'Objectified'

The goal for industrial design has always been mass production - producing standardised objects for consumption by millions of people. e.g first emperor of china came up with standardising the design of the arrows so that each arrow would fit any bow.

The challenge for designers is to be influential and make designs that have an impact on the user. We need to look at the world and understand what people need. Looking for ways to improve the way people do things and improve their daily life, without them really knowing or thinking it. There should be a story embedded in every design.

Dieter Rams, a world renowned industrial designer makes a clear and accurate opinion regarding good design. He states:

Good design should be innovative.

Good design should make a product useful.

Good design is aesthetic design.

Good design will make a product understandable.

Good design is honest.

Good design is unobtrusive.

Good design is long-lived.

Good design is consistent in every detail.

Good design is environmentally friendly.

Good design is as little design as possible.

This list should be consulted frequently throughout the career of any designer.

'Design Confusion' - Bic Lighter

'Life Pscycle-ology - the secret life of a little mobile phone'

The process involved in creating a mobile phone is completed in a way to make it as cheap for the manufacturer as possible, and having no regard for the environment. Therefore materials are sourced from a variety of countries. For example to build a small piece of technology like a mobile phone, nickel is sourced from Australia, platinum from Poland and Petroleum from Iran. These materials are then transported, by air, road or water to the assemblage point whereby these potentially toxic materials are handled by under-paid workers, most unknowingly put their lives at risk. From here the product is shipped to retail areas where the consumer can easily access. While all along this process, the manufacturer has constructed this product with a life expectancy in mind – perhaps one year, as its functions deterirorate with use and age. only to be superceded by another more technologically advanced machine, therefore the older, less fad product is to be tossed aside, put into landfill, poisoning our environment.

A design for disassembly, whereby components and materials of the product can be recovered with ease and put into other products should be considered to put a stop to this cycle.

Design for longevity should be a key feature of the product whereby high quality, long lasting materials along with upgradable capability in order to beat this planned obsolescence. It’s the smarter, safer concept.

Don Norman: 'Emotional Design'

Don Norman makes a very good point. All of what he says is very true in my eyes. ‘Pleasant things work better’. Objects that are fun, beautiful and functional have a greater positive impact on the user. We become emotionally linked to the object as a result of its’ balanced beauty. Norman states that he has Philippe Starck’s ‘juicer’ on display at the front of his house, for the purpose of being an ornament, not to be used as a juicer, because it’s that beautiful – he regards it more as a piece of art rather than a kitchen utensil.

Norman continues to explain that when you’re happy, you’re more relaxed, less anxious, open to all things and calm than if you’re unhappy, you’re more closed to people and experiences. This applies to the design of objects too. It’s all about the visceral experience, the way we react to the object or the visual experience e.g. designer water bottles are purchased just for the design of the bottle and not for the water inside.

Then there’s the middle level of processing – the behavioural level. It’s all subconscious which we are completely unaware of. We unwearyingly make judgement on something; it’s a feeling of control or understanding. Our emotions are about communicating.Lastly, reflective level of processing is about consideration, which we have no control of. It just happens like a little voice in our head telling us if something is bad or good. Design is considered and determined by these levels.

'Design Excellence'

David Kelley: The future of design is human-centered

‘Design’ is such a broad term, and designers have no boundaries as to what they can create. Design forums such as TED are an integral part of the design world as they promote this theory of limitless opportunities. We learn early in Kelly’s speech that design has reached a point where it can save lives. Once only held by certified doctors or paramedics, the defibrillator can now be accessed and used by the public when needed and are becoming more common in public spaces e.g. airports.

Design has come along way and as the years progress so too do the products that now seem as though they’ve always been a part of our lives. Improvements to everyday objects are becoming more and more present. Who could've imagined a magazine’s images could develop into 3d technology.

It’s exciting to have these forums, like 'TED' or 'The World Expo' whereby up and coming designers and their creations are announced to the public and to people who truly get energized at the thought of design. It showcases the future, what is to come and what will become a part of our lives. In this feature, the SPYFISH is introduced as being the latest sub-aquatic video camera. Never before has a camera that can reach great depths and can transmit video back to the surface, been released not as a research tool, but as a consumer product.

Design is at a turning point whereby the focus is solely on human behaviour and human personality. Kelly describes it as ‘human centred design’. It was once accepted to present 3d models of the design but now it’s customary to show everyday people interacting with the design – it’s all about man and the relationship with product. There is no segregation between the two. The product is a result of man. ‘Product design has become much less about the hardware and more about the user experience’.

This idea is reflected in the new shopping experience at Prada. It’s all about the customer and their needs. It’s as easy as pushing a button, making it that much more hassle-free to spend more money. The futuristic novelty seems a little over the top, however it will most certainly bring people into the store, resulting in greater sales.

Promoting human interaction provides a greater interest in the design. A new level of appreciation from the public is present. The interactive wall at the London Science Museum is hard to pass without taking a moment to take in the activity. The wall is a social tool to comment on the Museum. It’s all about the interaction of the two and the relationship they form.

'My Design Career'

Creativity has always been a great skill of mine and I knew I could make a successful career of it. Throughout my schooling years, art was my most enjoyable and most rewarding subject, i guess because i didn't see it as just another boring class - it was time for me to relax and really express myself.

I suppose my two sisters had a great influence over me as they were also quite talented in this field. Although one of them didn’t continue with it, the other is now a very successful architect. She studied architecture at UTS and I was always so interested when she'd be at home building models or drawing on the computer - they were her designs, and her creations. That's what i wanted to do.

Time came to select a degree and I narrowed it down to Industrial Design, Urban Planning or Landscape Architecture all at UNSW. If I had the marks, I probably would’ve chosen Architecture but unfortunately it wasn't meant to be. I selected Landscape Architecture, I guess because my father being a property developer and my sister an architect, I thought It would be interesting to do something a little bit different.

For the first two years of the course it was really exciting particularly being able to design to a brief, but I didn’t enjoy designing landscapes as much as I thought I would, especially if i were to continue doing it for much of my life. I realised i wanted to design the specifics of the urban space, the smaller details that made up the area e.g. I'd focus too much of my time on designing the outdoor furniture. For those three years, industrial design was always in the back of my mind, making me regret my decision.

After much debate, i left landscape architecture and moved to industrial design. As much as it annoying to have wasted three years of study, what I've learnt in those three years will be of benefit in future years.

I'm not exactly sure what i hope to specialise in but i do hope this degree will take me internationally to gain some experience and influence for product design or furniture design so i can come home and establish myself as true designer.