Attach an image of the object.  

During my free time, I enjoy reading books especially non-fiction genre.

What surprises me about their approach to designing products:
It is more about the needs than the aesthetic appearance unlike most designers

I learnt that designers make a lot of difference as they create things that can answer the needs of people hence making a lot of things easier in life.

cited from: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philippe-Starck, John Zukowsky
 

I believe that product design is an interesting skill that involves creative and analytic thinking while working on creating a product to solve problems and at the same time enhancing the experience of user. In my perspective of view, I think product design requires wide range of knowledge such as engineering and mathematics. I wish I will be able to be more open minded and see things in different perspective and be more creative on seeing things. My expectation is to combine what I’ve learnt from my course with product design. Furthermore, enriching my personal experience in design and widen my knowledge as product design is my passion.

Utilitarian function, Emotional attitude , Cultural style and Belief /Purpose are the elements that need to be implanted in product design as a guideline to make sure the quality of the product is there. Add on Utilitarian function is an art that promote the function as priority, however the product is still aesthetically pleasing. Emotional attitude refers to the thoughts and beliefs on how the product look like, showing the impression toward others. Cultural style and Belief depend on the target market or target customers, in fact, it also reflects the background of the designer. Whereas belief / purpose is an evaluation of the product which it could be meaningful or useful to the user.

The understanding of Maslow Hierarchy of Needs is important as a ruler of one’s life. As stated, physiological is the base as the foundation of human basic needs. For sure, safety is also a top priority of one to maintain what we have in our foundation. Following by love / belonging where our life story begins. Esteem is the elements that drive us in what we are going to do and determine what are the things that is right or wrong. Lastly, self-actualization is the sources that we accumulate and the power within us, in the sense of have faith in our inner self. Not even for the course I’m studying which is banking and finance , I will need the self-confidence in understanding the basic rule in banking &finance world, such as economics ,also, I will need to implement the self- actualization in product design as to have faith in what is my idea that I wish to proceed and comes to be a product.

+Toshiyuki Kita is a furniture and product designer. Toshiyuki Kita’s designs are organic and nature-like, and his product design forms are harmonized, friendly, expressive in character. He also only use raw materials that can be recycled (return to nature by a natural process of decay or by solar energy). His concept is "Balance between our innate “Five Senses” and things around us" and "to live naturally along the guiding path towards our future to understand the delicate balance between Nature and Wisdom in our daily lives from our ancestors"

+A work that truly inspire me is 'wink'. The design is simple but aesthetically pleasing, and has many useful functions. Unlike our usual furniture, the headrest of the chair he designed can be moved freely, the colored covers on each part can be changed with covers easily and washed at home. This save troubles for people to clean the chair and the color of the chair can be switch to match how we want it to look like.

+ his approach is to "think in the product as a friend and try to put this feeling into it, very subtly." He also said in an interview that function can be friendly and color is very powerful as form and color transmit messages which affects feelings. This surprised me as i did not thought of the importance of putting feelings into designing a product and that it allows users to understand it.

+a challenge he faced is that it is hard for design in japan as one of the purposes of design is to improve the places in which people live, work, and carry out their daily activities, however, Japanese lifestyle has not improved in this aspect for a long time.

From this assignment, i have learnt that it is not easy to become a designer and there will be many challenges faced. I have also learnt that every factor contributing to the design of the product such as color, and feeling are important. How fancy a product looks does not matter, even if it is simple-looking, it can be very useful too.
Designers and good design in today modern world is very important as they help to improve functions of the products and make people's life more easier and comfortable.

