What is Design?

As my blogging days come to a close shortly, I am reminded of a question I was asked back in late September. What is Design? How does design play a role in society? As I begin to reflect on these last two and a half months, I am reminded of many things that could make the answers to these questions simple. However, it is indeed quite hard to just give one answer to these questions. As the month have progressed I believe that I have gained the knowledge to understand what design truly is. Design is everything: It is the people we read about in our history books, it is the chair I sit on while I eat my favorite meal, it is the laptop in which I write weekly, these blogs. Design is, in essence, life. Without so much design that resides in society on a daily basis, we would not be able to function as a society. I think back to the artists and designers that I have studied over the course of the last two and a half months, and I have nothing but admiration for their hard work and their own interpretation of what design really is. Jackson Pollock and Andy Goldsworthy are only two designers/artists that I have had the privilege of studying this fall. These two men see design through their surroundings. Their hard work consists of elements that surround them, while artist Jeffery K. Bedwick designs from his imagination. Design is a network that encompasses its surroundings. Design can include many different interpretations and understandings. Desing plays a role in sositey by allowing people to view the world in a collaborative and artistic way. Albert Einstein once said:

"The most beautiful thing we can experience in the mysterious is the source of all true art and science."

Design truly is a mystery. Sure one could place a definition to the word itself, but the truth is, is that design encompasses so many things, that it truly is a wonder. If we allow ourselves to take a deeper look at society the depths of design will become clearer. Through theses last few months, I have learned to evaluate design, and consider its possibilities in a very different way. I know now, that next time I am asked, "What is design," I will be fully prepared with a strong answer....



(http://www.betterbydesign.org.nz/Images/design-is-a-behaviour.jpg)

Objectified-

(http://mavenness.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/objectified.jpg

Design is constantly forcing us to think "outside" of the box. Because we are always facing new ideas, and inspirations, we never really sit and think about the actual objects from which we are drawing inspiration, or ideas, from. Gary Hustwit's "Objectified" explores the possibility of these "objects" that we use in our everyday lives. Objectified is a motion picture about the things around us. It forces us to look beyond the image and explore its design, its "history." Hustwit does an excellent job of taking objects that are up-to -date in technology, and very much present in our everyday lives, and goes beyond what we see, but examines how the object got there in the first place. Though I really enjoyed every aspect of the picture, and every model, or design that was featured, I particularly enjoyed the segment on the Macintosh Computer. I never knew that the older versions of Mac Computers were scrapped down, and reused on the new models. It was amazing to witness just what exactly is reused from the previous design, and put into use on the new design. The idea of reusing designs was a key aspect and one major point that was made during the movie. The idea of recycling designs sounds silly, but the truth is, each and every design has evolved from one another. Another element that I enjoyed was the segment about the tooth pick. To the audience, the toothpick is a normal, functioning thing that is used and then disposed of. However the design of the took pick which was studied, has a "built-in" tooth pick stand which is used to hold up the pick, by breaking the top half off, and placing it, horizontally on the table. I would have never imagined the design of the tooth pick to encompass so many different elements. Though the design is considered "simple" its idea is not.

Objectified teaches its audience to look outside of the box, and experiment with the objects around us. It is very interesting to watch in a film like this because all of the "obvious" is pointed out, and we are made more aware of what is surrounding us. I enjoyed how the film followed a process by showing conceptualizations of designs and ideas, and finishing with final products. This movie is one I recommend to everyone who has ever taken design for granted, and is really ready to watch the "secrets" of the design world, and process, unfold.



(http://www.wearebuild.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Objectified-Shopper_Blog.jpg)

Sustainable Innovation

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On Wednesday November 18th, 2009, I had the privilege of visiting UC Davis, and sitting in on a lecture entitled "Sustainable Innovation." This lecture was the last lecture of the quarter included in the Design lecture series that UC Davis hosts every quarter. Nathan Shedroff, the guest speaker, specializes in knowledgeable information about Sustainability. Nathan Shedroff received his bachelors of Science in Industrial Design with an emphasis in Automatic Design. He worked for awhile as a automatic designer, before realizing that he wanted to work with sustainability, while still incorporating work from his previous field. He has authored several books on sustainability, and made a strong point about conveying to his audience on Wednesday that Sustainability was what he was most passionate about.

Coming into lecture on Wednesday, I did not really know what to expect. I have been to many sustainable design lectures and they all usually end up being about the same thing: How we can improve our lives to make them more sustainable. However, things were different with Nathan on Wednesday. Instead of giving us ideas and tips as to how we as a community can make Sustainability "happen" Nathan, provided frame work which, which as a whole helped us to better understand the sustainable movement. Nathan pointed out that it takes more than just changing our everyday materials, but also finding alternate ways of reusing the same materials in multiple ways! Other tips from Nathan's presentation included how we can "provide more for less," how we as the consumers can find ways of providing more useful materials for less of a profit. Perhaps one of the biggest points Nathan focused on was that any sustainable design solution should be savored, meaning, not only should it make our world a better place, but the design should be valued as a whole, and put to use to make a "green" statement.

