You've been working as a freelance designer with moderate success for about a year; that is, you're able to pay your bills and you like your apartment, but you haven't started your own firm, and you aren't taking any vacations to Fiji. You see a $1000 crowdsourcing project posted on a job board or website that seems to be a perfect fit with a project that you've been working on in your spare time for a while now, so you decide to submit that completely original design that you've probably put about 50 hours of work into. Then, surprise: The company picks your design, and they contact you via email, sending along a WMFH contract for you to sign, handing over all of your rights to anything related to that design, for eternity. Hm. You poke around online, and find that this company has a track record of using, reproducing, altering, and often selling off designs that they've bought from neophyte designers. So, what do you do? Why do you make this decision?
Knowing that I would not receive any credit for my design if it won the competition, I would not agree to the WMFH. As an interior design student I feel like I have a good understanding of the pride that a designer has in all of their designs that they create; especially the designs that are acknowledged as being the best of the best. If I were to enter a design in a contest I would be sure to put a lot of time and effort in creating the "perfect" design for the client. Design presentations take hours and hours to develop and put together. I would hate it if I did not receive any credit for a winning design of mine after dedicating myself to the project. I would pass on this opportunity and would much rather find a client on my own to ensure that I would get credit my designs. Receiving credit for designs is much more important that the possible money that could be made by entering this contest. Money can only get people so far, but having the reputation of a prestegious designer will get designers much farther in their careers.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Interior Design Code of Ethics
After reading the code of ethics found on the IIDA, International Interior Design Association, website I believe that one of the most important ethical issues that interior designers deal with is the issue of pleasing their clients while abiding by laws and codes. In the IIDA code of ethics the two codes that best explain this struggle are under the categories of the interior designer's responsibility to the public and the interior designer's responsibility to the client. The code of ethic that falls under the public category states, "In performing professional services, Professional and Associate members shall at all times consider the health, safety and welfare of the public." The code of ethic that falls under the client category states, "In performing professional services, professional and associate members shall refuse to consent to any decisions by their clients or employers that violate any applicable law or regulation, and which, in the professional and members' judgement, will create a significant risk to public and safety." Interior designers have the struggle of incorporating the requests of their client into a design without violating any laws or regulations. The struggle for the interior designer is to try and make the client understand why some of their ideas cannot be used in a design without loosing their business. A designer could try to go against the IIDA code of ethics regarding laws and regulations however this would only put the clients well being and the designers credibility at risk.
Rampino: Innovation Pyramid
Innovation of Use:
Innovation of use refers to "the degree to which a product improves or modifies its usage, perhaps adding new functions, as compared to products already on the market" (7). In the interior design field new and improved materials are always being developed to solve many different design issues. One issue that many designers come across is the issue of controlling sound travel in spaces where they would rather not use walls to permanently close off the space. An easy way for designers to create multiple spaces within a larger space is by using curtains as dividers. The only issue with using curtains is the issue of noise levels in the space; Annette douglas Textiles created a type of curtain that solves this issue. This textile business developed a curtain that is aesthetically pleasing, light weight allowing light to filter through, and has the ability to absorb a high a large amount of sound. This type of curtain is called the "Translucent Acoustic Curtain". After researching this curtain I found out that it absorbs 5 times the amount of sound than an average curtain can. I also learned that this innovative design won the prestigious innovative award 2012 Best of Best Red Dot product design.
Typological Innovation:
Typological innovation "relates to the deviation of a product from its formal archtype" (9) In the interior design industry there are a countless amount of door types that a designer can specify for the projects that they are working on. However, all door serve the same purpose of allowing a client to close off a space for privacy. A new door design by Sung Young Um is the perfect example of typological innovation. This door functions just like any other door but also has the ability to break from its frame and fold down into a tent shaped shelter providing protection for one person in the event of an earthquake. This door is called "The Quick-Shelter Door". This door was designed to solve the issue of people not having enough time to evacuate a multiple story building in the event of a natural disaster. Having this door installed in an apartment on the 10th floor of an apartment building in an area with a record for experincing earthqukaes would definitely give the occupant piece of mind knowing that they have a form of shelter if they are unable to evacuate.