Rashid was born in 1960 in Cairo, Egypt to an Egyptian father and English mother. The family emigrated to Canada where Rashid was raised. Rashid attended high school in Mimico, Toronto, Ontario. He is the brother of famed architect, Hani Rashid, of Asymptote. His sister is a painter and musician, Soraya Rashid. Rashid received a Bachelor of Industrial Design in 1982 from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He pursued graduate design studies in Naples, Italy, with Ettore Sottsass.
+ Design Philosophy and Style

Karim Rashid’s projects have always been a mix of different ideas, materials and styles that interweave each other, subverting traditional design rules. What immediately catches the eye about his works are the vibrant colours and soft shapes: Karim Rashid’s design wants to be optimistic, full of positive energy and vitality. In his philosophy, any object or furniture that occupies a place in an individual’s everyday life must make life easier: for this reason all his designs include round, fluid and comfortable shapes that fit perfectly to the person’s behaviour. 

Koop chair, an eye-catching piece of furniture with a very interesting yet simple design. The armchair creates a womb-like space and it’s as comfortable as it is beautiful and eye-catching. It’s easy to imagine this chair is a modern space. It’s also very versatile. The best part is that this piece is also perfect for playrooms and for family homes as it’s a child-friendly piece of furniture that offers a shape any kid would like. The egg-shaped chair has friendly lines and comes in bright colours. The interior is soft and very comfortable, and the shape of the chair also offers the user a sense of privacy. It could look good in a reading corner or even in a home office. 

Karim Rashid design approach keep to a perfect object of form, emotion, technology, performance, and function all inseparable and the crystallization of the time in which we live. He's intention is to make the world a better place through increasing everyday behaviors, functionally and emotionally. By replacing the clutter of poorly designed and poorly made objects, with beautiful high performing objects, hopefully sustainable, ergonomic, well-made, sensible yet seductive objects. These objects reduce the stress in our environments and in everyday life. Rashid also mentioned, ''Design is about experience, not just visceral or visual, but tactile, emotional, and Omni sensorial.  Human beings touch an average of 600 objects a day, and the potential for those objects to benefit the everyday human experience is immense.''

Born in the middle east, he was shocked and saddened that he has delivered very few projects in the Middle East and North Africa. Very few clients approach Rashid. ‘’No one contacts me and yet I am the most famous Arabic name in the world of design besides Zaha Hadid.”-Karim Rashid. He is fascinated by Dubai and all the Middle East because they embrace architecture and design without boundaries. Rashid is a living example of what international Middle Eastern cities are trying to become. He is rooted in Arab culture, yet his career and his work surpass international borders and invisible boundaries.

https://www.commercialinteriordesign.com/people/the-karim-rashid-story
https://www.homedit.com/top-10-karim-rashid-furniture-designs/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karim_Rashid
https://www.designfather.com/karim-rashid-interview/

There are five types of The Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. One of them are Physiological needs. Physiological needs are the requirements for human survival such as breathing, food, water. So take a break when we need to. Secondly, Safety needs such as health, order, law and protection from elements, like wearing safety glasses when crafting. Thirdly, Love and belonging needs are about social interactions. Social needs include friendship, family and community. So discuss with group members and not isolate oneself. Fourthly, Esteem needs include self-esteem as well as recognition from others. Esteem can come in the form of achievement, status, prestige, recognition, mastery, independence and responsibility. While lastly, Self-actualization needs relate to becoming more than what we are, and they can come from peace, knowledge, self-fulfillment, realization of personal potential, personal growth and peak experiences.

https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

+ Design philosophy and style:

he believes there’s a large emphasis for his creation to be new, original and sustainable. His style uses smooth geometric lines, translucency, strength, transparency, and tends to have an absence of sharp edges.
+ a work that truly inspired you:

Voronoi Shelf

+ what surprise you about their  approach to designing products/ inspiration:
The work is based on the mathematical Voronoi Algorithm, shaped into cell-like structure, with irregular size and shape. He carved the shelving unit from a single five-ton block of veined Carrara marble.
+ challenges they faced on the design project:

Also, he attended Carleton University in Ottawa, where he received a BA in Industrial Design in 1982. After earning his undergraduate degree, he went on to attend school in Italy, where he obtained a graduate degree.

