Homework #1: Reading Response + Design Etude + ChucK Exercise
Reading Response #1
to Artful Design • Chapter 1: “Design Is ______”
Renee Q.
September 29, 2024
Music 256A / CS 476A, Stanford University
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In the very opening of Artful Design, Ge presents a philosophical and almost poetic exploration of design as both a practice and a form of art, depicting a holistic approach that transcends mere functionality to achieve a state of “sublime” experience.
“What we make, makes us” (Prelude).
Here, a reciprocal relationship between creators and their creations is illustrated – the process of design is not just about shaping the product but also influencing and shaping ourselves as individuals and communities.
One particular idea that resonated with me from Artful Design is Principle 1.7, which asserts that “Design is an articulation of preferences.” This principle captures the essence of design as a reflection of personal and cultural choices, much like how life itself can be seen as a sequence of articulated preferences. It also relates back to the quote from the Prelude, cited above, echoing the sentiment reflected in our creation that speaks about our values and choices.
This principle of design as an articulation of personal preferences can be seen in how individuals curate their personal spaces. For instance, consider the personalization of a study or home office. Someone might choose a minimalist design with clean lines and monochromatic color schemes, reflecting a preference for simplicity and order. This design choice not only caters to functional needs – creating a distraction-free environment conducive to focus and productivity – but also expresses the individual's aesthetic tastes and psychological comfort.
This also reminds me of the Social Computing class I took in Spring 2024, where different office space designs are explored in depth to understand how physical layouts can influence collaboration and individual well-being.
On a more personal level, family photos, inspirational quotes, etc., are often included to reflect an individual’s experiences and aspirations. These elements are not random; they are deliberate choices that reflect and reinforce one’s identity, aspirations, and values. As such, many of the choices we make may be seen as designing ourselves, interweaving our identities and preferences.
Reflecting on this, I wonder: as technology continues to advance, how might the principles of Artful Design apply more broadly to the digital spaces we inhabit? Just as we curate our physical environments to reflect and affect our behaviors and ideologies, so too do we shape and are shaped by the digital platforms we use daily. In an era where much of our communication, work, and creativity takes place in virtual environments, understanding the design implications of these spaces becomes crucial.
Extending these philosophies to less tangible designs, where the physical cues are absent, but the potential for emotional and aesthetic engagement remains vast, introduces unique opportunities in the digital realm. This shift towards intangible design spaces not only challenges us to think creatively beyond the physical but also encourages a deeper understanding of how design fundamentally influences human interaction and emotion within digital landscapes.
Design Etude #1
Walking through Stanford’s Green Library today, I was struck by a visually appealing arrangement of books on the shelves. The books were meticulously organized not just by category and author’s last name but also by color, with volumes of similar hues grouped together. Though it might be coincidental, this methodical yet aesthetic approach to the organization provided both functional and emotional value.
Form and Function Interplay: The primary function of organizing books by category and author is to facilitate easy location and retrieval. These books that happen to be laid out in blocks of color add an additional layer of visual navigation that could potentially make finding books faster and more intuitive for some people, especially visual learners.
Aesthetic and Emotional Response: There is something satisfying and calming about seeing books arranged by color. It turns ordinary bookshelves into a visual spectacle, transforming the library space into a more inviting and stimulating environment. This arrangement can possibly make browsing for books more enjoyable and engaging, making the library space not just a place for academic research but also a space of aesthetic appeal.
Functionally, the color organization serves as a secondary means to help users locate and select books. Aesthetically, it elevates the library’s environment, making the space itself a blend of utility and beauty. This demonstrates how spaces commonly viewed as purely utilitarian can also serve as centers of aesthetic inspiration.
Having rearranged the apps on my Apple Watch some time ago, I found a blend of functionality and aesthetics that transformed my everyday interaction with the device. By grouping apps with similar colors next to each other, I not only enhanced the visual appeal of my watch interface by creating a color gradient but also experimented with navigating through apps based on color recognition – potentially more intuitive and faster than the traditional method.
Form and Function Interplay: This color-sorted arrangement goes beyond just looking satisfying – It possibly makes finding apps more instinctive. The colors act like visual shortcuts, helping me locate what I need quickly, which is particularly helpful when I’m in a hurry.
Aesthetic and Emotional Response: The color gradient across the screen is not just pleasing to the eye – it turns a simple utility into an interesting experience. There’s an elegance to this design that comes from its simplicity and the clean transition between hues. It's satisfying to see such a harmonious display.
Personalizing my watch screen this way reflects my exploration of aesthetics and efficiency. It showcases my creative side and transforms my watch from just a gadget into a personal statement piece that’s both functional and eye-catching.
This piece of music from Genshin Impact intriguingly employs the Fibonacci sequence in its rhythm, integrating mathematical precision and artistic expression. This use of the Fibonacci sequence not only guides the music’s rhythmic structure but also imbues the piece with an intuitive flow that mirrors patterns found in nature.
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1A841147Tv/
Form and Function Interplay: The form – the Fibonacci sequence – serves a functional purpose by structuring the music rhythmically. This sequence enhances the natural progression and dynamics of the music, leading to a build-up and resolution that feels both spontaneous and intentional.
Aesthetic and Emotional Response: The music’s incorporation of this mathematical rhythm adds a layer of sophistication and elegance, evoking a sense of awe and curiosity. It prompts an emotional response that is deeply tied to the beauty of patterns and their unexpected manifestation in art.
To me, this piece is meaningful because it represents a bridge between the abstract world of numbers and the emotive sphere of music. Functionally, the Fibonacci sequence shapes the timing and pacing of the music, enhancing its rhythmic appeal and overall engagement. Aesthetically, it elevates the piece beyond mere sound to an intellectual exploration, making the listening experience both a discovery and an enjoyment.
For my Guerrilla Design, I created a visual text using simple ASCII art to wish a friend happy birthday. This approach not only added an aesthetic dimension to a straightforward message but also aimed to enrich (hopefully!) the emotional experience for the recipient. This method allowed me to encapsulate a feeling of creativity and care, which I hoped would resonate more deeply with the recipient than a standard text might. Through this, I learned that even a small touch of creativity may transform everyday digital interactions into more meaningful and memorable communications.
Programming
For my ChucK exercise, I explore randomness in the rhythm and notes of my program.