Designing Dream Machines

From this video it establishes the process of how a product starts off as and what it ends up looking. Id say this process is similar to what us as students do through our assignments. When recieving a brief the process of brainstorming begins. this is where all initial ideas take shape even though we arent to sure about it, my experiences have shown that this is one of the hardest parts, which is to start. Researching is another important point as we need to get to know target markets and clients needs and wants. As research develops we get a sense of what direction we need to head in.

From there the product starts to take shape and working with groups are an important as feedback as to how it can be improved and interaction with others can take your product in a good direction. One of the things ive learnt is that the constant refering to clients as they are the major point in the process, trying to satisfy their wants sort of like a criteria. Having a number of different concepts are good as there are other things you can fall back on if your first concept goes down the drain! So making a product we need it to have appeal so it can standout from others

Treasuring Time

For the treasuring time assignment I wanted to make something that would be used throughout a whole year. With memories building through time and stacking up in our heads. I wanted something that would represent this concept. I ended up using a folding method that would represent a kind of 3d diary. Everyday the user would write on the paper (i picked paper with 120 gsm which is in between paper and cardboard as it would be more stronger than normal paper but not as hard as card) a short message or memory and then use follow instructions to fold then build upon it any way you like through a slotting method. As the year draws closer the 3d diary will become bigger and at the end of the year you will have a collection of memories in a form of 3d sculpture. When it is finished you can decide to take it apart review and look back on your year or keep it for display as it can represent a particular year and then you can start on a new one for the next year.The final model with writing shown on outside

Task 4: Bad Design

My badly designed object is an adapter which consists of two parts, it charges mp3s through the use of an USB cable. This adapter causes problems to users when they use it and plug into the powerpoint. The following photos will outline the faults.
In this image it shows the adapter already plugged into the powerpoint, however as you can see the adapter clearly blocks the switch, making only users with very small fingers able to fit and switch it on to be able to use.
In this scenario, users have to switch the powerpoint on before you plug the adapter in which makes this a hazard.
So when in use the same situation comes up, it is very hard to switch it off unless you just pull the charger out
The charger blocking the switch in another powerpoint
This image shows a different situation as the switch is on the bottom rather than the top, however as this powerpoint is placed right underneath a desk the design of the charger makes it a tight fit.


Suggested Improvements
My suggested improvements is aimed at the smaller of the two parts of the adapter, the circle part. I think the sensible solution would be having the the adapter facing the other way so down instead of up. While it was facing up it blocked the switches and having it face downwards erases this factor, and the function of the charger with the powerpoint is enhanced better. The following is a sketch of the redesign and a before and after shot.



Note: In the after shot, the smaller part is just placed on top as it currently cannot fit in the way the photo shows.

Postal Presents

My post presents assignment is a fold up batmobile shaped pencil case. It is aimed at primary school students thus the easy assembly and also made up of just 2 pieces. This is a pencil case that creates excitement for users and a sense of coolness!!

Annie Leonard: The Story of Stuff

This video is very different to what the previous reflection videos have been, this one portrays a very different meaning and a very important one at that. The most important message from this video i believe is the trashing of environments all around the world, so of natural resources are slowly diminishing. Another point is that the waste we produce, this is a very important matter. like in the video computers are being wasted because we are changing a tiny thing in the software which makes people buy new ones and dispose there old ones. Through this it leads to disposal and the waste we produce leads to the pollution of of air, land and water.

Through this as a industrial designer, it just emphasises we should take very good use of our resources and not just waste it, we can use it in different ways or different purposes. So recycling is a important as we need to be taking care of our natural resources and not just wasting it.

Just on how it changes our view on design, it makes one think that we need to be very careful in what we are doing and hopefully learning about the environment around us as we find good measures to protect in the world we live in

Experience Enrichment

My product is a fork which has a cap like top which makes it become a spoon through a slotting method. Without the top it is a fork for such foods like noodles and with top on it can be used for food like yogurt. My targeted users are young primary children who bring lunches made from their mums to school, with this product it gives a choice in what to use with a variety of foods. This product provides something different to primary kids and would be a nice fitting to the lunch boxes

Paul Bennett: Design is in the details

There were a couple of messages I took away from this video, the first being that small creates big. This thinking i very much agree with, i believe that little things make one thing as a whole, this is similar to Paul Bennett's thinking. He says small things make a greater impact such as lying in a hospital bed you gots nothing to do except staring up, so the bicycle mirror helped for human interaction. So did the messages on the wall concept it makes the person feel more at home in a familiar surrounding. The second point from the video was stepping into the shoes of a person and see how they would see things, eg being in the shoes of kids for designing from their view point.

This video emphasized the small making a huge impact, tiny solutions leading to a huge impact! it makes me think focusing on the smaller things in life will make life so easier and I think its great anyone can design. This was evident from nurses ideas of decorating the ceilings and the path into the room!