Overall, Nathans proved to be very effective. I believe he conveyed his emotions and his wishes in an effective way. Not only did he provide ways in which we could make sustainability happen, but he expressed how important these changes are, and just how much we would be gain from it in the end. He provided us with a "guide" to understanding a sustainable world. He was a "hip, and cool" lecturer who could relate to his audience, which also helped students stay engaged. Overall, I'm looking forward to hearing more from him, and how his drive for a greener world will impact our future.


(http://www.innovativeinteractivity.com/wp-content/themes/tma/images/posts/shedroff_information_interaction_post.jpg)

Bauhaus

As I am beginning my search for graduate schools, which I hope to attend after graduation this year, I can't help but be overwhelmed with all of thte different schools that offer programs in all fields of design. Whether one's passion is architecture, which is what I hope to pursue, theatre, or studio arts, there is a school that seems to fit everyone's wants and desires. Some specific schools that come to mind are Parson's the New School for Design, or Rhode Island School of Design, which offer a wide variety of design options for students. With all of these options becoming very evident to me, especially at this time in my life, I can't help but reflect upon The Bauhaus, the design school of the early 20th century.

Walker Gropius, in 1919, founded the Bauhaus school in Germany. I like to think that many of the design schools now, took after the Bauhaus school, which offered a wide variety of different studies in the department of design. Architecture was offered at the school, but it was not till much later, that it became part of the regular curriculum. Art, graphic design, interior design, industrial design, and typography were among the other subjects offered at the school. In a way, the Bauhaus was the first school that specialized in the study of design. It was the first of it's kind and could be considered the "trailblazer" of Design schools. It really is remarkable that a school with such an "artistic" curriculum was able to survive during, what was considered a very difficult time in political history. With Nazi take over beginning in the 1930's, Bauhaus was a school was went against what was considered the "norm." Bauhaus had not only inspired great design work, especially in the architectural field, but has also left behind its theories and its teachings which are the bases that many schools today, are founded on.



(http://www.thebreman.org/exhibitions/online/1000kids/Bauhaus.JPG)

A Deeper Look at Josef: Interaction of Color

http://s3.amazonaws.com/adaptiveblue_img/books/interaction_of_color_revised_expanded_edition/josef_albers)

After taking interest in in Color Theory, I decided to continue my exploration into Josef Albers and different variations of Color Theory. Josef Albers was a German born Professor of design and was considered a very influential "element" in the design world. After teaching in Germany for a short while, Albers moved to the United States where he taught painting at Black Mountain College, and then later moved on to Yale where he was a professor, and the head of the Design Department. In 1963, Albers published "Interaction of Color," which even to this day, has remained a very significant source for artist and designers alike. Primarily the book details color experimentation, testing both theory and technique. Though the entire book is filled with amazing results, experiments, and significant information on color, perhaps one item of information that I found to be particualary interesting, was Albers brief explanation and examination of the Munsell System. The Munsell color system is "a color space that specifies colors based on three color dimensions: Hue, value, and Chroma. (Thanks to Wikipedia for a concise definition) Albers uses the Munsell system to compare and contrast it to other theories such as the Ostwald Color System, and the Faber Birren Color System. Albers points out in his book that the Munsell System is considered a " contemporary" system that we use to study color. It is though the Munsell system and other various color systems that we are able to understand and "experiement on the relation and balance of light with quantity within the color wheel." (pg. 65) Through Albers' writings and works, one is able to better understand colors, and their relationships through ways of his experimentation with color. It is through the examination of the past that we are able to understand the colors of design, today.



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Color Theory

As designers, color plays a huge role in helping to understand our designs, and interpret our process as a whole. Color theory, as stated by dictionary.com is " a set of principles used to create harmonious color combinations." Examples of color relationships can be made visible by examining a color wheel. Color, especially in a designer's or artist's design, or piece of artwork, is vital to understanding the entire piece. Designers and artist usually have a reason for deciding to used the color choices they use, and by understanding color theory, and the relationships between colors, the audiences is able to see a connection between colors and their relationship to a designer's, or artist's work.

Dating back to the times of Leonard da Vinci, color theory has always been used to help determin certain relationships between colors. Color Theory originally included only three basic colors, Red, Green, and Blue, which were later renamed as the primary colors. These three colors were separated due to their ability to mix well with colors. From theses three primary colors came the establishment of the 18th century color visions theories, which indicated that the eye was most sensitive to these three colors. As the development of color continued, scientist and theorist came to believe that color was interpreted best through different hues and shades of the primary colors. From there, the establishment of the color wheel, and the various color groups such as secondary colors, and tertiary colors were developed, and today are better understood. Through color theory, one is able to understand the connection between colors as a whole. Josef Albers, one color theorist, helps to explain the relationship between color and the effects it has one itself. Color theory is just another way of understanding the connection of designers and their work.


