Ojai: Maeda 3 and 4

I remember when I was much younger using an early version of windows to transfer files. When a transfer was initiated you would see the yellow folder, and an icon for whatever storage unit the information was being transferred to, for example, a briefcase, another folder or a floppy disk. The animation would show sheets of paper flying from one storage to the other, however, there was one thing that always bothered me. The amount of paper in the initial folder did not dwindle. It was the same amount, not mater how long the transfer took, and how many sheets of paper went flying. You could not visually gauge how much time had elapsed, or how much was left. The loading bar was an ingenious idea.

I think with capabilities that exist now in design and communication, it is more than just a courtesy to inform a user of time being spent. It's almost offensive not to. We have grown accustomed to seeing visual representations of time on everything. Many online applications with have a counter, telling you how much more needs to be filled. Every video player has a bar, allowing you to visually understand where the video is in respect to its whole, and gives you the opportunity to speed up time to a point of your choosing. Elevators ding on each floor, even if its not its final destination. These little reminders of time are a part of our daily life and I couldn't imagine living without them.


In chapter 4, Maeda touched on a number of points. One thing that struck me was the method of teaching he mentioned. The method can be applied to any form of communication. Its a process in which the speaker carefully controls the message he is trying to convey. BRAIN: Basics are the beginning, Repeat yourself often, Avoid creating desperation, Inspire with examples and Never forget to repeat. This is a model I can see used in any sort of campaign. Breaking you message down to its most understandable essence as a necessity in design. The other points of repeating and inspiring, and staying completely on message is essential to the success of anything being sold to an audience. The same build could be used for political campaigns.

As was discussed in earlier chapters, Maeda has simplified communication. He has broken down message making to its essentials providing his readers with a way to be more direct. He also discusses creating on the basis of forming relationships and then surprising in-takers. It's almost like hunting (though I've never been, I imagine something like this might happen) where the hunter attempts to maintain the environment as it is. The animal is comfortable and then...surprise! Fortunately for us as users, the surprise doesn't end in death, but makes for much more tugging and memorable experience.

Defining Concepts

Concept 1

Concept 2

David: Maeda's Response - Laws 1 & 2

Maeda's outlook into the idea of taking away, hiding while still conceiving a sense of inherent value is something I have always been interested about. Perhaps because it is a subconscious effort for most designers. "Less is more, less is more." However, I never really thought how the end user is perceiving it. Maeda's just put these things I took for granted into context. My favorite part is the silver backing on the iPod meant to help the device blend with the environment while the remaining face gives you the allusion of a smaller object. I remember when I picked one up, it was much heavier than I expected the little white thing to be and did more than I could ask for. A humbling experience indeed. An example of Apple's clever ways of hiding things is the browser rotational feature on the iPhone. The ability to go portrait to landscape is hidden in the users hands. The unexpected is what makes a product memorable. Alongside audio products, another gadget I recently came across is the Tykho radio, designed by Marc Berthier back in 1997 for French brand Lexon, and the colorful silicone-covered audio box is still popular. It works in different environments ( http://www.dwell.com/products/tykho-radio.html ) and has a few intuitive buttons that make it different from the others. Or the red IKEA clock. The only thing you can see is the time and buzzer button. In all, careful reduction makes a product meaningful.

Maeda's second law of organization is compelling. It is funny because when I first read "organize" in the title of the section, i thought of the Container Store, which is also mentioned in the text. Making life "look" less complicated motivates me to carry on with a project that may otherwise seem overwhelmingly big. The SLIP concept, the visual design and the gestalt that results from it is effective. The arts and the sciences working simultaneously. Nevertheless, everything comes at a price. When the iPod came out and later on there were speculations about an Apple phone following it, my initial thoughts were on its future design, but specifically its "buttons." It makes sense to have two in one, but I wonder if the price they pay is from customers like people with visual handicaps. How would they use the iPhone? Maybe I it's time for me to squint my own eyes and see the bigger picture.

Matt: Maeda Response 1 & 2

Maeda's first law seems obvious, stating that if a piece of information or a function is not essential, simply remove it. This can not only be applied to electronic devices and mechanics, but also user interface, signage, and many other contextual applications of information. I do feel however that his assumption of size versus expectations is inappropriate. In my case, I often base my expectations of the performance and capabilities of an object, not by how large or small it is, but by the price. In my mind, the price should be an accurate reflection of an objects value or potential worth based on how well it performs.

In regards to organization, I feel that it is an essential part of daily life. Particularly here at Ringling, if a person is not organized, it becomes easy to lose track of dates, times, and assignments, resulting in absence or lateness, decreased quality of work, and lack of preparedness. This remains true as well for holding a position at any firm. Client files, invoices, contracts, important dates, and meeting times must all be organized accordingly in order to maintain a proper level of professionalism. Without organization, society would quickly deteriorate.

Ojai: Maeda 1 & 2 Response

Maeda's first law of reduction is definitely something we see often in our culture. The idea is very evident in the ipod, but also evident in other Apple products. iMAcs now come without a tower and have no buttons on the front. I wasn't sure how to turn one on on my first encounter. The keyboard is cropped to leave just enough space for the keys; it doesn't even feature an apple logo; It doesn't need one, the sleek simple design screams apple. I laughed at the idea of pitying something small and simple but it is true. I remember how amazed I was when I heard Ipod Nano's would now play video. Video was a definitive distinction between iPod Nanos and and iPod Classics for a while. It was as if the Nano was just too small to have such a capability and I accepted that fact. Suddenly, the feature was added and I felt as if the Nano was now everything you could want in and ipod - Small, lots of space and the ability to play video.

Organization is highly important and is something I think all designers should always gravitate to. It should be a second nature solution. Its a process that allows easier understanding and comparison.

Quick Brainmap

David's Schedule

Topic Brainstorm Session #1

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COMMUNICATION ANALYSIS
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- Type: phone, internet
- ISP, type, connection speed
- Phone: talk, text, photo, video
- Provider: verizon, sprint, att, tmobile, other
- Number of customers
- Coverage area map
- Internet: email, instant messaging, photo, video, other
- Time: how long? how often?
- Contacts: number of people
- Social: facebook, twitter, myspace, blogs, other
- Gender

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TIME / SCHEDULE
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- Sleep
- Eat
- Class
- Events
- Priority LV
- Productivity

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ENTERTAINMENT FINDER
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- Food
- Night life
- Outdoors
- Community
- Culture
- Locations, TV, Internet, Music
- Ratings / reviews
- Search

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FRIEND ORGANIZER
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- Who knows who
- Birthdays
- Gender
- Common interests

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FINANCE MANAGER
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- Food
- Entertainment
- Travel
- Rent / Utilities
- Other
- Cash vs credit
- Interest rates
- Card type: MC, Visa, etc.
- Bank branch: Chase, BB&T, etc.
- Frequency of purchases
- Amount spent

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EMPLOYMENT TRACKER
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- Graduation date
- Major
- Salary range
- School attended
- Degree obtained
- Years attended
- Averages w/o degree
- In demand fields

Topic Ideas

Expand on: Communication, Hobbies, Finance, Education, and Entertainment.

What are some possible questions to ask, categories and examples of different types of information? Where and how can we gather this data?

Ojai's Schedule

Matt's Schedule