Let's Go Aggies!

Colors can affect and transform a single design into a whole different meaning. Take the U.C. Davis colors - blue and gold (or specifically, UC Davis Blue 295 and UC Davis Gold 132). As a U.C. Davis student, when I see the colors blue and gold, I associate it with my school. Drawing from a sense of school pride, I am reminded of U.C. Davis every time I see this color combination, even if I do not see a U.C. Davis logo itself.

I feel that U.C. Davis’ school colors are more representative of the school than the design is. If we are giving a colorless (or just black and white) logo, we would only be reminded of the school if we saw the design. Instead, seeing the logo colored in blue and gold, we can be reminded of the school both if we see the logo and if we see only the colors associated with the logo.

Furthermore, if the logo was colored with different colors, say, red and white, blue and gold would no longer remind us of U.C. Davis. Rather, red and white would. Thus, we can see how colors transform the U.C. Davis logo into a different meaning. Colors personalize the logo to make it ours. Without them, it would be difficult to truly represent U.C. Davis in any other way. We can’t just go around showing school pride by dressing up as cows all the time!

Like Marco Boschini said, “Without color, il disegno may be called a body without a soul.” Similarly, without color, the U.C. Davis logo is a body without a soul. Colors give the logo dimension and character. We are blue and gold!

Click here for the official U.C. Davis colors for print and web, including branding colors, secondary colors, and traditional colors!

Skype with me!

Webcams are an invention that have improved relationships between people and help foster communication where none was available before. With webcams almost always included in laptop computers now, its design is convenient and makes to improve society. Of course, there are negative consequences that come with webcams, such as explicit and inappropriate content spread across the internet, but I believe the design of webcams really aim to make society better.

As most people own laptops nowadays, webcams no longer need to be purchased separately and are usually included with the computer. This makes webcamming between two people very easy and accessible through programs such as Skype. Because of this, communication between people has improved, especially for those relationships that are not local, but are across the country or even across the world. Before webcams, these relationships would need to survive through snail mail or telephone calls, which can end up costing a lot. Now, people can save money talking to their loved ones and have the joy of seeing each other’s faces at the same time!

Webcams, especially when installed into the computer itself, offers a stronger link between two people and allows for distance to go a little less noticed. Separation anxieties become a lesser problem within a relationship and communication between two people increases. The convenience of turning on your computer to the face of your loved one improves our society by allowing us to keep the connections that we have made in person. No longer are relationships lost due to lack of communication. Webcams have saved us from this and allow for the saying “keeping in touch” to really stay true! So, will you Skype with me? J

What would Audrey do?

Though we may not be aware of it at first, the cigarette holder, a fashion accessory of the early 1900s, is an object whose design is dangerous to society. Looking at old pictures of inspirational women of the early 20^th century, like this famous one of Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, we can see how the cigarette holder exudes glamour and elegance.

Consequently, many women flocked towards having cigarette holders so they, too, could look glamorous and elegant.

However, the promotion of the cigarette holder as glamorous only promotesdsmoking (which, of course, is bad for your health)! Sure, its slender body, its ability to filter, and keep your fingers from being dirty and ashy is appealing, but what about your health? Are the benefits of glamour greater than your life?

The simple, slender design of the cigarette holder made it glamorous and part of the upper class, and promoted the idea of the glamour in smoking, as well. Though the design was not intentionally created to promote the unhealthy habit of smoking, the connotations it suggested made the cigarette holder an indirect danger to society. More and more women started smoking because they thought it made them seem part of a higher society.

This brings to question the larger picture of how design can truly affect a larger society. The glamour of the cigarette holder overruled the effects smoking had on women’s health. As the dangers of smoking is still not stressed enough even in today’s society, the idea that smoking was bad did not affect women’s view of the prestigious cigarette holder. Thus, we see that social responsibility did not play a role in the creation and promotion of the cigarette holder and the ethics of women’s health was not considered. Prestige took precedence over long-term health. Though its danger is subtle, the design of the cigarette holder was detrimental to women’s health during the early 20^th century.

What designs today show similar affects as the cigarette holder? Are there objects whose negative effects we ignore because we’d rather look cool?

