We have talked very briefly about what good design and bad design is. Let’s flesh out a list of examples of each. When you put something on either the good or bad side explain why you think it is good or bad. Can we start to thing about what was going through the designers’ heads as they were creating these designs? Finally, what could be done differently? How could bad designs be improved to be made good? And in what situations might the good designs become bad?
Good & Bad Design
May 9, 2008 — Will2 Responses to “Good & Bad Design”
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May 9, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Here is an item I believe is worth discussing.
1. Urban Security Suit
URL: http://dvice.com/archives/2008/04/urban_security.php
Description: “Who says protecting yourself from sniper attacks or chemical warfare needs to be ugly business”
My thoughts: I am really unsure about the design of this product overall. The claim implies that it can help stop bullets and improve conditions in a chemical attack but even though it is made of neoprene and strategically lined body molded kevlar, I have not found any websites or resources that have tested these claims. Maybe we can request them to send us a sample product for a class review? Just a thought…
The overall inspiration for this product must have been this: Create a design for fashion centric, function oriented audiences while playing off of people’s fear of an impending Apocalypse. Due to this fact, I believe the designer is running into a problem -it is difficult to maintain good functionality while preserving good fashion sense. How much protection is enough? When should you trade of safety for comfort? Could it get too hot in warm conditions and if so, could you offer a cooling solution without compromising the integrity of the suit?
Until lab results are posted, its going to take a lot of convincing for fashion-oriented teens to give up their hollister pullovers for this new design.
Thoughts, comments and critics are welcome. Thanks
May 11, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Certainly an interesting design. It made me think of a Metal Gear Solid type body suit. It seems to have been described implicitly, but my question is who is the audience here. It seems to me that it is geared toward youth in a post-911 state with the threat of terrorism greater than it probably really is. However, given that the audience is youth and the goal is to provide increased security, my opinion is that they hit the nail on the head with this design. Are you going to be able to sell a Hazmat suit to a youth is more likely than not fashion conscious (remember, similar function, but dramatically different form)? Most likely not. So, barring further evidence that Ben mentioned above, at the very least, I think this is worthy to see where it goes.
Whether or not teens give their pullovers or not, in my opinion, will depend on whether this product is truly needed or not. Perhaps, it could survive purely on its fashion. Maybe, it will survive in Cosplay. Who knows? Any other thoughts?