Innovation of use refers to "the degree to which a product improves or modifies its usage, perhaps adding new functions, as compared to products already on the market" (7). In the interior design field new and improved materials are always being developed to solve many different design issues. One issue that many designers come across is the issue of controlling sound travel in spaces where they would rather not use walls to permanently close off the space. An easy way for designers to create multiple spaces within a larger space is by using curtains as dividers. The only issue with using curtains is the issue of noise levels in the space; Annette douglas Textiles created a type of curtain that solves this issue. This textile business developed a curtain that is aesthetically pleasing, light weight allowing light to filter through, and has the ability to absorb a high a large amount of sound. This type of curtain is called the "Translucent Acoustic Curtain". After researching this curtain I found out that it absorbs 5 times the amount of sound than an average curtain can. I also learned that this innovative design won the prestigious innovative award 2012 Best of Best Red Dot product design.
Typological innovation "relates to the deviation of a product from its formal archtype" (9) In the interior design industry there are a countless amount of door types that a designer can specify for the projects that they are working on. However, all door serve the same purpose of allowing a client to close off a space for privacy. A new door design by Sung Young Um is the perfect example of typological innovation. This door functions just like any other door but also has the ability to break from its frame and fold down into a tent shaped shelter providing protection for one person in the event of an earthquake. This door is called "The Quick-Shelter Door". This door was designed to solve the issue of people not having enough time to evacuate a multiple story building in the event of a natural disaster. Having this door installed in an apartment on the 10th floor of an apartment building in an area with a record for experincing earthqukaes would definitely give the occupant piece of mind knowing that they have a form of shelter if they are unable to evacuate.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Ciulla Questions
*1. What is the most important thing you got out of the interview? How will you use this?
The most important and useful piece of information that I got from the interview I conducted with an interior designer was about how she started her design firm and the struggles that she went through. The advice she gave me on how to handle the struggles of opening up a design firm will help make the process easier for myself in the future.
*2. Which question got the most interesting answer? What question would you ask that you didn't?
The question I asked about her opinion on the NCIDQ certification had the most interesting response. The interior designer that I interviewed is NCIDQ certified so I assumed that she would be in support of people having the take the certification test to label themselves "interior designers". My interviewee believes that people who wish to call themselves "designers" should not have to pass the NCIDQ in order to do so. I was surprised; her opinion sounded like one that would come from a designer who isn't NCIDQ certified.
3. What information received from the interview might apply to other design majors?
Information regarding working with different types of clients, where inspiration is taken from, and starting a design firm would apply to other design majors.
4. What did the interviewee say about work that is recognized in school work?
My interviewee mentioned working with clients and peers while collaborating on a project. In design class we also have to consider our clients life style and preferences while designing a space.
5. What would you do differently?
I would ask more questions about specific design projects that the interviewee has worked on.
The most important and useful piece of information that I got from the interview I conducted with an interior designer was about how she started her design firm and the struggles that she went through. The advice she gave me on how to handle the struggles of opening up a design firm will help make the process easier for myself in the future.
*2. Which question got the most interesting answer? What question would you ask that you didn't?
The question I asked about her opinion on the NCIDQ certification had the most interesting response. The interior designer that I interviewed is NCIDQ certified so I assumed that she would be in support of people having the take the certification test to label themselves "interior designers". My interviewee believes that people who wish to call themselves "designers" should not have to pass the NCIDQ in order to do so. I was surprised; her opinion sounded like one that would come from a designer who isn't NCIDQ certified.
3. What information received from the interview might apply to other design majors?
Information regarding working with different types of clients, where inspiration is taken from, and starting a design firm would apply to other design majors.
4. What did the interviewee say about work that is recognized in school work?
My interviewee mentioned working with clients and peers while collaborating on a project. In design class we also have to consider our clients life style and preferences while designing a space.
5. What would you do differently?
I would ask more questions about specific design projects that the interviewee has worked on.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Ciulla, What Is Work?
In Ciulla's, "What Is Work" she discusses different ways that the word "work" is interpretted, proving that there is no one set definition of the word work. In one of her chapters titled " Work as an Attitude" Ciulla explains how titling a task as "work" rather than "an activity" affects the way people go about completing the task; it makes the task seem more tedious and unpleasant. As an interior design student I have experienced a small dose of what professional interior designers experience in the "professional world". If Iconsidered all of the time consuming tasks that I have to complete in order to put together a successful presentation as "work" I would never get it all done. I always try to find something enjoyable in the tasks that I have for my design class in order to complete the tasks to the best of my abilities.
