Make it Better: Prototype 2 and 3

Without Strainer

With Strainer

We are making progress!

Pitcher Prototype 1

Here is how we are getting along with our first prototype. We made it out of paper and tape. Weston was our main architect on this one.

Pitcher Interviews: Make it Better

Paige

What is good about this pitcher?

-       holds water, it has a strainer so ice doesn’t come out when you are pouring, but if you want the ice you also have the option for the open hole which is nice as well.

-       I also like the idea of a handle going into the side of the pitcher (so it doesn’t take extra room up on the outside.)

-       It is good because it holds a lot.

What is bad about this pitcher?

-       it could be annoying, or uncomfortable

-       although the size is good to hold a lot, it may be nice to have it smaller

-       the plastic material could break easier

o   it should be recyclable!

-       The lid should lock down so it doesn’t spill.

Alex

What is good about this pitcher?

-       its awesome because of the handle. Its traditional which is always good.

-       The material is nice because you can see through it.

-       Alex likes the idea of a collapsible handle for storage. He said to be careful thought because (for instance) if little kids use it you wouldn’t want them to spill.

- Likes the idea of a square pitcher.

What is bad about this pitcher?

-       It could spill easily. Or leak because of its bad design.

IDEO Video Review

            Starting out a project is always the hardest part. How should the object I’m designing look? Feel? Function? Cost? What are the reasons we need to redesign this object? Taking a look at the IDEO Company gave new perspective to how we can go about this design process quickly, and successfully.

            There is a relationship between form and function. You may think to yourself that the design of the object isn’t as important as the invention itself- well you would be wrong my friend. It takes an inventer to discover and a designer to make it happen. IDEO used the example of floss. Floss is great idea; it keeps our teeth healthy and looking good. But how do you store floss successfully without it getting tangled, ripped, or dirty? Good thing they had a designer to make the little box that winds up the floss. Everything man made is a design, even the things we take advantage of daily.

            IDEO explains that it is better to be an expert on the process you are designing instead of creating perfect objects every time. Successful design groups are eclectic, meaning the take a wide range of skills (just like our small groups in class of illustration, interior, graphic, and industrial designers). You want to build ideas off of others and not give bad criticism. You may also find that strange, wild ideas are great for brainstorming. In their brainstorming session something as random as Velcro pants was thrown out there. IDEO calls this “focused chaos.”

            To me the group work looked like lots of fun. They were drawing, playing with objects and toys, throwing around ideas that don’t seem logical, and yet they were able to come up with a fantastic design for their current project the shopping cart. When it came to ideas anything goes; you never know what could work out. IDEO said it well when it comes to their motto, “fail often in order to succeed sooner.”

Make it Better: Mind Map

Pitcher Pictures: MAKE IT BETTER!

Here are the pictures of our five dollar object. Watch our process as we 'Make It Better.'

Sunglasses Poster Review

Poster Review

Shelby Lemon

Sunglasses    

I previously wrote about how Sunglasses are an innovative design. In my poster I tried to portray this by many different styles of sketching. I used tonal, scribble, gesture, and contour drawings to portray this. I feel as though my poster is good design because it uses various angles, shape, and very little color (so as not to be distracting). I used the lenses as a framing device for my pictures and what better way to look at something then through the lenses of the project themselves. I feel the style of my poster portrays the object well, for it’s coloring has an edgy feel just like the stark black and red glasses themselves. Sunglasses are a great design.

Music Video- Dedicated to my Design object!

A great song for a great object. Sunglasses at Night by Corey Hart. Enjoy!

These are the basis of my project!

Sunglasses: An Innovative Design

Sunglasses: An innovative design

            Sunglasses have been used since the beginning of time. Sunglasses? Those things you wear to match your outfit, have more of a purpose then you may realize.  Even in prehistoric times glasses with slits cut out in the middle helped protect people’s eyes from the bright sun. In the last century however fashion has taken over and sunglasses can be seen in most purses and bags for people on the go.

            Sunglasses are an innovative design. There are endless ways to design this object, with materials, size, style, weight, durability; the opportunities are endless. Good design is long lasting. The Dieter Rams article says that design avoids being fashionable because it lasts for long periods of time, sunglasses as a basic design last many years, but most commonly are seen as fashionable. Good design is honest. These sunglasses do not promise to do anything but its purpose of shielding the user’s eyes from the sun. An object is also understandable, meaning that the product speaks for itself. These sunglasses are designed for both men and women to wear.

            The sunglasses also coincide with my major, Graphic Design, because the side of them has an advertisement for a club here a KU. So by wearing these not only is the user protecting their eyes, fashionably, from the sun but they are also promoting a local club.