Design in Society- Flushed

          There is one thing that everyone does, that has been wasting natural resources for decades. Its the title of a world wide sensational book, and often one of the first words for a child, yet we simply ignore it. But Everyone Poops. 

Image from

www.makefive.com/categories/ entertainment/boo..

  We often face giggles and smirks when this subject comes up but it is a real issue that is just now being dealt with. The toilet has seen a multitude of aesthetic changes over the years but we failed to be concerned with the water consumption these tools truly are. A few years ago no one cared that with every flush on average, sent six gallons of water into waste treatment plant. Now most of us see this is a huge waste, especially considering that people go #1 about four times as much as they go #2. Thats flushing liquid with force meant to flush solids.

          

           Luckily we have realized our carelessness and are quickly trying to mediate the situation. I think I first heard mention of a dual flush toilet about ten years ago. I thought,"wow that makes sense!" but quickly realized that they were much more expensive than a conventional toilet and simply out of reach to the majority of people. Then I considered how often people replace their toilets, maybe once or twice. These are sturdy pillars of our homes that don't care much for the latest trend. That is until now!

 

        
        
           The dual flush system is now available to the average consumer. Its the brand new One2Flush , dual flush conversion kit. This package sells for about $30 in most major home improvement stores. Taking the water hog conventional tank from old and wasteful to new and efficient. The instillation is super simple, anyone can do it in less than an hour.

          This revolution in flush technology is actively making our society better. They have taken the simple act of flushing the toilet and made it have an impact. Each dual flush system saves the homeowner money on their water bill which has an economic impact on the household as well as the greater economy because they now have extra money to use in other area. The environmental impact is even greater. Water is the most limited resource we have on this planet. It is why we are unique and can sustain life. The dual flush system can save millions of gallons of water from literally being flushed away. This movement is also in its infancy, the real impact will be clear when every toilet in the world is a dual flush.
          Design at its greatest takes an everyday tool and transforms it so dramatically and affectively that it becomes difficult to comprehend why we stuck with the old way for so long. The One2 products are going to revolutionize the way we use water on a daily basis and that is exactly what we need design to to in our current society.


Also, check out the Being Water Company on their blog http://www.one2flush.com/blog/ 

Color Transforms the Nook

         With the current trend towards digital books and touch screen devices is it a surprise that one of the major bookstore chains in the country is trying to get its slice of the pie? Barnes and Noble was quick to jump on the digital book craze with its original nook. This competed with the ever popular Kindle. But this wasn't enough, they were living in a black and white world, simple text just doesn't cut it these days.

            The average consumer wants a device that is small, attractive, efficient, and can do everything! The iPad easily filled that slot. It is bright, new, touch-screen, and can do just about anything you can think of. The mass versatility leaves a small window for the new NookColor! This little powerhouse can do a whole lot more than its predecessor and what makes it stand out even more is its vivid color!

From the Barnes and Noble nook home page 

            This is a perfect example of what color can do. Before, digital readers were for adults that wanted a lighter way of taking their novels and heavy books with them on the road. With color the Nook is opened up to a variety of users. One that thrives on color is children's books. Less text means more illustrations which are dynamic and exquisite, enticing kids to fall into the story and see the world around them. The Nook Color also has a great "read to me" function. So young beginning readers can sit with their favorite books and follow along as they hear the words. Now the new features are not just for the kids. The Nook Color also addresses a concern of those who use reading glasses. The font size is adjustable! Built in Wi-Fi allows for automatic newspaper download in the morning and quick access to new books. This way you finish one and scroll right into another. Color is the transformative power for the Nook. It brought this device into another realm of existence. 

            

For more details on all the skills the Nookcolor has to offer, check out the official site.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?cm_mmc=Redirect-_-nook.com-_-Storefront-_-nook

Design is Dangerous

            It is an innate concern of parents to want to provide a safe home for their children. Infants are incapable of protecting themselves. In the past the mother carried the infant with her, keeping it close for safety. But in our modern world we encourage infants to sleep on there own, often down the hallway in a room of their own. There are plenty of studies that show that starting an infant on an independent sleeping schedule will make transitioning and separation from the parent much easier but it provides us with another obstacle for protection.

            This separate room must be strategically designed to provide comfort and tranquility at night while being inspirational and bright during the daytime, both for the infant and the parent. However, what is most important is SAFETY!! Parents take into consideration many details when designing their children's room. They decide on a paint color and shop for the best furniture they can get. When purchasing these items most parents assume that items designed for use in children's rooms are safe, have been well tested and will perform properly. This leaves the consumer with mostly aesthetic concerns when making their choice.
            The false sense of safety and quality of children's product has proven to be deadly. Lets take a look at the main item of any infant/toddler room; the crib.

