Kiran Gandhi Sept 25th, 2021 256A HW1 CCRMA Website HTML
This is my first webpage at CCRMA and I'm hype to be here.
This is HW1 for 256A.
Artful Design Chapter 1
A Reading Response to Principle 1.6
After completing the first chapter of Artful Design, I found myself spending a lot of time on Principle 1.6: “Design is an interplay between function and form.” I resonated with this dichotomy because it reminded me immediately of gender.
Function often seems like the thing is tangible, pragmatic, “important” - it feels like it is the thing we take seriously! While form feels like beauty, effortlessness, “isness.” Function feels masculine while form feels feminine. Function is the “doer” while form gets to simply “be”. Design, just like human beings, have some unique combination of the two that create a unique identity.
In a societal context, there is often a hierarchy of gender. We see often a prioritization of masculine qualities, perhaps at the expense of or lack of desire of, the feminine. The masculine feels like the main event, while the feminine feels like an afterthought. The masculine, or function, feels more reputable, while the feminine, or form, may be taken less seriously. It felt refreshing to read a text that highlighted the deep importance and interdependence of both. Chapter 1 consistently came back to 1.6 by illuminating the importance of this concept through multiple lenses (especially through the logo “ren”!).
An example I have where this principle would create an opportunity for design innovation is in the diabetes space. A female friend of mine named Hannah Haines, who has suffered from diabetes since she was a young person, told me about an entrepreneurial idea she had about making more beautifully designed insulin pumps for people like herself. Whether she is at work at Interscope records, out at a show, going on a date, or going to the gym, the pump is bulky and unattractive. It is effective in delivering the insulin she needs on a regular basis, but it is not motivating! It is not gorgeous! It doesn’t make her other friends wish they too had to carry around a beautiful insulin pump daily. In this way, prioritizing function over form, without equal consideration of both, creates a business opportunity to solve an identified problem for a large market.
I really enjoyed when Chapter 1 went even further to explain how form modulates function. I loved the notion that form contextualizes the function - i.e. the look/feel/color can give insight into whom we are building for, what their likes/dislikes are and what we think might entice them to feel a certain thing, do a certain thing, behave a certain way! Function can also modulate form by adding constraint and structure to what is visually possible. The form is limited by ensuring that the design is functional.
Aesthetics allow us to feel a sensation of love, to feel a connection to the designer, and to create the potential for the sublime. Aesthetics keep us coming back, while function alone solves problems through a brute force lens. In (artful) design, form says, “we have to make them fall in love”, and function replies, ok, “I got you!”Jummee Bliss Kitchen: Moon Dish inspired by the 5 elements
Madame Gandhi Merch: “Own Your Voice”, Mockneck Shirt
Walt Disney Concert Hall: Yoko Ono’s BREATHWATCHLISTENTOUCH
Jummee Bliss Kitchen: Moon Dish inspired by the 5 elements: Two months ago I sat down for a private, outdoors catered meal in Topanga, CA by chef Jummee. The 5th course of this all-vegan, raw meal, was a simple dish, in a taco format. The outer hibiscus soaked radish was edible, and contained the contents - kimchi and cauliflower seasoned with turmeric and matcha topped with microgreens. The chef had kept the food marinating under the moonlight to absorb light energy into the food. In this case, the outer turnip was a design choice that achieved both form and function. Functionally, it is the outer shell of the “taco”, keeping all the contents within it and replacing the need for utensils or a plate. The form itself is beautiful, edible, stylistic, creative, unique. It allows the consumer to see how eating healthy can be sublime, enjoyable, delicious, special and also less wasteful from an environmentally-aware perspective. In this case, form and function amplify each other - the need to contain the kimchi birthed a visually beautiful, delicious and healthy solution in the hibiscus marinated turnip! Below is a picture I took of the dish at the meal.
Madame Gandhi Merch: When I perform live, there are statements of empowerment, self-love, positivity and gender liberation strewn throughout the music. To that end, my merchandise serves a function of extending that purpose - giving the fans an opportunity to represent this messaging, spread the messaging and show a desire for solidarity and alignment with the brand. If the function of my merch is to encourage fans to want to wear radical messages on their body so as to promote the project and its core values, the form of the merch is key. If the shirts or tee-shirts are not beautiful, interesting or cool, it makes it more challenging to expect fans to want to wear radical messages on their body! My best-selling item that we have sold for the past four years is my “Own Your Voice” mockneck, a soft organic cotton long sleeve shirt with a short turtleneck (a “mock neck”), that reads “Own Your Voice” on the neck itself. In this way, form modulates function by allowing the message to be seen differently and elicit a response - perhaps it’s curiosity, perhaps it’s an acknowledgement that the placement is clever and unique, perhaps it’s a desire to take the slogan more seriously because it is emphasizing the neck in a cool way. If the phrase “own your voice” was simply placed across the chest on a standard tee-shirt, it would not have the same impact on fans, and would not sell-out at the same rate as the mock neck does, because its lack of attention to form would not make it as interesting or desirable. Below is a photo of me performing at The Grammy’s virtually this year wearing the shirt.
