Naaman Williams

Dear Ian,

I am writing this letter to thank you for a phenominal class and a great three weeks. I have learned alot and therefore I thank you. I will use my new design curriculum to make the world a better place. I appreciate your mentoring, suggestions, and dedication to the class. You have taught me to think outside the box and take creative risks. I will try to stay in touch and work on my table design. I have shown my father [ a carpenter ] pictures of my table and he will help me make a larger scale of my table. I will try to stay in touch and send pictures of my new table. I thank you for this wonderful experience and because of this class, I am considering Brown as an option for college.

Sincerly,
Naaman C. Williams

Rainy Day Design

Here's a little something from the electronic media artist/designer Paul De Marinis:



De Marinis uses a specially designed water spout that sends out water droplets at specific frequencies so that when you stand under them with an umbrella it creates music!

-Andrew

diance- bird's nest china olympics

Laura: Bamboo Pavilion

This is the Bamboo Pavilion. I thought this was so cool because the entire structure is made of bamboo. It is a material that I would not have thought of using to build such a large structure, but the design is very interesting and the pavilion looks beautiful.

Kamaria - Park Bench

This is a park bench made out of recycled plastic. In addition to being environmentally friendly, it is also more sensible than traditional wooden benches, which can cause splinters and warp with time.

Ian

I'm not sure if these objects are chairs or just decoration, but when i first saw it, i thought they were some type of gaint sea shell or something rediculous like that. It turns out that these were created by the intesive and careful layering of scotch tape! these are some very whimsical structures and the kind of mesmorize you when you first look at them and ontop of that, they are made out of scotch tape. I thought these were unbelievable

Alex- Vivienne Westwood

The shoes designed by Vivienne Westwood are composed of unusual materials that one would not expect to be on a pair of shoes, for example, Coca Cola cans or newspaper. She was the inspiration to many later designers by the use of these unexpected materials on her clothing and shoes.

ariana- glow in the dark

Julianne: Chrome Mercedes of Dubai

This a model of a mercedes that has been built using the "new and improved" nanocrystalline nickel-tungsten alloy, chrome. It does not run, and would probably would be extremely uncomfortable, but does offer a very slick and beautiful exterior view of an otherwise classic car.

Pooja: Interesting use of gold

This shoe is made of 680g of pure gold. This is gold being used in an interesting way because gold is a very precious metal that is often used for jewelry, which is another kind of accessory, but it is unusual to see shoes made of gold because lots of gold would be needed, increasing the cost of the shoes very dramatically. Also, large amounts of gold can be very heavy, making it inconvenient and uncomfortable to walk in and wear the shoes. So, I thought that this was an interesting, but strange, was to use gold because of the uniqueness of the idea and the concept of using a precious metal to make an easily replaceable item like a pair of shoes.

Karl: wire table

This table is made completely out of wire. I thought that it was really cool because although wire isn't usually strong by itself, it is when it is formed into specific objects, such as this table. It demonstrates a new way to use a common material.

Justin: Yellow

This sculpture by Nathan Sawaya is made entirely by legos. Thought to be a mere child's toy, Nathan has evolutionized the way we percieve legos. He has been able to produce countless works of art by pushing through the limited boundaries of his material. The way each piece creates a distinct detail makes this structure that more extraordinary. Sawaya's unique art is a large influence in the movement for diversity and the broad definition of art.

Jen: Lynne Merchant

I thought that this necklace by Lynne Merchant was really really cool. She used corks and covered them with wires, copper, tacks, and other materials. Part of the reason I find this design so interesting is because it is hard to imagine these "beads" were ever corks. She really used her materials well and made many fun and intriguing shapes and forms. It is very unique.

Maddi: dress made from recycled cans, bottle tops, cardboard packaging, glass beads and plastic bags

i like this dress because it is very creative. it uses recycled materials that you would'nt expect to see on a garment but is able to function in the same way that a normal dress would. In addition, it also looks very stylish and colorful. 

