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Monday, February 21, 2011
Course Review 07
This week what was most memorable for me was the presentation given to us by graduates of the design program also known as the firm cobego. It was not only informative, but it interested me more in pursuing the field of design. Having already been on the engineering track, it was cool knowing that there are others who were just as confused as I am when trying to select a major. I got to ask them questions like "what are the differences between engineering and design?" And "what is most appealing to you about design?" This was a great presentation and as of now I have already scheduled for more design courses.
Cradle to Cradle: Chapters 1-3
After reading through the first three chapters I identified how concerned the author was for the environment and future of human kind. I identified with him and agree to some ammount and in particular a few sections stood out to me. In no particular order, sections "Efficient-at what?", "From Cradle to Grave", and "Once upon a Roof"
Efficient-at what? Opened me up to how efficiency or optimization of a home could also mean a buildup of hazardous materials. So even if you save energy, you're still destroying yourself in the process. The last paragraph says the goal is zero: emissions, waste, and ecological footprint. If designs are more like this then I believe our world will thrive again.
"From Cradle to Grave" informed me of how products are designed and within that process, the end result of the product is planned as well. It disgusted me that the reality of landfills is planned, but I had some hope that things could be designed with a disposal plan that is most efficient in using recycled materials and can be safe for.the environment.
"Once upon a roof" is something I've agreed with since I watch a TED video about having terrain on a roof. I really don't have much to say other than I love this idea.
Efficient-at what? Opened me up to how efficiency or optimization of a home could also mean a buildup of hazardous materials. So even if you save energy, you're still destroying yourself in the process. The last paragraph says the goal is zero: emissions, waste, and ecological footprint. If designs are more like this then I believe our world will thrive again.
"From Cradle to Grave" informed me of how products are designed and within that process, the end result of the product is planned as well. It disgusted me that the reality of landfills is planned, but I had some hope that things could be designed with a disposal plan that is most efficient in using recycled materials and can be safe for.the environment.
"Once upon a roof" is something I've agreed with since I watch a TED video about having terrain on a roof. I really don't have much to say other than I love this idea.
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Course Review: Rip! A remix manifesto
After watching this movie I can say that I have learned a lot about what the copyright world is all about. Though informative, I felt that the film took a biased stance on the rights that people had to copy things. I do agree with the author of the video that artist "Girl Talk" is making new and enjoyable music and that some punishments for using copyrighted material is harsh. However, it is another persons work and it should be respected, referenced, and compensated for. Again, jumping back on the other side the cost of using such material is downright insane. Though, Gabe did show us the Creative Commons page and it gave me some assurance that a step in the right direction to achieve balance between artists and copyright laws is in progress.
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Sunday, February 20, 2011
Journal 06: Media Reviews
Selected topic: Design and the Environment
(For some reason the link tool will not work for the url's I provide. I will just post plain text instead.
Summary
Over the course of my time spent in college, I have felt like I understand a little more about how the real world functions. In turn I have created, for myself, a loving and caring feeling for nature and especially the Earth. The bottom line: This is the only planet we have and in order to maintain our ecosystem and assured way of life, attention must be paid to the creation and management of current designs. Design is the core element of everything human made. Some idea was constructed, either a problem presented itself in life or through modification, a new invention was created. What I have begun to notice is that our world is slowly dying. It doesn't matter if speculations on global warming are true or false, the point is that something is changing. Weather is harsher, natural disasters are more catastrophic, and species are dying out. This is due to us, humans, and the fact that we are now an active force in nature. Based on what we do in the future, will set the stage for the entire planet. This is why it is crucial to design with the environment in mind and learn to co exist just like the rest of nature does so that our planet can support vast amounts of life for a long time. What really got me passionate about choosing this topic was that presentation in design class about the environment. I came to the conclusion that along with chemicals, Carbon Dioxide emissions are the most important issues to address. Some ideas for a solution or control can be seen in plant life or the management of harmful substances.
External Sources
1. Autodesk and their innovative programing.
This video is about a program company called Autodesk that produces and designs many people use to virtually design a draft of 3d objects. I personally have used a program made by Autodesk and I have to say that this new program that helps incorporate environmental additions is an excellent feature. The video explains that designing with the environment is more cost effective rather than adding features to an existing project.
