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.