            Looks pretty innocent right? Simple, sturdy, and something that could fit into any décor. The wood comes in a variety of stains for further customization. It is on wheels so that changing locations of the crib is simple, requiring only one person rather than two or three. Like many other cribs the mattress support system is adjustable so as the child grows and is able to stand in the crib, the bed can be lowered to eliminate the ability of crawling over the side. All of these things are positive design elements, the consumer sees a safe addition to their child's room. However, behind this pleasant design lurks the danger of death. The front side of this crib is designed to lower. You lift with one hand, push in the bottom with your knee and the side drops about six inches. This allows for easier access to the crib and placing the baby on the mattress is actually possible for someone right around five feet tall. This characteristic of this crib is what has made it so popular. The drop front crib design is carried by many manufacturers carry it. But this design has a tragic manufacturing flaw. The plastic guide and brace at the bottom of the front side malfunction. They break and allow the bottom of the side to be pushed away from the mattress. This creates a deadly gap, an infant can fall into this area, and be trapped, suffocating, being strangled, falling to the floor. Thousands of reports of injuries and sadly a significant number of deaths have been caused by this defect. This news report tells the story of a little boy who lost his life to this deadly design.

              The solution to this tragic flaw is recalls. It is responsibility of the manufacturer to take responsibility for any failures their products have made. But it is the job of the designer, to test their designs, anticipating the failures before they are put out on the market. Designers should not simply send specs to a manufacturer for mass production without having that model tested rigorously. This may be difficult and demanding requirement for the designers but it is necessary to prevent horrific injuries to consumers. The malfunction of the plastic brace on so many cribs is something that should have been anticipated. The wear of a crib can be duplicated, thus the issue would have been discovered. I don't think it is too much to ask of designers, to take control of their designs. They have a moral obligation to those that they design for, an obligation to make their world a better place, not one that risks lives.

When the above crib was reported to have defects the company responded quickly with recalls and repair kits for the affected customers. Here are the official recall notices and news reports from one manufacturers experience with having a design defect.
Bassettbaby Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards

http://www.bassettbaby.com/consumer/recalls.asp

http://www.newsinferno.com/defective-products/bassettbaby-recalls-90000-cribs/

Ceres by The HON Company

              It seems that I have become obsessed with seats. I am continually fascinated with how designers are working to make those overlooked boxes we have been torturing our bodies with, into pieces of furniture that fit our lives. We are all aware that the human body is unique, we are not cookie cutter people which makes designing on an industrial scale rather difficult. However, it is possible, if studied properly the body is not so hard to accommodate. The HON Company has been providing the masses with comfortable office furniture that fits their needs and is comfortable but this simply wasn’t enough. They have decided to go even further. With the help of Wolfgang Deisig they have created Ceres, a chair comprised of the necessary functions of sitting.

            NeoCon East in Baltimore MD will be the first public appearance of Ceres after its lengthy development behind closed doors. The first step in designing this chair was not a chair at all. Deisig studied the movement of the human body to better understand what it needed, no matter what the position. Reclining, weight shifting, and sitting straight up, all taking into consideration. Length of sitting was also a key ingredient. The average office worker spends about 8hrs in their chair a day. The entire chair is “genuinely purposeful” creating the perfect balance of form and function.

            Even though function was the driving force, form followed beautifully. Ceres has even been honored with the Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) Indoor Advantage Gold certification for indoor air quality. This means the materials used don’t off-gas. It also earned the SCS level 2 certification for sustainability; of the product, materials used, energy cost, atmospheric affects, ecosystem health and social responsibility. For an office chair these are great achievements. One unique product used is the ilira-stretch M4 material. It is a knit mesh that stretches in four directions so that it is always responding to movement. As if this wasn’t enough, this magic fabric comes in some great colors that work well with just about every office. Customers also benefit from the HON history, the chairs are available with any of the upholstery lines offered by HON. The frame resembles those of other chairs but it is the perfect tough of utilitarian familiarity that this needs. The five prong foot with casters is a time tested, safe and reliable addition to the office chair. This only enhances the uniqueness of the seat it supports. 