2. Simply searched "Designing for the Environment" on google and came up with the wiki page for a group called DfE or "Designing for the Environment". It was an interesting website that explained what the group stands for and some of the changes it's trying to make. Along with that page, I found a .gov video that mentions what the DfE is all about.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_to_the_Environment
http://www.epa.gov/dfe/multimedia/recognizedforsaferchemistry/dfe_video_popup.html
3. This page is a description on HP's take on the policies that the DfE has. It is good to know that along with new innovative design, a large company is trying to do its part to make safe products for the environment as well as humans
4. My favorite so far, a TED talk about how mushrooms can be the new Styrofoam. Since Styrofoam is so harmful to the environment, production and the fact that it takes so long to break down, there has been a new breakthrough material called Mycelium. Not only can you grow it into any mold you wish, but it decomposes perfectly within nature. To top it off, the Mycelium functions the same as styrofoam and can be insulating as well as heat resistant.
5. The book: Design + Environment By Helen Lewis & John Gertsakis
This book, defines my topic. Since I do not own this book i looked at a preview on google. So far the outlining on the contents is straightforward but has interesting chapters like: Assessing environmental impacts, Why focus on design?, and Avoiding hazardous materials. I'm actually considering buying this. But since i'm poor...yeah...
(Cover)
http://books.google.com/books?id=3tQyPkMAkIkC&printsec=frontcover&dq=design+%2B+environment+helen+lewis&source=bl&ots=XT7Z5mbLtR&sig=z-8CHJm06EnxQNTNf3SjxFy20F0&hl=en&ei=swhiTezVOon4gAfZ3ISxAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
(Link to google page)
(For some reason the link tool will not work for the url's I provide. I will just post plain text instead.
Summary
Over the course of my time spent in college, I have felt like I understand a little more about how the real world functions. In turn I have created, for myself, a loving and caring feeling for nature and especially the Earth. The bottom line: This is the only planet we have and in order to maintain our ecosystem and assured way of life, attention must be paid to the creation and management of current designs. Design is the core element of everything human made. Some idea was constructed, either a problem presented itself in life or through modification, a new invention was created. What I have begun to notice is that our world is slowly dying. It doesn't matter if speculations on global warming are true or false, the point is that something is changing. Weather is harsher, natural disasters are more catastrophic, and species are dying out. This is due to us, humans, and the fact that we are now an active force in nature. Based on what we do in the future, will set the stage for the entire planet. This is why it is crucial to design with the environment in mind and learn to co exist just like the rest of nature does so that our planet can support vast amounts of life for a long time. What really got me passionate about choosing this topic was that presentation in design class about the environment. I came to the conclusion that along with chemicals, Carbon Dioxide emissions are the most important issues to address. Some ideas for a solution or control can be seen in plant life or the management of harmful substances.
External Sources
1. Autodesk and their innovative programing.
This video is about a program company called Autodesk that produces and designs many people use to virtually design a draft of 3d objects. I personally have used a program made by Autodesk and I have to say that this new program that helps incorporate environmental additions is an excellent feature. The video explains that designing with the environment is more cost effective rather than adding features to an existing project.
2. Simply searched "Designing for the Environment" on google and came up with the wiki page for a group called DfE or "Designing for the Environment". It was an interesting website that explained what the group stands for and some of the changes it's trying to make. Along with that page, I found a .gov video that mentions what the DfE is all about.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_to_the_Environment
http://www.epa.gov/dfe/multimedia/recognizedforsaferchemistry/dfe_video_popup.html
3. This page is a description on HP's take on the policies that the DfE has. It is good to know that along with new innovative design, a large company is trying to do its part to make safe products for the environment as well as humans
4. My favorite so far, a TED talk about how mushrooms can be the new Styrofoam. Since Styrofoam is so harmful to the environment, production and the fact that it takes so long to break down, there has been a new breakthrough material called Mycelium. Not only can you grow it into any mold you wish, but it decomposes perfectly within nature. To top it off, the Mycelium functions the same as styrofoam and can be insulating as well as heat resistant.
5. The book: Design + Environment By Helen Lewis & John Gertsakis
This book, defines my topic. Since I do not own this book i looked at a preview on google. So far the outlining on the contents is straightforward but has interesting chapters like: Assessing environmental impacts, Why focus on design?, and Avoiding hazardous materials. I'm actually considering buying this. But since i'm poor...yeah...
http://books.google.com/books?id=3tQyPkMAkIkC&printsec=frontcover&dq=design+%2B+environment+helen+lewis&source=bl&ots=XT7Z5mbLtR&sig=z-8CHJm06EnxQNTNf3SjxFy20F0&hl=en&ei=swhiTezVOon4gAfZ3ISxAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
(Link to google page)
Journal 5: 50 things
A ordinary trip to my local Giant Eagle.
