Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, November 29, 2010
Design in Society: The Mac Experience
In my opinion, the Mac is better than the PC.
I walked into an Apple store a few days ago and was amazed by the number of people (particularly senior citizens) attending the beginners course there.
It controls user experience much more than the PC, which can be bad for computer geniuses who want to customize their computers down to the specifics. For the rest of the population, it makes it much easier for beginners to learn how to use computers and the more advanced to have a more organized experience.
The design of the Mac is simple.
From one sheet of aluminum, a solid, durable and long lasting notebook is created that can have a battery life up to ten hours. It has been stripped down to its bare necessities, which means no more multiple flashing lights. The configuration system within the Mac is all placed in one place, which makes it a cinch to customize settings and manage system wide settings.
Also, the Mac already comes with basic programs that most users need such as Mail, iTunes, and iPhoto. It does not overload the user with junk such as advertisements and end-of-trial warnings. Such problems seem to be more frequent in PCs. And the security on Macs is undeniably better than the PCs because it does not require users to purchase additional security software, which in turn does not slow down the computer. It does a very good job protecting the user from viruses and allows them to be worry free about it.
Aside from the many other reasons on why the Mac is so great, the overall design makes it easier for the user to become integrated with the computer. The simplicity of the design and the software allows any beginner to become oriented with the computer and provides a much more organized experienced for the advanced. As more and more people learn how to use the computer and the internet, the more communication improves. Communication is vital to any society because it connects people together and provides unlimited information for people. The design of the Mac helps improve society by making it much easier for people to communicate and gain knowledge.
I walked into an Apple store a few days ago and was amazed by the number of people (particularly senior citizens) attending the beginners course there.
It controls user experience much more than the PC, which can be bad for computer geniuses who want to customize their computers down to the specifics. For the rest of the population, it makes it much easier for beginners to learn how to use computers and the more advanced to have a more organized experience.
The design of the Mac is simple.
Also, the Mac already comes with basic programs that most users need such as Mail, iTunes, and iPhoto. It does not overload the user with junk such as advertisements and end-of-trial warnings. Such problems seem to be more frequent in PCs. And the security on Macs is undeniably better than the PCs because it does not require users to purchase additional security software, which in turn does not slow down the computer. It does a very good job protecting the user from viruses and allows them to be worry free about it.
Aside from the many other reasons on why the Mac is so great, the overall design makes it easier for the user to become integrated with the computer. The simplicity of the design and the software allows any beginner to become oriented with the computer and provides a much more organized experienced for the advanced. As more and more people learn how to use the computer and the internet, the more communication improves. Communication is vital to any society because it connects people together and provides unlimited information for people. The design of the Mac helps improve society by making it much easier for people to communicate and gain knowledge.
Color Transforms: The Music Scene
The interaction of colors is similar to the way music plays in your ears.
Blockhead, an American hip hop producer based in Manhattan, employs color to create a psychedelic experience in the music video, "The Music Scene".
The video is feels like a walk through the subconscious of your dreams. The interlacing of colors combined with the beat and rhythm of the music creates a whole experience. With every clap of hands the figures all rise in rhythmic motion and the colors that constitute that figure explode in an array of complementary colors. There are pandas, rhinos, giraffes, and monkeys in the color of rainbows, but each color is placed adjacently either with the corresponding secondary, tertiary, or complementary color.
Various shades of reds are placed together to create a fluting effect that makes the certain objects seem as though they were to emerge from the screen. The colors, or shapes are placed either in parallel or perpendicular arrangements, creating a harmonious flow with various effects. Adjacent shades of reds and oranges make the blues in the background standout and warmer. Also, the heavy use of contrasting colors further increases the psychedelic effect. The blues and reds, yellow and purples, green and orange produce an illusion of what seems like a vibration.
Every organism and object displayed in the video is connected in some way through color.
Every color in the video interacts with its surroundings and produces an effect. The various colors interact with one another to create a unified effect upon the viewer. Of course, one must never forget that color perception is always subjective. The "after-image", or how an individual perceives and experiences the music video will vary.
Design is Dangerous: Propaganda
Vivid images come to mind at the mention of the word, "propaganda".
Visual propaganda is a form of communication that aims to inspire a community towards some action or unified goal. It is advertisement, but most of the information is selectively presented and in most cases may not be entirely true. They are often used during wartime to alter the viewers beliefs about a subject to serve a political agenda. Keep in mind that good, or neutral propaganda have no negative connotations to it and were originally used to encourage civilian participation in the community.
Propaganda has the power to install fear, hate, and anger. It can drive an entire society towards war based on the loaded message presented.
The image on the left is a World War 2 propaganda post card that shows the three Axis powers; Germany, Japan, and Italy (NSW Migration Heritage Centre). The three nations are represented by a samurai flinging a sword upon the submarine ships of the Allied nations. The heavy use of red on the Axial figures contrast with the grey and brown haze of the Allies, implying blood, war, rage, and anarchy amongst viewers. This message of this image is very black and white; the Axial are the evil enemies and the good Allies must fight them. There are no grey areas or room to know the truth behind the message.