Walt Disney Concert Hall: Three years ago I performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angeles, as part of a tribute to Yoko Ono called “BREATHEWATCHLISTENTOUCH”. As Yoko herself sat in the front row, I performed a reading from her book that required audience participation. I invited the audience to stand up, look up, and scream at the ceiling. Then I invited them to turn to the back wall and scream at the back. Finally, I invited them to look forward and “scream at the wind.” And that was it! The design acoustics of the inside of Walt Disney Concert Hall actually allowed me to lead part of the experience without a microphone, and also allowed the sound of the audience to create unity and oneness amongst everyone. Had that design not been available to us, the audience members might feel singled out, alone, and not as brave to scream loudly. The nature of the reverberation and immersive style of the room made the screaming experience such that audience members could not distinguish their own voice from that of others. In this way, the design of the concert hall made a more experimental, immersive experience like this one possible, elevating Ono’s work, allowing the audience to feel something, to release, to connect, to feel unity, and to have a unique experience that they may not have at another concert venue. In this way, materials such as steel and wood that are highly NOT sound absorptive are a design choice that created this sublime experience for the audience, bringing Ono’s work to life. Frank Gehry’s choices to create open space allowed for intimacy in a 2,000+ person venue, allowing for form to modulate function once again.
Below are some photos we took from the experience:
Imagine you were moving into a big, industrial, empty loft space in Downtown Los Angeles. Like say...this one!
You could keep it as is, appreciating the minimalist aesthetic that is already present by nature. You could add a bed, a couch, a TV, like anyone else. OR, you could ask the question, “how could I optimize this space to amplify my life?” “How could I use design to add value to my work or my passion projects?” “How could I design for the needs of my personality, and use the space intentionally and beautifully?”
First step, is to identify what you will be doing in the loft, or would like to be doing in the loft! I.e. What is the function of my loft? Here are some examples: Work out Work on my laptop Produce music Host events for my community Practice my instrument Host a date for a lover Prep for a photo shoot Mail out merchandise Host a friend for a sleepover after a session Rehearse dancing and performing.
The next step is to identify what makes you feel good aesthetically. What colors or materials do you find yourself responding well to? In a loft, everything is out in the open. There is no “storage” or cabinets or hiding things away in some other room. Everything that has a function, has to also be visually beautiful because it is out in the open! It has to add to the symphony of the space! It has to shine bright and draw the eye in! It has to also sit back and blend in with the overall look/feel of the space. In this way, we have to identify what will the FORM of the space be? Here are some examples: I love the color yellow I love gold vs. silver I love things that have been gifted to me or have symbolic value I love my friends’ artwork I love carpeting and I love hardwood floors I love exposed brick but I also love black out curtains at night I love white and black supporting a main color palette I love candles and incense I love a cooler temperature I love neatness and cleanliness I love unique lighting - changing colors and dimness level I love nature!
Another question that’s important to ask yourself is, “how do I want to feel in the space?” This allows us to understand how form and function can be married to elicit a certain emotional response. Examples include: I want to feel warm I want to feel relaxed I want to feel energized I want to feel safe I want to feel like I can exhale into the space and let go when I arrive home I want to feel joy I want to feel excitement! I want to feel motivated I want to feel inspired I want to feel productive! I want to feel peaceful Now let’s get working!
Here are a few immediate steps we can take: Paint the walls yellow! Build a stage! Carpet it yellow! Gold everything: trash cans, silverware (goldware!), bike and lamp fixtures Build a clothing rack; arrange the clothing by color according to the rainbow Bring in plants - a mixture of green and yellow options! Hang up paintings, pictures and artwork from your friends! Put the ones that are darker/cooler colors in the bathroom so as to not confuse the central yellow theme Install a mirror on the non-yellow wall, and build a boxing gym around it, in yellow and warm colors
Now, let’s start examining how these choices can amplify different tasks we hope to achieve in the space; i.e. how does form modulate function? E.g. Building a Stage: Instruments can live on the stage neatly, so they are both stored but also inviting to come and practice Events can be held on the stage Meditation can be done in the morning on the stage because it is carpeted, safe, elevated and inviting Stage for performance doubles as a work-station for laying out and packing merch One drawer under the stage double as storage for the merch The other drawer rolls out to hold a mattress and double as a bed for visitors E.g. Boxing Gym Area: Large mirror allows for rehearsals Boxing bag was painted by a friend and talented artist Speed bag is yellow, further adding to the aesthetic Top of speed back adds shelving unit for storing towels etc during work out Space exists to roll out yoga mat and stretch in front of mirror Visibility of gym equipment creates inherent reminder to work out Visibility of gym equipment allows for point of discussion or connection when new guests come to visit E.g. Large clothing rack: Inspire creativity in outfit choices and combinations for different meetings, shows or presentations Display clothing out visibility in order to keep donating what you are no longer wearing Limitation of space on clothing rack prevents hoarding behavior - have to give away if you want to buy more - thus promoting self-awareness, lack of waste and increased generosity Visually clothing is beautiful and is an art piece itself when displayed in color order Rack can double for clothing display during a shoot
In summary, we are designing the empty loft intentionally by using choices in form to achieve the different functions identified for the space. As a result, we create a beautiful, sublime experience for the resident! We are using design to achieve the desired functions, elicit the desired emotions and create the desired aesthetics. In this way, (artful) design not only achieves a purpose, but creates an entire experience.
SinOsc s => dac;
s.gain(0.5);
s.freq(432);
5::second => now;