1. I work here as well as shop.
2. The signs are red and yellow. (Indication of colors to make you hungry?)
3. The floor managers are all having dinner together in the cafe.
4. the simpsons are on the television.
5. there are two microwaves one is turned facing the wall.
6. a woman at the hot foods bar is, in my opinion, buying a LOT of chicken
7. the bakery is just pulling fresh brownies out of the oven.
8. there is a section near the bakery dedicated to cake and cake-like pastries
9. the cheese shop woman said hello to me because she knows me.
10. A full wheel of cheese can cost up to $200
11. there is a hole in the floor near the meat dept. it is sealed with a metal plate.
12. my co workers ask what I'm doing in the store with a note pad.
13. My name is in the word "giant"
14. There is a recycling center for plastic bags near the entrance.
15. There is a small Clothing section for OSU near the restrooms
16. I shouldn't write and walk because of a potential collision.
17. There are two cameras in every aisle
18. A large sign hung from the ceiling is swaying from the air conditioning fan.
19. Pop and chips are in the same dedicated aisle
20. The sample woman is handing out cooked chicken with Chinese hot sauce. mmm
21. People still shop in their full winter clothing.
22. There are two kinds of saws in the meat dept.
23. one is for effectively cutting through bones.
24. the other is for anything without bones but is limited to beef specifically.
25. the number of knives we have to keep in the dept. is 18
26. all knives have to be regularly sharpened prior to use.
27. there are so many lobsters in the tank, it is practically impossible to count all of them.
28. Since I've been in the store two people have come up to the meat dept. counter and asked for deli meat.
29. There is a specific section for organic or naturally raised meat.
30. The fillet is on sale for $14.99 per pound.
31. there is a special aisle dedicated to foreign foods.
32. Candy and alcohol are in the same section....
33. Snacks have two aisles
34. The first is bakery items like cookies and bread.
35. the second is fruit snacks or healthy choice snacks
36. the fruit and healthy snacks aisle is creatively placed in the same aisle as baby and or toddler supplies/food.
37. Soda is super expensive. usually 4.99 for a 12 pack
38. the yogurt section in the dairy is about 12ft long
39. I just saw a mom with two children and a cart full of 2 gallon milk jugs
40. there are some homeless people sitting in the cafe.
41. At the customer service desk there is also a dry cleaning service
42. the mega millions jackpot is 33 million dollars.
43. my friend brian is sitting on the electric shopping cart
44. the pharmacy has aisles that are designated by numbers
45. currently in my cart is just easy mac, milk, bread, peanut butter, and ground beef.
46. The gift card section at giant eagle is beyond vast.
47. the normal gas price is $3.14 per gallon. (I thought of pi)
48. the self checkout is pretty cool with it's own conveyor belt.
49. I have $1.20 off in fuel perks
50. I have .9 % in food perks
1. I work here as well as shop.
2. The signs are red and yellow. (Indication of colors to make you hungry?)
3. The floor managers are all having dinner together in the cafe.
4. the simpsons are on the television.
5. there are two microwaves one is turned facing the wall.
6. a woman at the hot foods bar is, in my opinion, buying a LOT of chicken
7. the bakery is just pulling fresh brownies out of the oven.
8. there is a section near the bakery dedicated to cake and cake-like pastries
9. the cheese shop woman said hello to me because she knows me.
10. A full wheel of cheese can cost up to $200
11. there is a hole in the floor near the meat dept. it is sealed with a metal plate.
12. my co workers ask what I'm doing in the store with a note pad.
13. My name is in the word "giant"
14. There is a recycling center for plastic bags near the entrance.
15. There is a small Clothing section for OSU near the restrooms
16. I shouldn't write and walk because of a potential collision.
17. There are two cameras in every aisle
18. A large sign hung from the ceiling is swaying from the air conditioning fan.
19. Pop and chips are in the same dedicated aisle
20. The sample woman is handing out cooked chicken with Chinese hot sauce. mmm
21. People still shop in their full winter clothing.
22. There are two kinds of saws in the meat dept.
23. one is for effectively cutting through bones.
24. the other is for anything without bones but is limited to beef specifically.
25. the number of knives we have to keep in the dept. is 18
26. all knives have to be regularly sharpened prior to use.
27. there are so many lobsters in the tank, it is practically impossible to count all of them.
28. Since I've been in the store two people have come up to the meat dept. counter and asked for deli meat.
29. There is a specific section for organic or naturally raised meat.
30. The fillet is on sale for $14.99 per pound.
31. there is a special aisle dedicated to foreign foods.
