Personal Documentation

Zachary: http://dsgnproberg.blogspot.com/
Julie: http://peainmysoup.blogspot.com/
Breanna: http://breannaraynedsgn200.blogspot.com/
Jessica: http://jklinedesign200.blogspot.com/
Megan: http://lynchdsgn200.blogspot.com/

My team has decided to focus on indoor furniture for our Coleman project because at the moment nearly everything they make is about bringing the indoors outside with you as you camp or whatever.  We've narrowed the products down to a line of lamps for kids bedrooms that have fake insects in them.  So far our team has been working really well together and seem to have a solid foundation to work with.  There really hasn't been an issue of disagreement or any problems with working with one another.

So far I've contributed the idea of Coleman making a clear lamp that incorporates insects for the bedroom in a way to possibly encourage kids to go outside and explore.  My first thought was to use live insects like fireflies in the lamb's base to add a cool light effect as well as having a top part with a normal light but as a few others in my team pointed out it would probably be more appealing to parents to use fake insects.  After that decision was made I started thinking of ways to simulate glowing fireflies.  After throwing out several ideas for the lamp itself I was put in charge of the kiosk which I suggested we focus on stores like Dick's Sporting Goods.  My idea to attract customers and their children to the display area was to have a game set up for the kids where they walk into a clear box that has fake butterflies and various fans that create a swarm effect that the kids have to then use a net to try and catch as many "flying" butterflies as possible and then possibly giving out a prize to the kid who catches the most.  I also thought there should be a desk and a touchscreen tv set up to have an interactive digital display of the indoor furniture product line for the parents to flip through.  All and all i feel like we're moving in a good direction and everyone's, including my own ideas have been really solid and helpful.

 

Letterform seek and find

Design for the Environment (DfE)

DfE Website
DfE video 
PE Experts in Sustainablity 
Life Cycle Engineering 

I chose Design for the environment, more specifically the DfE governmental program, because I feel we need to do everything we can to protect and prolong our environment because it affects everything and everyone.   I became more interested in this topic during our lecture about the environment and the slides regarding green products.  These particular slides corresponded with the German website regarding Life Cycle Engineering and the website on PE sustainability.

Background:  Design for the Environment Program is covered within the umbrella of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) which was established in 1992.  It works to prevent pollution and the risk pollution presents to humans and the environment.  The program within the EPA provides information regarding safer electronics, flame retardants, and safer chemical formulations. DfE also certifies green cleaning products through a Safer Product Labeling Program.  The labeling program offers an opportunity to product manufacturers to partner with DfE and have their products certified within certain criteria and standards.

Hunting Down Design

Juliette Portisch: http://peainmysoup.blogspot.com/     

Clue #1:

Designed by Mies van der Rohe

In 1929 Mies designed the Barcelona chair after creating the German Pavilion, which held the World Arts Fair.

Knoll Inc stamps Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s signature into each chair still to this day.

Quote: “The chair is a very difficult object. Everyone who has ever tried to make one knows that. There are endless possibilities and many problems - the chair has to be light, it has to be strong, it has to be comfortable. It is almost easier to build a sky scraper than a chair.”

Clue #2

The Palla indoor armchair with bent Indian cane frame surrounded by woven rattan core

Palla Chair

Giovanni Travasa, 1966

Manufacturer: Vittorio Bonacina

Clue3:

Peter Eisenman created The Wexner Center for the Arts, which opened in November 1989.

The Wexner Center was the first major public building Eisenman designed.

The white metal grid on the outside of the building is meant to look incomplete and deconstructed.

Clue #4:

Mathematics Tower Philip Johnson. I found this particular design element of the building interesting because of obvious face-like appearance.

Clue 5:

The Thompson library designed by Acock & Associates and built in three phases. The design team for the original building was selected in 1910 through an architectural competition. The library opened its doors on January 6 1913.

The library is located at the head of the oval suggesting a place where everyone can meet to study together. The building was recently renovated during 2006-09 to increase the seating number from 850 to 1,800 with many different areas for learning.

Methodology:

To go about our scavenger hunt, Juliette and I knew that we could knock out at least two of the clues at the Architecture Library and that it was the furthest north location so we started there and while at the library waiting for our turn with the Barcelona Chair, we researched the other clues on Juliette's ipad and thus devised a plan of attack for which buildings we'd hit up next.