            The usability is also magnificent. An intuitive chair, is that possible? Ceres has fit the bill. Continuous, full back support was the goal and that is exactly what is provided. No matter how you like to sit the chair is there to support you. The curves take into consideration how the body is aligned during all changes of pivot points, from shoulders to hips. Customization is possible as with many other office chair but this is different. Tilt tension is controlled by a simple slide bar at the side of the seat. The reclined position is also a favorite innovation with Ceres, other chairs create a gap between the chair back and the lower back of the user during reclining, but that is not true of Ceres. There was of course a target audience for this chair but users from the 5^th to the 95^th percentiles were satisfied and felt the chair met their needs. This is a sign of a good design. It also exceeds standard weight accommodations, it was tested and approved for up to 300lbs for a 40hr work week. This is considerably higher than regulations.

Sorry this is not the best image, I had to take a picture of a magazine add to get a full image of the chair.

            Aesthetically speaking this chair is still a chair, but it is something beautiful. The versatility in color and options in upholstery add to the visual appeal. So many mass produced products loose their individuality first, it costs more to have more options. But HON chooses to give users what they want. Something that works well with their body during the long work day, and denies the hum drum condition so many cubicles suffer from.

            The advertising tagline for the Ceres is “Purposely Innovative. Incidentally Beautiful.” This should be the tagline for everything. So many have said that design should be something that shouldn’t be recognizable design. It should work so well and be so pleasing to look at, that no one stop to question why it is the way it is.

Here is the press release

http://honforlearning.com/About-HON/Press---Media/Press-Releases/Ceres™-Will-Officially-Debut-At-NeoCon-East.aspx 

Fancy Nancy

           My niece one of the best things that happened to me in my entire life. I was her nanny for the first full year of her life so she is very much like my own child. I know everyone says this about the children they know, but honestly, she is spectacularly intelligent, funny, sweet, and beautiful! At 18 months she knew her entire alphabet (including the “sing with me” section), how to could to ten, and had about 250 words in her vocabulary. Now she is moving on to full simple sentences, and three syllable words! For those of you that don’t know, those are things normal 2 and 3, year old kids should be doing.

          
           So what books should this bright diva in training be reading? It is our never ending search these days. I hope we have found the right fit in the wonderful short stories, “Fancy Nancy” by Jane O'conner and Robin Preiss Glasser. These books follow a fabulous little girl through her days and attempts to make the world “fancy”. From dressing up her family with feather boas and glitter shoes for a trip out for ice cream, to having a tea party with her best friend. I am a huge fan of these books! But, her comes the downfall. The balance of word and image is off. The illustrations are amazing! Pinks, purples, glitter, and metallic embellish everything. The detail is fantastic as well, in the background things like a coat-stand with labels of fancy and non-fancy items, really set the mood for the book. The text is lacking any pizzazz and literary weight. Every story is centered on Nancy making something or doing something “fancy” but she falters at least once as well. In the trip to the ice cream shop, as she carries the tray of sundaes back to the table she trips and falls, throwing ice cream all over the floor, herself, and neighboring people. The story simply says she was embarrassed and asks to leave. If feels as though there are a few pages missing here. There is no real resolution to the mishap; they just go home, she gets cleaned up and they have ice cream at home.

            “Fancy Nancy” may be the one of the cutest books I have come across in a long time, but it is definitely not the best. Its as if publishers consider children’s books as lesser literature. After all, they are just kids, what do they know? This is upsetting because literature has become such a lost art form. Now should be the time that we make youth fall in love with the written word. If a short story is unable to be complete to an adult, why should we ask a child to learn this? 


There is more Fancy here http://www.fancynancyworld.com/ 

Word and Image

   Comic books are one of many forms of word and image combination. i think they can be some of the most effective conveyers of meaning. Yes, comic books have gotten a bad rap with the trend some artists choose to follow but denying the cliche, comic books are genius! When executed well and thoughtfully comic books may be the key to all teachings. Different styles are welcomed and encouraged but the quality of communication must be demanded. Yet, we live in a world of confusing jumbled messages that take to long to understand or give us conflicting messages. With such a simple format to follow, why do we have anything else?
  The answer to this is that we get bored, we want something new and different at every turn. This is true throughout history. the trend of trends is the only lasting trend. Modern society has created the need for new! There will always be some craze for people to jump on board with, yet those on board are half a step away from jumping to the next boat!
  History is where I look for answers. We have all heard that history repeats itself so its logical for answers to be found in the past. Yet this unwillingness to balance word and image is a constant in history as well. In art history we are taught to interpret images that have no accompanying words. Sometimes there are a few but often there is only vague historical context. The clues to the interpretation are in the image. This eventually leads to more confusion and utter uncertainty of the true meaning of a given image. Perhaps this was because the concept of combining word and image was not yet thought of.
   So let us return to the present where we have the resources to convey clear messages with out art. Instead of embracing the comic book concept we condemn it, as "low" art. This injustice may be the worst. We have essentially cut of our nose to spite our face.
 

