Prototype Interviews

Prototype Interviews

Aspen Gordon- Interviewed about earlier prototype

·         Good:

o   Volume is optimal

o   Isn’t top heavy

o   Strainer/open/closed options are nice

o   The fact that it doesn’t taper outward is great

o   Handle is connected

o   Anti-spill/ sturdy and well balanced

o   Handle is very sturdy

·         Bad

o   Top lid is too big. The lip is gigantic

o   Prefers more curves but unsure. Possibly rounded corners

o   Handle is a little boxy and oversized

Daniel Le- Interviewed about Final Prototype

·         First Impression:

o   Big

       o   Seems to work better than original. Definitely    improved upon.

    

·         Good

o   Lid is well designed, seems useful and ergonomic

o   He likes the colors. Calls it “distinguished.”

o   He says it is VERY orange but not in a bad way.

o   Shape is great. Good use of space. Stowable

·         Bad

o   Handle seems a little large

o   Handle should be clear

o   Likes the idea of a locking mechanism for the lid pieces.

·         Daniel also mentioned several times in our interview that the pitcher has the illusion of being bigger than the actual dimensions. He says it looks like it holds a lot even though it doesn’t take up much space. He suggested there was a bit of an illusionary quality to it. Overall he likes the product and thinks there is little to improve upon.

In-class work session- 9/26

Notes and Sketches from In-class work session.

 
 

 

Pitcher Design Interviews

PHOTOS FROM MY INTERVIEWS:

MY INTERVIEW NOTES:

Mind Mapping Exercise

The Group worked together to create mind maps of potential object. Even though we started with several we narrowed it down to the pitcher. Some crazy things were put up on these mind maps but some interesting thought processes and design ideas surfaced as well.

Better Design for $5

This Pitcher is our group's object. We plan to redesign it and make it more ergonomic, compact, and aesthetically pleasing. 

Project Response

This project broadened my understanding of design as a whole. I learned from the repeated process of drawing and refining that iteration is key. Looking at an object or a problem from multiple vantage points and approaches can help me as a designer discern better solutions and understandings.

I found the variety of techniques we covered to be helpful but occasionally tedious and lacking purpose. Overall I think I did gain some useful new skillsets pertaining to both drawing and thinking like a designer. The critiques in class were unfortunately a little lacking at times. We never went very in depth but some insightful things were occasionally said. I just hope that the other students open up a bit more and share their thoughts about the works being critiqued.

Using Adobe Illustrator was frustrating but educational. I’m looking forward to becoming more adept at using this software. The posters were a fun activity mostly because I enjoyed seeing what other students were working on.

Although difficult at first I think my final poster ended up being pretty successful. I believe it captures everything about these headphones in a very simplistic but interesting way. I think that the variety of technique and the general layout, scale, and composition helps draw the eye to the important elements. I also believe that the dark textured background helps make everything pop and that it nicely contrasts the white in the upper left hand corner where the photograph is displayed. This separation of photographic reality and the illustrated depictions of the headphones is also a successful effect.  

Defining Design

Response to Reading 1

This reading was made up of a series of introductions from different design books. Each section had a slightly different goal but all seemed to be trying to accomplish the same goal: defining design.

The first introduction attempts to define the goal of design itself. The first author describes the story of a specific civil rights demonstration and he calls it good design. The point that he makes is that design is everywhere in our world and it is part of the human condition. It was very interesting to hear all the ways design can be applied to the world around us. Design doesn’t just apply to objects but also systems and ways of life.

I think the second author makes some really great points about how humans are naturally compelled to make the world better and that we do not just survive, we also strive to improve the quality of out existence. The good points, however, are buried in a lot of supercilious and puffed up fluff. The author gets a little preachy and high on design. He over emphasizes it and makes it out to be a little more than it is. This seems to be what the first author was alluding to in his first paragraph when he spoke of people who think design is everything.

The rest of this reading was made up of several design essays from a third book. These essays focused on several different aspects of design. I really enjoyed these articles because of their simple and definitive explanations that were full of excellent points. I agree that problem solving is a massive part of design and that it goes hand in hand with learning. Iteration is key to good design and it is often overlooked. You’re first design is barely every your best. I also found the information about design being a social activity very valuable. I agree that the social aspect of design is extremely important. An important part of the creative process is collaboration. Ideas grow exponentially when they are able to bounce from designer to designer and grow from the shared creative input.