Hey Weight Weenie: After Critique

So the critique went fairly well. I'm definitely happy with the end result of the weight weenie campaign, and look forward to using it as a portfolio piece. It's been a great insight into another design system that is applicable to society, and a great new exploration into the worlds of design research and the study and targeting of a particular subculture. I'll be sure to use the design research skills we've learned in future work.

On another note, there are a few things that can always be improved. The U-lock section of the campaign still needs work. The chain pattern isn't working well with the audience either, and I think I need to re-evaluated designing for the bike rack. I've considered designing something that wraps around the bar of the bike rack rather than existing on a u-lock that might be missed or torn off. And although it might have been out of my budget and time constraints, I would like to explore different materials for printing and design as well. Should I have designed the wrap that would attach to a bike rack's main bar, paper would have been flimsy and unpractical when it rains. Some sort of plastic or signage material would be interesting to look into, and might spark some research on my part into the world of industrial and package design.

The rest of the campaign however turned out great. I'm pleased with the patterns and the fact that it is guerilla advertising that penetrates and resounds within the subculture is fantastic. It's always a great thing to design something that will be kept as opposed to thrown away. The idea of collectibility is also something new to my work, and designing in a series certainly lends to that desire to trade and gather these different patterns and statements. The bandanas in particular were my favorite part of the project. I've never used textile products in my designs, so it was great to include that, and using them as a highly visual form of advertising, completely devoid of text was a great learning experience as well. Design that functions in that way is very interesting and powerful stuff, and lends to the underground and unknown secrets of a subculture.

Below is a scribd file of my presentation at critique, plus the font that wasn't on my presentation computer. I've certainly learned the importance of using fonts available across multiple systems.


Hey Weight Weenie Presentation

User Experience: Reading Responses

As we proceed forward in our subcultural awareness campaigns, we've been asked to read through 4 different readings and relate them to our current project. I'll start with the reading in Megg's Type and Image, under the "Audience" section. 

In this section, Megg discusses the necessity and problems that come with using pictographs, ideograms, and petroglyphs. In the process of using these each viewer, or the audience, has a different perception of the visual language being used. This perception is formed by many things, including their culture, age, gender, location, and past experiences. As a dominantly visual art, graphic design faces this problem at every turn, and is very much intwined with  it. Our current project is specifically designed for a particular subculture; in my case, it's the bike commuter subculture. By using our past research guides and techniques, we've discovered a wide range of visual and verbal language and signifiers that they identify with. These function in a similar if not identical way to Megg's mentioned pictographs, ideograms, and petroglyphs. However, since our audience is not near as broad and their perceptions, though still remaining different, will be within a similar mindset. The bike commuting community all share a graphic landscape and way of communicating and acting in society and it's my job to design for that community to illeviate any communication noise that would step between them and the design's message for my campaign. By using the audiences visual and verbal language, a designer can get his or her message across much more effectively. 

The next reading was  Graphic design in a Multicultural World by Katherine McCoy from How Magazine.  Katherine McCoy begins her discussion by bringing the idea of mass design to light. With computers doing much of the older design work and methods, universal design is slowly dying out. In today's society, mass communication and technologies have begun to globalize information and mix culture. Communities have as a result, split into smaller groups and subcultures. This not only pertains to the civilian, but corporations as well, as they shrink and better tailor there business strategies to a particular audience, location, or culture.  These subcultures form a sense of pride and create a visual landscape around them. As mentioned in my response to Megg's section, the visual and verbal language these people adopt is an essential element in tailoring any design to a particular subculture. This creates design from the inside, and the audience is much more likely to listen to someone that understands them as a subculture. The bike commuter subculture for example would rather be exposed to design from other bike commuters or a company that has tailored their product to their needs and style. A universal corporation or group's design on the other hand would likely be disregarded altogether since they are outsiders, and their design won't utilize the right channels to target that subculture. This is where design research comes in. Today's designers absolutely must be able to employ a wide range of research techniques so that we understand the receiving end of our design on a much more balanced level to the sender's role. Particularly in corporate design when we work for a particular client, we often focus too much on the sender's role in the designs outcome when it should be the receiver or audience that should always come first. The location, the visual and verbal language, the channels, the style, the rhetorical tropes in play, and any symbolism and imagery must all be considered when addressing a particular audience. Otherwise, the design isn't speaking or coming across well with the user.