Unearthed Treasures

  I am continually appalled at the injustices that have scared our world communities past. Centuries of discrimination, war, judgment, ignorance and pure evil running rampid. I am sure right now every single one of us can list at least ten instances where we personally felt that we were treated with unjust behavior. Being free citizen has allowed me to avoid many injustices throughout my life yet in my short life I have been confronted with horrific realities of our world. 

On a global scale we can look at history and learn of unbelievable tragedies being committed. One of the most common is racism and genocide. One of the most famous instances of this was crimes committed by the Nazi party surrounding WWII. The deaths and crimes are well known yet further injustice occurred to the creative lives of the victims. 

  It may seem trivial to address the artistic expression of the victims but I feel that this was a significant loss and a deep wound to world creative expression. From a historical analysis viewpoint, one of the first aspects of a civilization examined is the artistic works. Every culture has a unique style that gives clues to possible influences, traditions , and with further research new symbolism is revealed. That is why the art lost during the Nazi reign is seen a huge loss. Works that were deemed unfit  for public view were thought to have been destroyed and lost forever. 

  But, hope is a gleaming light today. In an article in Associated Press by Mary Lane, reports of newly discovered sculptures that were thought to have been destroyed during WWII. During excavations for new construction near the city hall of Berlin a handful of sculptures were discovered. They were part of a collection of 15,000 works that were considered "deviant". The building that once stood in this spot burned down many years ago, from the top down, taking its contends down floor by floor until what survived lay where it was found in the building basement. It is unknown if other canvas and more flammable works were also in the building before it burned. If so those are lost forever.

   

  The pieces that were able to be put on display are now showing in Berlin's Neues Museum for all that want to come and appreciate. This is a rare opportunity for injustice to be made right. These pieces survived and now live on to tell the story of the time, the artists and the people that surrounded their creation

Here is the full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101108/ap_on_en_ot/eu_germany_degenerate_art 

Word and Image with Brian Fies

   The lecture given to us by Brian Fies was rather inspirational and completely honest. It was refreshing to experience an artist that was unrehearsed, unafraid of his failures and willing to share every experience with a huge lecture all of eager design students.
   Fies is a comic book artist. That is is drug of choice. Yes, he has a "real" degree and worked for years in the science industry but when life gave him a terrible situation he turned to the comics as a therapy. Cancer.  Scary, unknown and confusing. Can anyone that has not experienced cancer ever understand? Does it even matter if they do understand. For Fies these questions didn't influence his choice of expression. A project that began as a tool of coping with his life situation opened more doors than he ever expected, many that brought their own disappointments. Mom's Cancer started on the web, turned into a book, won awards and allowed Fies to do his real self piece What Ever Happened to the World of Tomorrow.
  Comics are basically just words and images. According to McCloud they are sequential juxtaposed words and images. Fies is a success because he stays true to the comic book concept as he set it up for himself. He said he strives for a 50/50 balance between words and images. Comparing them to rock and roll music he wants neither to be able to stand alone. The full message is only possible when the two are combined. This method of balance is perhaps why he so successfully told his mothers story.
  The experience of a family member going through cancer is a communal experience. You are no longer  a family of blood relatives, you now have doctors, medical staff, fellow cancer sufferers, families of sufferers, support groups, councilors, and many many other people who are there no matter what you do. You are thrown into a vast new world of mystery that is packed with advise, stories and medical banter. With all of this floating around Fies as he recorded his experiences it would have been easy to simple write a book or magazine article. But he choose to distill the experience to a small, short, simple, clear, combination of words and images. The simplicity is what makes it work.
 

Business Redesign

            In today’s economy many business are starting to redesign their businesses. It is such a dramatic change form the past. For one thing, we are now calling it “redesign” instead of “reinventing”. As a society we are trying to think of ourselves as a whole rather than a series of various parts.

            An article in Metropolis Magazine Susan Szenasy writes a Q and A section on “Redesigning Businesses”. Ilya Prokopoff of IDEO answers the questions about what it is like to help redesign a business. With a new method of problem solving companies are able to rethink every aspect of their business. Based on “daring experimentation and genuine collaboration” small scenarios where they can act out live ways of using their products or customer experiences. This completely changes the way one looks at their business. It builds layers of understanding, poses new questions and promotes new answers being made.

            She says she finds that, “leaders who mix rigorous fact finding with careful consideration of new possibilities seem to make better, faster choices about the future than those who don’t.” By this she means that companies that have good ideas, and are unafraid to try new methods and changing the structure of their system, will be successful. The key to being a success in this new society is being willing to take risks.

