Shanghai Symphony Orchestra

(Jackson Hall - Mondavi Center; taken by camera phone)

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra performance at the Mondavi Center for the performing arts at UC Davis was typical in the aesthetic sense. Although the music was riveting and bold, the shabby concert hall and the musicians’ cliché attire marginalized the overall performance. The traditional black tuxedos and black dresses gave created a very stifling and conservative atmosphere. At one point, the group of musicians became a large mass of black, which gave a visual effect that made the instruments look as if they were playing independently by themselves. It is apparent that the black wardrobe is meant to conceal the musician and emphasize the instrument. However, the instrument should not be the main spotlight on stage; the musician should deserve his or her fair share, as well.

On stage, the performers were divided into different subgroups and placed in a hierarchical system based on performance level. The center of attention during the performance was Yuja Wang, a well renowned pianist, who sported a playful, vibrant red dress. It was not fair that she was the only one who was allowed to wear something bold and alluring. When she entered the stage, the other musicians became transparent and negligible; back-up dancers for the singer.

The customary outfits designed for a musical ensemble develops a debonair stereotype for musicians. The media reinforces this notion through film and television that show the orchestras playing classical music while dressed in black. The preconception that all orchestras are formal and elegant prevents people from fully appreciating unconventional wardrobes. Designers should use this narrow-minded perspective as a driving force to broaden people’s expectations for symphony orchestras. Musicians should have the right to equal share of appreciation from the audience.

A Few Words with Nathan Shedroff

("Experience Design" by Nathan Shedroff)

Nathan Shedroff’s presentation on “Sustainable Innovation” held in a design lecture at UC Davis, introduced a possible solution for sustainability through a list of rhetorical questions such as: What’s a more sustainable world look like? What’s a more meaningful world look like? and What’s a post-consumer world look like? Ultimately, these questions do not have a finite answer, and are open to interpretation, and are best answered through a Socratic seminar. The main idea is to compile potential solutions, or hypotheses, that people make and come to the basic conclusion, or answer, that there is indeed no such thing as a sustainable design, but rather, a potentially more sustainable design. In this modern day and age, there is a constant race and competition for the best product. However, in order for innovation to take into effect, there must be an incentive for designers to partake in new investments. According to Shedroff, the service to users or customers is part of the sustainability principles. The next generation is the driving force behind new frontiers within technological advances and design systems. Essentially, the message to take home is: design something today that will benefit the future of tomorrow.

Shedroff’s presentation examined sustainability under a microscope. He used visuals such as and simple examples in order to give the audience a better understanding of the definition of sustainability. The discussion was very thorough and didactic; first, beginning with a basic ven-diagram of a successful system consisting of: design, sustainability, and business, then, rhetorical questions regarding what a sustainable world looks like, and finally, a break down of sustainability principles, frameworks, tools, and design strategies. Shedroff communicated his idea effectively because the topic easily relates to the audience, and his method of conveying ideas from simple to complex allows the audience to follow along and think, instead of being spoon-fed.

Objectified

("Objectified" - title of film by Gary Hustwit)

Hustwit’s film, “Objectified,” addresses the problem with standardizing designs for the general public while maintaining sustainability at the same time. Many innovative designs are based on revisited archetypes because designers realize that people like familiar things – nothing too radical of a change. Hence, the principle of familiarity within a design is creates a standard and trend that people tend to follow. An additional color, flavor, or smell to an old design automatically makes it new without introducing the consumer to something out of their comfort zone. The celebration of previous zeitgeists hinders people from appreciating other types of designs completely foreign to them. The standardization of designs indeed gives the designer a basic outline of what to produce, but it does not lead to an advancement in design, but a regression. Soon enough, unique objects become ordinary and mundane to the point where people no longer find any significance in them and end up discarding the latter; all the time and effort put into these objects ends with a quick toss down the trash chute. The constant short-lived interest with new designs poses an environmental problem within the world.

The flaw within new designs is that they are made for permanency out of the expectation that they will be used throughout the consumer’s lifetime. However, as people grow old of purchased goods, they are thrown out and increase pollution. In order to remedy this environmental problem, one must determine what a good design is to understand its constraints and specifications. According to German designer, Dieter Rams, a good design is: aesthetically pleasing, understandable, unobtrusive, long-lived, consistent in detail, environmental friendly, and innovative. The strive for a product that is both genuine and sustainable is an example of what design is, the search for the elusive.

