Dorm Life

Social class is frequently defined by monetary substances such as clothing, homes, or vehicles. Yet as a student on the UC Davis campus, students are often classified by their assigned living quarters. Despite the process being determined by random selection, students are often fortunate enough to land dormitories of upper class appearance. Each freshman student is required to pay the same fee for living on campus, however there is a definite divide between the various dorms. For example, Thompson and Alder are some of the newest dorms to the UC Davis campus. This section of student living is representative of a newly remodeled hotel or costly apartment complex. The design is advanced and sleeker than any previous existing dorms on campus. The modern furniture set in the lounges are more applicable to modern design, than the retro couches seen in dorms such as Campo or Indio. The smaller less dense buildings seem to receive a lesser reputation than the large and active communities set forth within dorms like Bixby. Can design influence your interpretation of an individual, without having any direct correlation to that person? Is judgment placed upon students who come from housing of poor and outdated design? The answer is rather controversial, and justifiably open ended.

We constantly judge one another on physical appearance, often wardrobe related. We pass judgement on where they shop, how much they spend, and the overall effort put worth into the final presentation. Yet, can as much be said for where a person lives? The purpose of receiving an education is to extend your field of knowledge and ultimately achieve great success. Is it wrong to judge based on design, whether or not the person is directly related to the design aspects that define them? Design will continue to define multiple aspects of the individual, whether or not the reflection is blatantly obvious.

Festive Times

Homeowners invest serious amounts of money into their homes and the upkeep they entail. Yet when the holiday seasons roll around homes are cluttered with Christmas lights, pumpkins, tin foil, paper mache turkeys, squash, among other things. The ordinary objects that would normally detract from a respectable home, are socially acceptable and welcomed during the holiday seasons. Neighbors often encourage each other to give into the spirit and decorate their homes accordingly. The pressure to out decorate each other can become competitive and even childish for grown adults. The spirit of design is not often associated with the holiday seasons, however it is a key component. Each and every homeowner who decides to string lights through the bushes, trees, and around the windows, are adding an element of design to their communities. The individual's particular choice of fashioning their homes indicates a lot about who they are. For example, homes drenched in lights and massive decorations are likely more willing to spend money on festivities, and are likely more spirited than others. While some people choose to leave their homes dark and cold, absent of all decoration, are either too preoccupied with their lives or have little belief in the traditions. Whether or not it is relevant to society's development as a whole, design is greatly celebrated through the rather inane traditions we annually participate in.

Absolutely GaGa

Fashion is often referred to as a custom or style of dress that is currently in mode. Yet when an individual comes forth that is so remarkably innovative and creative that they ultimately surpass all of their colleagues, they cannot simply dress according to what's "in mode." The twenty three year old chameleon by the name of Lady Gaga has managed to take the fashion and music industry by storm simultaneously. Her wardrobe is difficult to define for its evolves faster than her predecessor Madonna. However, the songstress is often photographed in black patent leather, studded garments, gold chains, spandex of all shades, cheetah fabric, pant-less ensembles, lace lingerie getups, and masks often concealing the greater portion of her face. Critics call her a freak, a fashion disaster, yet admirers and fans alike worship the bold artist for her stylistic choices. The artist dares to challenge all preexisting fashion, the growing icon refuses to rely on conventional theories of fashion to define her somewhat outrageous appearance.

Spectators of Gaga cannot decide whether the woman is mad or insanely brilliant. Her wardrobe is consumed by unconventional materials, and objects never previously considered for clothing construction. There are moments where the artist is reminiscent of classic Hollywood Glamour, other times when she is dressed purely rock and roll, and most recently her inspiration appears to be futuristic. In the most currently released video, "Bad Romance," the songstress is mysteriously enclosed by a large metallic fixture that wraps around her body. Lady Gaga remains somewhat static as the camera spins around her from all angles, creating the statuesque appearance she desires.

The singer's wardrobe may be impressively innovative, yet it is hardly sustainable. Her style is ferociously individualistic, and not applicable for the masses. Her experimentation with a wide range of materials puts her on a pedestal solely by herself. Her drastic appearance is often matched by her outlandish and glamorous makeup. She has been seen sporting black lipstick on occasion, with white shadow smudged on the inner lip. She chooses shapes of dresses seen directly off of Dolce & Gabbana runways, that most would be frightened to try on.

The radical fashions of Lady Gaga may subsequently become the accepted styles of our future. Her extreme popularity in the media and music industry will undoubtedly influence her young fans to take bold risk with their own wardrobe. The songstress is progressively influencing the youth of society towards conscious awareness of design and style.

images from images.starpulse.com/

Color Theory

Color Theory is a part of everyday life, the average consumer considers color as a major factor in most purchases. When it comes to fashion design, interior design, architecture, and industrial design color has blossomed into vibrant, bold, bright shades. The word "color" in itself is interpreted vary differently depending on the field of study (physicist, optician, psychiatrist, poet, lighting engineer, or painter).

