Trash Cleaning Trash

In the past, designers were only concerned with functionality and creating products with materials that best fit the need. But now realizing the impact of our existence on the environment makes us rethink of how we must change the way we life our lives. Our relationship with design has changed the way designers must design. Designers must now think and question where the design will end up in the future and how it will affect society. In our ever-changing society, the new constraint of design must not only be functional but also has to be sustainable.

A company called Electrolux AB is sparking a conversation about being more environmentally friendly, with their new design of vacuum cleaners. The vacuum cleaners are fully functional and can suck up dirt from carpet and rugs like any other vacuum, but these vacuums are special in they are made of plastic trash collected from the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean, North and Baltic seas.

The design may seem very ironic at first, in that it is an object that cleans up dirt and garbage, and yet it is made out of something that was once garbage. People may question and wonder how something that was once considered garbage able to be something that is now so functional and useful. And then the conversation becomes about Design. Design is ephemeral. As the world changes, there will always be new problems to solve, new constraints to over come, and the role of the designer is to keep designing products that will help improve our lives and society. 

Credit: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles

Industrial Design - mass production

In 1957, the Coca-cola company began using aluminum cans for its popular carbonated beverage. Now the aluminum cans are being used by many other companies and their beverages, such as Pepsi, Sunkist, Dr. Pepper, Hansen’s, and many others. Whether it’s a carbonated beverage or juice drink, the aluminum can design has been a popular way for people to enjoy their favorite beverage.

The reason why the aluminum cans gained popularity so quickly was because of its design. The cylindrical shape makes it very convenient for consumers to carry around and the cans could easily stack on top one another for easy storage. The aluminum material is durable enough to resist punctures and keep the beverage cool very nicely. The signature “click” when pulling the tab became a trademark in advertising the freshness and crispness when first opening the beverage. Not only is the aluminum can’s form functional, its exterior design became very marketable.

The Coca-cola cans are recognized by their signature red color. The vibrant red color catches our eye and we perceive the color with the emotion of excitement and joy. The white line that waves across the can suggests recreation and relaxation. It gives the viewer the sense that drinking a can of coke will help to relax the mood. The cans are also label with a specialized typeface, called Spencerian script. The logo is written in a cursive lettering style, which is unique in that it was a popular style of handwriting in the mid 19^th century, relating to the Coca-cola Company’s history, being the classic original soft drink.

Through the form and content displayed on Coca-cola can’s design allowed it to be successful in marketing and effective in conveying its concept to the consumers. That is why the coke can had become very popular and the same can has been used for many other products and companies.

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Form & Content: Objectified

 “Every object tells a story if you know how to read it” a quote from Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company.

The documentary film Objectified, by Gary Hustwit examines the role of everyday objects in our daily lives and the people who design them. When we first pick up an object we may not think about how much thought and work was put into that product that we use on a daily base. There is a reason why products are made the way they are, and it is not only for the aesthetic appearance.

Charles Eames from the film Design Q&A quotes, “Design is a method of action. Design depends on constraints.” The action of designing depends on constraints. The constraints come from the context of where the design will be, how it will be used, what will it be used for. The consumer’s interaction with the design will develop a relationship that will determine advantages and disadvantages that designers must work with.

Objectified discusses the role of a designer using the method of design thinking. With the constraints in mind, designers must question what form the design take, considering the visual aspect; the color, texture, composition, etc. The form of the design must also be related to the content, questioning whether or not design effectively communicates the message. It is important that the design must be functional and meet the required needs of the people. It must create an environment where people understand the design and feel comfortable with it. What is good design?

Design is everywhere and we use designed products everyday in our daily lives. Design is ever changing and improving and it is also changing the way we live our lives. Gary Hustwit’s Objectified documentary film, demonstrates the importance of our interaction and relationship with design in society. 

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