Dangerous Designs: Bombs

Although design generally possesses a positive impact on society, it may also serve as dangerous tools for human beings. The development of weapons, such as bombs is a prime example of these types of designs. During wars, bombs are designed as a means to destroy or eliminate a large group of people or a specific population. In order to obliterate the lives of those in opposition and successfully win the battle, weapons of mass destruction are designed as tools for survival and strength. These nuclear weapons are designed utilizing the process of nuclear fission to release a large, quick, and highly destructive amount of energy that exists within nuclei. For instance, during World War II, the atomic bomb known as the “Fat Man” was designed to destroy the population of Nagasaki, Japan. As a result of designing such a destructive weapon, a great number of lives were lost. Thus, the establishment of nuclear weapons such as bombs connotes how dangerous certain designs can be towards the human race. Despite their significance within world-wide wars, they can easily take away the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, or millions of innocent people. These tools are essential for our country when engaging in wars with other countries. However, they only create more violence and hatred within the human race. Hence, the purpose behind their designs is quite negative and dangerous to our society as a whole.

Analysis of a Utopian Design

Although design carries a physically appealing aspect, they also serve to fulfill a specific purpose. There are many issues that arise within society and design is a popular solution to these problems. In an effort to improve society and establish a better lifestyle for human beings, the development of certain designs work in various ways to help create this utopian world. For example, the design of recreational parks allow for a greater sense of community and togetherness within different areas and populations around the world. Within society, there exists a great deal of violence, poverty, and discrimination amongst individuals. Thus, through designing something such as a park for these communities, the designer is able to create a more solidified and trusting society. Parks possess open space for individuals to communicate and bond within a shared area.

How Color Transforms a Single Design

Color plays a crucial role in transforming the overall appearance and sense of emotion that viewers develop through the design. Depending on the various shades and tones that are chosen or utilized, a variety of emotions can be evoked. For example, bright colors such as yellow often connote happiness and excitement, while colors such as black create a sense of darkness and sadness. Moreover, colors such as red generally symbolize strength and power, which is a color that is often used in designs that attempt to communicate a sense of pride and solidarity. Thus, through the use of color, artists have the ability to communicate different ideas or concepts. A design that is uses dark colors as opposed to light communicates a negative emotion as opposed to a positive one.

Design in Society: Japanese Animation

Anime is a popular form of animation within the Japanese American Culture that has become a prominent aspect of design within the United States. Growing up, I would consistently watch American Cartoons on Nickelodean and Disney. However, I was also familiar with Japanese Animation through shows such as Pokemon and Sailor Moon. In comparing these two types of animation, I noticed a great deal of differences between the two.
In terms of emotion, Japanese animation generally exhibits a stronger sense of emotion than American cartoons through the expressive facial characteristics of each character. For example, the addition of veins, sweatdrops, or blush connote a variety of emotions. Thus, through utilizing "emotional iconography," the artist is able to successfully communicate a range of emotions to its viewers. This relates to the concept of "Design as Communication," in that the way in which the facial expressions of each character is designed connotes a specific emotion that the audience is able to understand through merely looking at how the faces are drawn.
Moreover, Japanese Animation tends to design it's characters in a much more outrageous manner. Female characters are often drawn with extremely large, round eyes to accentuate "cuteness," which Japanese Culture heavily values. Their bodies are generally drawn to capture the perfect, slim physique of women, where body parts are emphasized more greatly. In terms of male characters, they are typically drawn with large muscles to connote overt masculinity. Thus, in comparison to American cartoons, Japanese animation tends to design their characters in a more unrealistic light.

North Face Backpacks Analysis

​Backpacks are an essential tool for full-time students, in that they allow individuals to easily transport personal and academic items to campus with ease. As students, backpacks provide us with the ability to carry the considerable amount of textbooks that we are required to bring to class, without the discomfort of carrying them by hand. They are also a favorable item for individuals who generally participate in outdoor activities, in that they are a source of containment for items that individuals desire to bring outside their homes. A popular brand of backpacks that is most often used is North Face. Utilizing the five factors of Ergonomic Research, which include safety, comfort, ease of use, performance, and aesthetics, I will analyze the overall design of North Face backpacks.

