Blog 8 -

In design today there is an ideology of the simplicity of design. Take for example Apple products. The more simple an object is, an ipod, ipad, MacBook, the better it sells. This is no political message behind the design but an idea that the less actual design in the overall make of the object sells it. The apple brand has a wide range of “collectors”, people that must always have the latest iphone or newest product. This creates a large political belief in the overall look upon the label. The label begins to have a cultural outlook where the brand has a culture of its own. Apple products portray the message of modern design, at all times. What I mean by this is the Apple products created over time match the design of that time. The most recent products released appeal to the current market. When looking back through past designs from the company (although the technology is not yet as advanced in later designs) the appeal of the designs are larger and bulkier objects in contrast to the new slim and mostly colourless designs of today.

Blog 7 - Design Identity

As a designer, I see myself different from others through my background. My cultural upbringing was one of similar to other New Zealanders. I lived in Tauranga with my family by the estuary, so the water was always a big part of my childhood. The influence from my childhood helps me with my design in bringing through the naturalistic techniques and patterns of the water. As a New Zealander, I have a unique perspective as I live in a multi-cultural society and have different perspectives to others form other countries due to New Zealand’s political and social history. New Zealand has always encouraged nuclear free and such activists as the green peace party, as a nature loving country we have grown to stand for these policies and I feel as a designer this understanding of a range of beliefs help us as upcoming designers that we will be able to change the way that new designs evolve.

Brief 6- Technology and Process

Similarities between the methods and philosophy of modern design education introduced at the Bauhaus that are also present at the Victoria University School of design are definitely the introduction in the first year programme with the “foundation year”, where students can experience a range of different courses before choosing the path for the specialty degrees that split up. In this first year (as also in Vic first year design) students are able to test the different methods and learn a range of different skills that help develop themselves as design students, leaving them able to chose a degree that is most suited to them.

Also, like the Bauhaus, in the first year design programme, students are encouraged to learn and practise using a range of materials. To develop the materials into innovative designs and understanding the materials to the best quality is a big part of both the schools and this helps students use the materials to the best of their abilities. For example the course DSDN 141- Experimenting with materials is a first year course designed for students to learn the attributes and uses of a range of materials through a range of different briefs.