Explode That Dot

Legally, I have to say that "Exploding The Dot" is a registered trademark of Debbie Wideroe... because it is. But basically, that is what I am posting about today. Exploding the Dot, otherwise known as mapping, is a way to just get ideas down and find some sense of direction by asking lots of questions and looking for which way to go. As you can see, there are two different maps. One is messy, and one is not. The first map I created in class. To be honest, it left me feeling woozy and entirely directionless.

For a creative person... I really do enjoy structure. So I created the second map. I tried to leave me preconceived notions behind, which I failed to do in the first map. I have decided that instead of showing a "growing" map I'm going to show a series of maps. This is mostly due to the fact that looking at old thoughts confuses me, and I need structure. I have noticed that no matter how I begin a project, I always end up in a better albeit different direction. So the best way for me to work is to get things down, work them out, and move on. So the more structured map shows exactly where I am at right now.

as you can see, my biggest question is HOW? How do people change? How do I help them get there? How do I motivate them based on where they are at? I began with the idea that this campaign does not have to objectively or subjectively focused. My biggest concern is that the purpose is to change behaviour... So that is wher eI started. I looked at it in two ways. Easy, would be people who are definitely conscious of their behaviour and it's only engrained as a choice, not necesarrily because of cultural factors. Then there is hard. Hard would be people who jsut do it. They may be conscious of it, but they are more like worker bees. It's less than a thought. How did either of these types get there and where do we go from here? How do you motivate the different types?

After reaching this point, I have refocused my research not on things, but just on behaviour. How do other organizations motivate people, and what difficulties have they found? How are attitude and behaviour linked... do i have to change one inorder to change the other or can behaviour be shifted regardless of what someone thinks or believes? Can I introduce something that will make change for someone, or do I really jsut need to motivate the person? Interesting...

Make Up Your Mind

Today's images are from Olimpia Zagnoli. I love it because it's simple... SO simple but intriguing. It's fun and interesting. I'm not the biggest fan of her work, but she does have a few pieces that I love, and this is one of them. They are called Anatomy of Tissue Paper. Clever, right?

So I was thinking about the research design process, and how it pertains to me. In class, we worked on a research process for a group of people. We each did our own, but as I work on this RSA project, I am realizing that the process is FAR different than what we discussed. So here is what I've settled on in terms of my own research process.

First- figure out the question.
*so long as you've got a genereal idea of the project, you've got a starting point. Put down everything you know, or think you know about the subject. Try to find other things you may are may not heard of that already exist.
Second- go through your research to begin research.
*start researching the things you know. Chances are, you only know topical things. The more you find out about what you already know, you'll begin to discover things you don't know and find your direction.
Third- choose a direction!
*enough researching and digging around in space, it's time to pick something and run with it. Find some key points and work on narrowing down and choose a direction that you know you can work but also one that is interesting and has great creative potential.
Fourth- start designing.
*sketch things. Make thumbnails, just pour out ideas on things you want to do. And don't be afraid to carry around a notebook to put something down when you randomly think of it. [You never know when inspiration will hit you!]
Next [I'm tired of numbering]- refine!
*choose an artistic direction and go with it. Work on ideas that can be evolved together to create something cohesive, but keep an open mind because you may find that the direction you've chosen isn't quite right. In that case, just work on it! Make changes when necesarry.
TIME OUT!!! Don't forget that when you are working wiht a client, keep them informed. This is about the point you would share your work with the client. Show them mark-ups, and elt tem in on the direction you've chosen [be advised, some clients like feeling as though they have an option, so let them feel that way.]
Moving On- perfect it.
*I am thinking this step as rather self-explanatory. Just perfect your work. Work on final looks... we're a bit past mark-ups now. The client should be able to see more realistic work at this point. They need a real feel for what's happening.
Finally- end it!
*Get it done. Fulfill your promise. The funniest thing about this, hoenstly, is that you wil more than likely be researching things until the day you present it with final packaging. Great fun.