Entomology: Art Science Fusion

The Introduction to Entomology, the study of insects, art and science fusion class at UC Davis provides an avenue for science majors to explore the realm of art and art majors to explore science. As a design student partaking in this course, the textiles lab portion has provided a special opportunity to create artworks based on insects and learn about their subtle role within the art world. In addition, the textiles lab was a great way to put to use design thinking and understand the design process. This quarter, the main focus was on the European honey bee and its eusocial nature, or social societal behavior. Before an art piece began, observations, research, and preliminary sketches on specific honey bee topics were made, and then, a final rough sketch was turned in for approval. After that, a number of processes took place such as, color testing, critiques of art work, and revisions of the final draft. In the end, the final product conveyed the appreciation of honey bees, their interaction with humans, and their important role within the ecosystem.
This entomology class has given me a taste of what it is like to be a real designer and what is to come in the future. The main art project simulated a design commission because it was given constraints, specific clients, and a deadline.

(Bee hive cells painted on silk with watercolor and resist; original artwork by yours truly)

Color Theory

According to Lauer and Pentak, co-authors of Design Basics, warm colors, the yellow through red-violet spectrum on the color wheel, and cool colors, the yellow-green through violet spectrum on the color wheel, have a psychological effect on the eye of the beholder. Warm colors tend to give the viewer a warm and optimistic feeling. While on the other hand, cool colors have the opposite effect; they stimulate a cold and pessimistic ambiance.

(Original artwork by yours truly)

The cool purple and lavender penguins and blue water are juxtaposed with the warm orange and gold sun and penguin beaks. This piece predominately consists of cool colors which, in addition to the scene with penguins standing on ice, evoke a calm and cold feeling. The vibrant sun and beaks however, makes this piece partially warm and hopeful. However, the melancholy context of the piece overpowers the minimal optimistic aspect of the artwork.

(Original artwork by yours truly)

The intermingle between warm and cool colors creates depth and volume within this piece. The contrast between the red-orange and aqua-green suggests light, as well; the water that the foot is stepping on appears to be glowing. In contrast to the penguin piece, this piece is obviously more warm and vivacious. It is as if the warmth is radiating from the gleaming water.

Snug-tastic!

Ever since the Snuggie was brought to the eye of the general public there has been nothing but criticism, criticism, and criticism! What’s wrong with a blanket with sleeves? Nothing. It is an ingenious idea is what it is. The sleeves on a Snuggie keep your arms warm when you are munching on something or simply writing in a journal. Sure, jackets have sleeves, but they do not keep your entire body warm, nor do they give you a good laugh. Usually, if you want to read a book with a blanket there are always two problems: 1) The blanket wraps around behind your back leaving your front cold, 2) Your blanket is wrapped in the front, but your hands have to stay outside in order to hold the book, which makes them cold. The only flaw with the Snuggie is that it is slightly too large and thin. No doubt if more celebrities promoted the Snuggie and owned a few themselves, more people would purchase them. It goes to show that the public is very biased towards products when it comes to critiques from famous icons. But, why does it matter? People should not have these prejudices against a product just because the media advises them not to get it. Consumers should be the ones making the judgment because ultimately, they are going to be the coming home with the product. The Snuggie is simply an overgrown blanket with sleeves. It is something to enjoy a hot cup of cocoa with while keeping your arms toasty.

The Sweet Dorm Life

(Dorm room of yours truly taken by a camera phone)

The first day of dorm life is either a fun decorating party, or a downright, awful nightmare. Move-in day is usually tedious, time-consuming, and at times, back-breaking. The main idea is to achieve the best room configuration possible. The initial challenge usually begins with countless trial and error questions such as: Should my desk go here? Where should I put my chair? Is this enough lighting? The biggest problem is that there is no basic blueprint to reference off of, and thus, the poor student must go through laborious hours of arranging, rearranging, and listening to unnecessary suggestions from parents which almost always ends in arguments. When the student first walks into his or her room, the desk, dresser, and bed are already in place, but they are not placed in the most effective positions. If only colleges would provide a better design for room arrangements, then there would be less wasting of time and frustrated outbursts. At least with a basic format the student can optimize his or her room configuration according to his or her preferences. As a college student, it is apparent that dorm life is the most responsible for assimilating students into the college environment in the most efficient and effective way. The dorm room should foster and encompass the student’s academic habits, while at the same time, maintain a welcoming, social setting.