Autonomy is one of the hot topics in the technology world at the moment. from robots to self-driving cars the user experience is becoming easier and easier due to things being done for the user by computers. The Japanese company Muji have developed a shuttle bus that has been designed for the climate of Finland. The shuttle bus was designed with the intent of being able to run in all weather conditions as Finland is known for having harsh weather conditions such as hard winter and heavy rain. One of the drawbacks of having the autonomous aspect of the bus is the fact that the technology used in the cameras and sensors do not fare well in the heavy rain and fog. the bus itself has a sleek, friendly and inviting look to it inviting the user to use it. The concept of this design is interesting and intriguing and with further development may be a very effective and efficient design that can heavily benefit the users.
Author: maxmaloneydesign
Product Design Student at Edinburgh Napier
Turning Rubish Into Designs
The world is facing a waste problem. The waste created by people is being shipped to landfills where it takes years to decompose. Some people have tried to combat this problem by finding new ways to reuse these objects. Artist Cyrus Kabiru found a different and unique way of putting this rubbish to use. Growing up in the slums of Nairobi Kabiru was surrounded by waste but rather than accepting this and going about her daily life she decided to use this waste in unique and interesting ways. Kabiru stated making eyewear from a young age as she was told by her father that they were too poor to afford a pair and that she should think about designing her own. Her designs have an African royalty influence almost like the ones seen in the recent Black Panther movie. The designs are grand and elegant which contrast the idea that they are made of waste and things people don’t want. there’s an irony that these desirable designs are made from undesirable objects. Overall I enjoyed this design and love the concept of using the waste of others to create these elegant pieces.
Modular Walls
The concept of a modular society is one I am keen on. Having the ability to change aspects of life and substitute them for other things that can benefit the user and give the objects a more personal feel to the user is a great asset. This wall is an amazing example of how modular design can be used to create individualism. This wall can be used in spaces that privacy and separation may be needed but can also be opened up to create a larger space and open up space to other uses. the way the wall works also allows for beautiful designs to be made and for the wall to almost become an art installation. overall the design is a brilliant combination of art and spacial design that could open a space up to more possibilities.
https://www.dezeen.com/2018/11/02/brixels-modular-blocks-breakfast-moving-walls-installation/
Lies Cost Lives Poster
The recent tragic shooting in Pittsburgh has sparked the debate in America about gun control and the biased arguments made by the pro-gun lobbyists. to show his opinion on the matter designer Yves Behar has created posters and pieces of graphic design to illustrate his opinion on the matter. The designs are clean and simple and only use 3 colours: black, white and red. The red stands out in the designs and provokes a sense of danger and has connotations of the blood shed by the victims of this tragedy. the designer has also used the rule of 3 throughout the whole of the design series, this has been done to draw the viewers eye to the design and make it more appealing. overall the designs are effective in conveying the feeling felt by the designer and the message they want to send.
https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/29/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-lies-cost-lives-graphic-yves-behar/
Leaf Thermostat
The main problem with the issue with climate change is conveying a physical example of how it is changing things in the present rather than how it may affect the future. This design helps to give the user a visual reference and make people stop and think about how they could be affecting the nature around them. By choosing the shape of a leaf the natural element of the design is clearly shown and it is made from paper which has biodegradable properties which means that it doesn’t cause as much harm to the environment as using materials such as plastics may have. I like this design as it gets the user to think about how certain aspects of their life may affect the environment such as what may be the effects that putting on the heating and how that might change the thermostat and the possible impact it may have on the environment.
https://www.core77.com/posts/80178/This-Leaf-Shaped-Thermometer-Changes-Color-With-the-Temperature
Student Desk Aid
Living in student accommodation has its pros and cons. living close to the university is a major benefit for waking up later for lectures but the space available in the rooms is a major con especially the desk space. When trying to draw and design on the desk the room is lackluster. pens and pencils laying about everywhere and cables coiling around the desk like snakes. This design is the design I need to conquer these cons. By having the sockets on the side of the design the cables aren’t laying all over the table getting in the way. The shelf provides storage for the drawings, books, and references that are usually clustering on my desk. the one main problem with the layout of the desk at the accommodation is the light. when designing a good light source is needed to see the page clearly but the light used at the accommodation casts shadows on the page that can make the page harder to interpret. By including a light in the design and the shelf this issue is overcome and the page is easier to see. Overall this design is an interesting concept and could be very useful to every student living in accommodation or people living in an area with limited space.
