Look around you and choose an object that’s been designed–for instance, an item of clothing you’re wearing, the coffee cup that you’re drinking from, the chair you’re sitting in, etc. Try not to choose anything too complicated. Then write a paragraph on what you think is well designed and/or poorly designed in this object. What general statement about design can you make based on this example?
winter 2023
The object I chose is my backpack.
In my opinion, I think my backpack is pretty effectively designed. I like its simple visual design with its wide rectangular shape, black canvas material, thin straps, and white and red logo of a fox in the center. In addition to this, I think it has a mostly functional design. It has one large pocket for essential items like notebooks and laptops and a smaller pocket at the bottom to fit items like chapstick or hair ties. Also, the material is thick and durable, and even designed to be waterproof so the items in your backpack don’t get wet if it rains.
While I chose to buy this backpack because I found its minimalist design aesthetically pleasing, it’s probably not as functional as other backpacks. It could use more variously sized pockets/compartments to fit more items as well as larger water bottle holders on the sides to fit more than a plastic bottle.
Thus, a general statement I can make based on my backpack is that it’s just as important for designs to be functional as it is for them to be aesthetically pleasing. If a design is aesthetically pleasing but doesn’t serve its function or purpose, then this renders the design useless or less useful than it could be.
Casetify Phone Case
The protective bumper and logo are well-designed because there is the most room for art pieces to shine through without being too bulky. The protective bumper is thick enough with extra protection in the corners to ensure that the most vulnerable areas of the phone are protected. Additionally, the logo does not distract the viewer from the art pieces. However, there are some complaints that I have about my phone case. First, the protective bumper gets dirty quickly, and there is no way to clean it. Second, the reflective mirror art gets scratched up easily. Nevertheless, I still think my phone case is a functional machine! Because it does its job so well, I have no choice but to draw my complaints to other details.
A general statement I can make about design is that it is nice to provide some attention to detail (if time allows for it).
The object that I chose is my hydroflask water bottle.
I think there are a lot of aspects of the water bottle that were well-designed, like the fact that it is made of stainless steel, a durable material that can withstand anything. The bottle was designed with double-wall insulation that keeps any liquid inside at the ideal temperature, and the screw top lid was also intended for the same reason. I think that both of these design features are what stand out the most to people when searching for a functional water bottle. In addition, the simple design of the water bottle is also nice and I think that a lot of people like that they can decorate theirs with personalized stickers. The only design flaw that I see with my hydroflask is that the material dents very easily, which can be a bit disappointing.
A general statement I can make about design is that it is important to find a perfect balance between functionality and appearance.
I choose to write about a ballpoint pen. The pen in front of me is a PaperMate InkJoy ballpoint pen with a 1.0mm nib in the color orange. It has a clear orange barrel which shows the spring assembly and ink cartridge, and is shaped like a triangular prism which tapers to the point at which the nib can be extended or retracted.
The triangular prism shaped barrel is ergonomic, because the three fingers–the pad of the thumb, the index finger and middle finger– can all rest on a flat surface while the pen is being held. This makes writing for extended periods of time more comfortable. At the top, the pen also includes a notch which can be tucked onto a pocket. The clear, colored barrel is also very eye-catching and distinguishable which makes it easy to grab the right color from a school bag.
A downside of the pen design is that there is no way to take out the ink cartridge, so once it runs out, it cannot be refilled.
In a world with tons of fancy stationery, it is great to have an orange pen with orange ink. In this design, I can say that what’s on the outside should clearly reflect or hint at what’s on the inside.
One object around me that has been designed is the Chipotle cup I am drinking from.
In my opinion, the decoration of the cup is well designed. It features little doodles of avocados, onions, cilantro, and other items that are relevant to the food that Chipotle serves at their restaurants. These doodles are present throughout other items at the eatery, such as the bags and the gift cards. By having this particular visual design element consistent across several of their items, it helps to establish their brand. I also think the placement of the logo on the cup and even the logo itself is designed well. It stands alone, calling attention to it. The chipotle pepper featured in the logo is relevant to the name of the restaurant chain.
