Wednesday, 3 October 2012

Week 11 Origination

Task 1:


Answer the following questions as succinctly as possible in your own words
1. What does Maeda call the 3 keys?
Away Key - more appears less when far away, e.g. take a step back
Open Key - openness simplifies complexity, openness helps you to understand a complex situation as you provide the answers when you are open
Power Key - use less, gain more i.e. use less technology gain more usefulness

2. Describe how you have used these in your work towards TEN SQUARED? Give at least one example of each key.
In our exhibition we use the concept of away, our pin-board show the complexity of the design process away from the simple helmet cover design that will be displayed.


Openness, we are being open in sharing our process information with the audience, if they were to create their own helmet cover it would simplify the process for them.

Power - we have continued to simplify our process to get a powerful result.
In the exhibition I am displaying my portfolio in hard copy, less power. A simple method I feel might be more inviting and people are more likely to view my work as they can move at their own pace threw my portfolio rather than waiting for a computer to load a page as you navigate a web site.

3. Describe an incident in the production of TEN SQUARED where technology has been an enabler.... and another where it has been a disabler!
Enabler - The creation of helmet cover designs in illustrator based on a hard copy template has made this process easy as we are able to print this pattern and template.
Disabler - technology has limited communication as we all work hard to complete our blogs rather than talk to each other.

4. At this stage in the exhibition process you are all working on some element or process for the big event. List 3 things (in your current project) that you could take away to simplify and one thing you could add for meaning. 
Pin-Board - simplify - take off string, take off some text, take off some images
                 -  add more meaning - add heading Labels


Here is a great example of taking away to make the subject more powerful.





Thursday, 27 September 2012

Week 11 Collaboration

This week we reviewed week 1- 10

Research:

New Floor Plan


In class Jacob mentioned a Don't Drink and Drive Helmet Cover theme, this got me thinking about safety messages on helmet covers. I thought about the "Children on Board" signs you often see on cars. As a mother, your children are always on board, even if they are not with you. It might be helpful for car drivers to think about the cyclist as a person who has people depending on them, hence I have created a Children On Board helmet cover that you can personalise with photos of your own children.

I then added another 2 designs.

Children on Board


Bee Hive

Bike Wheel




Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Week 10 Collaboration

Task 1: Discussion

This week we discussed these questions in relation to a group creating a design in collaboration:

01 – What are the 3 best things about your efforts for this year’s exhibition? 
Being organised, organising the group, Maintaining a clear and effective timeline.

02 – Did you manage time well?
Very well.

03 – Did you manage materials well i.e. test prototypes?

Yes, materials were gathered and tested early. This took the guess work out and built contingencies for possible future failures.

04 – Have you researched installation methods?

We have discussed this process, designed a layout and started the process of gathering materials for instillation. This is leading us to ask the questions, what is available, what do we need to provide.
As the Exhibitionist is displaying the work we are also asking what are their capabilities.

05 – Have you made a shortlist of the essentials for the last WEEK? 
We have a shortlist for the next 4 weeks leading up to exhibition. We plan to finalise everything in 3 to ensure we meet deadlines.

06 – Have you made a shortlist of the essentials for the last DAY? 
Yes, we have a list of what we need on the day, this may be extended as we discover we need to re-set our pin-board due to the exhibition process.


Collaborating is something most people need to do during their working day, here is a video reminding us of the essential skills in collaboration:


Research:


As a group we met to discuss our exhibition requirements, our discussion is summarised:


Exhibition checklist for PCK

Our Team Provides

  1. Pins 
  2. 3 Helmets
  3. 3 Helmet Covers
  4. Completed web page individual
  5. Paul – Web, Wooden Logo, steam-punk computer
  6. Cherill – Web, Portfolio folder A3
  7. Katelyn – Web, Storyboards
  8. Completed Web page for PCK
  9. Map string for board
  10. Info for inboard
    • PCK logo
    • News article on needing to wear helmets
    • Pictures of ugly helmets (reference)
    • Pictures showing joy of riding (reference)
    • Printed template with designs in colour 
    • Prototype
    • Early patterns
    • Test prints


Exhibition Team to provide / set up

  1. Pin board 1.8 x 2.5
  2. 4 Macs with internet, mouse, keyboard
  3. 4 power outlets
  4. 4 same size tables (small – approx. 1m square) to hold computers, not too large
  5. 3 plinths, painted white, same size, min height of 1.5m
  6. 3 short partitions approx. 1.5m
  7. 1 large partition approx. 3.5m
  8. 1 medium partition 3m

Floor Plan with Legend


Information for the Pin-Board

How unattractive can helmets be ...











Week 10 Origination

Task 1: Law 9, John Maeda, The Laws of Simplicity


Todays task, surprisingly, was to answer the following questions.


1. Using Ten Squared as an example, describe an aspect of your work or something you have worked on, where you have found a symbiotic relationship that is both complexity and simplicity. 
The pocket on the helmet cover is a very complex part of the helmet, it is complex to make, it increases the complexity of the cover. Yet, this complex item is made to hide in the cover, it adds functionality to simplify carrying items. The pocket is made to look like it's not there.

