Music 256A: Reading Response 1 – Chapter 1: Design is _________
Grant Bishko
09/26/21
In chapter 1 of Ge Wang’s Artful Design, Ge contextualizes Artful Design by talking about “Problem-Solving” versus “Creative Design”. Ge has us ask ourselves, what is design? What does it mean to design artfully? How do we design? Within these contexts, a new idea arises: the concept of designing with a “Top-Down” (problem-solving) vs. “Bottom-Up” (creative design) mentality. This resonates with me, but also confuses me and frankly terrifies me.
Take the lil monster (zipper pencil case), for example. If you ignore the fact that it looks like a creature and is made up entirely of zippers, this is essentially a tool with a clear and simple purpose: holding writing utensils. Yet somehow it does much more than that -- it’s fun, it’s cute, it makes us smile. This is an example of taking a design with a problem-solving purpose (simple pencil pouch), and flipping it to bottom-up design, going the extra mile to design for the sake of designing. Now we have this zipper and these eyes, what can we do with that? Let’s make a pencil pouch. Once we’ve solved the problem, there’s nothing to hold us back. Now we get to have fun.
I grew up at an IB school where we were required to take design classes every year since 6th grade. We were taught a very clear design process (see image on the right: https://www.vistathink.com/myp-design-basics-one-perspective/):
While I believe this process works wonderfully and allows a lot of self-evaluation and communication with your target audience, it fails to include any design for fun and play, it fails to show the beauty in “Bottom-Up” design. The process we learned was very much Problem-Solving, top-down oriented. In fact, I remember being criticized in class for wanting to create products that didn’t properly fulfill their purpose (because the problem it was fixing wasn’t substantial enough).
Connecting this to one of our Music 256A meetings last week, Ge mentioned that the Ocarina he designed did not really solve a problem -- I guess one could technically say, “hey, everyone needs music, we have this inherent need for the arts…” which is true, yes (“Design not only from needs but from the values behind them” -- pg. 48). However, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with designing something because it’s fun. And that’s simply beautiful. Arguments could be made that Ge’s Ocarina is a great example of bottom-up design, as he started with the medium of the instrument and the phone, and created the product from there.
I am so excited because being in this class will be the first time I am able to design for the sake of designing, and I hope to experiment with this bottom-up mentality. The sky’s the limit!
Music 256A: Chapter 1 Design Etude
Grant Bishko
09/26/21
Part 1: Taking Notice
I have noticed:
Part 2: Means and Ends
I find my lanyard (more like my ID-holder) to be a fascinating design. While to me, it doesn’t serve much of an aesthetic purpose -- I guess you could say the aesthetics heavily rely on what it is holding: the ID. So, if you like the ID picture, maybe the form of this item will please the eye; if not… sorry. The actual function of this ID holder is what is fascinating to me. As visible from the top view, there is a hole in the plastic (around the “Issued 8/15/2019”) to reveal the card inside the holder. This has a very distinct purpose: allowing easy removal of the card inside. This has been surprisingly helpful to me over the years. It serves as something I didn’t know I needed, but makes life just 10x easier. The ID holder also allows 2 cards at once (see the divots in the second image) -- I’ve never used this feature, but I imagine it would be very helpful if you needed to carry around multiple cards.
In terms of the form, it is a rectangular flat object entirely made of plastic, and the plastic itself is kind of textured/frosted (maybe for privacy purposes and allows an easy view of the ID inside). By scratching a finger nail on its surface you can feel it’s unsmooth texture. The back of it contains an external ridge to allow attachment of a ring or clip or key chain. The lanyard unfortunately does not make me feel much, other than the knowledge and comfort that I can access my dorm without needing to remove my ID from my wallet, and I have my keys and ID together in the same place. On a higher level, the lanyard (and contents inside it) give me a sense of home, as I now have a place at Stanford -- which I’ve been missing since March 2020. As I swipe into dining halls, unlock my door, enter my dorm, or swipe into the Knoll building, I know that I have a purpose here (is that cheesy??).
