Project One: Experience Enrichment

Mood Board

Context Poster

Rationale:

My knife sharpener has been planned specifically for an elderly war veteran. He delights in collecting knives and usually uses a sharpening stone to grind his knives. However, in his old age, it has proven to be too dangerous for his usage. My intent was to come up with a device that is safe, yet without compromising the idea of a sharpening stone. My knife sharpener still uses the same motion one would use as with a sharpening stone, however, it incorporates a handle grip as well as a knife guard, for added protection. It features two slots for first grinding the blade, followed by the tip. Blue and yellow were my colours of choice as they too are the preferred colours of my user.

Peer Comments:

http://arezziguida.blogspot.com/
http://jonathanbiet.blogspot.com/
http://hyo-jucho.blogspot.com/
http://julianides.blogspot.com/
http://glenaldyjantoides1031-2009.blogspot.com/

Video Reflections 3: Yves Behar - Creating objects that tell stories

Yves Behar opens with memories of his childhood and speaks of how objects tell stories.

After having gone to design school, Behar felt a calling towards Silicon Valley.
However, he was not satisfied with being a colourist or a stylist, just designing skins.

He wanted to work on important stuff, the entire human experience.
He focused on human needs and new experiences for users.

Behar stressed on the different values which are pumped into the products we make and how they in turn give value to the object.

Behar reminds all viewers of this video of the value of objects and how they each tell different stories.
He drives home the point that design goes far deeper than just aesthetics, and that functionality and the feel of the product are key aspects.


Image sourced from:

http://images.ted.com/images/ted/42635_254x191.jpg

Link to Yves Behar's youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGn8F4j6pH8

Video Reflections 2: Don Norman - Emotional Design

Don Norman sums up three components that define the emotional response that people subconsciously and consciously have with regards to the design of products - Visceral, Behavioural and Reflective.

Throughout the video, Norman informs of his new-found longing to create products centred around the concept of fun.

He drives on about a point of fear and how it pairs with anxiety to paralyze one's mind and in some ways, forces one to focus. However, he counters this point by stating that people do tend to work better when they are happy.

This video will teach designers to not just concentrate on the functionality of their products but the form as well, so as to appeal to the emotions and minds of their users.

Image sourced from:

http://www.cathyshive.net/images/don%20norman%20DWELL%20faucet%20expert.jpg

Link to Don Norman's youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlQEoJaLQRA

Task 3 : Good Design: TummyTub

TummyTub is a functional as well as aesthetically pleasing product for parents with newborns. However, TummyTub not only beneficial to parents, but it also provides an all-encompassing experience for the baby.

On the whole, this Good Design task has taught me to be more attentive to details and forms. It has shown that it is possible for a single product to cater to more than one target user at a time.

Video Reflections 1: David Kelley - Human centred design

With time, comes the development of technology and the progress of mankind, hence the changes in wants, needs and desires of these people that make up the market. New ideas often turn to fads in mere moments, resulting in designers cracking their heads for innovative solutions.

I viewed David Kelley speaking of the concept and philosophy of human centred design as an alarm to alert designers of the change in times. Every detail of the design process is now evermore focused on the needs and wants of the consumer.

Kelley stressed that designs of today are based on the human participation and the consideration of emotions and human thoughts, instead of just their bare functions.

This video serves as a reminder to designers to keep their design in check and up to date. It informs as well as inspires industrial designers and laymen alike, providing insight into a new form of thinking and viewing the design process.

Image sourced from:

http://www.iconaircraft.com/dl/advisors/David_Kelley.jpg

Link to David Kelley's youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXndL3TNCmo

Task 1 : Shape of a Scent

Full-bodied.
Pungent.
Flowery.
Mature.

Top to bottom: Mock-ups, Final form side view, Final form top view.