though of regarding nature. The whole concept of finding inspiration in nature which can even be found internally in ourselves is one aspect I would like to explore.

I think this would be an informing video to design students, particularly industrial designers, because of the principles of nature and form one can add to the design of their products as well as being environmentally friendly. Lonegroves ideas of biopolymers being a new sustainable material that is respectful the environment and easily made is a amazing idea that can be further developed. From this video I have received a new perception of natural shapes and forms which are naturally conscience. I also realized industrial designers can be very arrogant. :)

Experience Enrichment- BUDDY BRUSH!

MOODBOARD
PLEASURE ANALYSIS
BRUSH BUDDY POSTER

CONTEXT OF USE 1
CONTEXT OF USE 2CONTEXT OF USE 3
The Buddy Brush is the fun new way of looking good! This appropriation of a brush is designed for maximum pleasure from kids. The bright yet soft chosen colours breathes life and fun which initially attracts children (as it did to my little cousin.)

Interactive qualities are celebrated with a more engaging way of holding this brush. The stretchy arm like attributes are used as handles to assist you in brushing your hair. Adding to this, the top of the brush is completely moldable and squishy, allowing children to have fun when grabbing hold of the object.

Created out of EVA foam and rubber, the buddy brush is a safer suggestion for a comb for children as opposed to hard plastics with sharp edges and corners.

The buddy brush represents a sense of relationship with children. Kids react to it as a toy or play tool and a connection is established. The hands suggest a sort of friendship when carried around - hand in hand. This children brush has transformed from a styling tool to a fun companion.


Peer Comments.
Gleb Labazine
Sam Whipp
Nina Harcus
Stephen Mesa
Kiran Kashyap

Yves Bahar- Creating Objects That Tell Stories

This video is quite enlightening and refreshing to learn more about positive aspects and outcomes that designers can influence. Behar mentions that upon becoming a designer he was initially instructed to design the ‘skin’ of things to make things look prettier and mask the ugliness. Behar further explores his actions and self reflections into creating the design of objects into an entire human experience.

Personally, I believe that this should be retitled ‘Creating objects with values’ as that is exactly what is happening. Behar explores the creation of objects based on human use and values. As designers we need to think about how we can create a different, more positive relationship between the work and world. The notion of creating values with objects is a thought I enjoyed. These values with objects can include sustainability, environmental, low power consumption, function and beauty.

One example Yves mentions is the Jawbone- a Bluetooth headset with humanistic technology. It feels the skin and knows when the user is talking and cancels out background noise. Its shape and design is purely beautiful and consideration suggests the consideration one would take in selecting a pair of sunglasses that suits them.

My favourite segment of this video, and why I would recommend it especially to design students, is when Behar exhibits the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) series. The values of education and technology are brought to children, notably in Mongolia and Nigeria, aimed directly for children. It is designed user friendly and playful with a rubber keyboard and a non sun-glare screen. Designed for kids but not a toy. The passion behind this lies in the production and design process where it is not about slapping skins on but desigining it from the inside out. The production team fought extremely hard against suppliers and manafucturers, and it was the will power that made this product successful. Behar leaves us with a touching note that with the values of the work we do, we can change the companies we work with and maybe eventually change the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGn8F4j6pH8

Don Norman: Emotional Design

Don Norman establishes and explains the concept of emotional design. This aspect of design reflects how we think and feel towards a certain product. The ideology of ‘I don’t know what it does, but I want it’ is reflected from something that is ‘beautiful and fun.’ Regardless of its specifications and faults consumers want things because of the emotional levels of excitement derived from products.

Don Norman examples Alessi’s juicer because of its emotional impact. A special edition of the juicer that is gold plates, is actually recommended by the manufacturer not to be used to juice oranges. The key behind the purchase of this is its beauty. Something fun and delightful to have plays a key role in consumer purchases. From watching this video I have realized that as a market we are all very similar. Everyone, no matter design student or not, should watch this video to understand how we react emotionally to pretty much everything. We are all attracted to prettier things and have the feeling that pleasant things work better. Norman further explains that when there is a negative emotional effect towards anything for example Fear. It affects our brain causing anxiety, which changes the way we think. When your happy, dopamine is squirted to the prefrontal lobes which makes you more susceptible to interruption and you start to think out of the box.

There are 3 levels of emotional design
Visceral- this is the way our system responds to design. Our biological makeup is intended to be attracted to brighter colours, react to different colors eg. Red = hot, and other conventions our mind is used to.

Behavioural – in this level of emotion our subconscious does all the work and we are not aware. It involves our automatic skills and behaviour for eg. Walking. In relation to design, this is the experience and pleasure a consumer feels. The factors of usuability and understanding come into play for eg. The rush and feel of a high performance vehicle.

Reflective – this level is also known as a ‘super ego’ where there is no control over the brain or muscles. This is the little voice of conscience if something is good or bad. The reflect level shows the emotional connection between the product and consumer. Such intentions include attracting attention, environmental concern, impress other people.

Good Design

Despite the assumed male stereotype of knowing everything about cars I do not, which was a challenge on my behalf. Initially I looked up the specifications of this car which wasnt a remedy for my confusion. I began looking at different images of the Holden Sportwagon from different views and compared it with various sportwagon.
My interest slowly escalated as this unique design caught my eye. My first thought was.. wow, for a family car its quite sexy, even despite the enlogated derriere. Overall I was quite impressed with the design of this car, combining the humility of a family car with the sex appeal of a sports car.