"Color is a property of light, not of the object itself."(DESIGN BASICS) Sir Isaac Newton discovered the principle in the seventeenth century that objects have no color of their own, but rather the ability to reflect rays of white light. When it comes to color mixing, usage depends on whether the color source are pigments or dyes. Colors from light combine to create visuals based on the additive system, while pigments combine based upon the subtractive system. Color combination is key in creating successful design, and it is important to remember that color is changed by lighting. Our perception of colors is altered based upon surroundings, landscape, and context. In addition, juxtaposing complementary and contrasting colors gives greater visual interest and depth to the colors we perceive.

In all forms of art, color evokes a response from the viewer. It can exude humanistic qualities. A primary example of this is the use of "warm" and "cold" colors, using blue or red tones to give the design a sense of feeling or emotion. This quality of a design may potentially become the determinant in whether or not the consumer buys the product. A design is sustainable when the consumer identifies the clear purpose and functionality of the product. Thus color is a largely significant factor in design and the overall visual presentation of an object.

Lauer, David A., and Stephen Pentak. Design Basics (with ArtExperience Online Printed Access Card). Belmont: Wadsworth, 2007. Print.

"Sustainable Innovation"

Nathan Shedroff is a prominent author who focuses on design, and the importance of sustainability within design. According to Shedroff, sustainability, design, and business are all ideal to successful business. Without one of these aspects, the other two can not thrive. In Shedroff's presentation he proposes three questions for the audience. What does a more sustainable world look like ? What's a more meaningful world look like? What's a post - consumer world look like? In order to answer these questions he asked the audience to consider nations that varied quite significantly from the US, such as Cuba. Due to Cuba's lack if access to the outside world, the country is the most sustainable nation on the face of the planet. India is considered to be the "least consumerist" nation, in that its residents purchase less goods than any other country. The purpose of these examples is not to suggest the the US must convert all of its means and mimic India, or Cuba's example, but simply to learn ways of improving our own lifestyles to become a more sustainable nation. Shedroff used the following quote by Hunter Lovins to further explain the significance of sustainability within the economy.

“In a stable economy,

sustainability is the competitive

advantage strategy.

In a down economy, sustainability

is the turnaround strategy.

In a collapse, sustainability is a

survival strategy.” - Hunter Lovins

Another of the key principles of his presentation was the concept," Don't design things today that makes tomorrow worse." Thus understanding the principle that sustainable design is not yet entirely achievable, but more sustainable design is possible. Shedroff suggested the following design strategies to aid new designers : REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, AND RESTORE. Always consider the usability, accessibility, meaning and dematerialization of any products you wish to use. Consider the length of energy that is put forth into the transportation of materials that are put forth to create your product. In addition, Shedroff reminds designers to be cautious of toxic materials, and the affect such materials will have in the future on the environment through the process of recycling. Lastly, he reminds us to design things to last, endure, and sustain the disposal of society.

Objectified

"Every object tells a story, if you know how to read it." -Henry Ford

In everyday life we are surrounded by the most elementary objects of design. The toothbrush sitting in our bathroom, the alarm clock near our bed stand, the shower curtain, and chairs at the dinner table all are exemplary structures of design. When you initially see an object you make assumptions, whether or not they are subconscious judgments. We look at an object and estimate its height, weight, form, architecture, and assume its texture whether it is haptic or optic. Each and every objects speaks to the individual differently, despite our willful intentions, we as humans cannot help but judge the functionality and value of the object.

The challenge most designers face, is to create a functional design that can be mass produced while maintaining a long - served purpose in society. The goal of industrial design has always been mass production. The best examples of industrial design are the most basic and elementary objects of everyday life. Different qualities of objects have specific cultural purposes that may not apply universally. When such objects become mass produced and sold universally, such cultural functionalities of the design become impractical.

Good design is "innovative, aesthetic, honest, unobtrusive, long lived, consistent, friendly, understandable, and lastly, possible." The above characteristics embody the necessary qualities of successful design. As designers, we are in a sense cursed. Designers walk through life meticulously analyzing and taking apart the aesthetic aspects of objects. Searching for the problems within the design, and then seeking to resolve the issue through subtle improvements. Frequently, form bears no solution to the function. For example, apple's newest design for the macbook and iphone bears sleek and simple design elements, while the functionality of the products are revealed through the internal software rather than the form. Removing the frivolous components of the design leads to overall success.