In another chapter titled "Anything Can Be Work" Ciulla says that Webster's New Unabridged Dictionary defines work as " the bodily or mental effort exerted to do or make something; purposeful activiy; labor; toil." Ciulla later states that "on the one hand work is necessary and restrictive of our freedom, while on the other hand it is purposeful and creative." The work of an interior designer is toil; it is extremely exhausting and time consuming. The Webster's definition of work comes very close to defining the work of an interior designer. Interior designers spend countless hours working on schemes, drafting, rendering, and creating presentations all to end up with a funtional, purposeful design.
In Ciulla's chapter "The Labor of Our Bodies" she explains that while labor does involve physical activity is not always an extremely strenuous act. She goes on to define the word "laborer" as an individual who contributes to the making or doing of something. This is exactly what an interior designer does. Interior design does involve physical labor, however it is not extreme. Interior designers take an idea or concept and turn it into floor plans and construction documents. These plans get approved by architects and are then turned into tangible spaces by contractors. The interior designer does not physically take part in building the structure but their "work" is what lead to the actual structure.
The chapter "Work That Hurts" Ciulla talks about work and the toil and drudgery that goes along with it. Drudgery refers to work that is dull and minuteness, while toil refers to exhausting, continous work/labor. I would not say that interior design is dull or minuteness but I would definitely say that it is extremely time consuming and exhausting. Interior designers spend hours upon hours either hand drafting or digitally creating plans, and then create presentations that they will eventually present to clients. More times that not the client will not be completely satisfied with the inital design presented to them which means that it is back to the drawing board, literally, for the designer. That is the most stressful feeling because all of the hours put into the original design become worthless. Interior design is very stressful because designers are constantly faced with difficult clients and the issue of problem solving.
In another chapter titled "Anything Can Be Work" Ciulla says that Webster's New Unabridged Dictionary defines work as " the bodily or mental effort exerted to do or make something; purposeful activiy; labor; toil." Ciulla later states that "on the one hand work is necessary and restrictive of our freedom, while on the other hand it is purposeful and creative." The work of an interior designer is toil; it is extremely exhausting and time consuming. The Webster's definition of work comes very close to defining the work of an interior designer. Interior designers spend countless hours working on schemes, drafting, rendering, and creating presentations all to end up with a funtional, purposeful design.
In Ciulla's chapter "The Labor of Our Bodies" she explains that while labor does involve physical activity is not always an extremely strenuous act. She goes on to define the word "laborer" as an individual who contributes to the making or doing of something. This is exactly what an interior designer does. Interior design does involve physical labor, however it is not extreme. Interior designers take an idea or concept and turn it into floor plans and construction documents. These plans get approved by architects and are then turned into tangible spaces by contractors. The interior designer does not physically take part in building the structure but their "work" is what lead to the actual structure.
The chapter "Work That Hurts" Ciulla talks about work and the toil and drudgery that goes along with it. Drudgery refers to work that is dull and minuteness, while toil refers to exhausting, continous work/labor. I would not say that interior design is dull or minuteness but I would definitely say that it is extremely time consuming and exhausting. Interior designers spend hours upon hours either hand drafting or digitally creating plans, and then create presentations that they will eventually present to clients. More times that not the client will not be completely satisfied with the inital design presented to them which means that it is back to the drawing board, literally, for the designer. That is the most stressful feeling because all of the hours put into the original design become worthless. Interior design is very stressful because designers are constantly faced with difficult clients and the issue of problem solving.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Lange, "Want To Buy A Valentine?"
