TASK 2D ETHICAL DESIGN ISSUES

After watching Objectified, I have learnt 2 things. Good design should be simple yet effective and must tell a story.

Good design is a "calm and considered solution" to solving problems, said by Jonathan Ive, Senior VP Industrial Design Apple, Cupertino. Having no specific target market, all their consumers are of different demographics. Before the iPod and iPod Nano came out, I never really understood what made people go nuts about Apple products. Ever since studying design, I became aware of the tiny details that make Apple much more superior than all other competing brands.

Everyone that are familiar with Apple products know that the minimalistic design and functions are the key features that make it luxurious and distinctive. In the video 'Objectified', Ive explained how they designed one of their best selling Mac laptops/desktops. To design something that anyone can easily use, Apple considered what universal features were important and what weren't important for the general public. It may seem so simple to design, however ethics are considered in every feature. Colours, buttons, style, form, material must not offend  other culture. Some people may prefer a red coloured Mac laptops/desktops, however it may offend some cultures as red is seen as a bad sign.  All  details must also suit young and old, students, business people... basically anyone, hence why Apple has become "King" of professional consumer products.

Objectified also showed me that products should tell a story through emotive design. It should not just be used for its function, but should look like a piece of art by itself when not in use. For example, the Dyson desk fan is breaks all traditional fan design. It is super-sleek and has the product language that speaks out that it can work quietly and efficiently. It also acts like a sculpture blending into the room beautifully. With emotive design considered, it adds more value into the product.

As a design student, it is important to keep in mind that the simplest products in the world can be most effective, however it is never easy to produce a  simple good design. 

TASK 2C CLIMATE CHANGE

THE AGE OF STUPID

I found this film very engaging and absolutely agree with all the different factors they mentioned that contribute to climate change. The footages really did have a power effect on me, especially the parts where the French man (accompanied by depressing music in the background) was talking about how much global warming has affected his life and most importantly his childhood memories of his home town in the glaciers. He said that it felt like there were only 2 seasons in a year; summer and winter only compared to when he was younger. And that is very true, I remember a decade ago, every season was what they were meant to be; now we either have extremely hot summers or extremely cold winters. Also, for years my friends and I all agree that now summer and winter is about the same, one day it may be very cold in summer, (as cold as any other day in winter) and then the next day it’s scorching hot. From where it’s heading now, it seems like the world will come to an end from either another Ice Age or burn to death by the sun.

So okay, designers try their best to think of ways to reduce greenhouse gases, educate and provide consumers eco-products. However, as the film has mentioned, big companies are still producing tonnes more carbon emissions than us trying to do our part in saving the planet. The film really did spend quite a large section accusing the corrupted government and corporate companies for initiating the dramatic increase of greenhouse gases. Why are they more concerned about moving the country forward with advanced technology than worry if there will even be a future? They are reaping in as much money as they can to splurge on during their lifetime and not caring what will happen to their next generation. It’s not just the companies and government to be blamed for, we as consumers also are responsible. The wealthier the country we live in, the more we buy stuff we actually don’t need. Like another man in the film said, our future generations won’t even have the chance to live the life we have today and they will blame us for it.

Honestly, I’ve actually never thought about poorer countries when global warming comes to mind. But after seeing how large oil companies and corrupted governments take advantage of their people, it saddens me that they are left with nothing. Actually worst than nothing. They left a river in their own country polluted with oil spill, and they didn’t even care about it because they have guns and authority. It just makes me angry knowing they are causing their people to fish from the oil spills, washing the fish with OMO washing powder and drinking infected water even though they know there are diseases in it.

To all designers out there in the world, stop designing for a niche market, stop designing little eco objects for the household. Start working with engineers, scientists, environmental organisations, etc to find a bigger and better sustainable solution for everyone in the world. It’s now or never.