 +Design Philosophy and Style

Sensual minimalism. From an interview Rashid explained about his design philosophy and style. “It is hard for a designer to see ‘their’ own style and define their place in the world themselves. I have always referred to my work as sensual minimalism , but also technorganic and infostethic. I try to always have some level, even a nuance, of originality or innovation in my work, whether it is a new material, new human behaviour, a new form, a new production method, a new market, a new message (be it wit, humour, emotion, meaning, social or political agenda), new experiences or completely new concepts. Design is our entire built landscape.”

Trex which is designed by Karim Rashid for ITRE . It’s a hexagonal soft-edged light made of a glossy opal heat-formed acrylic with white lacquered metal base. The spine running through the lamp gives dimension and the contours on its three-dimensional diffuser enhance the brightness of light source while exaggerating shadows on the surface. When it’s on it seems to slowly pulse with gentle variation of light intensity. This is achieved by placing two different types of circline fluorescent bulbs in it ,which is one 22-watt and one 40-watt.In fact, it could be placed on either the wall or the ceiling. “I wanted to get out of the square and cylindrical shapes,” says Karim Rashid about designing it.

For me the lamp is not only aesthetic with the modern outlook ,but also with its features that having variation of light intensity. The work is fabulous.

Image from
(Image is uploaded at below )
https://www.digsdigs.com 

From an interview, Rashid stated that “I look way beyond design and architecture. Inspiration is accumulative. Everything can be inspiring. It is how you look at the world. I am inspired by my childhood, my education, by all my teachers I have ever had, by every project I have worked on, by every city I have traveled to, by every book I have read, by every art show I have seen, by every song I have heard, by every smell, every taste, sight, sound, and feeling.”

The sentence “Everything can be inspiring.” surprised me and inspire me to look around what are the things around me that could be my design inspiration.

Rashid discussed “Design is about ‘art of real issues’.  Creativity is not enough in design. Design must answer to all the issues of use, behaviour, aesthetics, manufacturing processes, material’s ecological issues, marketing, dissemination, etc.” as for project and industrial design. 

+What have you learnt from this assignment and what do you think is the importance of designers and good design in today modern world.

From this assignment, I’ve a better vision about what is product design and discover more about a product designer which is Karim Rashid. I’ve learn about the difference between art and design where art is just a passion for oneself and design is a skill that can benefit one another. It’s important to have good design in the world because we are changing day by day, creating a trend, following the trend. A good design should be enhance the user’s experience with aesthetic outlook, and at the same time preserving our mother nature.

The real challenge was the design of the seats, given that the spaceplane takes off like an airplane but then ascends vertically. The seat has to move so the passenger can cope with the nearly-90 degree transition in a relative degree of comfort. Having designed aircraft seating, Marc knew very well what the issues were in terms of the mechanics and engineering of a seat, but this was a completely different challenge. Unlike airplane seats, if these seats were to fail, passengers could be seriously injured. Another major issue was weight. To address both issues, Marc recommended a pivoting hammock structure, so that at take-off, the passenger would be facing upwards, his or her body more or less horizontal relative to the earth. In the transition from aircraft to spacecraft state, the passenger must remain in the same position relative to the earth. Thus the passengers own body weight and gravity dictates the orientation, doing away with complex, heavy and failure prone mechanical actuation systems in the seat. To maximize the experience of weightlessness, Marc wanted to keep the cabin uncluttered. The hammocks, which are near the floor, take up a minimal amount of space to allow passengers to float around at zero-gravity.

Rashid is in a family of five with a brother, a sister and his father is an Egyptian and his mother is English. He was born in 1960 in Cairo, Egypt. He attended high school in Mimico, Toronto, Ontario and received a BA in Industrial Design in Carleton University in Ottawa in 1982. After that he went Italy and obtained a graduate degree. 

 +Design Philosophy and Style

Sensual minimalism. His style is also democratic, eclectic and optimistic. In his project design ,he always find whether it is a new experiences or new concepts in his design as in involving the elements of humour, emotion, meaning, social or political agenda. 

