Video Reflection - Story of cosmetics, bottled water and electronics

The following videos, ‘The story of cosmetics’, ‘The story of bottled water’ and ‘The story of Electronics’ talk of a system in crisis. We live in a word focused on the consumption of ‘stuff’. This involves our daily lives where we are constantly purchasing items that we have been coerced and coned into buying through corporations’ use of advertising and the development of social trends that society has adopted in conjunction with what becomes available to us.

The Story of Cosmetics

The current cosmetics industry has adopted a 1950s mentality where the previously unknown chemicals and toxins used in cosmetics are still being used in today’s products. This shows that these companies still have other agendas when designing and producing these products. Previously they had little knowledge on the harm these toxins have on our body; but now they continue to produce product that are harmful instead of substituting proven beneficial alternatives that are both better for humans and the environment. When toxins are put into something they will no doubt end up in the system of the user – ‘Toxins in, Toxins out’. A new attitude to producing these products is needed. The video suggests the precautionary principle where if there is doubt to the harm a toxin can have on someone or something, it is better not used.

The story of Bottled Water

What lead to the mass consumption of bottled water was the trickery and misleading advertising of 1970 producers, conning people into believing that tap water was unsafe and in some cases ‘carcinogenic’. This method was used to drive profits of companies producing bottled water after they realised that their profits could only reach a certain level, and would flatten out. One of the issues with bottled water is the waste. Most bottles at this point are being discarded in landfills, and/or shipped over seas to countries where infrastructure is not as strong and disposed of there. The video suggests that the bottles be down-cycled to produce another viable product. Another issue is health of people and the cost it incurs to use bottled water. Bottled water, in the US, is not regulated to the same standard that tap water is plus the cost is over 500 times the price of tap water, which is practically free for the average person.

The Story of Electronics

Electronics have become a major part of our everyday living when rather than designed to last forever are being  ‘designed for the dump’. This means their in-built obsolescence (or the designers choices) dictate how long a product is to last and operate in a person’s home. Existing products, in some instances are being shipped to eastern countries where they are then dismantled, its valuable parts sold and the rest either put into landfill or burned. This is a major health risk and environmental disadvantage as the toxins that have been built into these products are then emitted in harsher forms after the products life. The video suggests new ways of minimising waste and harm on human during the products use. Firstly, initiating ‘product take back’ to ensure that companies design responsibly and ethically, as they will be the ones who dispose of the waste. Secondly, make electronics modular and allow parts to be changed rather than the entire product. Finally, it is even more important for the products to be designed to last, that way they can perform an alternate task in the family home; a piece of remembrance, a memento in a families history to be passed down for generations to come.

By Mitchell Harris 

My Design Career

Here are just some thoughts on the following questions... 

Why do you want to have a career in the design industry?

• The design industry is a dynamic and vibrant community of creative minds that want to try and make the world a better place. This is achieved through the systems, products, architectural environments that encourage creative thinking and inspiration to people who come in contact with them.
• Having the ability to be apart of a person’s everyday life by changing how they do things and interact with their surrounding environment.
• With our world changing as much as it is, there is a greater need for efficient and effective design to make the impact of the human race as positive as possible.

Why have you chosen to study Industrial design at UNSW?

• I originally entered into the Industrial Design program at UNSW as a way to get into University. After completing my HSC I wanted to go into Architecture, either at UNSW or Sydney Uni, but with my ATAR being lower than desired I accepted my offer at UNSW in Industrial design.
• Before starting this program I saw it simply as a stepping-stone into Architecture. But now that I have started, I see this course more and more as a career that I could pursue.
•  Then again, after completing Fundamental in semester 1 I saw the creative process, rather than the design process, as an avenue that I would be more interested in. Focusing more on the ‘art pieces’ in design rather than the mass produced and ‘consumer’ based products.
• I accept that in order to get to the level of creating ‘one off pieces’ understanding the industry and the processes behind it is important

Who has inspired you to pursue a career in Design?

• Like many other young Australian design students, Marc Newson has achieved a level of recognition that is an ambition for many. Coming from an average Australian family living in Sydney, seeing his transformation from an everyday person to a household name is a great achievement.
• The architectural pieces of Zaha Hadid have also inspired me to pursue a career in design. The fluidity achieved in her buildings through using such rigid and contrasting materials is inspiring. Her alien like designs push boundaries of engineering and styles for her period.

What do you think the future of design will be?

• I think the future of the design profession will become more and more important as new ways of completing everyday tasks is needed. With the environment and cultural diversity of the planet become our main focus designers will be required to make broader and a diverse range of products to cater for larger number of people.
• The concepts and ideals behind design, I believe, will become integrated into everyday thinking allowing people to explore creative ways of doing the simple things in life. This conceptual way of thinking allows for a greater understanding of ideas and empowers people to think outside the box. 

Product Sketching from Sydney Design 2011

Here are my sketches from Sydney Design 2011...

This is a lamp from 'Built: Is old new again?' at the Artereal Gallery in Rozelle.

This evocative lace work from 'Love Lace' at the Powerhouse Museum. 

This is a paper sculpture from 'Sparkies, foodies, fashionistas' at Sydney TAFE. 

The 'Flipbike' from the Australian Design Awards at the Powerhouse Museum.

From the 'Change 11' exhibit at the Coca-Cola building in North Sydney, a model of a proposed community centre in Summer Hill.

Design Confusion

Design Excellence - FlipBike by FlipBike.

Human-centered Design with David Kelley

With the vast array of products now available on the market, defining factors which will influence the strength and appeal of these products are becoming increasingly important. People are looking for intuitive design. Intuitive design is a design style that allows any one person to interact and use a product without training. It bases its foundations on the back of human kinds ability to deduct reasoning, push boundaries and seek pleasure from using the product. This design style can be seen in the designs put forward by David Kelley in 2002 during his talk 'Human-Centred Design'. Kelley believes that there is a need to make products personified; 1) to make them easier to use and more accessible to a greater audience and 2) to make the products we use in our everyday more personalised - taking them from inanimate objects into pieces of technology/design with emotions.

The first example given by Kelley is the Prada store in New York city. This interactive shopping experience allows the purchaser to get involved and informed about the items they are purchasing. This is an example of intuitive design where the technology is able to communicate with the user (both the retail assistant and the consumer) on different levels. For the retail assistant, the device communicates on a business platform communicating to them the price of the piece and quantity available. While in terms of the consumer, the device displays the garments fabric, specifications, styling and images of the potential look. This is the future of consumer spending - an interactive experience where everyone involved has control over what they see and experience throughout the process.

Similarly, David Kelley talks of the Greenwich Watercycle Pavilion in London. This architectural piece immerses it's audience in the process of water recycling. This is primarily seen in water encasing the building. This water shield gives the minimalist glass box emotion, a sense of movement and tranquillity. This peaceful environment contrasts the materials of the building, which mainly consists of steel and glass. The moving information panels again add another emotive element to the design, forcing the audience to become accustomed to the changing environment - much like life.

This video has had some resonance with me. With the ever increasing number of products being produced and humanities increased dependancy upon them it's is becoming important for people to have positive relationships with designs. This involves improving the 'man machine relationship' by 'designing behaviours and personalities into products'.