1. What seminar readings, exercises, or assignments were most challenging, interesting, or rewarding for you? Why?
Even though it was a pretty small assignment, I really loved the egg drop. Having the structure that Abby and I designed and built survive through that fall felt really rewarding. I wish we could have done more things like this where we directly applied the design principles we learned to a project.
I also was intrigued by our discussions on store design. It made me reconsider my surroundings and the choices other people made to influence my decisions. I will now always be conscious of owner’s manipulations because of this class.
2. What are the most important things you learned in this seminar?
Everything about the world of design can be narrowed down to its visceral, behavioral, and reflective qualities. A good design (of anything) should take into account the way it affects the user through these three lanes.
3. How might you use this learning in the future?
I am now more aware of the ways in which I am manipulated by the advertizing and design industry. I can consciously choose to succumb to these influences or counteract them now, rather than being oblivious to them.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wkipedia Article
THEY KEEP DELETING IT CHUCK!!!!! I am so frustrated
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elizabeth_Chater&action=edit&redlink=1
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elizabeth_Chater&action=edit&redlink=1
Monday, November 16, 2009
Architecture Symptoms of Failure and the Current Design Process
1. What are examples of architectural design that you consider to be epic failures?
There is a mall in Portland, OR that is almost completely deserted save for a "Made in Oregon" tourist store and occasional art classes. There is so much space in this building. It is seemingly viscerally attractive (white pillars, marble, could have been clean at one time). It is well geographically situated...there seems to be nothing wrong with it. But then, if you take a close look at how the place is designed, it all makes sense. First, there is only one main entrance. It is on the side of the building, not the corner, and it is dark and intimidating. From the start they would have trouble getting people in there. Then, once inside, you notice that everything is square, and some of the corners block the view of other storse when standing most anywhere (the stores would not play off of each other's sales). And they never managed to make it desirable enough in the first place for people to come. It doesn't offer anything new. It's just big, white, and uninteresting. Some flashy advertisements would help, along with a new front entrance and curving hallways.
2. Good, Bad, and Ugly. Choose a building on K campus and analyze its behavioral and visceral usability.
Fine Arts Building. Used for performances of all kinds: includes a theatrical theatre (Balch), an any-use theatre (Dalton), a recital hall, and a black box theatre. It is also home to all rehearsal and practice rooms (for both music and theatre), a gallery and shop space for visual art, and a set construction space as well. This building astounds me because of how much it contains, and once you get to know the place, how naturally it works.
I am going to use Balch theatre (and it's many pre-show extremities) as my example because that is where I have recently frequented much of my time. Starting with the lobby: low ceilings, carpet, and pentagonal shape. Was probably fashionable when it was built but is now a little outdated. Also there are three doors at the outside entrance which all swing out the same way. That is often a problem because one can't really tell which way they go. However, this space does hold all audience pre-show amenities (bathroom, advertisement lighting, ticket booth.) Then the audience may enter through any of 4 sets of double doors into a decompression zone (useful for unwanted spilling light or actor entrances from the house). The house is situated in an acoustically optimal way (high ceilings, thrust stage), and visually optimal way (all seats have a good angle). I find it weird though that the seats themselves are 3 different colors...again with the outdated 70s design that is functional but not necessarily aesthetically pleasing. There are two voms (vomitories, or entrances from the audience) that are useful for surprise entrances and necessary exits. They lead straight to the rehearsal room where classes are held and actors can be before their entrances. If the lights are on in the rehearsal room, though, there is some flooding into the house...therefore there is a green room around the corner where the actors SHOULD be if their entrance is not immediate. The rehearsal room branches off two ways. One hallway leads to one dressing room and a doorway and staircase leading up to backstage left, and the other is the same but opposite. In the middle is the makeup room, lined with bright lights and long mirrors. Actors can cut across this room if they are in a hurry. There are also numerous conveniently placed doors (leading from the scene shop directly on to stage, the scene shop to the dumpsters, the lobby to the rehearsal room...). Basically the design of Balch is really confusing, a little outdated, but BRILLIANT nonetheless.
3. What is the flaw in the current design process? How could this problem be fixed?
The flaw in the current design process is "behavioral data are not currently developed and quantified for a building or planning project, nor is feedback a part of the process". Not only should the owner, architect and regulatory government be involved, but also the people who are going to be utilizing that space when it is finished. Architect should not try to fix behavioral problems with their "Rules of Thumb", a list of don'ts that doesn't take into account the behavioral necessities of the environment.
There is a mall in Portland, OR that is almost completely deserted save for a "Made in Oregon" tourist store and occasional art classes. There is so much space in this building. It is seemingly viscerally attractive (white pillars, marble, could have been clean at one time). It is well geographically situated...there seems to be nothing wrong with it. But then, if you take a close look at how the place is designed, it all makes sense. First, there is only one main entrance. It is on the side of the building, not the corner, and it is dark and intimidating. From the start they would have trouble getting people in there. Then, once inside, you notice that everything is square, and some of the corners block the view of other storse when standing most anywhere (the stores would not play off of each other's sales). And they never managed to make it desirable enough in the first place for people to come. It doesn't offer anything new. It's just big, white, and uninteresting. Some flashy advertisements would help, along with a new front entrance and curving hallways.