            However, Prokopoff, also mentions the weakness of most companies have. The common reason for hesitation is the fear of  “getting it wrong” and having it all end. Sometimes the risk is to scary to take.

            But, the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. If we consider the way popular society is looking at businesses today we find a new way of looking. The consumer no longer takes a product at aesthetic value only. Today’s consumer wants a product or service that gives more. More value, more sustainability, just more. This means the providers of products and services must be more. Their risk is now, more than ever, more likely to be a success.

Here is the article http://www.metropolismag.com/pov/20101101/qa-on-redesigning-businesses

Living Treasures

            Japan is a unique country in a variety of ways. The most profound distinguishing (salient) characteristic is that they developed from a medieval nation to one of the front runners of technology in less than 100 years. With this rapid change, one would expect for the traditional artistry techniques and cultural uniqueness would be lost. However, the Japanese government took deliberate measures to ensure the preservation of their culture.

            The Japanese government officially named a group of experts as ‘living treasures”. These are people that are masters at crafts like hand made rice paper, kabuki theatre, doll making, and other crafts that have thousand year histories. The very few, select, highly skilled members of this group are given government pay in exchange for sharing their gift and training others to continue the tradition once they are gone.

            It takes a special type of government to recognize the importance of moving forward yet, understand that the past should be respected and continue to thrive for future generations. It really says something about the Japanese society. They hold artists with the highest level of respect and admiration. The medieval style of passing on art styles is still thriving. The living treasures are often still living in the same villages where they grew up, even at the age of 96, and they still have apprentices studying under them until they are ready. Another interesting thing the artists in Japan still do is take on the name of their mentors when they are ready. For example, there are six or seven generations of actors with the same name.

            It is a breath of fresh air to see a society with art and design so heavily ingrained in its traditions and future. They are able to combine the past and to the future and look at the world in a unique way. They are all designers, making life better or more interesting for everyone, making their culture better by adding layers of complexity to it.  

How Form and Content Interact

            The film “Objectified” was an excellent sampling of today’s leading designers. We were able to gain insights into each of their design philosophies and how they see the world. The way they take a society’s need and create something to fill that need. One of these designers is the team of brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec who keep the creative process going while through opposing personalities.

            Team Bouroullec, in Objectified called themselves the “porcupine and the fox”, they both have the same end result in mind but have very different ways of getting there. One shuts down like a porcupine, stubborn and stuck until he gets what he wants, and the other coaxes and slinks his way to what he wants. They said that the hardest part is to remove. The goal is to break things down to their simplest forms. The designs need to be complex and strong but simple. They must create a “harmony not a discord”.

            Their design method is reflected in their piece titled “Central 2010”. This aluminum circular table stands 720mm high and had a diameter of 600mm. This foldable bistro style table is suitable for daily use in a home or a business setting. Easily set indoors or outdoors. Their objective was to create something that is simple, strong, and in a material that would “bonify” with time and use. The combination of the materials and function of the folding system comes together to make a beautiful, eye pleasing design.

            In this design form is a reflection of the designers. All the complexity that could go into the design of a bistro table the Bouroullec team removed the unnecessary. Broke it down to the simplest of simlest forms. The relationship of two brothers can be complicated. Some would never dream of working together of years. But these two did it. They balance each other in any environment, much like the Central 2010 table.

I couldn't get the image to post so please go check it out at their website
http://www.bouroullec.com/

Artist vs. Designer

            Why should art and design ever be separated of thought of as separate entities. Do we need to ad more labels and distinctions to our already complicated creative world?

 I think not. If we think of print as design, then paintings are design. Both are two-dimensional, contain iconography, and send a message to the viewer.

            If art is something that as human beings we need to produce, then why should art with purpose be any different? Design is something we all participate in. Some of us choose to be direct creators and others are the users that help the design evolve. However, we still label people as; either artists or non-artists, designers or non-designers.  Just because we choose a less “creative” career like accounting or science, doesn’t mean we are not creative, not artists, or not designers. Those are just different types of creativity. Is there a law saying a spreadsheet is not art? I know a whole lot of people who would whole heartedly disagree.

            So as my circle comes back around, perhaps we can begin to artists vs. designers. Since we cannot agree on what an artist does and what is designated as art we should allow design to be considered art. Designers should not have to deny their artistic backgrounds, or tendencies but they should also not be afraid to embrace their more “non-creative” traits.

            Artist and Designer  shouldn’t battle, they should join forces to take on the world!

