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.

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".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhheiPTdZCw

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.

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.

Sweet Cake

Cupcake wrappers are synonymous with, well, cupcakes. When we see the paper or plastic wrappers, most of us will immediately day dream about chocolate, red velvet, or lavender cupcakes with a buttercream frosting. Cupcakes are heavenly, but Beer van Stokkum, a product designer, has created a new product that embodies the shape of a cup cake case, but for entirely different uses.

"Sweet Cakes", made of synthetic material and available in 11 different colors, can be used as a baby`s bath, flower box for your garden, a basket for your dogs and cats, or a drink cooler at parties. In terms of functionality, the possibilities are endless. What makes this design so interesting is that it forces the user to rid themselves of their subjective views of the cup cake holder, alter their perceptions and find other means for it. The simplicity of the design allows the Sweet Cake to be functional as itself.

When applying the 5 concepts of ergonomic research however, Sweet Cakes may not be the most useful sort of design. Its basic shape as a cup cake holder does not give it much use other than as a place holder. Safety wise, unless you trip and hit your head on the corner of it, the product can be considered safe. Sweet babies and little children will not dare to try swallow it even if it reminds them of their favorite dessert.

Its level of performance and ease of use depends entirely on the user`s creativity. It can be made into a wonderful bed for herbs or vegetables or as a decorative accessory at parties that holds the alcohol. Sweet Cakes can also be used as a bath for babies or basket for holding your everyday materials. It is incredible easy to use for its shape and its usefulness as a product depends on how you use it.

Sweet Cakes is a design made for purely aesthetic purposes. It will stand out not only as a cup cake holder, but also for its size and color variation. Although its form is not naturalistic, its large size will catch any visitor`s attention and create an illusion of space or distance. Its level of comfort depends on how comfortable users are with branching out from their comfort zones and adding new and interesting objects into their interior lifestyle. It will add contrast and an interesting variation to your existing landscape.

As a piece of design, Sweet Cakes challenges conventional ideas of certain shapes. It makes us question our perception of everyday objects that we associate with specific uses. Any form or shape can be redesigned for entirely different uses and does not have to conform to whatever purpose it was originally created for. The writing utensil that we call a pencil can be used as a hair piece to hold a bun. The telephone that we call the IPhone can also function as a cookbook, music player, and financial planner. Design is limitless. Design can be anything. Design is about everything.

For the Chronic Phone Losers...

Did you lose your phone today?

At some point in your short life you have lost your phone, whether in drunken rage or accidentally down the toilet hole, I do not know or care. But I would like to share with you a very helpful website;

http://www.icantfindmyphone.com/

The design of the website is simple. With the heading on the top, the bold letters are balanced by the image two large circular speakers attached together by a light grey rectangle. "I CAN`T" and "PHONE" are capitalized, creating variety within the text. The sequence of characters all fit in the same parameter, allowing the viewers eyes to naturally flow down to the three boxes in the telephone image where you type in your phone number.
The interaction of words and image is playful. The typography used in the heading and the "HELLO" in blue at the bottom of the page adds varied interest. There are no annoying advertisements to distract viewers and aside from the Twitter and Facebook icons, the only other link on the page is the "Buy me a cup of coffee" page.
As I have said in my previous post, simple but functional designs seem to express the zeitgeist of the times.

PIG. SPEAKERS.

Do you like piggies?

I like piggies. In fact, they are my favorite kind of animal next to koala bears.

They come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from cuddly alive to tasty bacon.

But modern technology has taken these little piggies to a whole new level of appetizing functionality; speakers.

These pig speakers are made of ceramic and are produced by a company from Japan called I.D.E.A.

The design of the pig is clean and simple. They all come in the same design with monotone colors with the dock connector located at the tail end of the pig. There is nothing extravagant or outlandish about this pig which allows this pig to blend into every kind of interior setting. The design makes this pig a quiet, subtle accessory with tons of functionality.
The trend amongst product design these days seem to call back to simpler times when lavish details and extravagant accessories were unnecessary. Like these pig speakers, products are being stripped to the bare necessities, making them seem natural, or "blending" in with the users behavior. Perhaps this is the zeitgeist of our generation.

ASIAN KUNG FU GENERATION: Word & Image

Asian Kung Fu Generation. Repeat after me; Asian Kung Fu Generation.

It sounds like a greasy delicious dish on a Chinese menu. Or a cultural revolution that took place somewhere in Asia that ended like Kung Fu Hustle.

Contrary to what you think, it is none of those.
Asian Kung Fu Generation is a full blown rock band from Japan whose name is synonymous with Kings of Leon and The Foo Fighters. They have nothing to do with kung fu, revolutions, or Hustle but they are worth listening to for anyone with a taste for the quirky or awesome.

In their 3rd single, " Kimi to Iu Hana",  they created an image of a young teenage girl who seemed to have been smashing guitars to beats of disco rock. The band employs the same artist in all of their album and single cover art and the style is consistently the same. This creates a continuity that allows the band to be instantly recognized by listeners.

The typography used in this album cover is homemade; it looks as if it was cut out from a woodblock with its sharp edges and jagged lines. This seems fitting with the general message presented by the girl in teenage angst, rock `n roll guitars, disco ball, and mass of flowers. The words interact with the image to give viewers a sense of the restless energy and pounding strings that this EP begs the listeners to tune into.

Form & Content in "Objectified"

The main concepts in the movie, "Objectified", are that industrial design is meant for mass production and the importance of design that dissolves into our behavior. Good design is sustainable, timeless, and seemingly "natural" in its form. Natural in the sense that the the product is simple and does not look as though it underwent a complex design process.

The film interviews some of the most well known designers in the industry and the products they created to deliver content to the viewers. Most of the designers stressed the importance of simplicity in design or design through subtraction. Both IKEA and Apple share this concept. They create products that are stripped to its bare necessities. This also allows consumers to relate to the products, or establish a relationship that is personal which relates to McCloud`s theory about the simple, relatable faces of comic figures.

As Michael Beirut claimed, "design is about everything". "Objectified" teaches us how nearly everything in our lives is designed in someway and that design is all around us. The film delivers this content in the form of interviews and the example products presented are the signifiers. The film talks about the design process and the important factors that designers have to take into consideration, such as sustainability and functionality. It talks about how consumers have a tendency to look for the new, even though the products that we already own can continued to be used for a while. When designers create a design that is timeless, it transcends the ideas of the fashionable or new and becomes a sustainable design. The Apple computer is a product that can be considered a timeless design through its simplicity and functionality.