32. Candy and alcohol are in the same section....
33. Snacks have two aisles
34. The first is bakery items like cookies and bread.
35. the second is fruit snacks or healthy choice snacks
36. the fruit and healthy snacks aisle is creatively placed in the same aisle as baby and or toddler supplies/food.
37. Soda is super expensive. usually 4.99 for a 12 pack
38. the yogurt section in the dairy is about 12ft long
39. I just saw a mom with two children and a cart full of 2 gallon milk jugs
40. there are some homeless people sitting in the cafe.
41. At the customer service desk there is also a dry cleaning service
42. the mega millions jackpot is 33 million dollars.
43. my friend brian is sitting on the electric shopping cart
44. the pharmacy has aisles that are designated by numbers
45. currently in my cart is just easy mac, milk, bread, peanut butter, and ground beef.
46. The gift card section at giant eagle is beyond vast.
47. the normal gas price is $3.14 per gallon. (I thought of pi)
48. the self checkout is pretty cool with it's own conveyor belt.
49. I have $1.20 off in fuel perks
50. I have .9 % in food perks
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Letterform Seek n' Find
Just for clarification, which I shouldn't need but just in case, I will type the corresponding letter next to its photo form.
Here I go!
"P"
"C"
"L"
"J"
"Y"
"S"
"B"
"X"
"O"
"U"
"A"
"D"
Here I go!
"L"
"J"
"Y"
"B"
"X"
"O"
"U"
"A"
"D"
Sunday, February 13, 2011
McDonough Introduction: This Book is Not a Tree
It's true. This book that I'm reading isn't actually a tree. It's composed of an infinitely recyclable material which is a combination of resins and plastic material. I'm impressed that this book actually looks and feels like a high quality print and I was even more impressed to learn that there are materials that can be infinitely recycled. Regardless, this book serves as a physical symbol of what the actual book stands for. In the introduction McDonough talks about how humanity is slowly causing harm to the earth and all its ecosystems. His solution, in short, is to transform industry so that every design is created with an ecological standpoint. So far I look forward to reading more.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Course Reflection 5
The past week in class has been very informative. We covered two main topics: Color & Designing for the Environment. On monday I learned techniques that I could use if I was limited on color choice such as the Bezold effect. This used lines with color between the spaces to give colors either a darker or lighter appearance. I also learned that tint, which I originally thought was to darken something like windows, was actually the addition of white while shading is the addition of black.
Designing for the environment gave me an insight of how wasteful some companies can be. I've realized that the more I grow up, the more I know about the world and how we as a human race are slowly leading to its destrustion. Frankly, it angers the he'll out of me that we are such a wasteful, careless race. Don't get me wrong I am wasteful too but there's not much I can do besides go to school and learn how to fix or help prevent environmental destruction. Still, this lecture gave me hope. Since design is practically in everything we do, if we design while taking the environment into account, then we might be able to make a large enough impact that we can coexist with nature and flourish. The lecture gave me insight on the 6 stages of design and how designers spend large ammounts of time making sure that their design does what is expected and what consequences it will have. It is essential to map these aspects of design and in turn the world should be a better place to live for everyone.
Designing for the environment gave me an insight of how wasteful some companies can be. I've realized that the more I grow up, the more I know about the world and how we as a human race are slowly leading to its destrustion. Frankly, it angers the he'll out of me that we are such a wasteful, careless race. Don't get me wrong I am wasteful too but there's not much I can do besides go to school and learn how to fix or help prevent environmental destruction. Still, this lecture gave me hope. Since design is practically in everything we do, if we design while taking the environment into account, then we might be able to make a large enough impact that we can coexist with nature and flourish. The lecture gave me insight on the 6 stages of design and how designers spend large ammounts of time making sure that their design does what is expected and what consequences it will have. It is essential to map these aspects of design and in turn the world should be a better place to live for everyone.
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Reading Response, Heskett 7-8
The two chapters 7 & 8 named Identities and Systems respectively, didn't enthrall me much. Identities was about how companies, businesses, corporations etc. Can change their entire image and most often with that change comes new business motives as well. Still, I felt that all the content was fairly common knowledge which made the read a little hard to trudge through but none the less Heskett still manages to keep me interested in design. Chapter 8, titled: Systems, in short was about how the design of a process is created, used, and how effective it is. A common system referenced in the book was signage, most importantly roadway signs and bilingual signs. What I found most interesting, because I have even used it myself, is Dell and their use of the internet or telephone to let consumers "build" their own computer to desired specifications. Reading that chapter made me ponder what systems are designed that I encounter most in my life. If I understand it correctly, things like bus routes or even math formulas were concieved by someone.
