marypo-blog

[marypo-blog]

CR10

Things I liked about the course:

-The assigments

-The blogging aspect

-The creative thinking involved

-The broad amount of knowledge the course covers

-I liked the design graduates speach

Things I disliked:

-The coleman project I thought was too hard in that big of a group

-I wish we would have done a little more of the hands on projects

[marypo-blog]

J10

Group Member's Blogs:

http://grandpaburton.blogspot.com/

http://superfantasticish.blogspot.com/

http://greatak.tumblr.com/

http://amelv22.blogspot.com/

http://hideandgosneak.tumblr.com/

http://dsgn200forthemostpart.blogspot.com/

Overall I thought the project went well. Some did more than others, but that is to be expected in a group project. We ended up with the water filter idea. It has storage in the cap for flavor packets. The actual filter has an area to put the powder. Also, the bottom screws off for extra space, and can be used as a bowl to fill up and pour into the filter. For the package we decided on a cardboard box with three open faces. And the kiosk was one that would be used at a trade show or an exhibition. It has running water on the four corners- all lit different colors to represent the flavor aspect of the filter.

My contributions to the project:

-Idea of water filter, basic shape of filter, and storage compartments of filter

-I drew up our final options for packaging- and came up with the final idea with two of my other classmates

-Helped put the powerpoint together

I think I brought a lot to the discussions, while letting others voice their opinions at the same time. I could have worked a little harder to keep the others on track and to get all of our work done on time.

I liked the project, but I thought it was kind of hard working with that many people.

[marypo-blog]

J09

Group Member’s Blog Links:

http://grandpaburton.blogspot.com/

http://superfantasticish.blogspot.com/

http://greatak.tumblr.com/

http://amelv22.blogspot.com/

http://hideandgosneak.tumblr.com/

http://dsgn200forthemostpart.blogspot.com/

We have got a lot done this week. Even though we got off to a slow start, we have been really efficient. Everyone has been really motivated to create an amazing product/package/kiosk, but aslo to do it ina extremely short amount of time. We decided on our logo, final product, packaging idea, kiosk theme, etc. Everyone has been contributed and volunteering to do whatever is needed to finish this project on time.

I think I have been doing a pretty good job when it comes to teamwork. I'm putting my best ideas forward, and am willing to do the work in order to create a greate product. I have been doing a lot of the drawing, since I have a bit of a background in it. I also think I have been successful in encouraging others to bring forth thier ideas.

The pictures I have been drawing are attatched.

[marypo-blog]

RR08

One of the concepts I really enjoyed in this weeks reading was how design needs to be more like an evolution when it comes to adapting over time, rather than a takeover of old ideas by the new. Older concepts need to be incorporated into the new ones, just because something is newer doesn't mean that it's better. And by using older ideas, we can learn from them. We can use these ideas, and improve of them- modernize them and apply them to the atmosphere of the present- rather then dismissing them for having outdated qualities.

[marypo-blog]

J08

Group Member's Blog Links:

http://grandpaburton.blogspot.com/

http://superfantasticish.blogspot.com/

http://greatak.tumblr.com/

http://amelv22.blogspot.com/

http://hideandgosneak.tumblr.com/

http://dsgn200forthemostpart.blogspot.com/

Okay, so thus far in the group project, things have been moving rather slow. It's no one's fault really, it's just extremely hard to come to mutual decisions in such a short amount of time, with seven people involved. And I think we have a really good group of students, which almost makes it harder because everyone has excellent ideas to contribute. Every now and then we do get a bit off topic, which is bound to happen, but we should probably work on that. I think if we start to focus on one thing a time things will go by a lot more smoothly.

So far we have narrowed down our idea for our product to either wireless speakers or a stainless steel water filter. Our audience is college students through graduates just starting out. Our product will be durable, affordable, and aesthetically parallel to many of Coleman's existing products.

I think I have done a fairly substantial job when it comes to contributions in our group discussions. I have come up with a few strong ideas for our product, and I have also helped to guide the conversation a bit. However, I think I could be producing a little more concrete work. It's just a little hard to motivate myself to work really hard a on a sketch or idea when I'm not yet sure what our product is. I think after today I will have a lot more motivation to work on actual parts of our project.