(http://www.quiltswithstyle.com/uploads/qws/QWS62/Color_Theory.jpg)

Alex Anderson:

In a final exploration of patterns, and shapes, and the overall unity of the design, I embarked upon a journey, which included research on other forms of patterns in design.  To my surprise, I was often taken to various quilt-making sites, as well as sites where certain quilt designers were featured.  One particular designer caught my eye, as I was very interested in her work.  Alex Anderson is a well-know quilt designer, who has a website that features her amazing work. (www.alexandersonquilts.com) In an exploration of her work, I began to consider how her designs played with the use pattern, shape, and texture.  Though all quilts may tell a story within the work, I found it to be particularly interesting in the stories that her quilts “told.” When visiting the Nelson Gallery, each individual quilt had a meaning, and background to the title and the work.  Designers often seek to tell a story within their works, and these stories were very evident in the work of both the Nelson Gallery quilts, as well as Alex Anderson’ quilt.

 One particular quilt that I enjoyed studying was a piece entitled “Bear West.” (http://alexandersonquilts.com/gallery/quilts/bearwest.html) Out of the several different quilts I had to study from, the story of this quilt was extremely evident in the overall image.  What I found to be so interesting was the overall picture that was created from the tiny individual triangle shapes, that when put together, created an outline of California, the Grizzly Bear, and the California Golden Poppy. There was a very simple pattern that is vivid throughout the piece.  Each triangle had been paired with another triangle to give what almost appeared as a star shape, which was the basis that the overall picture was based on. Again, color, especially in Anderson’s piece was vital to helping compliment her overall picture that she had created.  Each section of her quilt used different shades of a primary color, which in turn brought the whole picture to life.  In comparison to the other quilts that were on display in the Nelson Gallery, Anderson’s quilt had the strongest picture of a story, evident in her work.  Though I enjoyed all of the works completed by the artist, I’d have to say that Alex Anderson’s Bear West, has surly been a favorite.

Avis Collins Robinson: Piano Keys

While pondering my visit to the Nelson Art Gallery last week, I began to consider the other works that I had viewed and how other images pertain to pattern, shape, color, and how the overall unity of the piece flows together with these elements.  In contrast to Rosa Ella Kincaid’s piece, a piece created by Alvis Collins Robinson, entitled “Piano Keys” offered a different take on how shape, color and pattern play in the role of his own quilt creation. Avis Collins Robinson created the quilt in 2009.  His piece was made out of hand-dyed cotton corduroy, cotton batting, and hand-dyed muslin backing.  Though the piece as a whole was constructed beautifully, one of the most striking features that caught my attention right from the beginning was the amazing use of color demonstrated throughout the piece.  The quilt itself was organized in such a fashion that the strips of fabric were arranged to where they created a “piano key” shape.  Though the arrangement of the strips of color was abstract, there was still a strong pattern present in the quilt.  Even though each pieces was different, the size of the fabric, as well as the color varied as the quilt progressed from on side to the other.  The pattern was consistent in that each piece of fabric was place vertically on the quilt in various sizes. Robinson also played with strong use of color in the pieces by using a contemporary color palette consisting of both warm and cool colors.  Shades of blue, brown, and pink were used to create the shape and pattern of the quilt.  In contrast to Kincaid’s piece where various shaped were used to help create the final picture, Robinson stuck to using one long rectangular shape to complete his design.  It was interesting to see how different designers envision their work to help make a point.  For the sake of interpreting his ideas, and vision for his work, Robinson demonstrated how a repetition of shape can bring an idea together.  The unity of his piece along with the execution of his material, helped give life to his design, and provided the audience with an amazing final product.

Rosa Ella Kincaid: Untitled-

On a recent trip to the Nelson Art Gallery on Thursday October 29th, I had the privilege to view some spectacular quilting work. The exhibit, entitled “African American Quilts” had a display of amazing quilting artwork. Some of the works, which date back to the 19th century, showed an amazing use of color, shape, pattern, and structure. The unity that existed in the artwork was truly a sight to see. It’s funny how some things can be so abstract, but yet have the ability to form and function as one single design. I truly enjoyed all the designs that I had the privilege to view…

It is always interesting, when viewing quilts, or artwork of similar nature, to really see and visualize the patterns that are represented in the work. Even when the goal of the designer or artist may not necessary be to create a piece that is consistent in design, there is always some sort of shape and pattern that remains constant. One particular piece that I found to be extremely beautiful on my trip to the Gallery was an untitled piece, created by a woman by the name of Rosa Ella Kincaid. Born in 1886 in Washington D.C., Rosa provided the audience with a striking example of how rhythm and pattern can be viewed in her quilt work. Though the colors and fabrics may not have been “color coordinated” in the since that we as designers understand it to be, but there was extreme detail given to the particular color choices and patterns, that were used throughout the piece. In her piece, were are a lot of abstract shapes, from triangles to rectangles, which were all been joined together to create the final work of art. Perhaps one of the most striking features of the quilt was a strong pattern created by little women images. From the positioning of the bonnets one the characters heads, to the placement of their bodies, to the color of their clothes, the women characters which were placed throughout the entire quilt, helped to provide the audiences with not only a strong repeating pattern of shapes, but also provided both order, and closure to the work. The visual hierarchy was complete in this quilt because your eyes followed the entire quilt from top to bottom. A quilt of the artist's design helps designers like myself, become familiar with how shape, space and color help to create the full “picture.” Through this understanding of these concepts, we as designers are able to better interpret and understand the meanings of other artists’ work.