Yarn Bombing

I stumbled on the concept of yarn bombing on the Free People Blog. I was attracted to the colorful yarn on every day, permanent objects, such as cars and telephone booths. The yarn adds a sense of free spirit to these objects that may not get a second glance if they were standing alone. The yarn also creates a sense of fantasy with these objects because they transform the object into something playful that looks like it belongs in another world. I feel as if these objects belong in a game of Candyland or Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. There is a sense of happiness that springs from these objects that have been “yarn bombed.”

The designs and colors of the knitted yarn are what add to the yarn bombing experiences. Since the colors are bright, it catches the eye automatically. Just like if a car was painted bright pink, the colored yarn is something we don’t usually see, so we notice it more. The designs of the knitted yarn gives the objects texture, literally through the texture of the yarn, as well as the changing patterns which catch the fleeting eye, so it is not focused on just one spot.

I really like the concept of yarn bombing because it gives a modern, innocent twist to concrete objects, many which do not have much personality to start with. Yarn bombing is a great example of how one design can affect another in a creative and imaginative way. As is an underlying theme of this blog, design is everywhere, and we can even find design within a design to create a unique, eye-catching experience for those around us.

** All images taken from the Free People Blog.

The Ergonomics of a Beloved Backpack

As students, backpacks are something that most of us use every day. As a bag that holds our daily essentials, it is important that the design of our backpacks allows us to carry and access our things in the easiest, most efficient way. Many backpacks do this, while many others do not (where aesthetics take more precedence over functionality). Let’s take a look at the backpack I use every day – the Borealis by The North Face – using the Five Areas of Ergonomics Research.

1. Safety: Safety is a very important aspect of a product. Above all else, the user must be safe in using the product to even use it at all. In turn, safe product will lead to its continued use. Specifically concerning backpacks, safety concerns include lack of support, which can harm the shoulders or back if the backpack is too heavy. So far, my backpack has not had any problems regarding safety. I have had this backpack for over three years, and I have not had any back or shoulder problems regardless of the weight of my backpack.

2. Comfort: The user of a product definitely values the comfort of the product. If a product is not comfortable in use, then the user will not enjoy the using that product. Backpacks must be comfortable enough for the user to wear all day if needed. No one wants to feel the burden of items you are carrying. We want to be one with our backpack. Luckily for me, I feel at one with my Borealis. There is a cushion on the back of the backpack (the part that touches your back) to ensure that it rests nicely on the back and the contents of the backpack do not put pressure on the back. Also, the straps make sure that it sits at the right area of the back, not too high and not too low.

3. Ease of use: If a product is difficult to use, it will become a hassle rather than something for your benefit. A backpack should be designed to easily open and close to grab things from it quickly. It should also be able to be easily taken on and off. Lastly, the inside of the backpack should allow its contents to fit together nicely, so they are easy to find and put back. My backpack does all of the above and is very easy to use. It has many different compartments inside to organize all my laptop, books, and pens. I can easily take off my backpack, open it, grab a book, close it, and put it back on in a matter of seconds!

4. Performance: Performance is important as it is often the sole reason for a product’s invention. Thus, as long as a backpack can hold its items successfully, it has good performance. My Borealis has very good performance and I am always guaranteed that it will hold whatever I give it. It is sturdy and nothing has ever broken off of my backpack. Whereas many backpacks wear down on the bottom or their straps break after continual use, my backpack looks just like it did when I first got it!

5. Aesthetics: Although aesthetics is not directly important to a products performance and use, it is an important factor to the user to describe who he or she is and how the user feels when he or she uses the product. Personally, I would not want to carry a backpack I didn’t think look good. Since I am using my backpack practically every day, I identify it as an accessory to me outfit. This is why I chose my black Borealis backpack. I was initially attracted to how it looked and had been on the search for a backpack like it for years. Finally I discovered the Borealis and I fell in love. It’s not too flashy and does not look bulky. It is sleek and slender even when there are a lot of books in it.

When looking at a product, you want to make sure that it checks out with these five areas of ergonomics research. Doing so will ensure you have a great quality product that you will be happy with! Doing so with my Borealis backpack, I can contently say that I have never been happier with any other backpack than this one.