So putting yourself in the position of others is very important to see their view points as seeing new things creates a new possibilty

Product Sketching

Modern Times: Modernism in Australia
Cord Chair (1952) by Clement Meadmore

This chair has a steel frame with cords, it appealed to me because it was thin and looked heaps better than the wooden one it was sitting next to!














Inspired! Design Across Time
Embryo Chair by Marc Newson

The embryo stood out as the reddish colour of the chair was beaming out, to me the design of this chair was one of the better looking ones













Australian International Design Awards
FCS H-2 Surf Fins

The surf fins is a very simple design with 3 fins, i chose this one because i've seen this before and it instantly gained my attention













EcoLogic: Creating a Sustainable Future
MEC-Kambrook Electric Kettle

Not much designs from ecologic stood out to me but the kettle did, as it had two parts to it both similar in shape, nice and simple looking

Yves Behar: Creating objects that tell stories

After viewing this video, Value was a major talking by Yves Behar. Considering value is a important process as values can change the work we do and how we do it and what he says at the end was a standout was through value we eventually can change the world together.

So as he designs he works on the entire human experience, this is an important point for designing. Also objects tells stories so when someone picks up a cherished product theres always a story behind it.

In one of the designs he showed which was the laptop, one thing that stood out to me was his nephews imagination of his own created laptop out of cardboard, design is why kids will love the product!

Video Reflection- Ross Lovegrove: Organic Design

Ross Lovegrove is a person who loves his nature! captain organic as he calls himself. Well after viewing this particular video form is a very important message which is established. Lovegrove says that it is form which touches peoples soul and emotion, and through instincts that is how he designs. DNA was a point he put out meaning Design/ Nature/ Art, which is the basis he works at. His inspiration in design is nature and organic things, this to me shows that as a designer you can focus on something you love and that would be the basis you work with.

Nature improves purpose, with this being said Lovegrove says growth patterns is not restricted by form. So as things grow it'll become different so as designers our designing processes will change as time passes. Another thing that came out from this video was when he got rejected by Sony but he just brushed it away and kept at it with his own style.

So from this video he established form is very important, plus design from the things around eg enivronment, nature, and doing what you believe is right(instincts). Growth will change and it aint restricted by form and what people dont like one day can be liked another.

Video Reflection - David Kelley: Human centred design

After watching this video, the biggest thing I took from it was the focus on behaviour and personality in designing products. Through Human Centered design its much more focus on the human experience rather then the focus on the product itself. A good example of this David Kelley showed in video was the Prada store. The products used in the store were all beneficial to the customers like the liquid crystal changing rooms, the delaying mirrors and the scanners the workers used.

Thinking of growth as a industrial designer some of the videos shown, shows that us as an individual can make a big difference in the world. The most impact that was made on me was the designer in Kenya, just as an individual he has helped the kenyan community so much.

One of the things from the video i wasn't so sure of was the spyfish, he said you can scuba dive without getting wet, so feeling your underwater. I think this compared to the real thing people will miss the whole experience of feeling the reality themselves, although there are disadvantages there are always advantages aswell eg greater depth in diving.

On reflecting on this particular video the major things that came across were the behavioural and personality points.

Task 2: Good Design

Eva Solo Table Grill

Designer: Tools Design (Denmark)

Manufacturer: Eva Solo

- Baden-Württemberg International Design Award 2006
- The International Design Yearbook 2007
- Good Design Award 2006 - Chicago
- IF Design Award 2007
- DesignPlus 2007
- Bronze, Industrial Design Excellence Awards 2008

The Eva Solo Table Grill was created to have the ability for its visual appeal to be retained over the duration of many years. With this in mind, it was also designed to be able to fit on a dining table so everyone around it would be able to cook their own food. The design of the Eva Solo Table Grill was made so the grill wouldn’t burn or cause damage beneath the grill’s surface, it also consists of a wooden table protector.

Due to its convenient size, which is fairly small, the table grill is very portable. It contains a handle which is easy to carry around with and being able to bring the grill to the beach or even the park for a barbeque will be effortless. This attractive design also has the ability to be used as a salad dish and being able to be washed in the dish washer, proving its worth as a versatile product.

Line: Straight sharp continuous lines created by the contrast of the grill on the bowl

Balance: Symmetrical

Shape: Similar to the shape of a cone which creates a causal feel to it

Texture: Porcelain bowl creates natural feel about the grill

Colour: The colours of the stainless steel on white, resembles the colour scheme of the ipod which appeals to the market

Contrast: As pointed out before the stainless steel on white resembles ipod

Contrast: The addition of the wooden table guard on the white porcelain bowl establishes a natural look

Form: Modern look with a natural feel

Proportion: The appealing white porcelain bowl dominates the product

References:
http://www.idsa.org/IDEA_Awards/gallery/2008/award_details.asp?ID=647
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/07/0717_idea_winners/100.htm
http://www.evasolo.dk/products-tabelgrill.html
http://www.celebratelifegifts.com/Store/Products/Item/-93/1/58.html

Shape of a Scent