Transformation! - Color & Design

Photo Source: http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2007/October/31100703.asp

Color is magical in the sense that it injects emotion and personality into whatever it comes into contact with.  Because of this quality, color transforms design.  The brain is arguably an extremely complex design of cells and neurons, wired together for quick communication between the brain and the rest of the human body.  For an outsider of scientific knowledge, viewing brain cells may be a confusing, it-went-over-my-head experience.  However, with the Brainbow technique, the same situation can become a visually stimulating experience.  Brainbow is a technique where a combination of genes from bioluminescent jellyfish or corals are inserted into the mouse genome.  When the genes and proteins make contact, four different colors are produced: red, yellow, cyan, and orange.  A range of hues always results because of the varying concentrations within the brain's protein cells.  

Through the use of color, the Brainbow technique is a creative way to look at the images of the hard sciences.  For the untrained eye, brain cells will most likely appear boring.  But quite interestingly, with color, a viewer can more easily understand the movement and active work of brain cells.  As Joseph Albers states, color is deceiving.  In this case, color deceives not by hue but by enlivening the brain cell images.  Although the colored images seem to show more movement, nothing in the content of the image has changed.  Because there are varying hues within the images above, the eye is constantly moving to detect the differences between the colors which differ greatly from the other surrounding colors.  Colors entice and attract the eye which is more stimulating than a colorless composition.  In the above image, the color also highlights the beauty and intricacies of the cells that would be harder to see in an all gray composition.

Many associations are formed through the recognition of color.  When viewing the bottom right corner of the image above, I see sugared gummy worms. When I view the middle image, I see a close up of an Impressionist painting.  These associations can aid in a design's receptiveness by an audience because they will be able to relate in addition to finding the design visually pleasing.  

Overall, when used correctly, color can transform a design greatly by mainly adding emphasis, movement, and life.  

Dangerous Design: High Heels

Throughout my lifetime of 21 years, I have heard many men and some women criticize high heels.  "Why wear them?" people ask.  "Heels make people's feet hurt and are only practical for aesthetic or severe heightening purposes."  People may not speak exactly this way, though these are the most common arguments given.  It is true, some heels seem insanely impractical to wear due to its dangerous design.  Some dangerous, yet beautiful heels are pictured below.  

Balance issues are easily detected when simply looking at the second and third shoes.  With the first pair pictured, there are more dangers to be observed.  The upturning of the shoe's front decreases the wearer's ability to balance since the toes will have no contact with the ground.  In addition, these curves which lead up to a point do not follow a foot's natural shape.  This causes the toes to be uncomfortably pushed together. 

The heel, a pleasing futuristic funnel shaped "spike" is the heel's most interesting characteristic.  The large base placed closest to the foot's heel seems to give the shoe more support than a stiletto.  However, the heel has almost no contact with the ground giving the wearer very little support or balance.  The placement of the heel also causes the foot to slide forward into the pointed and upturned end of the shoe.  This pressure decreases the amount of time that the shoe can be comfortably worn.  


Another dangerous component of the shoe is the hanging and already fraying fabric.  Others or even the wearer themselves can step on this fabric and trip.  Of course, all of these components are an unintentional consequence.  These shoes are obviously made by shoe lovers and artists who want to share this love with like-minded consumers.  High heels always pose the risk of twisted ankles, broken feet, sore feet, and the rapid decrease in a foot's functionality.  Despite all of these risks involved with wearing them, people of society love them because they make people feel taller and more attractive.


There is of course a common saying: "no pain, no beauty."  This is of course false but high heels are heavily involved in this saying.  Although the designs above appear dangerous, they are still beautiful designs.  Ideally though, in order to be successful, designs should strive to be more Utopian, safe and beautiful.  The danger factor may not only impede purchase but may also cause an expensive law suit, and nobody wants that!            


Photos from www.irregularchoice.com

Utopian Design - The California Academy of Sciences

As the world's largest public Platinum-rated building by LEED (The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), The California Academy of Sciences is definitively a Utopian design as it benefits society by being the world's greenest museum.  Every constructional element of the building is committed to energy efficiency, a reduced carbon footprint, and the preservation of the natural world.  In addition, the building is frequented by visitors from all over the world because of it's sustainable and aesthetically pleasing design which houses a uniquely fun learning environment. 


One of the most obvious sustainable elements of the Academy is the Living Roof pictured below.  The Living Roof is described as a tapestry of native plant species.  This sloping tapestry doubles as an air conditioning system keeping the museum's interior 10 degrees cooler than a standard black tar and asphalt roof.  With the soil insulating roof constantly transforming carbon dioxide into oxygen and preserving approximately 3.6 million gallons of rainwater a year, the roof reduces negative climate change.  The slopes direct air into the plaza on hot days while the skylights automatically open to vent out hot air.  

Details on the living roof are just the beginning of how the Academy of Sciences has masterfully promoted sustainable practices by being the leading example. For instance, the walls are insulated with batted denim rather than the usual fiberglass or foam.  The building, made mostly of glass provides natural lighting and reduces electricity usage.  The museum's floors contain a radiant heating system where tubes carry hot water that warms the floor.  The heat's close proximity to the people reduces energy by 10% annually.