This task was alot harder than expected, although the pain was eased by photoshop. The ability to describe and analyse anything without mentioning its specifications or operational features is one of the hardest tasks Ive come across.
As I soldiered on I began to enjoy myself as I learnt and explored various elements of design including form, shape, texture, line, and especially contrast. I have learnt quite alot from this simple yet time consuming task, as well as expanded my vocabulary.

Product Sketching

SWAP n GO GREEN
This interested me the most out of all the designs in the Australian International Design Awards exhibition @ the PowerHouse because it is a very common product used daily worldwide. My initial attraction was the appropriation of colour, where a natural inviting green has flourished from an aged steel cylinder. This newly converted LPG gas cylinder has given life to a 100% recyclable light thermoplastic alternative. I believe this revolutionize the whole LPG storage industry.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l3/jazo0/swapngo.jpg


Droogs Chest
Droog’s Chest of Drawers designed by Tejo Remy ranks above all else in the Inspired! exhibition because highlights the doubted strength of function and innovation alongside creativity. This iconic object of post modernism communicates familiar and pre-loved objects into an appropriation of new life and being reborn. These once valued drawers are collectively familiarized into a beautifully working eyesore. I really like this design as it has a depth to it. It draws attention to the growing consumerist addiction from past to present.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l3/jazo0/droogschest.jpg


LifeArt Coffins
I suggest this to be the best design among lot at the EatGreenDesign exhibition for various reasons. Out of all the objects it attracted my instant attention. This ordinary coffin has been transformed into a symbol of what it represents- environmentally friendly; made from specifically engineered cardboard called ‘Enviroboard,’composed of 97% recycled material. This coffin , although obtaining the same conventions of a coffin, is completely appropriated from a lifeless last memory to a dynamic new life by the vibrant design printed on the entire exterior.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l3/jazo0/coffinart.jpg


WOOD09
I believe this to be my personal best out of the lot in the Workshopped exhibition @ Chifley Plaza because of the juxtaposition of the materials. Automatically the piece of wood which provides the support frame for the bike becomes the focal point where the structure of the material may not be entirely appropriate but still manipulated. Seeing the wood next to the metal celebrates the integration and the relationship between the natural and man-made.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l3/jazo0/wood09.jpg


u-Trash
I admire this design the most in the Form Functions Fabulous exhibiton @FBE because of its simplicity. Personally, the notion of keeping things simple, especially in design, is extremely hard as one is constantly trying to add on features and perfect their design. This smooth cylindrical trash can also provokes a sense of adventure and deep sea imagination, suggesting it is a portal to a new world.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l3/jazo0/utrash.jpg


The Basket of Knowledge
The first thing that captured my attention when I entered the exhibition was this light. This massive tear drop shaped that hung from the ceiling and sunk in a beautiful pattern of projecting lights shining out the aluminium system. Highly ranked above all else @ the Sustain Me exhibition, this ‘Basket of Knowledge’ manipulated my emotion and attraction by its grand size intricate stenciling, subconsciously commanding me to walk to it.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l3/jazo0/basketofknowledge.jpg

David Kelley: Human Centred Design.

The talk by David Kelley has enlightened me on the fast changing and advancements of the creation and creation process of products. Instead of creating a product for general use, effort and time is now put into moulding projects and products around the user. I have realised that the busiess world is no longer just a commercial based money grabbing entity, but now take into account the emotions and feelings of humans. The phrase i have known throuhgout my life, Cash Rules Everything Around Me (CREAM) is slowly dying and now humans are the centre of design.

Over the past 18 years a dramatic change has been pushed, with designing products with their own personalities and behavious that are compatible and suit the user. The quick draft and prototype method has now expanded into an elaborate research celebrating the relationship with man and machine. 'Experience Prototypes' are emerging which not only shows the product itself but also the aesthetic attributes and usability comforts experienced. Example, as said, "architects who show people in their houses as opposed to them being empty."

It impressed me to see how far technology has come, and furthermore how much it has impacted not just products, but the way we purchase these products. The New York Prada Store has given retail a whole new meaning, where the convenience and sales assisting has reached a higher level. The custom scanners revealing visual support and information of chosen product adds feel of the joy of shopping, similar to an interactive game. This new type of technology has made me wonder what the near future will be like, as the simple act of shopping has its own cultural suit.

I would recommend this video to everyone, not only for design students. This video enlightens and inspires one on far techonlogy has come. I think everyone should be aware of how much though and process is put into design to cater our needs and even wants. Human centred design is the way of the future, where behavioural management creates a better experience and joy to various aspects of life for eg. the workplace. In the video, the idea of creating work spaces more home-like intrigued me. Yes i do agree it can ease the workers more, making them more relaxed and in a safe and appreciated environment, however I believe the amount of laziness will increase as well as distractions. I think some products/projects when regarding human centred design do have a limit and a boundary.

TASK1: Shape of a Scent

Capturing the shape of a scent had more depth than I assumed. Through a personal and collective analysis of the scent a number of shared thoughts surfaced.
Femininity; Elegance; Natural, Comfort.

Challenging, but quite fun, I created a final shape of this scent through a study of 3 smaller attempts.

On first waft of the scent, my initial thought was that this is a very feminine perfume, with a more mature rather than young electric sense to it. From this we derived a sense of comfort, similar to the love one feels at their grandmothers house.
My design portrays this feeling with a very smooth and elegant natural form with a small contoured column wrapping around a larger one, creating the sense of a maternity theme, with a whole in the middle, sort of like a home.
The round bottom represents the heavy scent we all expererienced, feeling very tired and dazed after smelling the scent. The ascending peak ending in a sloth-like manner further represents this response of curiosity ending in dazed and heavy feeling.