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Sunday, February 6, 2011
Hunting Down Design: Assignment 3
Team members:Ben
Process
With the aid of my trusty android phone the scavenger hunt became very short but still informative. I already knew where the first one was, but Ben had 1, 2, and 4 figured out. Still, for the other two I just used my phone to search google and the answers became clear. As for the picture taking, it was done on my camera as well (thanks 8 mega pixels). As for the hunt itself we decided not to go in particular order, rather which clues were in proximity to each other we planned our route on the fly. First it was clue #4 (Math Tower) then it was to Knowlton for clues #1 and #2. finally we tackled clue #5 (Thompson) then finally clue #3 (Wexner center).
Here I go!
#1. First up is The Barcelona Chair, designed by Mies Van der Rohe in 1929. The chair's original design consisted of the metal being bolted together and the leather was from pig skin. Though the new design has steel connected by one piece for a seamless finish and modern black leather. The Primary owner of the design and rights is Knoll and has been making these chairs since 1953.
#2. The second clue and the chair I am sitting in is called the Wassily Chair which was designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925-6. An interesting fact about the designer is that he studied and taught in the Bauhaus. What made the chair a symbol of modernism was the bent steel tubes used to construct its frame. The magazine I'm reading is called Sex+Design. A rather odd magazine showing that relations of the adult world and design. It is also mentionable to say that I visited their website and they are very liberal with their language, pictures, and design.
#3. The third clue led us to a design by Peter Eisenman, The Wexner Center. This building not only looks complex but it sort of plays mind games with you as you walk through it. An interesting fact is that the old armory was there before but because Eisenman wanted to keep some characteristics of it he included several structures that resembled a castle.
#4. Next up was a design of Philip Johnson. Ben and I picked the Math Tower. We both took our pictures under the archway entrance because if one were to take a
longer look at the building they would notice that the arch is a re-occurring feature. Also a notable feature of the building is that there was so much brick used that it gives the building a strong character.
#5. Finally, last on the list was the building designed by Acock & Associates. Drumroll......Thompson Library! Though what is the most interesting about this building is that it was built in three phases but eventually was renovated to compliment the time by Acock & Associates. Their mission was to make the library more of a hub for the university than ever before. Quoted from their website before the renovation "the physical environment falls short of its expectations." I do say so myself that seeing this library is a truly beautiful project and it will serve the university for many years.
Process
With the aid of my trusty android phone the scavenger hunt became very short but still informative. I already knew where the first one was, but Ben had 1, 2, and 4 figured out. Still, for the other two I just used my phone to search google and the answers became clear. As for the picture taking, it was done on my camera as well (thanks 8 mega pixels). As for the hunt itself we decided not to go in particular order, rather which clues were in proximity to each other we planned our route on the fly. First it was clue #4 (Math Tower) then it was to Knowlton for clues #1 and #2. finally we tackled clue #5 (Thompson) then finally clue #3 (Wexner center).
Here I go!
#1. First up is The Barcelona Chair, designed by Mies Van der Rohe in 1929. The chair's original design consisted of the metal being bolted together and the leather was from pig skin. Though the new design has steel connected by one piece for a seamless finish and modern black leather. The Primary owner of the design and rights is Knoll and has been making these chairs since 1953.
#2. The second clue and the chair I am sitting in is called the Wassily Chair which was designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925-6. An interesting fact about the designer is that he studied and taught in the Bauhaus. What made the chair a symbol of modernism was the bent steel tubes used to construct its frame. The magazine I'm reading is called Sex+Design. A rather odd magazine showing that relations of the adult world and design. It is also mentionable to say that I visited their website and they are very liberal with their language, pictures, and design.
#3. The third clue led us to a design by Peter Eisenman, The Wexner Center. This building not only looks complex but it sort of plays mind games with you as you walk through it. An interesting fact is that the old armory was there before but because Eisenman wanted to keep some characteristics of it he included several structures that resembled a castle.
#4. Next up was a design of Philip Johnson. Ben and I picked the Math Tower. We both took our pictures under the archway entrance because if one were to take a
longer look at the building they would notice that the arch is a re-occurring feature. Also a notable feature of the building is that there was so much brick used that it gives the building a strong character.
#5. Finally, last on the list was the building designed by Acock & Associates. Drumroll......Thompson Library! Though what is the most interesting about this building is that it was built in three phases but eventually was renovated to compliment the time by Acock & Associates. Their mission was to make the library more of a hub for the university than ever before. Quoted from their website before the renovation "the physical environment falls short of its expectations." I do say so myself that seeing this library is a truly beautiful project and it will serve the university for many years.
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