The poorly designed power adapter for an external hard drive device (sold in Australia). The large tabs on either side clearly indicate that this is where you grip to remove the head of the adapter, although when tugged at, the head does not come off. Instead, and only after further detailed investigation, a small black button is found hidden underneath the lip of the device - half way down the adapter.

This activity allowed me to consider the elements of good design, and how these should be clearly conveyed to instruct the user on how to operate the device without difficulty. 

Design Excellence: Philips Fidelio DS9000 Docking Speaker

In an over - saturated market of iPod docks and docking speakers, I was surprised at the quality, detail, and beauty that was achieved in the design of this product. Philips were treating the docking system as a new sort of "exclusive product," and dressed it accordingly with a rich timber shell, sensuous curves and chrome highlights.

Using this process of product form analysis, I learnt a lot more about the design intent of this technological product. Often we are bombarded with the technological features and aspects of the design - and this one was no different - though, in observing the form or the object, an insight was gained into the designer's intent, and how he perceived a music device should be shaped and presented in 2011.

Annie Leonard: The Story of Stuff

The Story of Stuff is essential viewing for any in the design industry, especially industrial designers. Although simple in its approach, it conveys the important ideas and values of recyclability, renewability, forest regeneration, government intervention and design for prolonged use which we must consider when it is our turn to create a new object and release it into society.

 As Leonard emphasises, gone are the days where products are designed just for pleasure, entertainment or constructive use. We, as designers must delve much deeper to plan out the experience and life which encompasses the product, and how it will be used to its obsolescence. Yes, this may take more time and thought, thought the results that are achieved outweigh all this.

The Story of Stuff provides a short, punchy insight into how the environment, economy and consumers respond to “stuff,” and acts as a great reminder to us all about factors that we become complacent with and tend to forget during our day to day lives. I was amazed at how small a number of toxic chemicals were actually tested before use, and that many of them have not been tested in partnership with one another to see what the reaction would be.

Also, something that was interesting and slightly disturbing was the fact that some pillow brands were using neurotoxins to improve its flame – retardant qualities. Although my current pillow is mad of natural components, I will definitely be looking out in the future to avoid purchasing such goods.

I’ve always shunned the idea of planned obsolescence, a concept introduced to me while I was studying Business at school last year, and frankly do not see its value in our world today, or any time previously for that matter. It makes you wonder how, after such true and convincing evidence that our resources and state of living is in decline, people and industries maintain the same work and production ethic, holding a blind eye to it all.

David Kelley: Human Centred Design

I think that there is real merit in understanding the ways a human interacts with a product and vice - versa. In an age where technology is leading innovation, it is essential that designers continue to employ the human being as the central focus.

In his 2002 TED talk, David Kelley presents a number of interesting case studies which help to explain the human centred nature of product design which has been evolving through the past 18 years. More as a prediction of what was to come, Kelley’s ideas were somewhat forward thinking at the time, concepts which we see incorporated in design extensively today.

He presents work completed for new Prada stores which are focused on creating a more immersive and engaging experience between the consumer and the clothing item he or she chooses. This includes bespoke RFID tag remote controls that can capture the clothing data and present it on screens displayed around the store. In conjunction with this, scanners in the changing rooms collect and present information and detail about the clothing items that were chosen to be tried on. Another interesting feature was the use of liquid crystal glass screens which turned opaque when a floor button was pushed. I’ve seen this technology now moving into the domestic environment, chosen as a unique was to achieve privacy and maintain an open – plan – like space.

In collaboration with Scott Adams, Kelley was asked to design the “ultimate cubicle for Dilbert,” and through the explanation of this process it was reiterated that a human engages more deeply with a product that can give something back – a pleasurable feel, appearance, an emotive response or recognisable action. Furthermore, although sometimes perceived as kitsch or dated, it is the personal items which, when used to accessorise the design, actually transform a cubicle space into a more user friendly environment – items that are recognised and have treasured value.

From this talk a lot can be taken away, though I believe the two most important factors are that humans form natural attachments to items of value or significance, and that an item needs to be engaging, designed with the human as the central focus.   