Naaman. John Maeda

I like this picture because it revolutionized how to draw objects we use every day.

Kamaria - Giovannoni

This is a shelving unit called, aptly, "Boogie-Woogie". The first noticeable thing about this design is the lack of straight lines in favor of more complicated curves. Although I can't see this being practical, it does add visual interest. The individual boxes remind me of old television set frames. From that perspective, it could be said that Giovannoni is substituting books -- the usual content of shelves -- as another form of entertainment.

Alex- shiro kuramata

This piece by Shiro Kuramata is a flower vase. It is a square clear and pink acrylic block with two glass pipes in it to hold only two flower stems. It is an interesting design because it doesn't look like the traditional flower vase, rather it is extremely inventive and modern. The vase is very striking to agree with the flowers.

diane- tokujin yoshioka

These chairs are known as the bouquet chairs. I love the idea, though i'm not exactly sure how comfortable they would be to sit on. I think they're super cute. I also enjoy the minimal use of color on each chair.

Ariana- Gaetano Pesce

http://mundofia.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/gaetano_pesce_up_collection_be5.jpg ( I am having trouble putting the picture here)

Gaetano Pesce was mainly an architect, but he designed as well. This chair is very original, not only in shape, but in color. It has red and yellow horizontal stripes, yet it is still pretty to look at, and is a creative risk. The round cushion in front of the chair is used to place one's feet, which adds comfort to it. This chair is one of Pesce's successful pieces because it not only has harmony in it, but it also fulfills the goal of providing people comfort.

Ian: Ross Lovegrove dna staircase

This staircase by Ross Lovegrove was inspired by the structure of our own DNA. Its a beautiful design, but i think that the reason why I'm so drawn to it is because i believe the best designs are in in nature and that we should mimic them in order to create successful structures. The airplane for instance, is modeled after things that we have observed fly.

Justin: Public Seating

Konstantin Grcic designed this chair that holds up to 4 multiple people. This design is both modern and economical. The simple white layout creates the modern twist. In addition, the concept of combining 4 chairs into one structure is more convenient and accessible. I enjoy this design because of the circular opening and the social environment it provides. Overall, I found this design to be innovative and functional.

Pooja: Shigeru Ban Paper Bridge

These images show a bridge designed by Japanese architect, Shigeru Ban, who is famous for making houses out of paper.

In fact, this bridge too is made out of paper and cardboard. It is a 7.5 ton structure and uses 281 cardboard tubes. It is a temporary structure across the Gordon River (in the South of France).

Personally, I like this design a lot. I think that it is very cool that he was able to make something so complex out of such a common and simple material, especially one that is, under normal circumstances, very flimsy. However, this bridge is clearly not very flimsy, as can be seen from the fact that it can support the weight of a man on it without buckling under his weight. Also, like the design because it is environmentally friendly. This is because it uses completely biodegradable materials and, in fact, the cardboard rolls used can be recycled.

Karl: Ron Arad

I thought that this design by Ron Arad called "Misfit Chairs" was interesting because of its odd form. Its unusual shape makes for a flowing and contemporary design without sacrificing comfort. Also, the chairs bear a slight resemblance to water. The design is even more interesting in that the four pieces can be moved around and placed in different ways to accomodate the room.

Laura: Jasper Morrison

I thought this chair by Jasper Morrison was modern and unique. It is called the "monopod chair." As soon as I saw this chair, it struck me. The design is very sleek and simple while also being new and innovative. It is very stylish, but it could be seen in many different settings. I don't know how stable or comfortable it would feel, but I love the design.

Jen: Tom Dixon

I thought that this chair design by Tom Dixon was really neat. The seat and back are made out of rubber bands, which I like because I think it is interesting when designers use unusual materials to express their ideas. When one first looks at this chair, the pieces of the chair do not look like they are made from rubber bands, so it adds a fun twist when you learn the true identity of the material. It also seems like the chair would be comfortable because rubber bands are flexible and will move to accompany one's needs.