Next was an article named Local Lingo by Alice Twemlow from AIGA Voice. Design research is the overall subject of this article. It covers ground I haven't been exposed to however, in that it discusses the need for a designer to immerse themselves in the location. With global travel available and widely used, graphic designers are now employed by companies all over the world, many of them overseas at other branches of their design company or working in the field of a design target location. Design research can only get you so far over the computer. A designer's research techniques should not be restricted to only books and online material. There has to be a connection and experience on a personal level, and that means that for the best design solution for a particular audience or subculture, the designer needs to visit the target location and experience it for themselves. Alice Twemlow mentions that "the climate, materials and physical constraints of a particular region" are all necessary to understanding how the targeted subculture works, acts, thinks, and communicates. By following the subculture and participating in their activities we can better construct our prototypes and discover areas that need to be worked on. Through task analysis, we can also find problem areas within that subculture that could be solved through tailored design solutions. 

The final article was Pop Artist by Linda Tischler from Fast Company. This article covered David Butler's new design systems for the Coke corporation. Linda Tischler reviewed the companies decision for a new system of machines to distribute coke worldwide, and the use of a modular design system from Butler. It was an interesting insight into designing for a company with so much change, yet so little. While Coke's product remains the same, their logo has undergone minor refinements throughout the years, and their product design has gone through major design shifts. Butler began by looking through thousands of past coke designs so as to understand where the designs started. In this way Butler placed himself inside the companies design roots so he could understand how the company started and gauge what has already been done in the company's past. Butler has employed a massive system of systems. The new coke machines that will soon be used in resteraunts and other locations around the globe will use a new interface, allowing the user to interact with a screen. Language, product, and occasion have all become selection options on these new dispensors, and the machine prints a wide variety of designs from around the world (over 8,400 so far and climbing).  Coke also has the ability to upload new designs to the machines very quickly and can use these new designs to better appeal to customers on a local and cultural level. My interest however comes from the machines ability to record user information. It keeps records of product choice and popularity, times of purchase, and much more. This helps Coke to better observe buyer trends and patterns and can better tailor their product's application. In a way, their machines are doing a basic form of design research constantly throughout the day. Butler has made a great use of new technologies in todays digital landscape, a bold move that graphic design has supported from the beginning. I hope that Butler's machines go over well, and will strive to adapt my future design to new platforms as well.

User Experience: Societal Issues

Specialization in today’s society.

1. Why is this issue pertinent and timely?

Today, people are raised and schooled to become specialized in one particular skill or practice. In the past, the family and community taught people a wide range of basic skills, so that they could be more self reliant and thrifty. In today’s society, without that basic knowledge of doing it yourself projects, people call in professionals to do the job for them, wasting money on charges and fees and time.
2. What are its causes?

The lack of basic do it yourself knowledge. Parents and schools aren’t teaching simple things to children anymore such as fixing a tear in your clothing or changing your own oil.

3. What are detrimental effects to individuals? to greater society?

These children grown up reliant on other people and lose that satisfaction of solving these problems on their own. A vast amount of money is wasted when compared to doing the job yourself, because you are paying for that persons time and increased prices on objects used by that professional that could otherwise be far cheaper bought from your local stores.
4. What are preventative measures?

There are 2 solutions to this problem. The first is to teach your kids basic skills as they grow up. I personally wish there was more parent to child teaching in my childhood. The second is for the DIY community to step in offer their services to the community. The DIY community could do the job for far less, if payed at all, and could teach the family or individual how to do this themselves should the problem arise again. The DIY community could even accept favors or things from people rather than money, even swapping knowledge or other DIY services to each other and share knowledge in the process.
5. How does this issue relate to your sub-culture?

The DIY subculture is a culture that loves knowledge and tries to specialize in a multitude of skills, rather than going to college for just one. The DIY community is the perfect group to spread knowledge and skills, and love doing it. The sharing of tools is also important between the DIY communities and average citizens.
6. What organizations have a vested interest in this issue?

DIY groups have formed in the past, including Brokelan in Brooklyn and various groups such as Motiv in Kansas city that this exact service. They teach their skills to those willing to learn, and will repair things for people in need for little to no cost when compared to a professional’s price.
7. What organizations have a vested interest in your sub-culture?

Brokelyn, Motiv, The salvation army, Habitats for Humanity, Seattle DIY
8. What public service campaigns have previously addressed this issue?

The Early Childhood Development campaign vaguely gets at teaching your children as they grow, but targets children at very young ages, whereas most DIY skill would be better taught to a teenager.

Besides this, I could find no other campaigns.

Bike Commuter Safety

     1. Why is this issue pertinent and timely?

Many civilians are turning to bike commuting to save on gas costs and to lessen their carbon footprint. However, in many large cities these commuters are without bike lanes and are at risk to other vehicular traffic.
2. What are its causes?

