Week Three - History Of Design
Design is creating something that solves a problem for the end user. When we think about design, we tend to think about the pretty stuff. However, design can be a range of things like a profession, a skill, even an experience. Design theory is a combination of design principles that designers use before beginning their creation. In the ten photos below, I explain the purpose behind the designs I chose, and how they are considered to be design.
This is a photo I took one night as I was walking to my car. Cars are a great example of design because they solve a problem for the end user: being able to get from place to place quickly and conveniently. There are a lot of small design aspects that go into a car like the exterior, the wheels, heated seats, digital features, and much more. However, the end goal of having convenient driving for everyone was created to solve a problem of people being late by taking the bus, or not having enough money to travel by plane or train when the distance was too far.
This is a photo my brother took on my phone of my boyfriend and I in front of the Brewers Stadium. For this assignment, the highlight of the photo is the stadium. I live right across from the stadium, so I drive past it every day. Since this class, I realized the design thinking that went into this building. Design can be an experience, a profession, and also a building of architecture, which are all qualities of this stadium. The end goal for this design was for baseball players to have a job, for individuals to come and make memories, and also the cool features that go into it like the top being able to open and close. Before this class I never looked that deeply into the Brewers Stadium, but now I realize the design thinking that went into it.
This is a photograph of me and my fellow classmates after we received our certification as Certified Nursing Assistants. Before this class there would be no way I would think that this could be a strategy of design. However, design can be a profession. By getting my CNA license, I am on the track to go to nursing school, and one day get a job as a nurse. This ultimately solved a problem for me setting myself up for success, and for my future patients and workforce since they will have another nurse on staff.
This is a picture that I took of a house that I babysit for. I took this picture because of the exterior design, so it is pretty obvious the thinking that went into it. However, even though it looks aesthetically pleasing with the hanging lights and wood deck, it also serves the purpose of hosting people and giving this family a warm place to live. This house was created to solve their problem of not having a roof over their head, while also incorporating their style into the architecture.
This fan is an observation of design! Why? Because it solves the problem of an individual being too hot, and having the ability to turn on the fan to cool off. It is also where light comes from in order for the person to be able to see around their home. In this case, the fan is in my home and I took this picture. In the summer, it is important when the upstairs gets too hot, and I also use the light on a daily basis.
I took this photo in my moms car not even realizing the design thinking that went into it. Every time I get into my car, I set my water bottle in my cup holder. If I go through a drive-thru and get something, like Dunkin, I set it in the cup holder. What if we didn’t have cup holders? If it was not for design thinking, we wouldn’t. Someone created cup holders to solve the problem of car users needing a place to set their drinks. Are you getting the hang of this whole design thing? Fascinating, huh?!
This image that my mom took on my phone has a couple examples of design. The first one is the mountain behind us that is a part of our built environment, which is an aspect of design. While we cannot really control that, it does look pretty for photos which attracts people to this state. Another design thinking aspect is the experience! My brother got married in Arizona! The planning that goes into a wedding is a great example of design thinking because it is creating a loving experience for a couple and their family to show their love. So to prove my younger self wrong, design is not just interior and exterior decorations.
Obviously by looking at this image we can see that there is an interior design thinking that went behind this. As well as the looks though, it also produces heat. Even though it is not turned on in the picture, the fire place was created to keep people warm in their homes.
I have carried this water bottle around every day since the beginning of this semester and never thought to realize how design plays a role in it. Water is very important, but so is keeping it cold! With the design creation of this Hydro Flask, I am able to carry my water with me wherever I go, and keep it cool at the same time. It also has the feature of a straw, which in my opinion helps me drink water faster. Without water bottles, the world would be parched! Thanks to someones intelligent creation though, all water bottle users had their problem solved before it was even a problem.
You might be thinking, a baby is a piece of design? Well, no. But the stroller he is sitting in is. Do you know how tiring it would be for a mother to carry around her child all day, or get them to walk alongside her? With this design thinking strategy, a stroller was created in order for parents to travel easier with their children. The stroller also has different features like cup holders and storage underneath which is more of the appealing look of design.