Word & Image: Magazines

Everyone knows the layout of a magazine cover. Specifically for fashion magazines, the covers usually feature a model or celebrity (the cover story), the magazines title, and headlines of other articles within the magazine. However, some fashion magazines take another approach to its covers, and only feature the cover story model or celebrity and the magazine’s name. How do the words on the magazine covers influence the reader?

In the classic case, we see the magazine as one just like the rest being sold. For fashion magazines, such as Elle, we will see who the cover story is on and we will be able to tell what articles are in the magazine, such as the best beauty tricks and the latest trends of the season. The only thing that sets this magazine apart from the rest is what the words actually say. They tell us what type of magazine it is. The give us a clue to what’s inside, and from there, we can determine if we wish to buy the magazine or not.

In the second case I mentioned, the magazine lacks the words that classic magazines have. There is only the magazine’s name, and maybe a headline about the cover story. Take this Harper’s Bazaar, for example. Here, we see Gwyneth Paltrow, the words “Harper’s Bazaar,” and a small headline about the new season. To me, though there is a lack of words, I am more enticed by this cover than by the Elle cover. This cover gives me mystery and gives off the impression that this issue must be a special edition, since it does not follow the classic magazine format. What little words it has on the cover, makes me want to read it more.

What does this say about words and images on magazine covers? More is not necessarily better. Sure, the more the magazine tells you what its articles about, the more you may find the magazine interesting and similar to your interests. But the lack of words gives off a different intrigue that also brings the reader in. Following my other blog posts, it seems to me that in this case, less is better. So what do you think, is less better?

Photo credit: Elle, Harper's Bazaar

Typography's Place in a Message

The typography of a visible message is very important in the aesthetic of that message. What may seem a trivial aspect of the message itself, is what may be the determining factor in whether or not that message is received correctly. Simple typography may allow the receiver to focus in on just the message itself. In the mean time, something complex can either enhance the message by adding feeling and character to it, or confuse the message because the receiver will not know how to read it. Typography also adds to the feel of the message. A message can be bold, soft, innocent, scary, demanding – all because of the typography.

Once example of how typography affects the message is from the Save TXC campaign put on by Textiles and Clothing students beginning last year.

Due to the budget cuts, the Textiles and Clothing Department was under the decision to close. The Textiles & Clothing students, who love their major (and minors!) so much, decided to protest this decision, using everything in our power to campaign against it. Our message said exactly what needed to be said to entice people to learn more about this issue and state what the cause was.

The typography, however, is what I think really caught people’s eyes and really carried the message across. Because it was simple, linear, symmetrical, and balanced, the message was clear and easy to read. The “TXC” was a light blue color in contrast to the rest of the text, which made the department stand out and caught the receiver’s eye. The rest of the text was in the same font, with “CALIFORNIA” and “ECONOMY” filling their own lines. I believe this really caught people’s eyes because “California” and the “economy” were pressing issues at the time. The typography gave the message a sense of boldness and showed that our message was a clear statement – saving the Textiles and Clothing Department (TXC) will save California’s economy. In the end, we found that our message truly traveled across campus, and because of the typography, it was easy to recognize and acknowledge. Anything more complicated would have ruined the message.

Note: Save TXC logo is auther's own.

Word & Image: Hand-Lettered Maps

Words and images are often used in conjunction with one another to convey a certain message or meaning. However, words can also be used in a way that does not create a meaning, but rather an image itself. When surfing the internet, I stumbled across some hand-lettered maps that were maps of various urban areas that showed names of districts in their respective areas.



I was really attracted to these hand-lettered maps because they were a form of map visually differently than any other I had ever seen. It functions the same as a “normal” map, in that it lists the various districts of the area. Yet, these hand-lettered maps really allow you to look at each area in order to read the various districts. Also, this map becomes more of a piece of art rather than a map for use.



What I love about the design of hand-lettered maps is their use of space. Each word is cleverly and strategically placed in a way that correctly represents its district, while not leaving any open space. Though it may or may not be proportionally accurate, this gives the map depth and complexity when looking at it. A simple color scheme allows us to focus on the words initially, and it is after we see the words together, in their entirety, do we realize it is a map. These aspects, though simple, are what makes these unique maps a piece of art and catches the eye.

