Reading Assignment 6

Defining design is difficult and can be interpreted by many view point. Each person’s experiences and interaction with design changes that person’s definition of the word. Many people think of design as being fashion, interior design, advertising, etc. But as Daniel Pink says “Design in its simplest form is the activity of creating solutions. Design is something that everyone does every day.” Yes design is fashion but it can also be room layouts, silverware, landscaping, SAT test packets, etc. We see design in our day to day lives. “Design is the only thing that differentiates one product from another in the marketplace” (Pink). We as consumers want a product that is not just functional but is also visually appealing. In the market today we now have those options. For example when deciding on which toothbrush to buy at the store I now have I wide range designs to consider. Not just the question of do I choose manual brush vs. electronic brush but also consider bristle placement, tough scrubber, flexibility, color, feel, music, etc. All of these designs still have the basic function to clean your teeth but with so much more potentials. Design is in everyday things, but are people using design everyday to solve their problems? If you are a right-brainer you do. Design takes a creative and imaginative approach to a problem vs. logical conclusion. If design uses creativity and imagination is it art?

Determining if design is art can be just if not more difficult as defining it. Each person’s experiences and interaction with design changes that person’s opinion of design as an art. More often design is being displayed and viewed as art, but is every form of design also art? A designer’s initial aim is not to have the design viewed as art, but to solve a problem. A viewer can view a design as art under the right circumstances. “Good art sends a different message to everyone; good design sends the same message to everyone” (Pink). A designer’s aim is to send the same message to everyone, but in addition to that message the viewer can interpret a different message which turns a design into art. Design is everywhere and it can be art, but what does design mean in the grand schema? What about the big picture?

"Good design can change our world (and so, alas can bad design)” (Pink). Some of the most initiative designs have helped shape our world. Take the wheel it just wouldn’t work the same if the designer decided to use a different shape. We can’t reinvent the wheel but can redesign it to be more visually appealing. Most world changing designs come out of poor designs like hospitals and schools. Well designed Hospital room can speed up the healing process. If a patent is in a more aesthetic and comfortable room they in turn will be more comforted. If you are comfortable your stress level will be decreased which will allow your body to focus on other health problems. A school's physical environment can improve test scores. If students have an aesthetic and inviting classroom students will be more engaged. Before we could design better hospitals and schools we had to address the problems with the previous design.