Compare and contrast

            Some designers are so unique that they leave a lasting impression on our society. They change the way we see design and their contributions have the power to change the way society looks at itself. Many cannot be compared to each other , they have different disciplines, have different takes on the world of design and usually have nothing in common, other than the act of designing.

            However, I have come across two designers that have stuck me as similar enough to compare. Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright lived in different times and societies yet they came to similar conclusions about design in society.

            While Le Corbusier took to writings about the architecture of the modern world and using words to support his designs Wright let his work speak for itself. I find it most interesting that these two designers found that the only way to be good designers was to design everything. Yes, very controlling personalities but still brilliant designers. Wright is famous for telling clients that he would only build them a home if he was allowed to design everything within that home. From the chairs to the window treatments, it is all Wright. Corbusier also designed furniture, which he used in the homes he designed.

             What we can gain from these two, as designers is that we can do it all. We are unique in our abilities to see change and not be influenced by the current trends. As we strive to be different from those around us we should not forget that we don’t just work in one area. There are no rules saying we can’t design a house from floor plan to monogram typeface on the powder room towels. We may specialize in one area like fashion or interior architecture but if design is everything then designers can do everything! 

Design Conversation in School

          Design as a conversation is never ending. Any design has an affect on those that view it, it may be negative or positive, the viewer may not even realize that they are affected until years later and respond then. It is the responsibility of the viewer to respond to design and continue the conversation. As students we are in constant contact with designs of the past. Usually we just take them as they are, items we must coexist with, not matter how annoying they may be. What are we thinking?  We should be begging to look at design work from the past and put our own spin on it. Respond to the statements of the past, and continue the conversation. The student’s environment should reflect the learning style of that student but we are all different so how can large institutions accommodate all of this diversity? Design. We should strive to take on this most fundamental challenge in education. Make learning fun and affective though design.

            An article in Metropolis Magazine reports of a group of designers is taking on this challenge by rethinking the traditional school chair. There have been many advances in the understanding of how people work. Acknowledgment of different learning styles and a general understanding that the old ways of teaching are not what everyone needs. Yet we attempt these new teaching styles in the rickety old environments of teaching styles past. Steelcase has been designing office chairs for years, providing comfort and support to people who have already been educated. But what about before these people had jobs? Steelcase addresses this demographic with Node . Coming up with a solution to the “ one-armed bandits” as they call them. Taking the mundane classroom chair and turning it into the ultimate learning support system.

            These new style chairs are made for the modern person, who is larger than the person of the past, it’s easy to slide into the seat, no more careful maneuvering necessary. The workspace is larger which leaves space for a computer and hand notes. There is ample storage beneath the seat, room enough for a large backpack, the arms of the chair can also support the weight of a backpack and act as additional storage "hooks". But, what makes this chair special for the modern classroom, well what the modern classroom should be, is that the chair is made to move. The student is able to swivel completely around so changing from lecture to group studying is a smooth transition. The entire chair is also on casters making the student, workspace, and storage area completely mobile. This means the classroom is able to completely abandon the traditional room arrangement and change to fit the project needs.

            What is unique about this design conversation is that it has been silent for so long. Years ago someone seemed to have “won”, come up with such an economical, and simple idea that no one dared to question. But I don’t think everyone was really happy with the solution all these years. Kids fall asleep in class, text under the desk; pass notes, pretty much anything that isn’t learning. So now we have a solution, a tool to keep kids engaged. Yes, there are some weak points in the design. Price might limit availability, but the point is that we have recognized the need for change and how simple the solution to some education problems may be. Ok, maybe a chair won't solve all of our problems; we still have instructors with teaching styles that match those old clunky chairs. But change always starts with something small, why not a chair? This conversation is not where close to being finished, the beauty of design is that we don't look for the end, we always have a response.

Check out the full article :http://www.metropolismag.com/story/20100616/back-to-school 

Guest performance

            I had the privilege of attending a lecture by Professor Lampo Leong. He is a very prominent Chinese calligrapher and was kind enough to come speak at my Asian art history class. He gave us a good overview of the history of calligraphy in China then mentioned briefly his current research about the Ω curve and its use in studying the quality of calligraphy. Leong began by telling us about his perspective. He is formally trained in calligraphy and studio arts. To him, this gives him a unique point of view on at history. He is able to analyze and judge works based on their artistic communication without having the historians fact based influence. He also attempted to explain the concept of  “qi” as used in the Chinese culture. The closet word we have in English to translate is energy but even that doesn’t fully capture the concept.

