surprise the designer

valentine day commuter Originally uploaded by iamtonyang I have now officially been a member of mass transit for one week, and boy does it feel...great? Boston is aptly regarded by many as a city that is easy to navigate, either by foot or public transit. So far, I agree. I have to say, though, that making the jump from personal vehicle to mass transportation does sting a bit. Even in a city with a big transportation infrastructure, one inescapable part of taking public transportation is the waiting time. From where I am living I have to take a bus to the subway station, and buses only come every-so-often. They are also fairly unpredictable (time-wise) if you are anywhere besides the starting point. As far as negatives go, you also lose your right to personal space if traveling by bus or train in 'peak hours.' The seats were made in a different time, when people were smaller, and many folks now exceed the capacity for each seat. As a smaller person, I often wind up wedg...

Yesterday I flew into Boston- a city that everyone seems to love, adamantly. I was lucky enough to have a day to get the lay of the land before work starts tomorrow. I have to say that I am both nervous and really excited to be working in a big city. The one impression I have, so far, is that it is just 'vibrant.' That could also have something to do with the fact that is was a beautiful, sunny day today... This evening I wandered into the North End, the area of town where I will be working. It is known as Little Italy and full of Italian restaurants, gelaterias , and pastry shops. Mike's Pastry is a Boston landmark, and something Sylvia and company have raved about all summer. Obviously, I made it a priority to get there ASAP. This is what I got (chocolate covered cannoli - how decadent!) This display of pocket hair brushes was in one of the windows, and I just couldn't resist the chance to capture an odd product. Would you use this? More to come...

Originally uploaded by twin wire hang overs. One thing I can say, for sure, that going to design school has done to me is make me a much more conscious consumer. I do not mean- solely- that I think about the environmental impact of everything I buy (although I try to do that too.) I also think about every single purchase from the standpoint of what that product/outfit/pair of shoes will say about me. This is a whole new awareness that I didn't really pay attention to before college. Just one example- I went spruce-up shopping yesterday to get a few new things for co-op. One of the things I have been thinking about is new work-appropriate tennis shoes. I have an old beat-up pair of keds that I bought (brand new!) at a thrift store for $5 one year ago. Keds are good, and designerly, I guess. People wear them. They're simple. They are not branded as in-your-face as a pair of nikes with a swoosh on the side. The gist of this story is this: I saw some knock-offs at Urban Ou...

Now that the chair quarter is over, the next- and last- step of my industrial design education (at least at the undergrad level...) is the thesis. Pretty much starting with the first of the year, I will embark on my thesis project. The thing to think about now is...what will that be? It's a big and daunting question that is best thought about now, before the real pressure is on. The senior thesis is supposed to be your piece de resistance, the way in which you propose to save the world, or at least get a job offer. It should be interesting enough to focus on for two quarters, or twenty weeks, and it ought to be big and innovative. It is the cherry on top of the bachelor of science sundae. I figure a good way to start is to think of categories- 1. FOOD! It sounds ridiculous, but I really love food, and not just for eating. I like the way it looks, the process of cooking, the history behind food, and cultural practices revolving around food. I love diners more for their patr...

This is an easy question to ask as it is time to pack up and shove off to a new co-op assignment. One lesson that I have learned from each job assignment is that the less things you can bring with you to a job, wherever you are working, the easier it is on you. The most extreme case of that was probably this past spring when we backpacked around Europe with just enough layers to keep us warm and not really enough underwear (always pack extra- its lightweight and barely takes up any space!) That being said, what products are essential to make you feel like you are at home? What do you bring with you when you only have limited space? I have a few key possessions that come with me to every new job assignment. My snoopy alarm clock, Trusty, a very loved stuffed animal, and a framed photo of my family on a boating trip all make the grade. The one trait these all have in common is that they are from my childhood. They were all in my first bedroom and have had their own spot in every be...

Then you see a tennis ball on a string being sold for $3 as a 'parking guide' and you have to wonder who is responsible for that? It is definitely hilarious, but also an atrocity. How much does a can of tennis balls cost, anyway? Where is the responsibility in product design?

Here we go...one more co-op (where did the time go?) and I am heading to Boston. Last spring I was hoping that the fall would find me in Boston, and soon I will be starting a new job there. From what I have heard, some people grow up, go to college, get a job, and start a family-sometimes all in the same city where they are born. I find it lucky and trying that my curriculum makes it nearly impossible to follow that path. Upon graduation, even if I do not have a job, I will have had well over a year of professional experience in four different locales (and jobs) as well as a three month European road (rail) trip behind me. What lessons come out of all this moving around? - I barely need anything to live my day-to-day life. I know for a fact that I can carry everything I need, and most of it fits in a backpack. - People matter most. Every experience comes down to the people- whether it be friendly co-workers or roommates at a hostel, friends (even new ones) make everything better....

Homemade Boston Cream Pie

Now that you have seen the final product- my chair- you can check out the process here . It is a little cheeky, but very fun. A lot went into this chair, especially considering that most of it was actually built in a span of about 2.5 weeks... now time for my summer vacation!

Hey! I'm back! And...I made a chair! In all honesty, the last two weeks have been a bit of a time warp. The chair quarter is known as one of the hardest (if not THE hardest) for every industrial designer, and I now have a full understanding why. I also have a chair! Allow me to present Susan, the unexpected (and fully rotational) tete a tete chair. Thanks to my lovely models Amanda and Alicia. The whole idea is that the skinny middle layers rotate out in order to form a seating surface. Its a tete a tete , or face to face, configuration, so you sit facing another person. In the next few days (or maybe few hours) I will most more from this project- including my process book and final board, but feel free to ask questions.