As for documentation of our project, I do have notes and sketches thus far- but I don't have access to a scanner.. so I'm hoping that some of my group memeber have scanned some of their notes (since most of our notes are pretty similar). After today I will find a scanner and start documenting more of our work.

[marypo-blog]

RR07

The chapter I liked the most in this weeks reading was "waste equals food". It discusses how industry has thrown off the equilibrium in the world, where everything we use gets reused in some way, shape, or form. For example, horses eat the grass. Then their dung goes on to fertilize the grass and feed flies. But when many humans produce waste, it becomes this biochemical hazard that will sit their for all of eternity, or until it decomposes! Designers need to recognize that everything we use ends up somewhere, and if at all possible we should use materials than can then be reused or benefit other organisms. They should be recycled, turned into energy, put in composts to fertilize the soil, etc. Addressing, and then attempting to solve this problem will not only benefit Earth, but it will conserve our resources and increase industrial efficiency.

[marypo-blog]

CR07

In class on Tuesday, I really enjoyed the marshmallow challenge. Not only did it force us to think outside the box, and work together with others- but it also made me realize a few things. One, is how every person's mind works so differently, it was amazing to see all the different ideas that the other students in the class had! Also, it showed how helpful it is to work with team mates. Everyone has different ideas that can be incorporated in order to more successfully solve the problem at hand. You can build off of in a way that leads to unique ideas that you would not have discovered on your own otherwise.

[marypo-blog]

J07

Link to outdoor recreation websites:

The North Face

http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/index.html?cm_mmc=Google-_-Brand+Terms-_-Brand+Terms_Exact-_-north+face

Dick's Sporting Goods

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/home/index.jsp?cid=PPC:Google:DSG_-_Branded_-_National:Core:dicks_sporting_goods:Exact

Cabela's

http://www.cabelas.com/

Gander Mtn.

http://www.gandermountain.com/

Timberland

http://www.timberland.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=4216412&locale=en_US&language=US&camp=S:G:TMS:timberland:TBL

Pictures from trade shows/ exhibitions:

timberland

Gander Mtn.

The North Face 

Link to home goods websites:

 Home goods

http://www.homegoods.com/index.asp

Lowes

http://www.lowes.com/?cm_mmc=search_google-_-Brand%20Core-_-Core%20Terms%20Exact-_-lowes

Home Depot

http://www.homedepot.com/?cm_mmc=SEM|RPM|ST_Branded|GGL_2881&skwcid=TC|13614|home%20depot||S|e|6468551964

Bed Bath and Beyond

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/default.asp?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=bed+bath+and+beyond&utm_campaign=Exact&

Ace Hardware

http://www.acehardware.com/home/index.jsp?cid=PPC:76293361&002=2353607&004=2050436941&005=20221420&006=8145493741&007=Search&008=

Home goods trade shows/exhibitions:

Ace Hardware

Lowes

Home Depot

Indoor home goods are appliances or accessories used in everday life, inside the the home.

[marypo-blog]

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[marypo-blog]

J06

DESIGN AND ACCESSIBILITY

Accessibility relates to design in more ways than many realize. It also affects people more than they often know; 700,000 people join the disabled demographic each year- it can happen to anyone. There are four main categories of disability: mobility impairments, visual impairments, learning disabilities, and hearing impairments. There are two different approaches to finding solutions to aid the disabled, adapted design, accessible design and universal design. Adapted design involves retrofitting and getting rid of barriers; accessible design is modifying and accommodating. Universal design is the most innovative and effective of all the methods; it entails designing all products to be used by those who are and are not disabled.

Related Sources:

~"Effective Color Contrast" http://desktoppub.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=desktoppub&cdn=compute&tm=21&gps=191_484_1259_631&f=00&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.lighthouse.org/color_contrast.htm

This article related to the sector of those who are visually impaired. It is a guide to the process of pairing colors, in order to produce a more readable text for those with poor eyesight, and also those who are color blind.