The consumer often feels they know what they need, but in reality the designer knows better. The key is to remove everything unnecessary in order to achieve unity, and melody. The process of design is analogous to the creation of music. All of the components must work together simultaneously to achieve the harmony that the final product is equivalent to. In present society, good design is a mark of class, a mark of progress. The products we buy as consumers indicates personal statements about ourselves and our tastes. Designers throughout history have continued to develop the initial archetypes through constant redesign. This process allows for minimal change, designers of the future must be more innovative and determine whether mass communication or mass production is more powerful.

image courtesy of http://bestchairsdesign.blogspot.com/2008_10_05_archive.html

Alice in Wonderland

Halloween is becoming an increasingly hot topic in pop culture news as trends show a shift from a childrens' Candyland to an adults' pleasure palace. Recently, Halloween has become a day for adults--women of all shapes, sizes and walks of life, especially; to dawn seductive costumes and prance around to wild parties as someone else for the night. Someone else they may have always wanted to be, or sometimes someone no one wants to be by the end of the night. This has become the norm. The party scene in general has exploded, as it does periodically decade by decade in America's history. This decade, as it comes to a close in 2009, is the Halloween Party.

As with every decade there is a drug of choice. What's different about this one is that the drug is not a substance. Substance is done, all the substances for every part of the mind have been explored, exploited and outlawed. This decade it is the costume. A seemingly harmless drug in comparison, right? Costumes don't put people over the edge. As of yet no young girls have thrown themselves off buildings, or scratched sores onto their faces with the "jitters." Harmless little Alice costume... or is it?

Still, it seems that for some people, in this day and age, dress is enough to change them. In a materialistic, celebutante-obsessed society, clothing--just for one night--has become a mind altering drug. The costume is an easily accessible, over-the-counter, self-prescribed happy pill that doesn't have any long-lasting effects. It won't make a person sick, it won't give a person cancer (or will it? ... doesn't everything?) it will just make them look different. And if they look different, well on Halloween that's enough to be someone else.

However, it's not just the public fueling this shift from naive to naughty. Where are these people buying these costumes? As Halloween becomes sexualized the market for role playing outfits has moved out of lingerie stores and into the mom section at the local costume megastores. Designers are snipping skirts on all their favorite fairy tale and historical characters, and people love it. This makes skimpy costumes acceptable because the taboo of entering a lingerie shop and wearing the purchase past the bedroom (or in the bedroom, for that matter) has disappeared.

The moral of the story is, no one questions why Suzy is acting differently and neither does she. However, the reality is, on November 1, Alice doesn't exist but everything Alice did does. Again, just like any drug, when a person is on it they aren't in control, but no one will take that for an excuse the next day.

Google Image Result for http://www.michaeljacksonhalloweencostumes.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Michael-Jackson-Thriller-Halloween-Costume-CD.jpg." Google Images. Web. 02 Nov. 2009. .

Homogenous

Many people, by choice, use their clothing as a form of expression. Dark colors go with bad moods; or the famous LBD for super model sex appeal; bright colors are common in spring... these are all choices people make with their dress. But what about required dress: the uniform. How does this affect the way the public views a person in uniform and more importantly the mood and self image of that very same person.

The purpose of uniforms in society is to identify members of a group. In the workplace, it makes employees easily identifiable, and leaders stand out. At least from the view of a spectator, this seems to be the case and point. As a member of a sports team, players proudly sport their jerseys and fans mimic them by spending hundreds of dollars to buy shirts with their favorite player's name or number displayed for the world to see. This happens at a national, state and even school level. In this case, the uniform is an object of affection bringing people together, again as a group. But what about the converse?

Upon dawning a uniform, for work, it seems that it wouldn't be such a big deal. It is the required dress for one's job, everyone in the workplace will be wearing the same thing. However, monotony strikes. The uniform steals a person's individuality. What's more, with respect to clothing as a form of expression or a confidence booster, uniforms are rarely appealing or stylish. Unbeknownst to many, a serious uniform can be a major buzz kill. Humans are social creatures and especially in America independence and individuality are central to one's persona. Surprisingly, the mental effect of a uniform can be heavy. No wonder the common fast food worker is stereotypically monotone and apathetic, the environment she is exposed to daily is reflected into her personality. For all the negative, the example of the sports team has the exact opposite affect. A jersey can boost confidence and make a person feel like they belong.

In conclusion, the effects of a uniforms on the laymen of society are much greater than one may think.

"Google Image Result for http://www.uniformsmag.com/issues/0708/images/feat01_01.jpg." Google Images. Web. 01 Nov. 2009. .