Lastly, not only is the Academy the greenest museum in the world, but it is also one of the most beautiful.  The aesthetics of it is a major factor in its Utopian design because the museum adds to the attractiveness of the surrounding Golden Gate Park.  From certain vantage points, the Living Roof blends in seamlessly with the surrounding foliage.  In addition, the planetarium and glass rainforest "orbs" add interest to the overall appearance of the museum as they sit, round, within the glass building.  Because of these numerous elements, visiting this museum is a Utopian experience.        


For more information, visit http://www.calacademy.org/academy/building/sustainable_design/

Allusion in Design: Volkswagon BlueMotion Ads

ad agency: DDB germany, berlin, december 2008

When comic book artist Brian Fies visited my Design 001 class two weeks ago, he talked of the use of allusion and how he often places subtle references to old comic books in his own work.  It is a way to create a loyal lifetime fan for if they understand it, they feel clever because they've figured out something, and this creates a bond between reader and author.  And, if the reader doesn't pick up on the allusion, no harm done.  

The VW advertisement above heavily relies on allusion for the audience to pick up on.  The ad mainly alludes to Dali's The Persistance of Memory (pictured below) which is extremely well known and is easily detected upon first glance.  Other inspiration appears to come from his other work, The Hand (1930).  At least this much of the allusion can be figured out quickly.  But what about the rest?  The caption "absurdly low consumption" can confuse viewers.  However, after some thought, the implied connection becomes clearer.  I'll admit that it frustrated me initially because I am a huge admirer of Dali, yet I could not figure out the connection right away.  

Salvador Dali, The Persistence of Memory (1931)

Salvador Dali, The Hand (1930)

VW is capitalizing on the surreal quality of the painting and comparing its surreal quality to the absurdity of how little gas one will have to consume if they bought the VW BlueMotion.  Though surreal and absurd are not necessarily synonyms, the connection still works.

Using a more complex image rather than a minimalist ad (like the WWF one discussed in a previous post) can be tricky.  Consumers may see it as clutter and will disregard it.  However, because the basic allusion to the painting is so clear, our attention is easily captured.  And because Dali's painting is so well known, people feel as if they are close to understanding the ad.  If they don't understand it, perhaps it's peaked their interest enough for them to look up BlueMotion to find clues to the connection.  If they don't understand it, perhaps they'll stare at it longer to understand.  More attention on ads is always good for the companies!  Lastly, just like Brian Fies said, if they do understand the connection, VW has gained an appreciative fan and perhaps a probable customer.  Another clever treat for viewers, who aren't loyal Shell users is the dry shell below the gas level indicator.  These small allusive details can really increase the effectiveness of an ad's design.

Image #1 from: http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/13/view/4715/art-ads-and-vw.html

Image #2 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Persistence_of_Memory

Image #3 from: http://www.flickriver.com/photos/mark6mauno/2125882689/

Ergonomic Design: Othmar Muehlebach's "Animo"

"Animo", a word with several translations including "to encourage", "thought", "inclination", and "spirited" is the name given to the sewing machine design featured above.  Most of these words' meanings, whether intentionally applied or not by Swedish designer Othmar Muehlebach, match what the design achieves ergonomically.  By analyzing the design elements of the Animo, it will be shown that its design fulfills the five areas of ergonomic research: safety, comfort, ease of use, performance, and aesthetics.


First and foremost is safety.  Without question, the needle is the most dangerous part of a sewing machine as it can pierce the skin.  As the needle is attached to a motor, beneath the needle would be the worst place for a finger to get stuck.  This would be a probable occurrence with older sewing machines which had no presser foot.  The featured presser foot above is rounded and looks like a pair of large pantaloons protecting the user from the needle.  The "pantaloons" presser foot is thicker than most presser foots which typically appear like this:

This thickness provides a good barrier for sewers' fingers to bump into which warns them that their fingers may be getting too close to the needle.  It also serves as a good guide for sewing straight.  Because fingers can comfortably rest up against the sides of the foot, there will be less estimation needed of the distance between the needle and the fingers.  The rounded quality of the presser foot is continued throughout the design creating a comfortable work station for the user.

Comfort, the second area of design research is extremely important for activities like sewing where the hands and arms are constantly being used.  Many sewers hunch over the machines to get a good look at what's happening under the needle and to also get a good grasp on the fabric.  Because the right side of the walnut wood surface utilizes a diagonal, users can comfortable rest their right arm in a more natural position when holding and feeding their fabric through the machine.  Normally, sewer's arms are parallel to one another which can create a tenser and less ergonomic position.  The rounded qualities of the walnut surface and overall machine are also comfortable to rest one's arm on.  In addition, there are no sharp edges to impede the flow of the fabric through the machine.   These summarized elements: the diagonal and rounded edges greatly increases productivity and the overall usefulness of the machine.