~”Universal Design of Instruction” http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Strategies/Universal

This article is a very informative overview and guide to teaching students with all ranges of disability-from visual impairments to learning disabilities.

~”Closer Look: Etymotic in-ear Headphones Overview by Onecall” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt391a0K2sw

This video is about a company that produces ear buds custom fit to your ear canal. These headphones are not only made for those with hearing disabilities, but also for those who just want a more comfortable fit and a smoother sound.

~”Universal Design” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpYFqtqgHnA

This is a video describing the new MV-1, a van that is made to aid those with mobility impairments. It has a ramp for entrance into the vehicle, and a spot for a wheelchair in place of a passenger’s seat.

~Navigation Technology for the Blind: The Bus” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMI5S9w-F4Y&feature=related

This is another article relating to those with visual impairments. It introduces a device that allows someone who is blind to know when a bus is approaching, and when it is stopped near them.

[marypo-blog]

RR06

A section I enjoyed from this week’s reading was “The Fittest Survive, The Fitting-est Thrive”(McDonough). For the next couple pages he goes on to apply this concept to ants. Specifically those that live and work together in trees in the rain forest. They are all different species, and have different skills; yet, they still work together and are fit for their environment. Now I saw the “survival of the fittest” as survival as the most physically and mentally fit- or in shape. But for ”the fitting-est”, it applies to those that are most fit or made for their environment. And not only do the “fitting-est” survive-but they thrive. They do the best in environments they have adapted to and learned from. And this could also be applied to designers. Designers all have different styles, and I think that many clients look for one specific style- so they work (or fit) together well. So by surrounding him or herself with clientele/projects that he/she is interested in, a designer will thrive more effectively.

[marypo-blog]

CR06

So this week in class we watched the video "Rip!: A Remix Manifesto." I was surprised how much I enjoyed this movie! It was kind of dull at parts, but I've never seen a legitimate argument about how copyrighting is so restrictive and old fashioned, and I liked it.

This video was really one-sided, but overall I agree with most points the narrator made. I understand that artists' work shouldn't be allowed to be ripped off left and right- but at the same time, when an artist is turning someone else's work into something completely unique and different from the original.. how can the original artist possibly take credit for it? I think a happy medium needs to be found. I really liked the copyrights we looked at in class that allow people to reuse their work in an original manner, as long as credit is given. I also liked the idea we were discussing about how artists shouldn't necessarily get paid for selling their work, but for putting on shows and such.

When thinking about the general concepts of copyright, I kind of find the whole idea to be kind of greedy. Yes you came up with an original idea, it was innovative and it made you a lot of money. But should someone be able to ride through there whole life on one idea (that may not even be that creative)? It's kind of selfish to be making money just because you did one thing right--like the stacking chairs for example. I mean good for you, but I think that designer should have to come up with more designs to continue to take in that much profit. And I guess if it was me, I might think about it a little differently, but that is neither here nor there! And also, I understand someone getting credit if was their life's work, like a cure for cancer. But sometimes there's no distinguishing between the two. And personally I don't agree with someone getting a free ride because they made one right choice, or one right design.

[marypo-blog]

RR05

The introduction chapter of "Cradle to Cradle" was- although interesting- quite overwhelming. First, they load a ton of guilt on you about the ways you hurt the enviorment. And yes, it does bring awareness, but it makes you feel like an awful person! Then they go on to describe how consumers are never given a clear path to follow in order to help sustain a healthy enviorment, so really what are we supposed to do about it?

Next the author talks about all the ways the world could change to be more "green." This part was the most overwhelming. At first I was like: yeah that could be more efficient, there could be a better design for that too, and how did I not realize how unresourceful that is. But eventually I thought: Okay okay! I get it, the world sucks and we all need to do a better job. But it would be extremely hard to really put 100% into helping our enviorment, because virtually EVERYTHING would have to change. For example, flooring: is the carpet recycled? Is it recylable? Does it use a lot of energy or result in the emission of dangerous chemicals for production? Are the machines the factory is using made out of healthy materials? Are they safe for workers to be around on a daily basis?

 So, I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this. Yes it would be great to revolutionize the green market, but one thing at a time!