+ A work that truly inspire you

The work that inspire me is Trex which is designed by Karim Rashid for ITRE . The design is a hexagonal soft-edged light made of a glossy opal heat-formed acrylic with white lacquered metal base. It is achieved by placing two different types of circline fluorescent bulbs in it ,which is one 22-watt and one 40-watt. In fact, it could be placed on either the wall or the ceiling. “I wanted to get out of the square and cylindrical shapes,” says Karim Rashid about designing it.

For me the lamp is not only aesthetic with the modern outlook ,but also with its features that having variation of light intensity. The work is fabulous.

Image from https://www.digsdigs.com

+ What surprise you about their approach to designing products / Inspiration

From an interview by gorenje.com, he stated that “I look way beyond design and architecture. Inspiration is accumulative. Everything can be inspiring. It is how you look at the world. I am inspired by my childhood, my education, by all my teachers I have ever had, by every project I have worked on, by every city I have travelled to, by every book I have read, by every art show I have seen, by every song I have heard, by every smell, every taste, sight, sound, and feeling.”

The sentence “Everything can be inspiring.” surprised me and inspire me to look around what are the things around me that could be my design inspiration.

+ Challenges they faced on the design project

Rashid discussed about the issues of us, behaviour, aesthetics, manufacturing processes, material’s ecological issues, marketing, dissemination are the challenges that he will be facing as for project and industrial design. 

+What have you learnt from this assignment and what do you think is the importance of designers and good design in today modern world. 

From this assignment, I’ve a better vision about what is product design and discover more about a product designer which is Kasim Rashid. I’ve learn about the difference between art and design where art is just a passion for oneself and design is a skill that can benefit one another. It’s important to have good design in the world because we are changing day by day, creating a trend, following the trend. A good design should be enhance the user’s experience with aesthetic outlook, and at the same time preserving our mother nature.

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3B) Find and describe 1 POOR and 1 GOOD example of Beauty and Proportion designed product.

(Try to match as many points from the principles of Beauty and Proportion shared in the slides.)

This falls under ‘Form for human ergonomics and behavior’. Both spray cans look almost similar. To the point user might mistake the wrong one. This is because both designs have similar color and font. The difference are the size and the small image portrayed on the front cover. However, our human vision may not pay full attention to these almost similar looking spray cans. They might initially think that both spray cans work the same but just have different size. For example, users especially the elderly users might accidentally use the fly and insect killer spray can on food unknowingly. Or even, one might rush to get the fly & Insect killer can but instead took the canola cooking spray can instead. This is an example of not a good design as it is not innovative, not understandable, obtrusive, not aesthetic and not environmentally friendly. Both objects are basic and not well-executed. Users will need to be extra cautious and will need to take time to read the spray cans before using it. Thus, this object leads to users feeling uneasy, displeasure and even discontent.

It is long lasting as it can be reusable, and it will not break even if you drop it. It can be used continuously to store water and flowers that will wither after a short period of time.

It is aesthetic but also has little design as possible. The vase’s design is aesthetic as it is well-executed and come in various colours which u can choose the colours you want to match the colours of the flowers. The design is simple, not too fancy, so it can focus on the essential aspects like the flower placed in the vase and the flower will not be burdened by the fancy designs. Its proportion between the colored part and the transparent part of the vase is not too in monotony, it is nicely proportioned so that the flower can be seen clearly.

It is not through down till the last detail as there are buttons which are not labelled at all. This makes the button useless as we do not know what it is for.

It is not aesthetic as it is not well-executed, the colours on the buttons are unnecessary. 

Training Dresser by Peter Bristol

This falls under ‘Kitschy form’. Looking at the object, the first word that came into my mind is Wardrobe. The creative idea of making it decorative and easy to understand makes the whole wardrobe look amusing. I can follow the designer intention of creating forms of garments such as the sock, pants, undergarment and tops without studying the object further in detail. This is mostly for children use as the size of the wardrobe is small and the design is uncomplicated for them to read. I like how the designer keep to the idea of ‘’less is more’’. The object is unobtrusive, useful, aesthetic, and definitely understandable.