Don Norman - Emotional Design

Watching Don Norman’s TED talk, an insight was gained into the way in which humans react and interact with objects and situations in everyday life. Focusing on products, Norman reiterates the importance of Emotional Design and how it can be effectively adapted to engage consumers with products. He splits Emotional Design into 3 sub – categories: visceral, behavioural and reflective, of which visceral and behavioural are subconscious responses to stimuli.

Norman presents a great example of visceral interaction with products, explaining how people often reuse glass bottles and wine bottles to display flowers or fill them up with another liquid - proof that the bottle and its content was not solely purchased for the content inside as with other grocery or consumable items, but because of its perceived beauty.

Interestingly, Norman raises a point about how pleasure through specific product design can sometimes dampen the impact of poor functionality, and uses the E – Type Jaguar (now exhibited at MoMA) as an example. This may be the case with some product design where beauty domineers, but I personally believe that there should be equality between functionality and beauty in design.

Besides this, it was interesting to learn that the “happier” we are feeling, the more abstract our thoughts and thought processes become – a valuable asset during brain storming sessions. Contrary to this, anxiety also influences our thought patterns, enabling strong focus and rational thought, useful when under time constraints or deadlines to complete tasks.   

Ultimately, what I took away from this talk was how strong bonds and emotional responses can be formed between humans and products, and the importance of implementing elements of “fun” and enjoyment in design. Emotional Design, now more than ever can make or break a product. As well as functionality, image and ego (reflective responses) also play large roles in the success of a design and must also be taken into consideration.

I believe designers are looking to create a unique “experience” through consumer interaction with their product, and no matter how subtle or empowering this experience may be, it can only be achieved with an understanding of human behaviour, and emotional response.

“So Jake Cress is this furniture maker,and he makes this unbelievable set of furniture.And this is his chair with claw, and the poor little chair has lost its ball and it’s trying to get it back before anybody notices. And what’s so neat about it is how you accept that story. And that’s what’s nice about emotion.”

 I chose the quote above as the most outstanding as it demonstrated the effect of emotional response in a live audience as they viewed the piece of furniture on the display. Laughter began even before Norman began speaking and it was clear that the audience had understood the playfulness achieved by the designer.   

Passport Review

This had already been documented in writing, but to keep up with requirements, here goes … 

Museum Visit / Exhibition: MCA Sydney, in which I saw the Annie Leibovitz photography exhibition. 

Read and Comment on a Design Blog: “Designer Dan” & “Life is Carbon,” to which I read and commented upon the “Life is Carbon” article on Louis Campbell - his designs of past and present including the “Very Round” chair for Zanotta.

Read and Comment On Another Students Block: I had, by now, read through all of the design blogs present on the “Past Present Futures” design blog. I attempted to answer a question raised by Luke Messina and did the same for Cherrie. 

Read 3 Design Magazine’s / Journals: 

- Wallpaper Magazine 
- Habitus
- Abbitare

What Was of Particular Interest? Habitus and Wallpaper had great articles on the changing design in kitchen utensils. The design aesthetic is slowly transforming from a sterile, clinical form to featuring timber, cork, stone and natural fibres, making these objects kitchen display pieces.

Completed the Elise quiz!

Visited the COFA Library in an attempt to borrow the only copy of “Campana Brothers: Complete Collections So Far,” though the book was on loan for a little while … I bought it at MCA instead :)

Listen to An ABC Podcast: There was an interesting story the wine industry and the way in which art and artists have been contracted to feature on labels and packaging for bottles. New and innovative serving packages have also been developed which include a single serve plastic cup with foil sealed lid and a vile containing a single serve of wine that can be pocket - stored. Campers have also been considered through further development and manufacture of “dehydrated wine” hmm …

Watch a TED Talk: “Steve Jobs - How to Live Before You Die” 

It was interesting and rather uplifting to gain words of inspiration from the Apple billionaire, rather than hearing more on his product range or technology. His words were really relevant to all aspects of life. Some of my favourite quotes are as follows:

“Much of what I stumbled into by following my intuition, later on turned out to be priceless…”

He speaks about how you must find work that you love, as the only way to do great work is to love the work you do - “Keep looking, don’t settle!”