2. Good, Bad, and Ugly. Choose a building on K campus and analyze its behavioral and visceral usability.
Fine Arts Building. Used for performances of all kinds: includes a theatrical theatre (Balch), an any-use theatre (Dalton), a recital hall, and a black box theatre. It is also home to all rehearsal and practice rooms (for both music and theatre), a gallery and shop space for visual art, and a set construction space as well. This building astounds me because of how much it contains, and once you get to know the place, how naturally it works.
I am going to use Balch theatre (and it's many pre-show extremities) as my example because that is where I have recently frequented much of my time. Starting with the lobby: low ceilings, carpet, and pentagonal shape. Was probably fashionable when it was built but is now a little outdated. Also there are three doors at the outside entrance which all swing out the same way. That is often a problem because one can't really tell which way they go. However, this space does hold all audience pre-show amenities (bathroom, advertisement lighting, ticket booth.) Then the audience may enter through any of 4 sets of double doors into a decompression zone (useful for unwanted spilling light or actor entrances from the house). The house is situated in an acoustically optimal way (high ceilings, thrust stage), and visually optimal way (all seats have a good angle). I find it weird though that the seats themselves are 3 different colors...again with the outdated 70s design that is functional but not necessarily aesthetically pleasing. There are two voms (vomitories, or entrances from the audience) that are useful for surprise entrances and necessary exits. They lead straight to the rehearsal room where classes are held and actors can be before their entrances. If the lights are on in the rehearsal room, though, there is some flooding into the house...therefore there is a green room around the corner where the actors SHOULD be if their entrance is not immediate. The rehearsal room branches off two ways. One hallway leads to one dressing room and a doorway and staircase leading up to backstage left, and the other is the same but opposite. In the middle is the makeup room, lined with bright lights and long mirrors. Actors can cut across this room if they are in a hurry. There are also numerous conveniently placed doors (leading from the scene shop directly on to stage, the scene shop to the dumpsters, the lobby to the rehearsal room...). Basically the design of Balch is really confusing, a little outdated, but BRILLIANT nonetheless.
3. What is the flaw in the current design process? How could this problem be fixed?
The flaw in the current design process is "behavioral data are not currently developed and quantified for a building or planning project, nor is feedback a part of the process". Not only should the owner, architect and regulatory government be involved, but also the people who are going to be utilizing that space when it is finished. Architect should not try to fix behavioral problems with their "Rules of Thumb", a list of don'ts that doesn't take into account the behavioral necessities of the environment.
Ads Fads & Consumer Culture Response
1. Select a brief passage from the reading and explain why you thought it was interesting.
"There are several other excellent, action packed ads for light beer, featuring heavyweight boxers and huge football players who rip open beer cans as if they were hand grenades. Thus we males are reassures that drinking light beer will not make people think we are sissies."
The viewer looks to advertisements for reassurance. No matter how much we are opposed to idealistic and stereotypical commercials (housewives cleaning, men drinking beer...etc) that is what the companies behind the media want us to believe is the standard. And to a certain extent, if they say so, it's true. Therefore advertisements have an affect on our lives and actions because in our society today, they help define our conception of normality (or in some cases perfection).
2. What do you think were the author's key points?
-Advertizing is a huge industry that plays many different roles in our modern society. "Plays an important role in the socialization of people young and old ...provides what might be called 'product knowledge'".
-Though according to some psychological studies, advertizing does not have an affect on people's psyches, companies continue to use it and measure success. It leaves a certain flavor in the subconscious, and this affect is big enough for it to continue.
- Television commercials are pieces of art and one should consider watching tv solely to observe them.
-"Commercials are part of ‘teleculture’, which is now probably the most enculturation and socializing force operating in society."
3. Why is it important to have a psychological understanding when it comes to advertising?
So as not to be misled by the statistics that indicate that advertising does not have an affect on people. People are persuaded in mysterious ways and they themselves do not always know what it is they want or need. Advertising influences cultural behavior and the collective unconscious, enough so to where it is still worth to the companies all the money put into it.
"There are several other excellent, action packed ads for light beer, featuring heavyweight boxers and huge football players who rip open beer cans as if they were hand grenades. Thus we males are reassures that drinking light beer will not make people think we are sissies."
The viewer looks to advertisements for reassurance. No matter how much we are opposed to idealistic and stereotypical commercials (housewives cleaning, men drinking beer...etc) that is what the companies behind the media want us to believe is the standard. And to a certain extent, if they say so, it's true. Therefore advertisements have an affect on our lives and actions because in our society today, they help define our conception of normality (or in some cases perfection).
2. What do you think were the author's key points?
-Advertizing is a huge industry that plays many different roles in our modern society. "Plays an important role in the socialization of people young and old ...provides what might be called 'product knowledge'".
-Though according to some psychological studies, advertizing does not have an affect on people's psyches, companies continue to use it and measure success. It leaves a certain flavor in the subconscious, and this affect is big enough for it to continue.
- Television commercials are pieces of art and one should consider watching tv solely to observe them.
