Preliminary Prototype

 



We found the design of the fly swatter to be uncomfortable and unattractive. The main problems that we wanted to solve were the unsubstantial handle, the pliable shaft, the shape of the head, and a way  to dispose of the fly. We changed the handle to a solid foam-covered piece and we changed the shaft so that it wasn’t as easily bent. We also modified the shape of the head, making it a more interesting and less predictable shape. Lastly, we added a frame that flips up to curve the fly swatter into a scoop for picking up and disposing of flies

Fly Swatter Interviews

1. How often do you use a fly swatter?
2. Do you want it to be fun to use?
3. What is the most important thing you would change?
4. Would you buy add-ons if it were possible?
5. Would you like a humane option for flies?
6. What do you like about the fly swatter currently?
7. How much would you pay for a fly swatter?

Stephanie (18 years old)
1. Not very often
2. Would appreciate it being fun
3. No more grid/ small holes
4. Depends on add-on
5. No
6. It's easy to use
7. $2-$3

Seth (15 years old)
1. Once a month
2. Yes
3. Would like a fly targeting device/ fly locater
3. Yes
4. No
6. You can pick the fly up with the swatter
7. $2-$5

Andrea (40 years old)
1. Once a month
2. Yes
3. Flimsy
4. No
5. No
6. Kills flies
7. $5

IDEO Summary

Basically, what this documentary was trying to say is that design is all about being free and letting your mind latch onto to every idea it has, no matter how stupid it may be. It also showed that there isn't really a system of hierarchy in a design work environment. The people with the best ideas are the most important, not the people who have worked there the longest. In a design work environment, they don't want you to ask permission, they just want you to just go with things, and if they work great, if they don't so what. The point is that some of best designs come from designers who don't ask permission, because if you ask permission someone might not like or get your idea, and then you'll never do it. If you never try something, you'll never know if it could have been great.

Project 2 Progress

Our team chose the fly swatter to redesign. Here we are working on our mind map for it. 

This is our completed mind map for the fly swatter.

Nav is interviewing someone about the fly swatter.

Someone testing out the fly swatter. 

Another person testing out the fly swatter.

Painting the Picture

 I was looking through Google images and this picture really caught my eye. I love the idea that the person is painting the color onto this apple. It got me thinking about graphic design. Graphic design is like painting a picture for someone. As a designer, you're trying to make them understand and get information from your poster, but at the same time, you're trying to paint in their minds a picture of what this information deals with and what they should expect from it.

Less Is More

As I get further and further along in my project, I'm really starting to understand that less is more. I think sometimes it feels like you have to put every cool element you find into your design but that's not the case. It's better if you make a list of the things you like, then pick one or two if you think they go together, and then save the rest for another design. As a designer, you'll always be designing new things so it doesn't make any sense to throw out all your tricks at once, plus the design probably won't look as good as if you hadn't.

The Cloud Gate "The Bean"

I thought this sculpture was a really good example of a simple, beautiful design. There isn't much to the Bean but people come to see it from all over the place. I think this is because it allows people to feel like they're a part of the sculpture when they get close to it and can see themselves mirrored in it just as well as the city behind them. It's simplicity also lets you focus more on the beauty of the city it's mirroring than the sculpture itself. It's surroundings are what makes it beautiful and it's simplicity work.

Color Lecture

The lecture was really informative. I had some idea of what colors to put together in a design, but this helped significantly. I never knew about the different color unities, but they are really helpful. It amazed me that so much of a design relies on it's color. The color is what catches your eye first so if you use yellow or some other bright color amongst a bunch of darker colors, it will grab your attention first. You have to make sure that you put these colors where you want the viewers eye to go and make sure their not too distracting.

InDesign Tutorial

I've been using InDesign for a while, but I thought that the tutorial was really helpful. He pointed out a lot of things that I didn't know about. For instance, how to make pure whites. I never knew how to do that. Overall, I think that the things I learned from the tutorial will help me a lot as I progress in my graphic design major.