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.

Credits: http://images.mylot.com/
http://turanchox.com/

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. 

Credits: http://connect.in.com/
http://www.psfk.com/wp-content/

Iconic Icons

Everyday people are exposed to hundreds of icons, from street signs to stop signs, and religious symbols to company logos. Though people may not realize it, icons are everywhere, guiding us through our daily routines. But, what is an icon and what is its significance? According to Housefield, iconography is the pictorial language of signs and symbols and their transformation over time. The word, iconography literally means “image writing.”

Iconography is important in the design world because it enables communication between the designer and viewer. Designers create icons to communicate important messages and meaning to the viewer. When looking at an icon, people are able to identify and understand the icon at first glance than reading a written message. Because this method is very efficient, many icons are used for signs on highways and streets to help us find out way. They are also used to communicate warnings and hazards, to keep people from getting into dangerous situations. Icons can also be used in various situations, even humor.

While searching through the internet, I happened to come across a group called Improv Everywhere, their motto, “cause scenes of chaos and joy in public places.” When browsing through their videos, I found one to be the most memorable, titled “who you gonna call?”

The video takes place in the reading room of the Public Library in New York City. The scene starts out with 3 people walking into the reading room. They dressed with white sheets over their heads pretending to be ghosts. The audience around them stared in confusion wondering what was happening. A few minutes later, 4 men dressed in uniform suits with the iconic Ghost Busters logo walk into the same room. The men immediately begin to chase the ghosts around the library and eventually chase the ghosts out of the library.

As soon as the viewers were able to identify and recognized the iconic Ghostbuster logo and image, they immediately reacted with laughter and applaud showing feedback of understanding. It was the iconic logo that really brought the audience to comprehend and appreciate the scene. Icons are very powerful in that they can change confusion into understanding almost immediately.

Credits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKB7zfopiUA
http://www.blognewsarama.com
http://www.aceinfowayindia.com

Design as a Conversation

Design is a conversation. A conversation between the designer and it’s audience. It is the

conversation that communicates change.

Last week, the popular clothing company, Gap, unveiled a new logo design. The new logo would be described as more “contemporary and modern” than the original logo. But when Gap unveiled this new logo, many customers were not so thrilled about the change.

On social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, many people criticized the new logo design. Commenting on why Gap would do such a thing, destroying it’s own image by replacing it’s iconic blue box logo with something that was thought to be very unappealing and poorly designed by many. Some would even say that the logo looked like a 5^th grader had designed it.

With today’s evolving social media, the upset against Gap’s logo triggered thousands of tweets and Facebook status updates, even a fake Twitter account gathering many followers protested against the new design. After reading all of the feedback, Gap had followed up and responded, “Ok. We’ve heard loud and clear that you don’t like the new logo. We’ve learned a lot from the feedback, we only want what’s best for the brand and our customers. So instead of crowd sourcing, we’re bringing back the Blue Box tonight.” After less than a week, Gap had swapped back to the old logo.

This backlash against the new logo is a clear example of a designer’s conversation with audience. Gap created a design and released it to the public. The public listened and responded with feedback. Gap responded to the feedback with change. This communication between designer and audience is the most effective way to solve problems within the design world. Especially with our advancing technology and social networking, we are now able to communicate and respond much more quickly and efficiently than before. Our design world is ever changing.


Credits: http://mashable.com/2010/10/11/gap-logo/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/12/gap-gets-rid-of-new-logo_n_759131.html
http://www.whitebirchbrewing.com
http://www.farmersmarketowencounty.com

Comparison and Contrast

What makes an object popular? What makes it attract people’s attention? What makes it work? 

There are many infomercials on television selling special products to fix various problems or products just to create convenience to peoples’ everyday lives. But I always wondered why some products became a success and why some were just a flop. I guess the answer is, it’s all in the design.

One of the products that happen to intrigue me the most was the Snuggie. If you didn’t know, a Snuggie is basically a blanket with sleeves. When I first saw the Snuggie commercial I assumed that it was just a brightly colored blanket. I wondered, “why not just use a regular blanket? It would be the same.” But it turned out, it wasn’t the same as a blanket, a Snuggie had sleeves! I thought, “if you are that cold, why not just wear a jacket? It has sleeves, it will keep you warm.” But I guess some people refuse to wear jackets indoors.

When I first saw a Snuggie, I thought it looked very strange and I admit that I had always made fun of the people in the infomercials because I never really understood the idea behind it. But after seeing it on television after many years, I had never realized how popular it became. And then one day, I had a chance to try a Snuggie and it was not bad as I thought. It even had a pocket! The Snuggie is not a just a blanket or a jacket, but a hybrid of both. I guess the reason why it became so popular was because of its convenience and function. Even though in my opinion it is not the most appealing to wear, it’s function over fashion with this design.

Credits: http://www.snuggiesourcefortwo.com

http://www.pioneerlinens.com

The Ω Curve?

Lampo Leong, a professor of art in painting and drawing at the University of Missouri, Columbia, visited UC Davis last Thursday to give a lecture on his theory on the visual forces of the Ω (Omega) Curve. For those who may not know, Lampo Leong is an internationally acclaimed painter, calligrapher, and multimedia artist. He received his BFA in brush painting from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in China, his MFA in painting from the California College of the Arts in San Francisco, and his Ph.D. in Art Theory and Practice at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.

Lampo Leong’s theory focuses on the shape of the omega curve and how it exists in architecture and the composition of many artworks tracing back to early history from both eastern and western art. He points out similarities such as the omega shape appearing in ancient Chinese calligraphy, also reappearing in early European paintings. The specific shape of the omega curve create tension and energy versus a straight line. This is why many artists have intentional compositions with hidden omega curves. Relating the idea to Chinese calligraphy, he explains how omega curves create flow and movement where our eyes can travel and follow and that is what makes calligraphy so appealing to people.

After the lecture, Lampo Leong gave a quick calligraphy demonstration. Calligraphy is a combination of visual and performance art, where the shape and curves reflect movement and feeling. It is the coordination of the mind, heart and hand to create a line that carries strength, energy, and the spirit of the artist.

Credits:

http://web.missouri.edu/~leongl/Biography%20file/bio%20text/EnglishBiography/BiographicalSum.html
http://www.flickr.com/groups/worldtrekker/discuss/72157603516527143/

http://www.corbisimages.com/Enlargement/AX050876.html