[marypo-blog]

J05

Trip to the grocery store!

1. I can never decide whether it's better to park near the entrance or the exit

2. It's really not so hard to push a grocery cart into the drop off sections, so why are they everywhere?

3. I love when cars try to pull in the spots that are half covered with snow, so the cars at a 45 degree angle.

4. I hate when cars don't stop for pedestrians in parking lots.

5. ^ PEDESTRIANS HAVE THE RIGHT AWAY

6. I love how Krogers has the clorox wipes now for the carts.

7. ^ They are probably so dirty from all the hands touching it, and do they ever even get sanitized?

8. From the entrance I walked in, it's really awkward to get around the self checkout and out into the rest of the store

9. The magazines are not organized very well, I can never find the ones I'm looking for!

10. I like the way the produce section is set up.

11. You can go around it in a circle and reach everything easily

12. You don't have to go up and down aisles

13. I wish they had a larger organic produce section!

14. I think organic fruits have much more flavor

15. They meticulously place the cakes in the middle of everything so that they're basically staring at you

16. It's awkward getting from deli section to the front of the store

17. I like how they rarely change things up

18. ^ this way I can go the same route everytime to be most time-efficient

19. I am always so careful where I stick things in the cart so that they end up being bagged with similar products

20. I put all my meats and cheeses together

21. Then my milk and juices

22. Then Yogurts and other refrigerate products

23. Freezer items also go together :)

24. I always try to get one or two things that I've never tried before so I don't get into too much of a routine

25. I know they say don't read a book by it's cover, but I do it all the time

26. If I see one of my favorite celebrities on the front of the magazines I can't help but buy it!

27. They have a stand with movies for $5 each.

28. it must be new I come here almost every week

29. I think organic milk tastes better, so I get it even though it's $1.70 more

30. Organic milk lasts so much longer than regular milk

31. The expiration date isn't until March

32. Greek yogurt is always so hard to find, it's always shoved in a little corner!

32. I always get chilly when I'm by the dairy..

33. Why is the popcorn randomly by the beer?

34. Flavored beer.... never tried it, and don't really want to!

35. I can't find petroleum jelly anywhere...

36. They cleverly place the nailpolish in a way where I always pass it and want to look at the new colors

37. And now I can't find Dove face lotion

38. Well I asked and they apparently don't have it. Bummer

39. It's always pretty easy to find a sales person there

40. I prefer the self checkout

41. It's faster than waiting in line

42. I also can bag things the way I want

43. Sometimes it gets annoying when something doesn't ring up right though

44. Someone is always there pretty quick to help

45. I wonder if people ever lie about what produce they have

46. ^ Because some is cheaper...

47. it probably wouldn't even save much money

48. The whole weighing the groceries so that you're not just sticking things in there that you didn't pay for

49. It's probably pretty easy to get around though..

50. These signature machines SUCK.

[marypo-blog]

CR05

The video in class that I found most interesting was the concept of biomimicry. I honestly had never really thought how applicable it could be in everyday life. Because if you think about it, certain animals and plants have evolved over millions of years to become as efficient as they are today. Why wouldn't we study nature in order to gain solutions to many of the production issues we have today? So many ideas came to mind once I was formally introduced to this product. Such as, watrerproofing, bacteria resistant surfaces, self adhesive material, open/breathing material, etc. I loved all the concepts that were discussed in the video, and how creative many designers have been when problem solving everday issues.

[marypo-blog]

RR04

For this week's reading, my favorite chapter was 7- which was about identities. This chapter kind of opened up my mind to the possibilities of influence that many designers can have. The chapter discusses how often times designers incorporate their own identities and beliefs into their work. It then goes on to mention how that can be used to their advantage; it can be used as a tool to persuade others to follow their beliefs. This immediately made me think of propaganda. I'm taking a film studies class this quarter, and in it we discussed how a Nazi director produced a movie as a form of propaganda. It was effective on many citizens, however widely criticized/mocked by other countries. This method could be used in many areas of design, some in a subtle manner, and some not. Reading this chapter helped me to notice a whole new way for designers to be influential, and just how much power many of them hold.