surprise the designer

Awhile ago I wrote about how frustrating it is to go to the drug store when you are sick and try to find an appropriate OTC medication. I saw it (and framed it) as a design opportunity. Well, today I was buying a few last-minute travel supplies at Kroger (mostly band-aids and moleskin) when I noticed a 'pharmacy assist' computer right there. It had a touch interface and was really, really simple to use. You put in your symptoms and special considerations (allergies, etc.), and then it told you the appropriate drugs. You could read the label information right there on the computer, and it even showed you where to find the medicine on the shelf. Consider me entirely impressed. I recommend checking it out next time you're grocery shopping. I didn't get a photo, but if I go back I will do my best to take one and post it here.

I just wrote this in the front of my journal for Europe: "Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of design is being able to see what people respond to best, and using that to gauge what they might need in the near future. It's about creating a product for which there is a need, but people haven't realised it just yet." -Lee McCormack

It's already the end of the quarter, and it seems like most of us have made it out alive... Here is my final studio project- the Compaq Construct. It's a build-your-own computer for Africa (see the video in the previous post for how it is built.) It's manufactured and shipped as flat panels with tabs and slots. The consumer constructs the computer and then uses it. It's meant to spread computer education, be culturally relevant, and be low-cost. If you would like more details, let me know. I'm happy with how the project turned out in the long run, and it was received well by everyone except (apparently) the marketer from hp (who sponsored this studio.) I think this is a valid lesson in knowing who you are designing for- both in terms of your target market and your co-workers. Now I just have some volunteer work to wrap up and lots of packing before I head to Europe on Thursday(!) I'll be there for ten weeks and may post little updates here occasionally ...

This is part of my presentation tommorrow...uploading it here as a backup plan in case my 18 others fall through...

Today is the big 2-2 for me. Thanks to all for already making it a memorable one... Here is another process photo and the first glimpse at my computer bag for most. And just for good measure, here is my birthday horoscope (which is very relevant and probably mostly true): Today it feels as if you have a guardian angel watching over you, and even intruding on your behalf if things get too sticky. A difficult situation could grab your heartstrings for a while, but your emotions come and go, leaving you in a receptive frame of mind. Don't doubt what you already know. A little common sense will keep you on the right track. Thanks to everyone for having my back here lately. It's corny and sappy, but I don't know what I would do without you.

I'm a little blog-happy today after not posting for awhile...but here are a few process photos from my computer project: One of the focuses of my project is repurposing materials. Some parts on the computer are made out of rubber bike tires. Storyboarding at the kitchen table... probably 2am-ish A day in the life: I think Gerry came in to check out our silicone keyboards

My dad went on a retreat a couple weeks ago and brought back this soap made by monks. The soap smells delicious and is handmade, but I was especially impressed by the beautiful packaging.

Here are two pages from my tea kettle process book. You can check out the process book in its entire glory here (be forewarned that it is a large-ish file, but I think it is worth it.

www.thaomusic.com

Industrial design is a really broad field of study. Professors can't (and don't) really teach everything, they just show us what is out there and then we go after what we are interested in. To me, one of the areas of industrial design has been altogether neglected in our curriculum is (innovative, interesting, and meaningful) packaging. Packages have a huge potential to impact the consumer-product experience. After all, when you go into a store to buy something you interact with the package long before the product. (photo credit goes to thedieline .com and Christina Griffis )

Here is a new idea for what to do with your leftover plastic bags