Here is an example of a symbiotic relationship between simplicity and complexity ....

The complex structure with a few simple items displayed draws your attention to the items on display.
2. Provide a conceptual example of a situation that has arisen during this project where you have had a return on failure?
Big question, where did we fail ... the initial template design did not work and needed continual adjustments to produce a more streamlined cover. With this "failure" we made a better product. The failure simplified the pattern.



3. Homework: How are you using the laws in relation to your contribution to The Ten Squared exhibition? Provide a short explanation and example for TWO of the laws so far. Use your work towards and your examples. 


In the exhibition we are exhibition the helmet covers and web on plinths and table, they will be white and look streamlined and clinical, a simple approach. In contrast to this we will display a pin-board with the complexity of the design process, this will highlight the simplicity of our product. This highlights Law 5, Differences.
Our exhibition also uses Law 6, Context .. the simple surrounds will draw your attention to the helmet covers. The pin board will be complex and require time to engage, the complexity will stand out in the simple surrounds.


Failure helps us all ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45mMioJ5szc

Wednesday, 19 September 2012

Week 9 Origination

Task 1: Quiz, Law 8, John Maeda, The Laws of Simplicity

The first task was to answer these questions ...

1. Provide an example of a situation where you have to have trust – in the same vein as the author in his swimming lesson example. What made you trust in this situation and how did you feel?

I have had to learn to trust other parents to look after my children, it is only practice of letting your children go (after initial research of getting to know the person or asking others about them) that you learn to trust the situation of leaving your child in others care. It is only the ongoing positive experience that leads to trust. I start off feeling very nervous and, after learning to trust, I feel OK and glad to see my children again.

So, would you trust this man if you wanted a tattoo?



Would you work here? ....


Maybe it's best to ...

2. Where in our exhibition do we need to instill trust? Give examples. How are we going to achieve this?
We trust the exhibitor to understand our requirements to display our exhibit the way we imagine. We achieve this with communication.
We trust that people will attend and take the time to view the exhibit, we achieve this by blindly trusting and doing our best to make it interesting. We also communicate what the exhibit is about, so those that attend know what to expect.
The logo of the University gives the exhibition a trustworthy label.
Food and alcohol creates trust.

3. What strategies are used to instill trust? Examples? Where do we need to employ this in this year’s exhibition? How are we going to do this?
Strategies to install trust include practice, for example learning to trust the water, simplifying, so it is easy to trust, for example, sending an e-mail, just click a button. Also communication installs trust, the more you know the more comfortable you might feel. So we would communicate well in our promotion, label the promotion with the Uni logo, provide a thank you drink and nibble on the night.

If I held an exhibition my name carries no history to trust, why would people attend?
If I exhibit under the Uni logo, there is a name to trust and attend.


4. If you could “undo” any aspect of the preparation for the exhibition to-date, what would you “undo”? With this in mind, what would would you change now in your preparation strategy to overcome having to “undo” anything?
I would not undo anything, even "errors" educate. In saying that, there are no changes I would make in our preparation strategy.

5. Homework: How are you using the laws in relation to your contribution to the student exhibition? Provide a short explanation and example for each of the laws so far. 

Law 1 Reduce - SHE  - Shrink, Hide Embody. Make the complex simple. We would like to have our helmet cover look streamlined, reduce the pucker/gather of material to make it look simple. We also hide the pocket so it has an unexpected usefulness.

Law 2 Organise - SLIP - 
Sort- into groups
Label- your groups
Integrate – characteristics of groups. ie reduce the number of groups
Prioritize – 80/20 rule, where 20% will need priority
We have divided our designs into groups, male, female and children, this helps to focus the designs and appeal to different audiences.

Law 3 Time - Saving time gives you more time, making things simple saves time or making the wait a quality wait gives the impression of saving time.
The Helmet Cover should be easy to put on, taking not time at all, not a complicated process, hence it is an easy product and therefore useful to you.

Law 4 Learn - Learning occurs best when you are passionate about it. BRAIN 
Basics are the beginning.
Repeat yourself often.
Avoid creating desperation.
Inspire with examples.
Never forget to repeat yourself.
It is important because it helps to teach and helps to learn.
We will mention the safety aspect of wearing a helmet and show how unattractive they are, this repetition will help in our message that a helmet cover is essential.

Law 5 Differences - Complexity makes simplicity stand out and adds interest, the opposite is also true.
The complex looking helmet can look more simple by adding a helmet cover, thus adding to its appeal.

Law 6 Context - is about surroundings making a difference to what you see, where is the focus?
When we exhibit we will have a set design that is simple and clean to draw people attention to what we are displaying

Law 7 Emotion - is about the feel and feel for, drawing on personal experience to create the feeling
We will introduce the feelings of the freedom of riding a bike and the dangers of not wearing a helmet, then provide the solution of a helmet cover is the choice you can make and still be individual.

The music always reaches my emotions ..


Week 9 Collaboration

Task 1: Reflection


Discuss these questions in relation to a group creating a design in collaboration

01 – What is the difference between reflection and criticism?
Reflection is to view without judgement, keeping an open mind, step back from the item and reflect. Need reflection for balanced criticism. Criticism is forming an opinion, good and bad.  Both involve John Maeda Law of Context, how an item looks in the context of its surrounding.