One thing that I think is poorly designed in the cup is the lid. While it holds the straw well, it seems almost like the lid was not designed to fit the cup. Sometimes when I grab my cup from the top half, the lid pops off causing me to nearly spill my drink. This seems like a major design flaw considering the lid is there to prevent the liquid from escaping.
Based on this example, I can say that design is not only the visual aspect of an object but also the functional aspect of it. This example shows that the overall success of a design requires attention to all facets of an object.
The object I am choosing is my mug.
The mug itself is very simply designed, with the base color being white with a graphic in black and “Santa Barbara” written in a plain, all capitalized font in navy blue. The graphic and text are displayed on both sides of the mug. The graphic itself depicts the mountains behind Santa Barbara, along with waves to resemble the ocean, with a pier sitting above them. There are palm trees and a few other buildings, which are likely famous to the Santa Barbara area. I think the design is effective because it shows some of Santa Barbara’s most popular features. However, in just looking at the graphic, you probably would not be able to identify that it is a depiction of Santa Barbara, so the written text of it definitely helps the mug’s design to be more effective. I also think the navy blue provides a nice, subtle contrast to the black of the imagery and provides a bit more color, which allows the mug to have a simple appearance and perhaps catches the eyes of more consumers. However, one down side of this mug’s design is the lack of glaze on the interior. This makes the inside of the mug susceptible to staining and makes it more difficult to clean.
Based on this example, a general statement about design is that the verbal text can make an integral difference on the effectiveness of the overall design.
I’m choosing to write about the “Frosted Siberian Pine” scented candle in front of me.
It is a ~.5 foot tall glass cylinder. The best part of this candle’s design is its aesthetics; the wax is a deep, pine green, which works nicely with the lighter, sage-green font used for the label on the front. There’s a picture of some frosted pine leaves, which also adds to the cozy, nature-y aesthetic.
The downsides to the candle’s design are mainly to due with its height. Despite being around a half a foot tall, the actual wax starts only two inches from the base, leaving four or five inches of glass, which looks a bit awkward. Furthermore, the glass has become ashy and sooty from the the flames licking the sides, which has given it a dirty appearance.
Based on this candle, I can say that it’s important to consider how the thing you’re designing will actually be used, and work with that in mind.
I’m looking at a cream-colored ceramic coffee mug sitting on my kitchen table, filled with ginger tea. It’s a 12-drinking vessel, its walls are thick and sturdy, and on either side of it, the name of the coffee roastery I purchased it from is written in a dark brown script font: Dark Horse Coffee Roasters.
I think the strengths of this mug are all the details I just mentioned, all the details that encouraged me to buy it—its sturdiness, its brown-cream color scheme, the font the designer has chosen, and the old school diner-style of the mug itself. Beginning with the physical construction of the mug: I think the coffee roastery’s decision to print their brand on a diner-style mug is a smart choice because of the nostalgia associated with diners and mugs of this shape. Even though I myself did not grow up in a time of diners and diner mugs, the vintage feel of the object imbues it with a certain charm more basic, thin-walled mugs (like those you might find at the campus store) lack. Moving onto the colors: I think the cream and brown play nicely off each other to convey a sense of warmth, complementing the intended function of the mug—holding warm beverages. Finally, the font that’s been chosen was also a strong design choice; the use of a script font emphasizes the visual/pictorial aspect of the coffee company’s name. Together, these elements coalesce for a simple, elegant design that’s the perfect home for a steaming cup of morning coffee.
Based on this example, a general statement about design I can make is that considering the associations people might have with an image or object might enable designers to make stronger choices about form and style.
