Writer's Toolbox

      The Writers Toolbox is a presentation that addresses the many different methods of mapping ideas of the creative process and documenting different thoughts. The methods of creating these idea maps include:

1. Mind Mapping- Giving visual form to ideas and generate non-linear thinking. (diagram above)
2.Concept Maps- More thorough investigation of relationships. (Words linked often by "can be" and "from)
3. Free Writing- Method of getting thoughts onto paper. Different from Journal because focuses on one idea.
4. Brain Writing/Brainstorming- Methods of compiling ideas with others through notes, diagrams, etc.

IDEO

       This video was about a product design group called IDEO. Through the video IDEO founder David Kelly walks us through the process of designing a new and innovative version of the shopping cart. Instead of focusing on the constructive aspects of the process, David focused on the creative brainstorming elements of design.
       "Enlightened trial and error succeeds over the efforts of the lone genius." This quote is a perfect construction of the creative processes of IDEO. Building off of the ideas of others is paramount at IDEO. Not only building on basic ideas, but offhanded and often silly ones as well. David Kelly is a major proponent of the idea that innovative ideas often are born of the ridiculous.

Hallmark Symposium

         The Hallmark Symposium this week was presented by German photographer Joachim Schmid. Joachim was unlike many photographers I have seen because of his method of presenting works. At the opening of the lecture, he stated his fascination with books, saying, "They are democratic, economical, and effectively display information." His love for books was highly reflective of his works, as well.
        Starting his career as a graphic designer, Joachim said that he understands the psyche of simplicity. This was evident once he began to display his works. The majority of his creations included simply faced book covers with few words and no graphics, filled with photographs which correlated to the central theme of the book. An example of a book title and theme would be, "This is Cool". It would be filled with pictures, often taken by others, which were found captioned similarly to the title of the book.  One strange appeal about Joachim was his admittance to not taking most of the photographs which he displays. but that a majority of the images he found while browsing the internet.

Final Poster

        This is the final design of my well designed object. As you can see, my object was a Birkenstock. The reason that I chose this object was because of its iconic yet simplistic style. A style that relies on the subtely of its design to bring appreciation Just as Rams says in his 10 Principles, “Good design involves as little design as possible.” Another Principle that applies to this object is that it is environmentally friendly. A common Birkenstock is composed of cork, leather, and a few buckles. Besides having instant recognition through design and being environmentally friendly, the Birkenstock is useful as it is long lasting

Color Police

Good Color Use:
This label is an example of great color usage. The red of the cherry is made paramount in the design of the label, with all the colors of the design complimenting it. It is obvious that the design was constructed around the image of the cherry.





Bad Color Use:
This image is an example of poor color usage because of the complimentary red and green. Although sometimes using complimentary colors is good to use to allow a design to pop. However the colors almost neutralize each other, weakening the design.

Reading Responses

        Adapting to situations and problem solving with design. In Design by Ralph Caplan we see the protagonist, an owner of a small theater, hit with the problem of racial segregation of seats. Many people were upset about the steps he made, others were overjoyed. Regardless of the outcome, this entry is merely to illuminate that design is a great problem solver.
In Kees Dorst’s Understanding Design we are challenged to see design in a different way. Often people can think of design or designing as a street, with two ends. However design is really an unending spectrum. Design is the implementation to a solution, and can be taken to endless degrees
after.

Dieter Rams' 10 Commandments

                  In this article, design guru Dieter Rams addresses the 10 Principles, or Commandments, of good design. Not only did this open up my primitive perspective on design but also was inspiring to find so many finely tuned aspects that create beautiful design.
The Ten Principles state that good design:
1. Is Innovative
2.  Makes a Product Useful
3. Has Good Aesthetic Design
4. Makes the Product Understandable
5. Is Unobtrusive
6.  Is Honest
7. Is Long Lasting
8. Is Thorough in All Details
9. Is Environmentally Friendly
10. Has as Little Design as Possible

The Principle that I found most influential and important was the last: Good design has as little design as possible. When reflecting on this, it reminds me of the power of subtlety. Often objects are “over-designed” rendering them dated and obsolete. Objects that are remembered and appreciated for generations to come are ones of subtle, yet strong design.

Weak Chroma

Limited Palette

Transition of Hue

Neutrals

Key Color

Dominance of Chroma

Harmonious Values

Contrasting Chromas

Harmonious Hue

Harmonious Chroma

Contrasting Values

Contrasting Hues