I find this futon incredibly elegant and satisfying, but not because of the way it looks or feels. In fact, I find its look to be a little strange since it’s an ~almost~ couch, and the round back is not the most comfortable. Rather, this futon’s purpose in my room is what I find beautiful. It is inviting -- having an extra seating space in the room allows more guests, and provides a more social dynamic of my dorm. I love that now people can sit at the desk, bed, and “couch” when hanging out together (no one on the floor like normal!).
The aesthetics of this futon are interesting -- the dark blue/violet(?) and non-round edges make for a non-cozy space. However, when you unfold the futon (cool design!) it reveals a comfortable ~full size bed. Now guests can also sleep over comfortably. The function of this futon is quite simple: a sitting space for people, turned into a sleeping space. I would say its means-to-an-end would be its simple function -- sitting/lying down. Its end-in-itself would be more around socialization, friendship, guests, and comfort. The futon’s existence in my room itself makes my dorm more welcoming, and for that reason I find it absolutely beautiful.
(Left: My family and I on freshman move-in fall 2019! Right: http://www.tgp-inc.com/project/stanford-meyer-green/)
Meyer green is one of my favorite spots on Stanford campus. It is simply beautiful, from the layout of its design to the colors of the grass/brick/concrete to the social gatherings that take place there. It is an inviting space to sit on the grass with friends and study. Located right by coupa, you can grab a coffee and lie in the grass reading. We hosted O-Show (the a cappella showcase) there during NSO this year, and the entire space was filled with freshmen. It was amazing. The end-in-itself is friendship, socialization, studying, music, outdoors… Stanford. In terms of functionality, the acoustics are actually quite interesting: in the round brick/concrete part in the center, the acoustics actually bounce right back at you like an echo if you stand directly in the middle of the circle facing hoover tower. Doesn’t really serve a purpose, but is super cool and fun. The acoustics of the space also bounce off the back and to the grass, which made an acceptable performance venue as well. In terms of basic purpose, I guess you could say it is a hang out area for studying, napping, picnics, etc. Social purpose! It is also round -- this allows ample socialization, as even if you are sitting there alone, you are facing other people and are forced to share the space, never allowing you to feel isolated. The space reminds me of the friends that I made during my freshman year, and I will always remember it fondly.
Part 3: Guerilla Design
Something to know about me before reading this section: I do not like chaos. I can be quite Type-A sometimes, especially when it comes to basic everyday needs when “adulting” in college. For example: grocery shopping. Over the course of each week or two, I compile a list of snacks that I want for my room, and when I have a free moment in my schedule I will make the trip to Target, Whole Foods, Safeway, etc. to buy my snacks. It’s all meticulously planned out.
I went to Trader Joe’s today. And I did not have a list prepared. I didn’t even really need snacks. I was with a couple of friends (we had just gone to the Cal Ave farmers market), and we decided to go to Trader Joes, and let **Trader Joe Himself** tell us what we needed.
For one of the first times ever, I wandered. I never really took notice of the beautiful plants for sale in the entrance of the store. Did you know that they come in these adorable little pots? I walked up and down each aisle of the store, taking in the lay of the land. Of course I had to pick up some dark chocolate covered peanut butter cups, but I did not search for them. I happened to find them above the frozen section. I also never realized how much wine they sell -- wow I’m excited to turn 21… I hear their cheap options are actually quite good.
I never really knew why I loved Trader Joes. Obviously their food is great, but if you think about it, the experience of Trader Joes is a fun one: the employees are all super friendly and welcoming, and ask how you are doing at checkout. I had a full conversation with the lady checking me out today about how the peanut butter cups I was buying were amazing and a great college dorm-room snack. She seemed to genuinely want to know how I was doing and I really appreciated it. Why make grocery shopping a stressful ordeal when it can easily become an enjoyable activity? I feel like even though it’s a simple task of just walking around a store, I genuinely enjoyed my experience and would gladly go back next time I’m in the mood for some yummy snacks and a friendly conversation with a stranger.
chucK code submission: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mxkHHgAXlMLQobIEm0P1I3uJig2_wxKK/view?usp=sharing