Tandem storage space by Geoffrey Graven

This design is innovative, useful, aesthetic, honest, unobtrusive, little design and environmentally friendly. In a way that it creatively place two useful objects together into one piece (A portable desk and chair), making it space-saving. Useful for almost all users who intended to use the object for a simple activity such as using laptop, studying, etc. The proportion of the product makes it look beautiful and aesthetic. Finally this product concentrate on their main intention for the product by making it simple and essential.

This object can be seen almost everywhere in school and the issue here is that this object discriminates left-handed users. This design product is beneficial for the right-handed only. Therefore, this object is not useful for all users, not honest and obtrusive. The designer did intended to make simple and essential product, however, it is unfair as not all users are comfortable to use it. Thus, it is not beautiful as the product is not friendly for all users.

3A) Find and describe 1 POOR and 1 GOOD example of Form follows Function / Spirit designed product. 

One poor things about is that toys can produce subconscious thoughts in children, causing them to grow up with a negative imagination. This is one of the harmful effects of LEGO toys that could lead to violent thoughts and cause mental or social problems later in life.

One good things about lego toys is that kids can be creative by making pattern using different types of colour.  It is also built up teamwork and communication.

3B) Find and describe 1 POOR and 1 GOOD example of Beauty and Proportion designed product.

One good example of perfume is that it has different scent which suits your personality. The most appealing about perfume is that the glass bottle attracts customer more.

One poor example of perfume is that the spray of the bottle could easily get spoilt or even crack whenever you accidentally drop it.

From function perspective, it's easy to use during emergency. Turn on the water supply at the stop valve, then turn the water on at the nozzle. After that, direct the stream at the fire base. The length of the hose allows the user to extend to a further place.

 

Fire Hose Reel is either useful or good in design that suit its purpose. It’s product useful and understandable.

GOOD-
    This is a design of the pressing pump of the shampoo bottles. The designer observed that in daily life, people need to use both hands to do this easy pressing motion, one hand to press, one hand to get the shampoo. Well somtimes we may filling one hand with a towel or a loofah, but still we need to free both of our hands to get that shampoo.
     The new design of the form of the pressinhg pump satisfy the function for both pressing and getting shampoo at the same time.And this work won the designer a Red Spot prize.
1. useful
It doesnot effect the function of the pressing pump and even improving it and providing more convenience.
2. innovative
it is rebuilt with an fresh innovative idea to improve the product.
3. aesthetic
the design of the two pieces and the light colour still match the outer packing of the bottle and make it aesthetically pleasing.
4. unobstrusive
the external appeaence has change, simultaneously assure the function.
5.little design as possible
the new design is not compliated that take over the main focus of the whole product.
6.understandable
since the new design has gone through the observation of peoples habit in pressing the pump, people will immidiatly understand the reason of adding on the two pieces beside.

POOR-
     It loos like the design takes consideration of kids' height and lower the height of the wash basin.
      However, as you can see in the picture, the wash basin is still difficult for the kid to reach the tap because of the length of the plat. It means that the designer did not thoronghly reflect on the function of the wash basin the the aspects of the using experience for kids. That carelesness hinder the normal function of this production ,so make the change of form meaningless.
1. innovative
the changeto the height of the basin is not a fresh idea, it can be commonly seen almost every market restroom.
2. aesthetic
this kind of design is not aesthetically pleasing. the matching colour is dull and not modern.
3.understandable
anyhow, the lowering of the basin still makes it understandable that this is specially made of children.

- her works consists of mainly white buildings with curves and lights, giving her works the minimalist and futuristic feel.