Maddi: Marc Newson

i loved this design because it is so unique and the placement of the legs are so interesting. First of all, there are only 3 and they go through the chair instead of being traditionally attached to the sides. the shape of the chair looks very interesting although it might not be so practical because there are no sides. I really love this designer, and i like every design on the website.  You should check it out, here is a link : www.marc-newson.com/

Julianne: Matali Crasset

Matali graduated from Les Ateliers Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle. She is an industrial designe. Her designs are clean-cut and precise, and do not lack a small bit of intrigue or originality. It can be seen that she looks at things from a different perspective and find uses for certain things that stretch far from their original intent of use. An example would be the ring box in which we can see that she has used bristles to safely close the box. I can assume that no one had ever considered this usage for cleaning bristles.

ps. couldnt attach a photo. wasnt working.

BAUHAUS VIDEOS (CUT AND PASTE LINK)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwCrYeMX8cs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyNauAEuTC0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVwEv2OOgvQ&feature=related

Ian: IDEO tricycle

IDEO created this tricycle for third world countries and it addresses two big problems that they have. Transportation and water sanitization. While you pedal on this tricycle, you are powering the sanitization of the water you are transporting. Its a pretty odd looking bike, but i think the design is so beneficial and helpful. Like ian was saying the other day, you have to empathize with the consumer and i think this is a perfect example of that.

Kamaria - Le Corbusier

This is the Open Hand Monument, located in India. My impression of the design is that it mixes a modern, intentionally inaccurate design with an old concept: that of peace and unity. The town of Chandigarh, home of the monument, uses the open hand as their official emblem. The image of a hand is something that can be understood and appreciated by everyone.

This pavilion by Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, is similar to the Farmsworth House that we looked at in class. It is a fascinating design because it looks like a floating building! It has a very simple design with extravagant materials like marble and steel. It is an interesting building because it has a large amount of open space filled with a single sculpture and uniquely designed chairs.

Naaman. Frank Gehry

This is the Marquis de Rascal building created by Frank Gehry. I like this because it is so different that you have have to appreciate its value.

Ariana.. Fernando and Humberto Campana

This chair is very fun!!!! It has a great composition, originality of materials, and to top it off, it looks very comfortable.  So it fulfills every requirement.  There is also a great balance of color between all of the stuffed animals.  I like the idea!

Julianne: Hella Jongerius

Hella Jongerius created this collection of sofas all based on very geometric shapes. While it is a basic design, she took it to the next level and added just the right amout of complexity to make this design a very pleasant one. The alternating heights to the back of the sofa adds dimension and draws your eye in. The choice of color was a brilliant one as well because of the various shades of one color, such as different reds, greens, or beige. I love this couch and i think its a fabulous design.

Jen: Droog Design

I really liked this Droog Design, called a laced fence, because it is very interesting and different. I have never seen a fence with a pattern before. Most fences are very plain and boring; however, this is quite exciting with the detailed flower. The website showed examples of this product being placed inside of a home, rather than just the typical outdoor placement, which is unusual and unique. It can make a great indoor decoration as well as do its job as nice outdoor barrier.

Maddi: Zaha Hadid

I like this building design because its not traditional. Traditionally people think of buildings being tall complete rectangles, but this one takes a completely different and very artistic approach to building design. The is a hole is the middle that almost looks like water. The color, textures, shape, and distinct lighting make it very attractive compared to regular building that would be around it. I think that this is a genuinely unique approach to architecture.

Sophie: Marcel Wanders

this is designed by Marcel Wanders, I like this design because it is a healthier substitute for french-fries. It is made out of bio-dynamic rice, herbs, and maize. The design of the food looks interesting aswell as the packaging.

Pooja: Charles and Ray Eames Storage Unit

This is a storage unit by designers Charles and Ray Eames.

