Good or Bad Design? The Verdict (s)

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/30/arts/design2.php

"What is good design? It's a seemingly simple question, that's surprisingly difficult to answer. The more you think about it, the more complex the question becomes. Not only does "good design" mean different things to different people, it also changes at different times and in different contexts.

Some of the world's leading designers were challenged to define what "good design" means now in a debate at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos last week. At the debate, which I moderated, each designer was asked to identify one example of "good" and one example of "bad" design, and to explain the reasons for their choices. What did they come up with?"

It is fair to say that good design must be aesthetically pleasing as well as innovative, but also had to contain the ability of fulfilling its function.

Therefore, design must look good, perform its purpose, be innovative, but more importantly be able to operate safely and efficiently.

India's $10 Laptop

http://www.core77.com/


A $10 Laptop sounds impossible, especially considering the fact that mac laptops average around $1,300.
The $10 laptop has actually been made by students of Vellore Institute of Technology in India.

The truth is that is so called $10 laptop is a reality and that it may soon actually turn out to more more like $20!

"At this stage, the price is working out to be $20 but with mass production it is bound to come down," R P Agarwal, secretary, higher education said.

Easiest Way To Dramatically Increase Sales

http://www.sethgodin.typepad.com/


According to Seth Godin, the easiest way to increase sales for any company is to: Call your customers. Or write to them.
Godin claims that showing your customers some compassion and interest in their well-being will go a long way for your business. This article by Seth Godin really struck a chord with me because I had just finished reading a book called YOU INC. and they had voiced this aspect as a main objective in keeping customers happy.

So....... Write a Thank-you note or just a letter asking how they are. Maybe send them a discount coupon of some other perk to show you care.

Creativity and stretching the sweatshirt

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/01/creativity-and-stretching-the-sweatshirt.html

Seth Godin claims that being creative is what he call "always staying near the edges."
He further explains this by the following:

1. If you want to be creative, understand that you'll need to get to the edges, even if the edges have moved. Being creative means immediately going to the place the last person left off.

2. If you are "not creative," if you are the sort of person that gets uncomfortable being creative or has been persuaded you're not capable, don't worry about it. Just stretch the sweatshirt in your spare time, watch the creative things other people have done, keep up with the state of the art. Then, when you do your "not creative" thing, most people will think it's pretty creative indeed.

Being creative is also described as being on of a kind and striving for innovation. However, creativity is also found in the everyday actions of most individuals... so keep on keepin' on and someone will notice the creativity.

Top 3 Sustainable Trends for 2009

"In the face of a weak dollar, mass layoffs, and the world's corporate giants floundering, what are the corporate sustainability efforts we can realistically expect from businesses in 2009?"

1.) sustainability labels- these labels would act as a carbon footprint on any and everything consumers purchase. In my opinion this label would require more thoughtful purchases. Consumers would no longer squander their money but instead would purchase items they truly needed and items they could trace the history of.

2.) virtual meetings- these meeting would be a tremendous help on the environment, specifically because no longer would individuals have to spend unprecedented amounts of money on airfare or gas, which in turn also harm the environment by causing waste and pollution.

3.) zero waste- all these aspects would promote zero waste by enforcing a more green and frugal way of life.

www.businessweek.com
http://www.fastcompany.com/articles/2008/12/top-sustainability-trends.html?page=0%2C0

Design Loves a Depression

"In the lean years ahead, “there will be less design, but much better design.”
www.businessweek.com

It is without a doubt evident how the economy today has impacted jobs in every field. However, it is interesting to see that this impact is even felt in design and felt incredibly. People are no longer wanting to spend a ridiculous about of money on a sofa or dresser, therefore, designers must in turn change their vision and adapt to the troubling times. People are looking for sleek design and affordable prices, so designers must make their mark... whether its with style, unique form or durability.

Senior Project: IDEAS

Below are a few images of pictures that in a sense display what I had in mind for my senior project. I thought of incorporating drawing, water colors, and a few different mediums to depicts my memories/love of art since I was a child. The pictures below portray the use of various mediums along with digital art to create beautiful designs that seem to carry themselves as portraits or even collages of various mediums.

Smartphone for the LDR (long distance rider)

Since after multiple tickets we are all aware that it is illegal to drive and talk on your phone. This annoying law seems to make sense however when the driving is being done on a bike... considering that an already dangerous act like driving becomes even more so on a bike with no outside protection. The smartphone specified for LDR's will take safety, ease of use and all the other details necessary and useful for long distance bikers.

smartphone:research

After searching the web for smartphones with the limitations of the image having to be head-on, clear, and visually present buttons. Below is the phone I chose as a model:




Using this phone as a model I will create a device specifically for what I have labeled... LDR's! Long Distance Riders better known as bikers who take spend long days on the road traveling and enjoying their voyage.