Perspective 1: There actually is emotional significance in giving your beloved a valentine made
by someone else
In "Want To Buy A Valentine?" Alexandra Lange argues that hand crafted Valentine's day cards have more meaning and value than cards made by someone else, or e-cards. Lange's argument is that the thought and effort put into making hand crafted cards is what makes them more meaningful to the individual recieving them. The thought behind the design is what shows the individual how much their loved one cares for them. However, this does not mean that the people who give their significant others cards from a drugstore or online site like Etsy do not care about their partners. These people may not have the time to actually craft a valentine for their loved one. Instead they show their love and appreciation through pre-made Valentine's day cards. Their is just as much thought put in to picking out the perfect Valentine's day card as their is in hand crafting one. Another reason why people may choose to buy their loved ones Valentine's day cards as opposed to making them is because many people either find it hard to come up with an original creation to express how they feel, or just don't have the skill to actually hand craft a valentine. Most pre-made valentine's just look nicer and many come with very loving quotes/messages on the inside. Just because the words written in the card were not written by the individual buying it does not mean that the message is not true. The thought behind choosing the perfect card with the perfect message is what gives the "generic" pre-made Valentine's day cards meaning.
Perspective 2: Is card-swapping of Valentine's Day is truly meaningful or just a commercialized holiday that everyone takes part in simply because we're supposed to?
Valentine's Day is definitely a commercialized holiday. The fact that there is a day to for people to tell their loved ones how they feel is a little ridiculous; it takes the meaning out of saying "I love you". People should express how they feel about each other because they truly want to, not because there is a holiday that tells them to say "I love you". Valentine's day is just another "holiday" to remember and chance for the greeting card industry to make money. I am sure that greeting card sales dramatically increase around Valentine's day; along with chocolate and flower sales. While it is nice to have people express how much they care for you on this day, I feel like it is a little forced and is more of an opportunity for the greeting card industry to boost sales.
In "Want To Buy A Valentine?" Alexandra Lange argues that hand crafted Valentine's day cards have more meaning and value than cards made by someone else, or e-cards. Lange's argument is that the thought and effort put into making hand crafted cards is what makes them more meaningful to the individual recieving them. The thought behind the design is what shows the individual how much their loved one cares for them. However, this does not mean that the people who give their significant others cards from a drugstore or online site like Etsy do not care about their partners. These people may not have the time to actually craft a valentine for their loved one. Instead they show their love and appreciation through pre-made Valentine's day cards. Their is just as much thought put in to picking out the perfect Valentine's day card as their is in hand crafting one. Another reason why people may choose to buy their loved ones Valentine's day cards as opposed to making them is because many people either find it hard to come up with an original creation to express how they feel, or just don't have the skill to actually hand craft a valentine. Most pre-made valentine's just look nicer and many come with very loving quotes/messages on the inside. Just because the words written in the card were not written by the individual buying it does not mean that the message is not true. The thought behind choosing the perfect card with the perfect message is what gives the "generic" pre-made Valentine's day cards meaning.
Perspective 2: Is card-swapping of Valentine's Day is truly meaningful or just a commercialized holiday that everyone takes part in simply because we're supposed to?
Valentine's Day is definitely a commercialized holiday. The fact that there is a day to for people to tell their loved ones how they feel is a little ridiculous; it takes the meaning out of saying "I love you". People should express how they feel about each other because they truly want to, not because there is a holiday that tells them to say "I love you". Valentine's day is just another "holiday" to remember and chance for the greeting card industry to make money. I am sure that greeting card sales dramatically increase around Valentine's day; along with chocolate and flower sales. While it is nice to have people express how much they care for you on this day, I feel like it is a little forced and is more of an opportunity for the greeting card industry to boost sales.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Kwun/Walker Thesis
What is Kwun's thesis?
Kwun's thesis is that the controversial fashion designs/choices made by Lady Gaga are not haphazard choices but are influenced by architectural concepts and structures.
How does she/he prove this thesis?
Kwun supports this thesis by first describing the headpiece Gaga was wearing on an episode of Ellen. Kwun mentions that the headpiece is remeniscent architect Etienne Boulee’s proposal of a cenotaph,funerary monument, for Issac Newton. This comparison between the headpiece and the structure designed by Etienne Boulee is the first way Kwun supports her thesis. Another example of how Kwun supports her thesis in this document is when she describes the red gown worn by Lady Gaga on an episode of Gossip Girl. The red gown was designed with a 30' blood red drape. Stagehands were hidden under the drape of the gown to help Gaga move around the stage without falling. The stagehands play a more important role towards the end of Gaga's on stage; Gaga climbs a 15' ladder, when she reaches the top the stagehands go under the dress, lifting the drape and creating a sturcture for the dress to form to. The description of the function of the dress is very similar to the way spaces are formed in the architectural industry. Spaces are shaped to fufill a certain purpose; for example, a kitchen plan will always include a range, refrigerator, and a sink, without these appliances the space would not service its purpose as a kitchen.