It is important to note that the five areas of design research overlap and intersect as the discussed safety and comfort of the machine already contributes greatly to the third area: ease of use.  When the machine is safe, people feel more comfortable and at ease using it.  When the machine is comfortable, it becomes easier to operate.  An element that has not been discussed yet is the large touch screen where sewers can easily see and pick their options for stitches, knotting, stitch length, etc.  As seen on the back of the machine, the cord is easily stored in the back of the machine taking up no extra storage space.  The thread, which sits on top of the machine offers quick accessibility for changing colors.  In my home machine, the thread sits inside the machine in a horizontal fashion.  Changing out the thread hurts the wrists as you have to cock your wrist to fit into the compartment to pull the thread out.  These small changes make a huge difference in the performance of the product.  

Performance is the fourth area of design research.  Aside from the elements already covered, the convenience of the detachable extension table which also double as a compartment increases the machine's productivity because it can hold several replacement thread, foots, needles, etc.  The easy accessibility discussed earlier is another large portion of its performance.  The walnut wood surface, as stated by the designer represents high value and sustainability.  This implies that the machine is made of high quality and environmentally friendly materials.

The fifth area of design research is aesthetics.  Aesthetics is subjective, however to many Muehlebach's design is pleasing to the eyes.  Most ergonomic designs are bulbous and not aesthetically pleasing because it is a designer's challenge to meld ergonomics and aesthetics together.  Muehlebach does this flawlessly.  Mixing the silver with the walnut wood creates a nice contrast.  The minimal use of color creates a simple appearance which reflects the ease at which sewers can use the product.  The large screen eliminates several buttons which could make the appearance a bit messier.  The storage facilities create a streamlined look.  The diagonal of the wood surface is also more welcoming than the average machine.

Othmar Muehlebach's design "Amino" is a showcase and execution of thoughtfulness as the contemporary is skillfully mixed with the ergonomic.  In addition, the design encourages other designers to think similarly and to create in a way that is considerate of the human body while also being pleasing on the eyes.  Almost in a checklist manner were the five areas of design research covered and each box has indeed been checked.

Photos from: http://produktgestaltung.ch/WordPress/?page_id=6

Word & Image: Book Covers of Buddha by Osamu Tezuka

Book covers are a great example of how word and image work together to create interest for the viewer through mystery.  This mystery intends to pull people in to want to pick up the book, flip through its pages, and, hopefully purchase it.  Above is the cover of Volume One of Osamu Tezuka's Manga series Buddha.  In a previous post I discussed how word and image can work extremely well together when there is an apparent connection.  However, in the right setting, the combination of word and images when there is no apparent relationship can also be effective.  Word and image should work together for advertisements.  Book covers are advertisements, but the non-apparent relationship between word and image works in these circumstances because of the mystery factor.  In fact, book cover designers can us the expectation created from words to shock and interest the viewer.

The above image was picked because when the title Buddha is seen, people often expect to see the traditional image (seen below) or something along spiritual lines.  Instead of an image of the Buddha, we see an emaciated man holding up a rabbit to the sky.  Behind him is a beautiful background of sparkling and glistening stars.  This juxtaposition of glamor against non-glamor already creates an interesting image.  The juxtaposition of the entire image against the title creates more intrigue.

Of course connections can be made between this man and the story of the Buddha, but the point is it that this image is fairly unexpected.  Because word and image do not completely match up in a clear way, it makes readers want to find out how they connect.  To do so, they must read the book! Mission accomplished by the book cover.

First image from: http://www.amazon.com/Buddha-1-Kapilavastu-Osamu Tezuka/dp/193223456X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_a
Second image from: porchlight.ca

Smart Commercial Design: Predator & Prey Exhibits

At the Milwaukee County Zoo

Although there is ample discussion of whether predator-prey exhibits are healthy for zoo animals, for commercial purposes, these exhibits are smartly designed.  These exhibits make the animals more lively as the predators can smell and see the prey close-by.  For many zoos, having lively animals is something that can not always be produced.  To protect the prey from the predators, an empty moat, invisible to zoo visitors, sits between the two species.  One sits in foreground and one in the background exhibit areas.  In addition, these exhibits represent a more realistic view of the animals' habitats as these exhibits are larger and show different species of the same continent living in close proximity.

For visitors, these exhibits are exciting.  Visitors of zoos and museums like to be taken away from the everyday world when they enter museums and zoos.  It is a much less expensive safari and a way to see things that are out of the ordinary for many.  Visits become all the more better when exhibits help you feel as if you are in another country and watching these animals' predatory behaviors.  People can forget that they are in a zoo.

At the Milwaukee County Zoo

What also makes these exhibits exciting is that the moat separating the two species can not be seen.  Unknowing visitors can be scared that the Amur tiger may become so enticed by the smell of the Bactrian camel that it will take a running leap into the foreground exhibit for some hunting.  Even just from the images above I am scared for the Mule Deer.  The Brown Bear seems to be looking directly at it as its next meal.  Ah, to experience "the wild"!

Photos from: http://www.zoochat.com/22/review-milwaukee-county-zoo-152750/