Experience Design

Although we all wish we could live in a Utopia it is unrealistic. However as designers we must think about how our actions influence the way we live in the present as well as how our designs will influence the future. During a presentation by Nathan Shedroff at UC Davis on November 18^th 2009 he informed the audience about sustainability. By introducing sustainability into the way we think about design Shedroff asked the question, “What is sustainable design?” While thinking about his question it became apparent that there is no such thing, nothing last forever and we want new and innovative objects constantly. But as Shedroff kept going he purposed three questions for us as designers to think about, for the rest of our lives.

What is a more sustainable world look like?

What is a more meaningful world look like?
What is a post-consumer world look like?

To answer these questions completely and fully is impossible because they have no one solution or answer. However by being the generation’s next designers we can think about these questions gearing our design toward them, improving the future as well as giving people what they want in the present. Another influential and realistic solution Shedroff brought up was to use our everyday experiences to connect to the consumer creating useful designs. By doing this we as designers can help restore values, making the world a more realistic utopia. As materials build up in landfills creating waste and pollution, the four R’s, recycle, reduce, reuse and rethink become a large part of the design process. By gearing our brainstorming towards these themes we can generate a sense of sustainability bettering our world and the way we live in it.

Nathan Shedroff has written three books on experiencing design. His influence in the design world has been notably recognized and is worth learning and discussing about. On his web page he states, "The most important concept to grasp is that all experiences are important and that we can learn from them whether they are traditional, physical, offline experiences or whether they are digital, online, or other technological experiences." By traveling around teaching his thoughts to others is helping us as designers find our own inspiration gearing us towards a better future. Thank you Nathan Shedroff for speaking at UC Davis design program.

(http://www.nathan.com)

Use+Design=Objectified

The film Objectified directed by Gary Hustwit is a documentary based on the design and use of everyday objects. While viewing the film they discussed about standardization and how things are created to conform to everyday life. A question that was presented stated, “How can we design a better experience?” As designers our goal is to improve the experience for the consumer, allowing a pleasant reaction to the object

without even knowing it. Since it is important to understand the needs and wants through experimenting ourselves, it is a necessity to understand how certain objects influence our daily routines. For instance in an inf o com mercial I saw the other day was a tooth paste dispenser (right) that allowed you to only have to place your brush in the slot and the perfect amount of tooth paste would be applied to the brush. Because this device creates a hands free sensation it generates a delightful and less tedious experience with putting the tooth paste cap back on and applying the paste to the brush. By designing objects like these designers are thinking about the consumes needs, simplifying and improving everyday task.

Along with relating to the consumer and their needs we are informed in the film that our objects mean so much to use because they have a story behind them. If we did not have a connection to our object we would not care about how things work, making things easier or being comfortable. As designers we do not only create the form of an object but we design them to benefit our every day needs. By creating things that become better with time and use, consumers constantly refer to specific objects generating a standard in everyday life. As we think about the objects that we could not live without it is easy to see the impact design has on our society and how we revolve around them.

Color Schemes

Because we do not see in black and white, our perception of the world is based on various color schemes. While the basic color wheel begins with the three primary hues of red, yellow, and blue, others are generated through the mixture of certain color combination's. Along with a wide range of different colors the concept of contrast and value can be applied to manufacture difference in tones and shades of hues.



For instance in the picture to the left there is not a great deal of variety in color but instead, a distinct range of value within two colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. While applying and integrating colors that are closely related in hues and are adjacent to each other on the color wheel, we understand that the color scheme is analogous. By only being able to select two hues, for instance blue and purple our range of colors is limited. Because this creates restrictions within mixing we apply black and white, generating further options. While looking at the painting we can see the difference in values that were created by adding small amount of black and white to certain mixtures created by mixing the blue and purple together. Along with generating multiple varieties in hues, tones and values, the placement of these colors creates a vivid composition. By placing lighter tones next to darker ones creates depth within the artwork, allowing lighter colors to move toward to the surface and suppressing darker tones to the back. Since certain hues relate to emotion artist use analogous colors to express feelings through certain color schemes.

By mixing the three primaries together in different amounts neutralizing the intensity of the hues we create tertiary colors. Through using red, yellow and blue mixed together our hues become more natural connecting more to the environment and our surroundings. In the art piece to the right we can see that the hues on the color wheel are not present. But we can still acquaint these new colors with the originals through the percentage of how much is mixed into each color. Along with perceiving original colors within the tertiary colors we can see the use of complimentary colors reacting with each other. Even though we have neutralized the hues into colors such as midnight blue and rustic orange by combine them creates a pleasing contrast within the composition. Because warmer colors such as reds, yellows and oranges are brighter they become more presentable, standing out against the cooler tones such as blue, green and purple. Since tertiary colors resemble nature many artist utilize this color scheme creating landscape and environmental artworks.

Art work by me: Holly Hathaway, Spring 2009 Color Theory

Snuggies for All

As most of us have seen the Snuggie commercials on TV and their ridiculousness in presentation, there are certain overbearing factors to the design of the Snuggie. At first when the Snuggie came out the commercial informed us that we could only get it in three colors royal blue, sage green, and burgundy. Because this blanket like robe has loose sleeves generating easy mobility while keeping you covered, it allows you to go anywhere and do anything, such as change the channel without getting tangled and get up to check on dinner. As the product became more well known and people started talking about it either wanting one for real or just for a joke the company started to incorporated more colors and patterns into their design. But they didn't stop there.

As small dogs are paraded around in women's purses as if they were their child or a prized possession, the company that manufactures Snuggies has come out with a new line of Snuggies. While we flip through the channels or look on youtube.com it is easy to stumble upon the wonderfully entertaining commercials for Snuggies. But now instead of like the first commercial which only offered it in three colors and one size fits all, we learn that there are Snuggies for dogs. By making the Snuggie versatile to fit all types of dogs ranging from extra small to large the manufactures of this product have captures a full rage of dog lover consumers. Because the Snuggie has become so widely known in our society, its design is adaptable and flexible to all sorts of different users, whom wish to stay toasty warm without the hassle.

https://www.getsnuggie.com/flare/next