-she believes that she can make architecture into an art form, incorporating art in our everyday lives even though her works were seen was circular forms that are unconventional by others.

what surprise you about their approach to designing products/inspiration
-she draws inspiration from her surroundings 

-it is surprising because who would’ve known vineyards and farmland inspired her work Vitra Fire Station in Germany as I find the resemblance uncanny… but you if you think of it as a futuristic version of a farm it does start to make sense

a work that truly inspires me
I don’t think I can simply one as Zaha Hadid has many inspiring and she does not stick to a style of architecture, but the Guangzhou opera house has left a really huge impact on me. I remember talking a walk after dinner one day while I was on vacation after semester 1, and from far away I saw this building that was lit up, and it stood out in contrast to all the other building because of how it was shaped like a triangle with numerous small bright triangles that misty night. It really mesmerized me as it’s not every day that you get to see a building not shaped rectangularly and it was a first time for me. I remember thinking to myself how special and unique the opera house was, not knowing who was the person behind it.

challenges they faced on the design project
-definitely critics! Everyone has haters

-thriving and making a name for herself at the beginning when she’s a woman in a male dominated industry on top of being Arab- which is a minority

I learnt that you can cooperate art into your everyday life and that it doesn’t have to be made complicated or extravagant, something simple can stand out too and we can draw inspiration from the things around us but always think out of the box. don't be afraid to pursue what you want to.

2) What are my thoughts on the Utilitarian function, Emotional attitude, Cultural style and Belief / Purpose of Product design.
                 These aspects act as a guideline when it comes to product designing. These aspects are important as it is able to express out different feelings and the personality of the users of products with the same purpose. 

3) Importance of understanding Maslow Hierarchy of Needs (in relation to Product Design) to even your course of study
                 It is important to understand Maslow Hierarchy of Needs as it shows us to design a product that satisfies the needs and wants of our users and customers. This will greatly enhance the sales of the product as more people are able to understand the perspective that we are trying to show them.

HappyLand's sales office by yuqiang + partners
‘’Dream pavilion’’

A good example of how scale affects experience of products.

The extreme tranquility of space and detailed concision of the architecture blends perfectly, in the term of configuration and structure, creating exquisite and illusion when building the unique Dream Pavilion. 

The numbers of oversized floating pavilion roof offer aesthetic and innovative way of dividing spaces for gathering or meet up.  This kind of design attracts users to amaze, or sometimes simply to inspire. The volume of the space allows the pavilion to become the focus in the space and users simply interacts with the surrounding and appreciate the spatial meaning.

One of the examples of objects/products with poor affordance.

Labelled badly with unclear icons such as adding words on top of the icons to explain what they mean. The labels were badly placed and the arrows next to the words, making it unclear which button the labels were for. There are piles of information around this design, trying to help people to use it successfully. Many won’t notice the signs because it’s not where their attention is at the time, or they do not bother to take the time to read and press what they think will. Thus, this will create delay and sometimes chaos when people tend to use the toilet.

Another example of objects/products with poor affordance.

Many users at home uses this product when they want to close the door apart or stop the door from banging close when the wind pushes. The issue is that this small stopper may sometimes misplace or gone missing. Making users search for the stopper or use other object to prevent the door from moving. They needed to make the effort and time to find the stopper and find the part they want to stuck it  Therefore, they need to innovate the idea of the stopper to make it convenient and easy for users to use.

I am surprised that his designs is always embedded a deeply human and resourceful approach in his designs, which project an optimism, and innovative vitality. For instance, the chair shown below which has the idea of lifting the part where the legs will be rested in a higher position where I personally think that it is going to be super comfortable to rest my legs on one of these chair especially after a long and tiring day.
 
 Ross Lovegrove faces problem where he is unable to design out all of his visualisation and his dream  as he doesn’t have the time, energy and his small studio also limit the resources that he is able to create with.

According to Le Corbusier’s modular man, advantages of a lower ceiling is cheaper to heat and allows intimacy.

The handle material can be replaced from metal to plastic so users can easily realise the metal side is the blade.

Also, changing the colour of the handle to a colour not similar to metal such as red will let the user be able to differentiate the blade and the handle more clearly because of its obvious colours.