We all have an opinion ...




02 – Can you reflect while you are designing?
Yes, you can reflect at every stage, it provides options to move forward.

03 – Do you set aside time for reflection?
It's a good idea, we tend to keep moving forward with reflection left to the individual on their journey, then when we come together we all comment on each others work and reflect.

04 – Do you make notes on your reflections?
In the early development process we do tend to make notes as the notes guide the development of the project. As the project becomes more developed less changes are required and less note taking occurs. However, if there is a new feature to the project, for example our pin-board then more notes are taken to communicate the idea and to make adjustments.

05 – When is the best time to reflect?
It is best to reflect when creating the idea and at each stage of the idea, for example, creation, prototype, and refinement before launch.

06 – Do you compare your work to work by your heroes?
Yes, I try to lift my standards to those that I admire. I love the work presented by these creative students ...


07 – How do you benefit by comparison?
It makes me work harder, be more creative, think outside the square and produce a better final result.

08 – What can be a disadvantage of comparison?
You don't believe in your own abilities and your work becomes something you are not. If you always thinking others are better if makes you feel bad about your abilities.


Task 2: Moving On /  Encouraging Solutions


In regard to creative collaboration:
Discuss these questions - write a paragraph on each and use examples

1 . Are you brave enough to move on and adopt new and unexpected ideas?
It is difficult to move out of your comfort zone, some ideas I will take on only in part as I try to maintain my only stamp of individuality and stay within my frame of capabilities. I am happy to learn and to try to achieve something new, I enjoy the challenge. I love unexpected ideas, the surprise is exhilarating.

2. Describe how you have encouraged others with a solution to their design problems?
Talking to others is always a help, I appreciate it when I can talk about an idea and get feedback. I might take on all or part of the feedback depending on whether it helps to achieve my goals. I say this as they way I have helped is by listening to other ideas and giving feedback, things I like, what might be hard to read, a possible solution, another way to help would be to brainstorm an idea, from this a person can take the ideas that appeal to them.



Research:

This week we divided into tasks, Paul is sewing another prototype, Katelyn is taking the Web design and adding this to a web page, and I am to come up with some example wording for the web page.


Example Text for Web Page

Pages for the web:
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact 
  • Order
  • Design Story
  • Design Covers

Home


Welcome to our collaborative exercise as students in Design at Charles Darwin University.

Our task was to form a collaborative group and present a 2&3D Design.

As a group we saw the need to improve the aesthetics and functionality of bicycle helmets, this has led to the creation of the PCK Helmet Cover.

Accessorise your bicycle helmet today and stand out from the crowd.

The Helmet Cover will 
  • Hold your MP3 player
  • Identify your cycling group
  • Make listening to your music easy by keeping cords out of the way
  • Accessorise your riding outfit
Little boxes – photos of helmet covers

About us


Profile picture of each 

Cherill Hopkins
Bachelor of Arts Psychology and Sociology
Career in Sales and Marketing
Cherill is a long term Territorian, she resides in Darwin with her family. After an extensive career in the airlines and tourism industry she took time off to raise her family. During those busy years she resided on school committees and Boards, often taking a leadership role. Over the years, Cherill also completed numerous courses in the evenings, anything from data-base and web design to drawing and painting.
Cherill hopes to use her skills from the Charles Darwin University to assist business in communicating to their audience.


Contact


Paul Myatt
http://scah.cdu.edu.au/2012/VETdesign/s            /wordpress


Cherill Hopkins
http://scah.cdu.edu.au/2012/VETdesign/s891837/wordpress


Katelyn Preston
http://scah.cdu.edu.au/2012/VETdesign/s             /wordpress

Phone 088933 xxxx

Order

Design name
Quantity
Cost per item
Postage
Sub total
Total

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Design Story

As part of the Certificate in Design program we were instructed to form collaborative groups and design a 2&3D piece for exhibition. As a group we thought of “problems”, things we didn’t like or things that might need a solution. One of these “problems” was the bike helmet, more specifically how unattractive they can be.

The solution was to create a helmet cover, with the added purpose of holding an MP3 player.

The process
Think of a problem –helmet covers are unattractive
Think of a solution – illustrate helmet covers, create designs
Talk to the experts –    Cyclist – would love a pocket for their MP3 player
- Spotlight – best to use Nylon/ Spandex as it is long lasting, stretchy and printable
- Seamstress advises on pattern making 
Make a prototype  - great work
Review the prototype – need to avoid gathering
Fix the prototype
Create a web page
Launch the product

Problem:
  • Bicycle helmets are unattractive
  • They all look the same

Solution
  • Illustrate Helmet Covers
  • Bonus, added purpose of holding an MP3 player

Benefit
  • Easy to hold valuables or your MP3 player as cords are confined to the helmet area making it easier to ride
  • Designed helmet covers allow you to accessorise, personalise your style
  • People are more likely to wear helmets if they are happy with the design leading to increase safety on the road

Design Covers

Feature each helmet cover here

Template with design
Name for Helmet Cover

This links to order form