-"Commercials are part of ‘teleculture’, which is now probably the most enculturation and socializing force operating in society."
3. Why is it important to have a psychological understanding when it comes to advertising?
So as not to be misled by the statistics that indicate that advertising does not have an affect on people. People are persuaded in mysterious ways and they themselves do not always know what it is they want or need. Advertising influences cultural behavior and the collective unconscious, enough so to where it is still worth to the companies all the money put into it.
Group Requirements
1. Award winning designs that suck!
-behavioral design is often over looked during the design process and building analysis
-codes and zoning don’t make up for behavioral design
-Frank Lloyd Whyte museum breaks the mold. CBS Tower: Over Designed
-Architecture and society: The Architecture Reader
2. Relates hand in hand to Norman’s behavioral, visceral and reflective feedback, mapping, visual clues (affordances)
Questions:
-What are examples of architectural design that you consider to be epic failures?
-Good, Bad, and Ugly. Choose a building on K campus and analyze its behavioral and visceral usability.
-What is the flaw in the current design process? How could this problem be fixed?
-behavioral design is often over looked during the design process and building analysis
-codes and zoning don’t make up for behavioral design
-Frank Lloyd Whyte museum breaks the mold. CBS Tower: Over Designed
-Architecture and society: The Architecture Reader
2. Relates hand in hand to Norman’s behavioral, visceral and reflective feedback, mapping, visual clues (affordances)
Questions:
-What are examples of architectural design that you consider to be epic failures?
-Good, Bad, and Ugly. Choose a building on K campus and analyze its behavioral and visceral usability.
-What is the flaw in the current design process? How could this problem be fixed?
Thesis
Thesis: The packaging of a product is often the persuading factor in a sale, often more so than the qualities of the product itself.
To: Skeptics of the importance and influence of advertizing
Some people consider themselves immune to the world of advertizing. When they enter into a grocery store looking for a product, they are convinced that the exterior of a product does not sway their choices; it is only the characteristics of what’s inside that matters. That is all well and good, for an idealist. But how logical is this claim? Taking into account our media driven and visually stimulated world, it is erroneous to assert that the packaging of a product would have no influence on its final sale. Often the exterior appearance of a product is the persuading factor, more so than the qualities of the product itself.
Before addressing the psychology behind people’s product choices though, it is necessary to analyze what makes a product’s package successful. According to Stacy King Gordon a marketing communication consultant, it must be simple, use bold and basic colors, and dare to be different.
To: Skeptics of the importance and influence of advertizing
Some people consider themselves immune to the world of advertizing. When they enter into a grocery store looking for a product, they are convinced that the exterior of a product does not sway their choices; it is only the characteristics of what’s inside that matters. That is all well and good, for an idealist. But how logical is this claim? Taking into account our media driven and visually stimulated world, it is erroneous to assert that the packaging of a product would have no influence on its final sale. Often the exterior appearance of a product is the persuading factor, more so than the qualities of the product itself.
Before addressing the psychology behind people’s product choices though, it is necessary to analyze what makes a product’s package successful. According to Stacy King Gordon a marketing communication consultant, it must be simple, use bold and basic colors, and dare to be different.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Fashion Response
1. Why is fashion so reflective, when it could be purely functional and behavioral? (Why do people feel an impulse to express and redefine themselves through their cloths?)
The cloths people wear associate them with a certain ideology, wether consciously or unconsciously, fashion is an external expression of the internal. Physical adornments afford specific qualities. For example, if consumers buy and support a specific brand name, they are affiliating themselves with the quality or feeling that band projects; North face= expensive yet practical, Levi= comfortable, playful, and patriotic. The qualities are not only functional associations, but reflective as well.
2. Jones discusses the importance of time as it relates to fashion- why does fashion change and evolve, instead of remaining static and functional?
Because change is inevitable. People change, the economy changes, there are cultural shifts and social and political rise and fall... why should fashion be any different? A good industry moves with the times and accommodates the variant needs of the people.
3. Based on the reading, make a checklist of principles to consider when designing a garment.
-Does is fulfill a prevalent need: behavioral and utility.
-Will people want it? Does it make sense with the curve of the times? Does it fill a niche?
-Will people respond to the marketing?
The cloths people wear associate them with a certain ideology, wether consciously or unconsciously, fashion is an external expression of the internal. Physical adornments afford specific qualities. For example, if consumers buy and support a specific brand name, they are affiliating themselves with the quality or feeling that band projects; North face= expensive yet practical, Levi= comfortable, playful, and patriotic. The qualities are not only functional associations, but reflective as well.
2. Jones discusses the importance of time as it relates to fashion- why does fashion change and evolve, instead of remaining static and functional?
Because change is inevitable. People change, the economy changes, there are cultural shifts and social and political rise and fall... why should fashion be any different? A good industry moves with the times and accommodates the variant needs of the people.
3. Based on the reading, make a checklist of principles to consider when designing a garment.
-Does is fulfill a prevalent need: behavioral and utility.
-Will people want it? Does it make sense with the curve of the times? Does it fill a niche?
-Will people respond to the marketing?
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