Analyzing Good Design

 Analyzing Good Design

Dieter Rams:
The 10 principles of Good Design 
Summary: This article is about the 10 aspects that create and define good design. It all goes back to simplicity, purpose, and communication. He defines the principles in depth; explaining the reason behind the principles and why they are so invaluable.
Reflection: This article is simple, communicative, as little as possible, thorough, detailed and etc. Ironically the writer has created a product of good design by displaying all aspects of what he considers good design throughout his paper by incorporating all ten aspects in his writing and displaying of this article.
   I learned that the reason why companies such as Apple and Sony are so popular and are at the top end of the name brand products list because their products are so well designed. They communicate easily with everyone, their products are aesthetically innovative, simple and functional. Also what I find great is that your not sacrificing functionality for taste. Also products such as Apple and Sony prove to people that although products may seem simple and boring on the outside doesn't mean that they are inferior to something that may be unique or individually based.
  I chose the magic mouse as a concept of good design. It fits all ten aspects of good design. Mac has chose to take all the extra components that usually come on a normal mouse such as a cord, a roller ball, and etc and made it into a sleek, all white, smooth surfaced, wireless functional mouse.
 This article pertains to my major in a way that personally I find that the best photographs taken are the ones that are simple with a clear view of the subject matter being expressed in a universal way so all viewers are able to understand.


Thinking and Making:
Summary: There was a strong emphasis throughout all the articles on Good Design being able to withstand time and culture and along the way, somehow basic concepts were able to be communicated through generations and culture. What outlines good design is fixing the problems that inhibit past designs from being efficient and relevant in the present time or future.
Reflection: I feel like this is relevant. It is funny to see how it can pertain to history, culture, fashion, architecture and etc.
   I learned that design can be a system of problem solving and can be approached by using different processes and techniques to portray a statement. I never really saw it this way until the article about the protest on the movie theater and it allowed me to see that it can even pertain to any object.
  This article pertains to my object, the magic mouse because Mac fixed the problems that inhibit the mouse from doing its main functions. They got rid of the middle scroll, the weight, the cord, the left/right click and built off the body by make a smooth, sleek surface with no extremities and full portability. 
  In photography there is a lot of problem solving dealing with making a completed piece things such as exposure, light, contrast, and etc are important aspects of a photo. If one of those elements are off; it shows tremendously through a photo. You want to be able to leave no mistakes for the viewer to see because that will immediately turn into your main subject focus. Trust me.


Don Norman:
Summary: I feel like Don is trying to explain design in a way where functionality meets beauty. He explains how lately he's trying to find the beauty in everything and how humans base beauty off of how things are designed. He exemplifies this idea by explaining the visceral, behavioral, and reflective nature that connects the user to the product's design.
Reflection: In my opinion this is may favorite article. Because it really broke down the mental components that play a significant role in deciding what is good design.
 I learned that design is an emotional, subconscious relationship that adheres on many levels of the human mind.
  The magic mouse pertains to Don's article because it catches the eye with white popping color, its functionality is as unique as its body. Also the object can be used as a reflective piece of a person's style and likes.
   This can relate to photography because in photography it is all visceral and reflective. These factors connect the viewers with the art piece.