Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard.
Have you ever wondered where all the ‘stuff’ you buy comes from? And where it all goes when you throw it out? Well Annie Leonard decided to further investigate this linear system known as the materials economy. This system is simplified into 5 main categories: Extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. Through Leonard’s investigation she points out the specific sections, which are identified to have a negative affect on not only the planet but as well as us humans.
The first category, extraction is the exploitation of the earth’s resources. Leonard explains how we are living on a finite planet, which is not able to keep up with the demand of resources needed in this system.
Another category pushing a limit of our earth is Production. The combination of using energy and toxic chemicals with natural resources to make products that are contaminated is not healthy for humans and does not benefit the planet in any way. Humans are becoming so involved in the production process due to a necessary job for example that it has to come to the point where mothers breast milk has been affected by the poisonous chemicals included in the making of products.
Distribution of these chemical contaminated products is the next step in convincing people to buy not necessarily essential goods. By keeping the prices low the consumers are drawn in to buying these products but really all the companies are doing is externalising the costs of the path to the creation of this product.
Humans are made to believe that consumption buying new things is essential in everyday life through advertising. It is the terms called ‘planned obsolescence’ and ‘perceived obsolescence’ that achieve this goal. Society has come to a point where we demonstrate our personal value by how much we contribute to consumption. We are tricked into buying products that wont necessarily last and if they do the production companies will release a new look of this products persuading us to have this ‘new look’.
The disposal of products is a big issue in today’s society as the options have a very damaging affect on our earth; From burning the waste, which releases toxic chemicals in the air to landfill, which pollutes the land air and water. Recycling is an good alternative although it will never be able to keep up with the rate of disposal and waste within the materials economy.
Looking towards the future there are currently other alternatives trying to make this system user and environmentally friendly through products of sustainability, renewable energy and many others. The system in crisis is linear although there are many points of intervention that will hopefully enable it to become a cycle that does not harm humans or the environment.
The first category, extraction is the exploitation of the earth’s resources. Leonard explains how we are living on a finite planet, which is not able to keep up with the demand of resources needed in this system.
Another category pushing a limit of our earth is Production. The combination of using energy and toxic chemicals with natural resources to make products that are contaminated is not healthy for humans and does not benefit the planet in any way. Humans are becoming so involved in the production process due to a necessary job for example that it has to come to the point where mothers breast milk has been affected by the poisonous chemicals included in the making of products.
Distribution of these chemical contaminated products is the next step in convincing people to buy not necessarily essential goods. By keeping the prices low the consumers are drawn in to buying these products but really all the companies are doing is externalising the costs of the path to the creation of this product.
Humans are made to believe that consumption buying new things is essential in everyday life through advertising. It is the terms called ‘planned obsolescence’ and ‘perceived obsolescence’ that achieve this goal. Society has come to a point where we demonstrate our personal value by how much we contribute to consumption. We are tricked into buying products that wont necessarily last and if they do the production companies will release a new look of this products persuading us to have this ‘new look’.
The disposal of products is a big issue in today’s society as the options have a very damaging affect on our earth; From burning the waste, which releases toxic chemicals in the air to landfill, which pollutes the land air and water. Recycling is an good alternative although it will never be able to keep up with the rate of disposal and waste within the materials economy.
Looking towards the future there are currently other alternatives trying to make this system user and environmentally friendly through products of sustainability, renewable energy and many others. The system in crisis is linear although there are many points of intervention that will hopefully enable it to become a cycle that does not harm humans or the environment.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Donald Norman on Emotional Design.
In taking a new approach in life, Donald Norman has decided to appreciate a newfound ‘beauty’ through discovering not only the cause and reasons behind fun and exciting design but also what affect these products have on the human mind. He explores and assesses the relationship between design and human emotion and how one influences another.
Norman challenges the audience and plays with the idea of why products that are fun attract more attention such as the Alessi Juicer by Phillipe Stark as he explains that he has it displayed for decoration not utilizing its function of making juice. Even the mini cooper car is not necessarily the best technically built car but the enjoyment whilst driving this car out-weighs the faults.
The subconscious mind of humans automatically determines how we react to different situations. By experiencing an intense confronting moment, it is the fear emotion that paralyses you causing you to focus although in a positive and happy mood we are trained to think out-side of the box and let more creative ideas come about.
Norman believes there are three levels how emotions are evoked and translated through design. The first being visceral, an instant subconscious judgments whether a person believes that a design looks good or not. Such as the example provided of a water bottle where people buy water bottles not for the water yet for the bottle so they are able to keep it and maybe show it on display. This can be controlled by colour such as red for danger or excitement, shape, different fonts or materials used.
The second level being behavioural experience, which is all about feeling in control of a product that you are using. This is achieved by having an understanding of what is occurring and having the feeling that you are truly in power when handling the product. Such as being in control when driving a sports car around a bend.
The last level is reflective, being the ‘inner-voice’ that we have no control over. The products we own and see on a daily basis attract reactions and attention from people. For instance purchasing an exclusive watch or car such as a hummer, which may not function as well as its cheaper counterparts although it will attract a lot of attention promoting the owner’s image and this is due to the fun and noticeable design.
By watching the video a greater understanding is developed on the relationship between human emotions, interaction and understanding. When you combine the way products are design in order to achieve these certain pattern of thoughts, we are able to have a clearer vision of how product design can be influenced by emotions.
Norman challenges the audience and plays with the idea of why products that are fun attract more attention such as the Alessi Juicer by Phillipe Stark as he explains that he has it displayed for decoration not utilizing its function of making juice. Even the mini cooper car is not necessarily the best technically built car but the enjoyment whilst driving this car out-weighs the faults.
The subconscious mind of humans automatically determines how we react to different situations. By experiencing an intense confronting moment, it is the fear emotion that paralyses you causing you to focus although in a positive and happy mood we are trained to think out-side of the box and let more creative ideas come about.
Norman believes there are three levels how emotions are evoked and translated through design. The first being visceral, an instant subconscious judgments whether a person believes that a design looks good or not. Such as the example provided of a water bottle where people buy water bottles not for the water yet for the bottle so they are able to keep it and maybe show it on display. This can be controlled by colour such as red for danger or excitement, shape, different fonts or materials used.
The second level being behavioural experience, which is all about feeling in control of a product that you are using. This is achieved by having an understanding of what is occurring and having the feeling that you are truly in power when handling the product. Such as being in control when driving a sports car around a bend.
The last level is reflective, being the ‘inner-voice’ that we have no control over. The products we own and see on a daily basis attract reactions and attention from people. For instance purchasing an exclusive watch or car such as a hummer, which may not function as well as its cheaper counterparts although it will attract a lot of attention promoting the owner’s image and this is due to the fun and noticeable design.
By watching the video a greater understanding is developed on the relationship between human emotions, interaction and understanding. When you combine the way products are design in order to achieve these certain pattern of thoughts, we are able to have a clearer vision of how product design can be influenced by emotions.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Design Excellence
A traffic light is designed to save energy through the use of solar panels. These power the single-unit light, which switches between the go, slow-down and stop symbols. I believe the concept of this product design is well thought out as it meets the demands of societies need for environmentally friendly products. The aesthetic design suits the aim of this product keeping to the idea of less is more, although in creating a single tiered design, I believe that the led screen should be a larger size in order to stand out more whilst driving.
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