That being said, I am at stage... two! I've been going through the project I've chosen and I've been ahving trouble finding direction, so I've just been doing somehwat aimless research. As such, I've been constantly asking myself questions.
Exactly what is elegant frugality... how can I really make it apply in a way that matters to me?
I think it's really more about being functionally responsible, and not jsut gimmicky. Reusable bags are a nice idea, but are we really using them? I mean hybrid cars are actually a bit of a joke, unless everyone switches because of all of the other implications like mechanics and new qualifications, and other such things.
What have other people, groups, done?
Reusable bags. Water bottles made with less plastic but the same capacity. Hybrid/electric cars. Computers with recyclable and easy-to-replace parts.
Should I come up with something new, or should I work on promoting/developing a new idea?
I'm not exactly an inventor an engineer, but there are some really good concepts out there. I think maybe I want to do both. Run with a newer concept and evolve it.
How far can I take this? Is this about developing my skill in design, or about the overall process?
I'm thinking that I want to develop my skill in the overall process. So I'm going to challenge myself. I will choose something thtat I have vision for, but something that I feel is currently underplayed or unnoticed.
From what I've seen and gathered, what am I most interested in and how can I best tailor it to the brief?
I REALLY like eco-friendly electronics. Bamboo casing, recyclable parts, lower energy needs. But most of all, I like functionality that's attractive.

That's all I've got so far. I'll be sure to question further. To be honest, it's really as far as I've gotten. I'm having trouble narrowing things down. But the more I question myself about the direction I want to go, the clearer answers will become.

The First Task of Many

I had previously discussed two designers I'm a fan of on another blog... but it got spammed! So I'm re-writing it and putting it here. The first I chose was actually a group of designers.

Target is an American store that is a bit like ASDA, but for them, design is everything. It's hard to find names for their creative team as they use an in-house agency, but they do partner with other designers for their ads/campaigns every now and again... such as the wonderful Ryan Cox! They consistently empower the brand by respecting customers and audiences as creative individuals. Their latest campaign, "Hello Good-buy" is a play on a top Beatles song. It's another example of how they are always reinventing the classic. Their goal isn't to be edgy, and I think that makes for gret design. Because TRYING to be edgy, always looks forced. And Target ads are just naturally fun and inviting.

Next, we have Meg Hunt. She has a much more artistic look. In general, she uses a rather interesting colour palette. Her work has such a flow to it, and it isn't because she has a great use of line. When you pick it apart, there is nothing about her work that is smooth. But her ability to use interesting colors, patterns, and motions makes for the most brilliant design work. Her illustrations have a much more natural artistic look to them then alot of the current and newer work. In my opinion, I think it is the direction of future design. Artistic and stylized work are definitely the direction of future design... which, interestingly enough, was how it started. The era of stark solids and basic forms for advertising is over. Designers are definitely coming back. And it's nice to see advertisers, and brands really recognizing the power of design and image.

RSA pt.1

So, I think I have chosen my design project. Elegant Frugality. It almost sounds frou frou, but the exciting thing is that it doesn't have to be. The aim of this brief is to, "Create and produce an original, persuasive and behaviour changing strategy for the issue you feel it is important to address." There are two sides to how I'm feeling on this. The first is that I am excited. I come from California. All we talk about is being green and ways to have less impact on this earth [as far as your carbon footprint is concerned]. The negative side, and what I am most concerned about, is that I am not British. Yes, I want to cover something important to me like the brief states, but I also want to do something relevant to more than myself and my own life. So I am setting forth a battery of questions to move myself beyond... myself.

What IS important to me?

What do I really care about?

What issues does my hometown face?

What issues does Britain face?

Are any of these alike?

How has each approached the issue?

What is the difference in style?

What is Britain facing that I find important?

How can I best approach any issue from a British point of view?

Are there any cultural differences that must be noted?

Is it important that I come from a British point of view... or is it time for something different?

I know that I will have more questions as time goes on, as this design process moves forward, and I will also answer these questions. I'm really excited to see where this will lead. Hopefully I find a pattern of design/design research that works for me, personally. Something better than the four years of text books [ALL the same] have offered.

I would like to start a little tradition. Hopefully, I will keep it up. But for now... with every post I want to put some piece of design that I find interesting, or simply enjoy. Because the more I look at design, the more I'm actually studying it and processing it in my mind. Without further ado... I give you "monster" [located above] by Ryan Cox. I love... LOVE his design work. His work resembles every element that I adore and I work to employ. His design are bright simple and fun, and as basic as they may seem each is unique. There is just something special about his design, whether it is intuitive, or just a little fun. It's design that doesn't take itself too seriously, and I love that. I chose this particular piece because it's just a whole lot of fun. And also because it reminds me of the Fire Gang from The Labrynth starring David Bowie. [Throughout the course of this blog, you will more than likely discover my love for the 80's.] Just check out his work... doesn't it just put a smile on your face? I think that's one of the gifts of good design. Good design moves you in some kind of direction. Ryan Cox moves me to happiness. Without a doubt, I will include more of his work in this blog at some point.