People new to the bike commuting culture, in need of proper bike safety education on and off the road.  Drivers around the city unaware of cyclists around them on the roads.
3. What are detrimental effects to individuals? to greater society?

Accidents are caused by both unaware drivers and cyclists/ commuters. Some people that might be interested in the world of bike commuting might decide against it simply because of the safety issues. Because of this, more people are driving and continuing to waste money on gas and damage our planets environment.
4. What are preventative measures?

You could raise awareness with a series of posters or ads showing the tools available to the commuter that keep them visible at all times. Bike accessories such as lights, helmets, and reflectors, as well as knowing proper cycling etiquette and hand signals for the road can all lend to a bike commuter’s safety. Another is to promote services to group together bike commuters in the same area. By grouping commuters together, they become more noticeable and safer. They could also share bike knowledge to newcomers and create a more immersive commuter experience and help people meet new people. The final idea is to target the drivers. Many campaigns have already covered this issue however, so it might not be as impactful.
5. How does this issue relate to your sub-culture?

Anyone will put their own health before just about everything. The bike commuter in particular is usually concerned about their health and use biking as a means of exercise. The switch from driving a vehicle to being exposed must be met with many safety precautions.
6. What organizations have a vested interest in this issue?

The NBSN, or National Bike Safety Network, Bicycle Federation of America
7. What organizations have a vested interest in your sub-culture?

The NBSN, or National Bike Safety Network, Bicycle Federation of America, Association of Commuter Transportation, ACT, Kansas City Bike Club
8. What public service campaigns have previously addressed this issue?

The People for Bikes Campaign, The Maimi’s Public Bicycle Safety Ad Campaign, The LOOK campaign, The See and Be Seen safety campaign, Tacoma’s new Bicycle safety ad campaign, the Ride Safe Campaign

Bike Theft

     1. Why is this issue pertinent and timely?

In today’s harsh economy the theft of bicycles has become increasingly common. The metal cutters used today continue to become stronger and more effective. Many bike commuters use bikes as a way to save money, or as a form of the only transportation they can afford. To some, a bike theft can cause many problems that aren’t just financially centered.  
2. What are its causes?

Metal cutter quality and capability is increasing, and can cut through the vast majority of chain locks sold to the bicycling community. People are unaware that the cheapest u-lock will be more effective than the most expensive chain lock. Being aware of the area your bike is parked in, as well as what it is locked to is also very important.
3. What are detrimental effects to individuals? To greater society?

For those that can easily afford a bike and only use it for entertainment, they are likely only inconvenienced  briefly and have to deal with their attatchment to the bike. For some however, the bike is their only financially possible option for commuting from place to place. If their bike is stolen, it might not only take a major financial toll, but it can keep them from going to work, or missing school. On that level, they also develop a deeply personal attachment with the bike, and losing something you are so reliant on can hurt on an emotional level as well.
4. What are preventative measures?

To prevent bike theft, you can us a U-lock. Most U-lock companies will insure your bike if it was stolen when properly locked. Raising the awareness of places not to lock your bike is also important. Sign’s can be removed off poles and a thief can slide a bike off the top if given the time at night when no one is around. The end of bike racks can also be unbolted and the bike can be slid off. Practicing locking your bike excessively is also a great practice to promote. It only takes a minute to pick up a bike, throw it in the back of a truck and drive off.
5. How does this issue relate to your sub-culture?

A bike commuter would have a hard time commuting without a bike.
6. What organizations have a vested interest in this issue?

The NBSN, or National Bike Safety Network, Bicycle Federation of America
7. What organizations have a vested interest in your sub-culture?

The NBSN, or National Bike Safety Network, Bicycle Federation of America, Association of Commuter Transportation, ACT, Kansas City Bike Club
8. What public service campaigns have previously addressed this issue?

Lock it or lose it campaign

User Experience: Pertinent Community Education Articles

So here are the four articles I found in our class time. I'm interested to see where these articles fit into our design research section for the User Experience course. It appears that across the board, most issues in community education lie in the federal funding and budget or the school district. The two most interesting articles were the second and final articles. Studying abroad is a great addition to any college curriculum, and the fact that it is racially affected is an interesting subject. The final article covered the ever-climbing costs of campus maintenance, particularly on those with old historic buildings. The campus learning environment needs to be safe and clean, but money problems are putting stress on the students, the teachers, and above all, some great historic architecture.

Kansas House votes to repeal tuition break for children of illegal immigrants
Educators seek out more minorities to study abroad
KC district beefs up security at troubled Southwest school
Kansas delays pension payments and school aid
Funds for repairs lacking at Kansas and Missouri universities