"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Design is knowing which ones to keep" - Scott Adams




Sunday, February 27, 2011

On Creativity by Andy Rutledge

In this article, Rutledge goes on to explain his concept of creativity and its distinction from design. Creativity is not at all self-expression, but rather, it is a filter through which perception and output pass and it is technical and analytical. According to Rutledge, the only contradictory to what you may be taught in elementary school, believes that this design based definition is the only one worth focussing attention on. Creativity is an inborn capacity for thinking differently than most, seeing differently, and making connections and perceiving relationships others miss. But most importantly, it is the ability to then extrapolate contextually useful ways of employing that data. He believes there are four main disciplines that few posses which advance ones creativity even further:
- ongoing curiosity,
- the desire and habit of looking more deeply into things than others care to,
- the habit of comparing stimulus with result, and
- a habit for qualitative discrimination.
Furthermore, constraints and limitations posed by external forces are in fact the basic groundwork for design because it is from those constraints that we as designers are posed with a problem for which to develop a solution. Without them, creativity is irrelevant. Lastly, our intuitive, subjective design senses are relevant to our work. Competence demands that we understand the difference between what we prefer and what we know what will work best. We must filter purely subjective data from sympathetic, fundamentals-based creative work in order to be successful.

Andy Rutledge is currently the principal and chief design strategist for Unit Interactive LLC, a successful design firm that works with web design, branding etc. Additionally Rutledge manages his own website for which he writes articles critiquing, exploring, and discussing different aspects of design. His experience in the field has definitely lent him high credibility and status as a designer and critic.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Journal

Theo Jansen Creates New Creatures

In his presentation Theo Jansen reveals a series of man made creatures that are created through electrical tubing. They remain on the beach and are powered by the wind. These kinetic sculptures demonstrate the evolution of the wheel and are designed to move and "survive" on they're own, withstanding the threatening hazards of the water. These so called "Strandbeests" beautifully display the evolution of the wheel and the potential that lies in kinetic art.

David Kelley and Human-Centered Design

Human centered design is a field that has grown largely in the last eighteen years. It is becoming increasingly important to capture the behavior and "personality" of the product being designed. David and his team of coworkers are part of one of the company's that is redirecting the focus of their designs more toward the human experience. One of the videos in his presentation demonstrates the application of this new direction in the technological designs of the Prada retail store. For example the renovations to the dressing rooms that allow the customer to gain more information about their items quicker and easier.

I think this is a very interesting point because the idea of human experience can be applied to graphic design as well and how the audience/ customer associates with and responds to the design.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Journal

What is Good Design

Good design is innovative and useful. It must speak to the consumer, better yet be self-explanitory. It must be aesthetic yet unobtrusive. The product of a design is not generally to look pretty but to have a purpose. Good design is honest and does not mislead the consumer as to the use or value of the product and it must be long-lasting. As opposed to fashion design, it must remain appealing and smart throughout several years. It takes into consideration all details of the product yet is environmentally friendly.

Don Norman Video

In his presentation, Don Norman discuss the relationships between design and emotion. He first makes the point that when we are anxious, scared, or frustrated, our thinking processes change causing us to have an unyielding focus on the task at hand. Contrary, when we experience positive emotion, the heightened dopamine sent to our brain allows us to be receptive of things in our environment and thus allowing us to think "more outside the box."
–visceral
-behavioral
-reflective
Don explained that a good design conveys positive emotions in three ways. First, it must make you feel good through the look of color, type, etc. It should make you act on the positive emotions and the functionality of the product and lastly, a good design will elicit positive reflections regarding the design.
Don's presentation definitely echoed the points made in the article by Dieter Rams. Each of the ten criteria listed all work together in a good design successfully to generate positive emotions.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Audience Personas

1. Jen is a 22 year old college undergrad. She is an eccentric concert goer that knows how to have a good time but when necessary, is a more conservative, greatly dedicated student. She enjoys shopping at small boutiques with one of a kind clothing and eating out at hole in the wall restaurants. Her style is considered eclectic and versatile. Her hobbies reflect her multifaceted personality from reading to music to volleyball. She is often intrigued by things that aren’t what they seem

2. Bryan is a 16 year old high school with a bold attitude. He’s not fond of rules or limitations on his behavior or “self-expression. He has never been much of a fan of reading typically because it is required of him, but finds himself occasionally interested in stories that seem to have an edge. At this age his largest priorities consist of playing guitar and hanging out with friends. However, his rebellious attitude hides the fact that he is quite passionate about the music he plays and looks to it as a career

3. Lisa is a mom of two in her mid thirties. She finds herself crazed with work and seldom has time to sit, relax and take time for herself. Since she was a young girl she’s loved to travel. She makes It a goal for herself to make it to all the continents. In college she thoroughly enjoyed studying foreign language. Her hobbies include reading novels of romance and scrapbooking.