Dundee
The V&A may stand for Victoria and Albert but to myself, it stands for the Visual & Disappointing. The stunning exterior of the building drew me to it with its angular geometric design blending in yet standing out from the industrial designs of the surrounding areas. The monolithic building stands on the side of the river towering over other structures around it. For something that claims its a design museum the only interesting designs were the building itself. inside the museum, you are greeted with a large open area with a wall influenced by the design of the exterior. The sad part about the museum was the space dedicated to the exhibits, absolutely none. More space was given to social spaces such as cafes and restaurants than the exhibits themselves. For all the negatives that the museum had the exhibit was a mixed bag for me. For the majority of the exhibits, I was disinterested as they were mainly to do with fashion and textiles. However, there were exhibits that did catch my eye. There were exhibits that were to do with architecture and engineering marvels, these took my interest as engineering is an interest of mines and all ways catch my eye when I see exhibits about how it and design mix together to create something. The beautiful architectural drawings that lined the walls also caught my attention. The combination of precision of lines and measurements and the artistic ability of the drawings were eye-catching and intriguing. In the museum, they had an interesting part dedicated to the posters of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. these were posters made by artists to promote the event and were an interesting and striking example of art and graphic design merging to make a beautiful piece of art. another wonder exhibit was the beautiful stain glass and similar Mackintosh works. one such piece was a beautiful stain glass piece that would be found in a church with stunning and vibrant purples that stood out from the window. There was also a room that was recreated to look like a Mackintosh design which was stunning and an interesting sight into past interior design. For all the V&A may have been a let down from the expectations that I had going into it there was a handful of exhibits that did intrigue me and made the visit worthwhile.
Jupiter Artland
The brisk cold wind of the day, the anticipation and dread of rain and the £7.20 bus fair did not stop my exploration of this outdoor art exhibition. As a product designer, I felt that the exhibitions tailored to the interest of interior designers as the concept of the exhibition were to integrate the art and pieces of design into the environment around them. As you walk through the gates and walk up the path to the main exhibits you are engulfed by the wilderness environment that surrounds you setting the mind up for the experience ahead. Only a couple of exhibits stood out to me. the 2 that stood out to me in a positive way was ‘The Light Pours Out of Me’ and ‘The Rose Walk’. ‘The Light Pours Out of Me’ is a beautiful installation made from purple quarts crystals which shone when the light hit of them producing stunning colors and visual effects. The stairs leading down to this also created the effect of making you feel as if you are lowering yourself into a mine adding to the underground effect. The other installation that stood out to me in a positive way was ‘The Rose Walk’. This is a stunning installation in which a white bridge and 2 towers are constructed with rows of roses plated around them. unfortunately at the time of the visit is was the point of the year where summer was becoming autumn and the roses weren’t in blossom, but they still retained their color and some vibrancy. I would love to see this when it fully blossoms in the summer. on the opposite side of the spectrum, we have the installations which disappointed me and that I took a disliking too. The main installation that I took a disliking too is the ‘Love Bomb’. This massive installation ruins the atmosphere and of the surrounding area. Whilst this installations blend in and use the surrounding area to influence their design this installation sticks out like a sore thumb with its bright colours and cartoonish characters ruining the atmosphere of the surrounding area. All in all Jupiter Artland was a place I am glad I have experienced and on a nice summers day would be a fantastic experience.
Max Maloney Design 