            So many words in English have loose definitions or even have opposing definitions/connotation in popular culture. Then, is it a big mystery that we don’t have the right words to understand such amazing concepts like qi? The art of calligraphy is ancient and has changed dramatically over the centuries but it has always answered to qi. As we look back we can still see the qi of the time. During periods of strict governmental regulation the writing was ridged and confined. As more freedom was given to the people, more freedom is seen in the writing. New styles were allowed to develop, some so far from the original and standard script that they seem unreadable. But you don’t even need to read the characters to understand the artist. Some of the more free flowing scripts hold just as much value in their visual appeal as the words the lines mean.

            Leong’s best comparison is dance. It is a partnership between the artist and the brush. The ink records the steps as the bush moves along the page, flipping and jumping, fluidly transferring its qi onto the paper. But dance still doesn’t fit for comparison fully. You are able to see every moment of the performance on the page, you can replay the moves as many times as you want, over and over again. Perhaps this is a more accurate definition of design? Could design be the exact translation of qi?

Here are some photos of the demonstration after the lecture. It lasted only about 15 seconds but  the history and preparation of this art was conveyed magnificently.

If you want to see more of his work, or just learn more about him, here is his website. http://web.missouri.edu/~leongl/  

            

Outward Inspiration

            Inspiration is a fleeting, intangible quality that all artists, at some point in their careers, struggle to find. Setting out to create something seems easy enough. Just make something. Right?

            We have been told that we should look within ourselves. Art is something we as humans use to express ourselves. We all have emotions, comments on our own experiences. So creating something that is inspired by our inner selves shouldn’t be so difficult to express those experiences.

            Yet, we still struggle. We can spend hours staring at a blank page, pencil at the ready. But nothing gets from our heart to the page. So, like all good resourceful people. We look to somewhere else for inspiration. The world around us is vast and complex. Filled with unique people and experiences that also evoke emotion, thus, a creation. Sometimes an unexpected material is all the inspiration we need. As artists and designers we have the unique ability and opportunity to explore the world around us in our own ways. We are allowed and encouraged to look outside the typical uses of things. Sometimes this adventuresome quality brings a success, and sometimes it doesn’t. No matter what the result though, everything we produce can be learned from.

             A story of success is one of my favorite artists, Chris Gilmour, takes his medium to its limit and calls attention to the most ordinary of objects in our world. What most people consider a simply utilitarian object, meant to carry or protect more precious objects, was the source for something special. He creates amazing and magnificently detailed replicas of everyday objects out of simple cardboard.  Some is recycled, other parts, are purchased new. But, he always makes a point of showing clearly that he is using cardboard. The original labeling and print is visible in many places on his work. A constant reminder of the simple inspiration.

Here are some images of his work from his website. I highly suggest going and checking out other works he has done. Also the works in progress are mind-blowing. http://www.chrisgilmour.com/en.opere.html

Stone Soup

            The group activity of this week was to create a “stone soup” of design. It was not to be planned or voted on beforehand, simply created. We, as a newly formed group of design 1 students, were to become a team through group creation. Our challenge was material, with nothing predetermined, our design skills needed to flow from individual idea, to group thought, and finally into creation. Our results were not judged, nor were they meant to be permanent. So then, how do we determine the success of such an experiment of group dynamics?

            There are many different ways that one bonds with a group of people, ways to transform from a random pairing of individuals, into a cohesive, cooperative, productive team. We usually determine the success of the team by how well the end-goal is reached. However, in design 1, we don’t have set group goals. As individuals, we want a good grade and an orientation into the design major. So then, as groups are we only meant to help each other reach these individual goals? Lets say yes, this is the group goal.

            With this set, are we now able to determine the success of this stone soup activity? Perhaps, but not in a conventional way, we need a new way of measurement.

            We cannot judge the “proper” or efficient use of materials because there was no intended purpose to them with in the context of this project. There was also no desired outcome. My group made very loose plans at first. We assessed the materials that had gathered but only a few ideas were carried from the beginning to the end. We worked as we went. Discovering new ideas at every turn. Our starting point was the concept of a spiral, using a large tree, cardboard, paper, foil, wire, a lamp and other things we made this:

         As for the success in terms of reaching our teams long term goals, I would say our final product shows the answer clearly yes. Even if we all hated the end product, we made it together. We all have a steak in the creation, a responsibility to that design, even though it no longer exists. A very important aspect of team success is commonality. We already have being interested in design as a common bond but now it is personal. We are no longer randomly grouped individuals. We are part of each other and now, a team.