New York hand-lettered map by Ursula Hitz

San Francisco hand-lettered map from unknown

Are Suits...Shameless?

Dutch label Suit Supply recently came out with its new “Shameless” ad campaign. These ads show various positions in which women are seen with the skirts and/or shirts open by its complementary male model. Obviously risqué, these ads are stirring controversy and have even been asked to be removed from Suit Supply’s Facebook page.



This ad campaign is a great example of how design may create a disconnect between a company’s message and what is actually perceived. In previous class lectures, we have learned of form and content within a design. Here, we see how an ad’s content can be misinterpreted by the public. Companies hire ad agencies to help convey a message to the public about their company. The ads are a means in which companies can attract new customers and create a new following. But when the content is misinterpreted and the company’s message is different than what is received by its audience, a company often looks to its ads as the point of disconnect.



Whether or not Suit Supply really meant for their ads to be so offensive, it is a fact that their “Shameless” ads are displeasing to the eye. We do not focus on the company when looking at the ad, but rather its content. And once interpreted, we develop a negative connection between the ad and the company it represents.

The lesson is clear: be careful with how you design your ad campaigns because it may lose more sales than boost them.

Industrial Design: the iPod

The iPod is an object that is mass-produced and consumed by many. The iPod is probably the most well-known and owned mp3 device among American citizens, and because of this, its design must be aesthetically pleasing to the eye and easy to use.

Everyone knows an iPod when they see one. The shape of a rectangle, we are attracted to its sleek and simple design. When looking at the classic iPod, black and silver are the only colors available. This adds to the simplicity of the design and is what, like most Apple products, initially attracts us to it. The color screen gives us a focus point on the iPod, obviously the part that we will gain the spotlight the most when we use our iPods. The screen is bright and calls out to its user. However, what we don’t notice is the touch pad underneath the screen, which offers a sense of subtle balance to the device. Without, it, the iPod would seem way too heavy on the top. We would feel an extra sense of emptiness when looking at our iPods.

The width of the iPod is not too thick and it is the perfect size to carry in your hand. This adds to its aesthetic and attractiveness. As the saying goes, “Sometimes less is better.” With the iPod, all that is needed in mass-consumption of an mp3 player is a rectangle, a circle, and a screen.

Objectified: Form and Content

In last Tuesday’s class, we watched the film Objectified. A main theme within this movie was the concept of form and content. In regards to design and the design of objects, form can be defined as the means in which an object was created. That is, its medium. Is something painted? Carved? Drawn? There are a multitude of mediums in which something can be created and a design can be executed. The content, then, is essentially what the form contains. It is the idea behind the whole design, and the concept that is meant to be conveyed. Looking at these two definitions, we see that form and content are interrelated. Without form, content is idle – it has no function within the world. Rather, it is merely an idea. Similarly, without content, form contains no meaning.

When we look at objects from a subjective perspective, we mostly recognize its form, and rarely its content. We see that something was painted, was carved, was drawn. But what does that form hold? Is there a function to the design? A reason why this particular form was used?

One example that I explicitly remember in Objectified that addressed this issue was the explanation of the Japanese toothpick. When we see the toothpick, we know that it’s wooden because we see its surface and texture, which is what we know to be wood. We know its primary function as a toothpick, as well, because our society implicitly tells us that it is used after we eat at restaurants. However, we usually do not recognize the divits at the top of the toothpick which also is designed to have a function. It is meant to be broken off at that point, so one can rest his or her toothpick on it. Yet, we do not think anything of this design beyond the surface of its look.

Thus, from this toothpick example, we see that all things are designed and have a function (its content), even though we may not pay attention to it (because we only pay attention to its form). We only see the wooden form of the toothpick, but neglect to see its content in its entirety. Consequently, we do not use the toothpick to its fullest potential. Form and content are interrelated and depend on each other to function and have a place in society. The toothpick depends on its wooden form to execute its use in the most efficient and resourceful way possible. Additionally, the wooden form is dependent on the idea of a toothpick as a tool to loosen food particles out of teeth to have a purpose in society. From this, we see that objects should not be objectified for they are more than just appearances and what is on the surface. They have content, like us, and purpose within the world.

Photo credit: Blog.BrianQuan.com