I really like this storage unit. This is because it has a very simple shape/style (the simple division of the compartments into almost eight even parts) while still managing to look fun and modern. This is done through the use of colour and materials. The storage unit involves a wide variety of colours, including red, grey, black, white and brown. Also, it uses metals, woods and plastics. So, it appears dynamic and varied, giving it an interesting aesthetic appearance, as well as being functional.

Laura: Bouroullec brothers

I love this design by the Bouroullec brothers. The room has vibrant colors without being overwhelming, and it is very spacious. The furniture and art are very modern, and many interesting shapes are used, including the white structure in the middle, the yellow sculpture behind and to the left of it to name a few. The room is refreshing and bright, while maintaining taste and sophistication.

As well as being beautiful and fun, the room is also functional. There are couches, chairs, tables, and bookshelves (though some of those are hard to see). Overall, I absolutely love this room! It is inventive and modern without losing its purpose or becoming too radical.

diane-Phillipe Starck (masters by kartell with starck & quitllet)

This chair is very interesting to me. You can see from the drawings right that the design was inspired by three different looks for chairs. I thought it was very clever. It's all one color and material so there isn't much to distract you from the somewhat complex lines of the chair. After close examination, the three different looks are distinguishable, which makes this design interesting to view and own.

Karl: Marcel Breuer

This is Marcel Breuer's Wassily Chair. I like the design of this chair because it is a very simple yet interesting and functional design. The tubular steel that makes up the frame of this chair lends itself to a minimalistic creation while also providing a clean look. Also, the black canvas works well to use as little as possible to still make a great chair. I thought that the way that the two arms go inside the back of the chair was an especially interesting way to place the arms.

Justin: Karim Rashid interior design

This design is located in the Bosco Pi mall in Russia. Designed by Karim Rashid, it exhibits a futuristic atmosphere. I like this design because of the bright colors, geometric shapes, and the out of this world environment. I especially found the giant shelving device to be eye-catching, providing something that is unique and different.

Blackberry Case

I don't like the design of the gel cases for Blackberry's. The case is made of a flimsy and breakable material when it is supposed to be material that can protect the phone. Instead of keeping it from scratches and marks, it constantly slips off the sides. Also, because it is so fragile, it constantly rips on the edges. I have a blackberry and I have gone through three of these already!

I don't personally own a mac laptop, but someone on my floor does. The charger plug in part is kind of large, so whenever she tries to charge her laptop on a wall outlet, it's so heavy that it keeps falling out. There isn't really any way to keep the charger in the wall except for someone who is not using the computer to hold it there, which is annoying. So basically there should be a way to make this product, the plug in thingy specifically, less bulky, so it stays secure in most wall outlets.

Kamaria - Bad Design

This is the plastic packaging commonly used for things such as small electronics. The design can be improved upon for two reasons: 1) The leftover packaging is often awkwardly shaped and hard to recycle. 2) It is too difficult to remove! Taking the object out of the plastic requires scissors, is frustrating, and can cause scratches and cuts from the sharp plastic edges. The only redeeming part of this packaging is that it keeps the contents very secure.

Ariana- Bad Design

These scissors were made so that children can cut pieces of paper easily without cutting themselves.  However, they dont really work because the plastic is never sharp enough! 

karl: poorly designed staircase

This is a picture of a staircase which stops at a wall. This is poorly designed because the staircase shouldn't be leading to the wall and instead should be away from the wall or at least provide some room so people can go up and down the staircase without any problems.

Jen: Poorly designed sink

This is poorly designed because the faucet is too far away on the counter from the sink. It is difficult for one to efficiently wash his hands because the water flows out so close to the back wall of the sink. There is not much room for cleaning. The design of this sink could be improved if the head of the faucet were more extended towards the center of the sink and above the drain. This would provide for a successful washing.

Samsung Phone

This is the Samsung Impression cell phone, which I currently own. I love it and I think it is a great phone, but I can never remember which way to slide it! Also, there is no evidence that it is a sliding phone when it is closed, so if I ever hand it to one of my friends they cannot figure out how to open it. While it accomplishes a lot for a phone, it is not the most easy to understand for a new user.