Childhood in design

            When I was only 7 years old my mother and I began to frequent a place called “Pack Rat” it was a huge warehouse of salvaged building materials. Things from remodels that worked perfectly fine but were no longer of use to the previous owner. This treasure-trove of inexpensive cabinets, windows, doors, knobs and many, many, other things, became my playground. We were lucky enough to stumble upon a huge set, 60 of them to be exact, of matching upper and lower cabinets for the small price of $650. To those that have ever bought cabinets, that’s a HUGE deal!

            And so my story begins. For the average eight year old, this would be of no interest, but for me it was an adventure. A challenge was given to me, to place these cabinets in a predetermined space, make them function for the kitchen workload, and minimize the 2in. slant of the floor. Of course I was not alone in this challenge but my mother did let me take control when I wanted. It was weeks before we finally decided the layout that would become permanent.

            The final room was of Spanish/Mediterranean inspiration. We hid that slant with a cleverly placed “lazy susan” cabinet and made specific work zones along the rather lengthy kitchen expanse. The red travertine tiles on the floor enhanced the soft red tones of the cabinets. We added sparkle and modernism with a slick black granite countertop and stainless steal appliances. A cute country window above the sink brought in wonderful light and a splash of nature. Under cabinet lights illuminated workspaces while two iron chandeliers warmed the rest of the room. Later we added an old butcher-block island, which gave just the right touch of country atmosphere.

            As I look back at this room I am struck by it cohesive design. The majority of the materials we used were found on accident. A miss-marked box of tiles lead to the flooring, remnant granite choose our countertop and a few home fixes gave us the matching chandeliers, which were in no working order when we literally tripped over them in a junkyard. All these things could have easily been looked over for something new and different. But, the old is what we wanted, the old is what made this room a success.

            This room is my marker for when I began to design. I had made suggestions prior to this, pointed out things I thought were pretty, done quick sketches of what I had in my head, but nothing fully mine ever came into existence. That is, until this room, it was mine, my mother trusted me enough to give me final say. I loved every minute of working in that space, and scavenging for materials. It was the thing I loved to do most, and the love has stuck with me to this day. I look at things now and think about how they could be used differently than intended, how I might be able to integrate them in a unique way.

Are designers born or made?

            Difficult question when we can barely give design, let alone art, a solid definition. Or even decide with certainty that design is an art form. But still we ask, where do these designers come from?

            The majority of people who call themselves designers have been calling themselves that for years. They are unable to determine when exactly that became their choice of career. Perhaps they say it was made solid in their high school or college years. But a single moment is extremely difficult to find. Does this mean that these people were born designers. As toddlers, did they rearrange their bedroom, or sketch out their own business card to give out at play-dates? 

            Of course these “born” designers go to school, learn from those who have gone before them and gain great insights into the endless world of design. But, there is something different about these few, they somehow know what they have to offer the world is unique. They know from a very young age that design, be it fashion, or furniture, is what they are meant to contribute to this world.

            To counter these apparently “born” designers, we have those that can pinpoint exactly what made them choose this rocky path. They can sit and tell you about how, when they were 12 years old they picked up a design magazine, and upon opening it said to themselves, “these are my people, this is what I must do with my life”. But what separates the “made” from the “born” is that mystery factor.                                    They aren’t sure what it is about the design world that interests them, they might not have any unique outlooks on products or spaces. But, they decide that this is for them, they will learn what it takes to be great. So research and schooling begins. They dabble in drawing, painting and computer technology. Learning histories, skills, and a new way of looking at the world. Somewhere down the road they begin to create for themselves, that unique, signature style that will set them apart. And so, a designer is made.

            Neither “born” nor “made” is better than the other, simply different. They both share challenges and success stories. They are both educated in history and may draw inspiration from the same sources. The difference in process simply adds a layer of complexity to our flexible definition of design and designer.

Design; verb or noun?

           According to the dictionary, design is both a noun, and a verb. I agree that the word fits both categories however; in my experience with my own design I want it to be more like a verb. An action. An interaction, of the original “finished” design, and those that live within the space or with the product. I design interior spaces; my designs are meant to be interactive. I want people to live in the spaces I create. Gain something from it and put their own fingerprint on the space. I want them to be inspired to use the space in new ways everyday. This means it is ever changing, thus, an action.

            I feel like this holds true for a variety of modes of design. We design objects for people to use and make their life better in some way. We could set out to make an everyday product easier to use, or just better looking. Sure we consider the practicality of the item during the design process but we never have full control of the variety of possibilities. Humans are masters at unique interactions. We could never predict the millions of possible end results of our designs. In this way, we must accept that design is an ever-changing action, something we must do!