Posted by Lindsay , Thursday, April 14, 2011 11:05 PM
The chapter I read is all about the identification step in the creative process. It starts out talking about how designers need to identify a projects needs and limits, also known as its constraints. A design project is seen as a problem that needs to be solved, and the designer has to follow the different constraints that come up at different stages in order to keep the project going in the right direction. The book mentions two different types of constraints, inherent and imposed. Inherent constraints are constraints that are connected to the nature of the object being designed that are needed, and imposed constraints are characteristics that are desired but not essential to it.
The next section is about the end user constraints. The end user constraints are the constraints that the client imposes. The main rule for this is that an objects functionality should come first, and that its form should come second. The section goes on to talk about how a designer should not assume that people in society will have common sense, while they are designing something for the public. It also ties in how safety is something that needs to be considered. A design cannot be shown if it is not safe for the consumer. I think that the most important rule of design would be that it should serve its function first, and that design should come second.
The section after that, is about the constraints in production. The constraints in production are some of the most important constraints. Materials and capabilities are things that need to be considered right away, to make sure that the designs can even be made. An important point that the author makes is that as the designer, we should know how the manufacturing process of our designs works. The next section concerns the constraints of the designer. It states that a designer should know everything concerning a project and plan for a best case and worse case scenario. It also talks about how a designer should know how long everything will take, do the math for how long everything will take, and plan for interruptions. Designers also have to worry about what materials will be used, and how much everything will cost. Designers have to plan out the bad consequences of a design, so that problems do not arise later on. If you do not know enough about something to fix problems, then it is best to find someone that does.
The next section in the chapter is about sustainability. Products need to be designed that have less of an effect on the environment, to help raise awareness about the environment. Sustainability becomes a constraint in the project. People need to start making more out of less. The book gives three constraints that a designer should consider: A product should involve the greatest conservation of energy, a product has a greater efficient use of energy, and uses a renewable source of energy. I think that more people should pay attention to sustainable design, because the earth keeps getting worse and worse, and no one seems to care. Everyone thinks that it won't have any effect on them, so why help change the world for future generations? The chapter talks about how toxic chemicals should not be used, and durability and reusability should be increased. Those are both great ideas. An issue is given, about how developed countries rely too heavily on the cheap labor given by lesser developed countries, and in the future, the cheap labor is going to run out and everyone will be out of luck. It also talks about how the future generations will feel the effects of global warming and abuse from people, but the current generation does not seem to care. I completely agree with this, and think that its an issue that more people need to think about.
The second to last section in the chapter is about Brower Hatcher, an artist. He talks about how he is like a sponge, and absorbs a lot of knowledge. After that, he makes models, and clarification happens. After that, he has to build the final version of his project, and decide what materials to use. He likes to work with a team, and prefers it to the solitary work he used to do. He states that a work is not complete until it enters the world. I really like that statement. A person can look at and enjoy their art, but I do not think that it becomes great until It can be shown and enjoyed by others.
The last part of the chapter gives different exercises to do. It talks about doing a design thesis, and considering the following things: What will you design? What is its nature? Who is it for? Why is it needed? What are the benefits of it? Why is this interesting? How will you proceed? The next part talks about identifying the constraints of the project. I think that these are interesting exercises, and would help in the future when actually starting a project.
I thought the part about sustainability was really interesting and true. I agree with you when you say that we need to be more aware of what we are designing and how it is impacting our earth. As future designers we are in a lucky position because we have so much knowledge at our fingertips about how to keep a clean earth and environment and we have the chance to actually carry out our ideas through design.