In terms of the appearance of North Face backpacks, they possess an overall simple and clean design that caters to a much more mature and older audience; most notably college students and adults who generally seek a more professional look. Unlike the colorful and playful designs that other backpacks such as Jansport design, North Face designs their products in a more effortless manner.Thus, backpacks are generally a single color. Moreover, the authentic logo of North Face is also quite simple and can be found through out various parts of the backpack.North Face back packs are also easily accessible, in that they can be found in several of it's retail stores around the world. Although the price may be a bit high in comparison to the other brands of backpacks in the market, it's price is fairly reasonable due to it's high quality. In terms of it's performance or productivity, it performs extremely well, in that it is able to handle a heavy amount of baggage. Thus, it is very useful for students who must carry several books to and from campus. The various pockets also allow for easy organization, which is useful for any individual. For example, there are pockets on the sides to hold drinks or water bottles, slots for pencils and pens, and separations within the backpack to hold a variety of items.In terms of comfort, North Face backpacks are very comfortable, in that they provide padding for the shoulders.These backpacks are also generally safe, in that they provide direct protection for personal items through the tight zippers and belts. Moreover, from personal experience of owning a North Face backpack, it does not easily wear out over time.

Design in Society: Body Art (Tattoos)

Tattoos are a prominent form of art and expression that serve as a strong basis for communication. The symbols that individuals choose to imprint on their bodies carry great significance and generally disclose personal information that others are able to grasp without personally knowing who that person is and simply by looking at a mere piece of art that is designed on one's body. There are several stories behind the tattoos that individuals possess. Often times, individuals utilize body art as a means to communicate ones culture or ethnic background. Symbols deriving from one’s country of origin or flag are usually utilized to communicate their sense of pride and admiration towards their home country. My older sister, for example, acquired a tattoo designed similar to the symbols that can be found on the Filipino flag as a way to represent and showcase her devotion towards the country that she was born in. They may also serve as a way of expressing one’s spirituality or faith. This is most notably represented through religious symbols that communicate an individuals moral beliefs. Oftentimes, I come across an individual with tattoos of crosses to represent their christianity or verses deriving from the Holy Bible. Aside from utilizing body art as a means of communicating one’s ethnic or religious background, they are also used as memorials for loved ones, which is typically represented through an image, date, or name commemorating those whom they have lost. These tattoos allow individuals to pay tribute to these individuals and communicate their significance within their lives. Thus, tattoos are a significant tool for communication, in that they visually communicate and uncover personal stories about individuals through the examiniation of single design. While design, overall is a significant tool for communication; the way in which it is used in body art possesses a stronger, more personal form of communication between individuals. When we meet an individual who possesses a tattoo, communication generally sparks regarding the meaning behind it. Thus, tattoos can communicate a lot about a person's life, what they have gone through, what they are interested in, and what they believe in. They are not merely utilized as a source of visual pleasure, but as a means to communicate hidden stories from within.

Word and Image: Typography (Motion Graphics)

As Housefield emphasized in class, communication is a significant aspect of design. Artists often utilize words to strengthen the meaning behind the images that they choose to present. For example, through the art of typography, artists are able to visually communicate a particular idea or thought through the combination of words and images. Although words alone have the ability to communicate, the meshing of both type and page carry a stronger form of expression. The idea of putting together words and sentences in an artistic and visually appealing manner has given artists the opportunity to communicate something in a more direct fashion. David Carson, one of the most influential graphic designers in America, is well known for his distinctive and innovative designs in the realm of typography. Through this modern form of graphic design, Carson violated artistic limits and established less traditional ways of utilizing both type and page to communicate a certain message. His work illustrated a greater emotional connection between words and design, which built a stronger relationship between the artist and his viewers.