I first became interested in design in highschool. I studied design and technology at St Andrews Cathedral School, a school more commonly known for its musical talents. I enjoyed design and technology much through my younger years, as it was typically a “bludge” subject. During higher school certificate I chose to continue studying design and technology optionally, this is where my interest began. During years 11 and 12 we embarked on individual projects of our own choice, this allowed me to explore the design creative process and problem solving in situations I could personally relate to. Once completing my HSC and my first portfolio project I had to make decisions on life after school. The only thing I could imagine enjoying was design and technology so I saw a career advisor as well as taking a careers test. My results came back that I would be very compatible in a design related job, so I saw the councilor and my design teacher both of whom suggested doing a bachelor of industrial design among a few other design fields. The usual degrees didn’t pose much interest to me such as architecture, interior design and landscape design. I instead chose industrial design, which had been described to me as “a course that covers all aspects of design apart from buildings” I did not really know what this course would cover but I was excited as I knew it would involve drawing and construction of some kind. I applied for UTS, UNSW and UOWS industrial design courses as well as Wollongong’s design and visual arts course. I was accepted by all except UTS, UNSW being the most convenient and most prestigious was off course my first choice. Upon studying this first semester I have found that industrial design covers mostly product design but also all elements and principles of design in any field. This has only encouraged my enthusiasm for a career in product/industrial design. I enjoy very much the communal nature of the design process involved with solving problems and creating new designs as well as the individual creativity behind making something unique and personal. I also very much enjoy group work and group brainstorming and having prospects of working in such environments after university is very appealing. As for my future in design it is very uncertain at this point, whether I become a product designer or not I intend to still be involved in the design industry. A hope and dream of mine would be to have some sort of ownership of my own Design Company or firm. At the moment I have a lot to learn about the industry and how things work in the real world far outside of university but I am quite positive when I think about making a career out of design one way or another.

COnfusing design

My design confusion poster

Note: redesign missing from jpg as it was done by hand on my final poster.

My Design Excellence Poster

Throughout this project I have found the process to be very valuable. I have learnt how to critically analyse a products aesthetic characteristics through key concepts learnt in semester ones fundamentals course such as shape, form, line, colour, texture, harmony, proportion ect. I also found this quite an enjoyable project for working on my graphic design skills, learning programs such as photoshop and illustrator in the process.

David Kelly: Human Centred Design

During David Kelly’s talk on human centered design the main focus is on the changing direction in which design is heading. He states the obvious that design is mostly a focus on the products but also how designers are taking a human centered approach to design. This involves designing emotions, behaviors and narratives into new products. David Kelly also explains how the design process itself has changed, with many design companies no longer presenting just 3D modeling to their clients to communicate their ideas but instead how the product must be in motion prior. David Kelly explains that designer must now present experience prototypes to better communicate the man to machine relationship i.e how a product will interact with a user and how it will be perceived by the consumer. This reinforces the idea that design is all about the user experience. David uses examples like the Prada store in New York and how important the role of the user and their experience is with the product. David Kelly also explains how designers are becoming more trusted and integrated into plan of businesses emphasizing the importance on human centered design and designer’s ever expanding influence on product development.

Don Norman Emotional Design

Don Normans talk on emotional design portrays one key factor that beautiful, fun, pretty products are far more enjoyable and better to use than ugly ones. Norman talks about the importance of aesthetics, function but most importantly reflection. This reflection made by a user about a certain product is what he calls the emotional design. One example Don Norman uses to express that fun and beautiful products are better to use is that of the mini cooper review done by Times Magazine, in the review it states “This is a car that has lots of faults, buy it anyway! Its so much fun drive.” Norman also explains how this positivity within products is recognised by the subconscious mind, where a user will recognise a product to be pleasant to use but they don’t know why. This idea that pleasant things work better runs true in my own day-to-day life, I keep using my new nokia touchscreen phone even though the screen is broken over a much older style mobile because of its beauty. It functions the same if not worse than other old mobiles lying around my home but for some reason sub-consciously I prefer it because of its aesthetic appeal. This is also an example of reflection within the product, having a touch phone says something about my own self-image therefore I can connect with it better. Norman talks about the three levels of processing, Visceral, Behavioural and Reflective, Visceral is all about what we like and dislike, bright colours, smiling faces. The example he uses is water bottle, “you buy it because of the bottle not because of the water” its all about the visceral experience. Behavioural is all about function, usability and being in control of your environment. Reflective is all about emotion and how a object will reflect on our own self image. The products we surround ourselves with are reflective of how we see ourselves. The best example of this used by Don Norman is the Hummer, an extremely head turning car makes a comment on the owners individual self-image and status. He also talks about the story within design, making particular reference to Jake Cress an alternative furniture maker and narratives placed within his designs, these stories are accepted by the user without question.