Historically speaking, it is true that defeating the Axial powers saved the world. But looking at these propaganda posters now, we can clearly see that they were racist, biased to the extreme, and misleading. They merely create a hateful image that viewers can rely upon when justifying their cause for war against the "enemy". Also keep in mind that war is often a "rich man`s war and a poor man`s fight". One cannot help but wonder if the creators of these posters ever considered the lives of the civilians affected.
How would American society have reacted then had they seen the images from Hiroshima after the bomb had been dropped? How would they have reacted had they learned of the number of innocent children, teachers, artisans, and laborers who died instantaneously, slowly and painfully, or over time from leukemia? The bomb decimated an entire city and indiscriminately murdered a population.
The dangers of such propaganda is that it can create powerful emotions and motivations amongst its viewers that prevents them from thinking about the consequences of their actions. People can become blinded by their pursuit for justice or some form of goal that they lose sight of other important factors such as the value of human life. Society can forget that pain, suffering, and death is universal.
Propaganda has the power to install fear, hate, and anger. It can drive an entire society towards war based on the loaded message presented.
The image on the left is a World War 2 propaganda post card that shows the three Axis powers; Germany, Japan, and Italy (NSW Migration Heritage Centre). The three nations are represented by a samurai flinging a sword upon the submarine ships of the Allied nations. The heavy use of red on the Axial figures contrast with the grey and brown haze of the Allies, implying blood, war, rage, and anarchy amongst viewers. This message of this image is very black and white; the Axial are the evil enemies and the good Allies must fight them. There are no grey areas or room to know the truth behind the message.
How would American society have reacted then had they seen the images from Hiroshima after the bomb had been dropped? How would they have reacted had they learned of the number of innocent children, teachers, artisans, and laborers who died instantaneously, slowly and painfully, or over time from leukemia? The bomb decimated an entire city and indiscriminately murdered a population.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Walk Through The Flowers
Where do beautiful girl like to walk in their beautiful clothes?
In fields of daisies, carnations, and tulips, of course.
For their spring, 2011 fashion show, Finnish design firm Marimekko created a garden of spring flowers to complement the lovely models and their clothing.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/14/tiptoe-through-the-tulips_n_783390.html
The video begins with the preparation scene before the show, quickly followed by an idyllic scene where a little boy and a little girl meet each other in the middle of the garden to exchange flowers.
Although the placement of the various colors of flowers seems random, it is well balanced with heavier colors mediated with more subtle colors. This allows the various flowers, or elements to create a Gestalt whole. The scene will remind any viewer of spring and give them a tingling of warmth.
The pieces are basic; few of the clothings presented are complicated in their shape or form. But the floral prints in an array of colors are befitting with the simple shapes and cuts. The use of yellows, reds, pinks, and soft blues reminds one of everything we love about spring; the blue sky, flowers, and sunshine. The bright colors on certain models are quickly followed by models wearing darker shades of color, preventing the show from being too overwhelming or blinding.
The show was a deviation from the traditional runway shows where lack of color is common in the design of the set. It was beautiful, fun and hard to look away. It makes one want to join in on the fun and be in those clothes enjoying the weather. Fashion that is relatable and wearable is what society ultimately calls for. In the end, it is not haute couture that consumers demand. Simple, comfortable, beautiful clothing that makes us feel good is what we all really want.
In fields of daisies, carnations, and tulips, of course.
For their spring, 2011 fashion show, Finnish design firm Marimekko created a garden of spring flowers to complement the lovely models and their clothing.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/14/tiptoe-through-the-tulips_n_783390.html
The video begins with the preparation scene before the show, quickly followed by an idyllic scene where a little boy and a little girl meet each other in the middle of the garden to exchange flowers.
Although the placement of the various colors of flowers seems random, it is well balanced with heavier colors mediated with more subtle colors. This allows the various flowers, or elements to create a Gestalt whole. The scene will remind any viewer of spring and give them a tingling of warmth.
The pieces are basic; few of the clothings presented are complicated in their shape or form. But the floral prints in an array of colors are befitting with the simple shapes and cuts. The use of yellows, reds, pinks, and soft blues reminds one of everything we love about spring; the blue sky, flowers, and sunshine. The bright colors on certain models are quickly followed by models wearing darker shades of color, preventing the show from being too overwhelming or blinding.
The show was a deviation from the traditional runway shows where lack of color is common in the design of the set. It was beautiful, fun and hard to look away. It makes one want to join in on the fun and be in those clothes enjoying the weather. Fashion that is relatable and wearable is what society ultimately calls for. In the end, it is not haute couture that consumers demand. Simple, comfortable, beautiful clothing that makes us feel good is what we all really want.
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