Sunday, November 22, 2009
Dorm Life
Saturday, November 21, 2009
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
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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).
Monday, November 16, 2009
"Sustainable Innovation"
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