What is Walker's thesis?
Walker's thesis is that the meaning of colors used on packaging are not interpreted the same by all consumers.
How does she/he prove this thesis?
In the beginning of this article Walker explains why the black packaging for cigarettes acts as a danger/warning sign to consumers. Walker mentions that the color black is usually associated with death, danger, and in this case, the effects caused by smoking (black lung, stained teeth,etc.) After talking about the negative connotations associated with the color black Walker questions how the packaging affects sales, calling the Marlboro black packaging "product suicide". Walker continues on in the article with a quote from designer DJ Stout saying,“tobacco companies should embrace the restrictions and make cigarettes look truly dangerous.” Walker gives two different examples of cigarette packaging that would be considered product suicide; one with a skeleton on the front of the pack (design by DJ Stout) and another package that is a 3 dimensional warning label (design by Build). Most people would not be apt to buy cigarettes with a skeleton on the packaging. However, Walker later states that the hardcore, rebellious smokers would be drawn to the dangerous/deadly looking cigarette packaging. Walker ends this article by stating, "It functions as graphic design jujitsu: Yes, this is dangerous, mortally so; and that’s why you want it." (Walker, Package It Black) The choice to use black for cigarette packaging may be to subliminally warn consumers, however all people associate the color black with different ideas; some think of death while others think of rebellion.
Kwun's thesis is that the controversial fashion designs/choices made by Lady Gaga are not haphazard choices but are influenced by architectural concepts and structures.
How does she/he prove this thesis?
Kwun supports this thesis by first describing the headpiece Gaga was wearing on an episode of Ellen. Kwun mentions that the headpiece is remeniscent architect Etienne Boulee’s proposal of a cenotaph,funerary monument, for Issac Newton. This comparison between the headpiece and the structure designed by Etienne Boulee is the first way Kwun supports her thesis. Another example of how Kwun supports her thesis in this document is when she describes the red gown worn by Lady Gaga on an episode of Gossip Girl. The red gown was designed with a 30' blood red drape. Stagehands were hidden under the drape of the gown to help Gaga move around the stage without falling. The stagehands play a more important role towards the end of Gaga's on stage; Gaga climbs a 15' ladder, when she reaches the top the stagehands go under the dress, lifting the drape and creating a sturcture for the dress to form to. The description of the function of the dress is very similar to the way spaces are formed in the architectural industry. Spaces are shaped to fufill a certain purpose; for example, a kitchen plan will always include a range, refrigerator, and a sink, without these appliances the space would not service its purpose as a kitchen.
What is Walker's thesis?
Walker's thesis is that the meaning of colors used on packaging are not interpreted the same by all consumers.
How does she/he prove this thesis?
In the beginning of this article Walker explains why the black packaging for cigarettes acts as a danger/warning sign to consumers. Walker mentions that the color black is usually associated with death, danger, and in this case, the effects caused by smoking (black lung, stained teeth,etc.) After talking about the negative connotations associated with the color black Walker questions how the packaging affects sales, calling the Marlboro black packaging "product suicide". Walker continues on in the article with a quote from designer DJ Stout saying,“tobacco companies should embrace the restrictions and make cigarettes look truly dangerous.” Walker gives two different examples of cigarette packaging that would be considered product suicide; one with a skeleton on the front of the pack (design by DJ Stout) and another package that is a 3 dimensional warning label (design by Build). Most people would not be apt to buy cigarettes with a skeleton on the packaging. However, Walker later states that the hardcore, rebellious smokers would be drawn to the dangerous/deadly looking cigarette packaging. Walker ends this article by stating, "It functions as graphic design jujitsu: Yes, this is dangerous, mortally so; and that’s why you want it." (Walker, Package It Black) The choice to use black for cigarette packaging may be to subliminally warn consumers, however all people associate the color black with different ideas; some think of death while others think of rebellion.
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