The object that I chose is my Hydroflask, which is a popular brand of reusable water bottles that comes in different sizes and colors. Mine is a kids edition, 20oz white bottle, with a pink lid. Although the bottle comes in various different sizes, I opted for this size because of its sleek and slim design. Other sizes of the bottle are either too bulky or too small, which defeats the purpose of being easily portable and having enough water to stay hydrated. Since the bottle is lightweight even when full of water, and has a universal design that can fit in any backpack and cup holder, it is ideal for most people who would rather not consume the common 16oz plastic water bottles. In addition, an important aspect of this bottle’s design is evidently the colors, which is only one of the many options that the brand offers in this size. This caters to the consumers and allows them to choose which color design that they prefer, which is much appreciated by the younger generations who enjoy more bright and eccentric shades. Another design aspect of the bottle is the material it is made of, which is “Pro-Grade 18/8 stainless steel”, according to Hydroflask. This is the major selling point of this bottle since the stainless steel “insulation helps eliminate condensation and keeps beverages cold up to 24 hours”. Among the well design decisions made, one poorly designed aspect of the bottle is the cap. The cap is a straw lid, which is convenient since it is not required to open the bottle to drink water, but it also has a small handle for easy transferability. The downside of this handle is that it is quite small, even for smaller hands as it is just a tiny circle. This small handle design remains consistent throughout their straw lid designs, which is a bit inconvenient to those who wish to carry the bottle around without getting cramps in their fingers. In the end, it remains evident that Hydroflasks pros outweigh the cons, which is why the brand is widely popular and has been for years. With this said, I think that there is so much more to designing that goes into simple objects like water bottles that consumers do not realize unless they think about the product in depth.
As I commonly have this object in my possession, I chose a Yerba Mate can to analyze its design. The object’s design elements include a yellow background, green patterns, and a burgundy label. Although I am not a fan of the color combination used, I think the product’s design holds significant characteristics for the brand and vision of the company. Specifically, the bright colors and noticeable print make the product stand out from the other aesthetically curated energy drinks on the shelf and make the drink extremely recognizable to customers. In addition, the bold colors represent the drink itself, with the yellow being intense and energetic, just as its purpose of providing natural energy. The prominent green design also connects to the yerba mate tree’s color and the drink’s mint flavor, overall holding a symbolic nature. Beyond the color choice, I like the pattern on the can because it clearly represents where the main ingredient comes from and the story behind the product.
Furthermore, the detailed design covering the can displays subtle leaf shapes, representing the tiny plants that yerba mate is sourced from, and a tribal print that reveals the origin of the plant. Lastly, the typography on the can allows the logo to be distinct from the detailed pattern, placed boldly in the middle of the can in an Aztec-like font, relating to the product’s roots. Overall, I think the colors and design of the product draw the eye in and convey a historical presence that makes up the brand’s story shown through a simple can. The Yerba Mate can taught me that design holds many elements beyond choosing aesthetically pleasing images, colors, or shapes but is used to tell a story. Each design element should contain a strategic purpose to induce greater value and meaning once it meets the eye.
The object that I chose is my Jellycat Backpack Elephant stuffed toy.
To begin with, the toy is designed with a high standard quality of soft fabric. The texture of the toy is cushy and comfortable, which made it a perfect companion to reduce stress and provide calmness. It is also smaller than the usual jellycat stuffed toys so it is easy and convenient to bring along while traveling. Most importantly, it has a great aesthetic design: the two big ears, rounded head, short limbs, and trunks made it an adorable elephant proportion. Plus, the toy has an additional blue linen backpack item. The backpack added a sense of playfulness to the character. Also, the backpack is very similar to student school bags and helped to build a connection with the jellycat’s main consumer, kids. Furthermore, its body is stuffed with the right amount of puffy material that allows the body to sit up straight and the arms naturally spreaded out as if the elephant is hugging and delivering warmth.
On the other hand, I think the color of the backpack elephant is too plain and simple. The whole character is covered light gray. Gray tends to be associated with the feeling of cool and neutral. I think the designer could have used a darker tone to enhance the feeling of calm and warmth.
The object I decided to write about is my Nintendo Switch, a handheld video game console.
At a first glance of this Switch, the structure of the console consists of a large screen that has two small controlled that are slotted into the sides of the console. The console is well designed when it comes to its overall functionality and the clean & sleek look of it. It provides its user with a large high-quality screen with easy-to-use controllers. Alongside this, the console comes with a docking station, where the user is able to place it standing upright and it features a fancy etched Nintendo logo. The physical and visual design of the console is minimal, yet uses its negative space well. However, my only grievances with the console’s design and what I think is poorly designed is that because the controllers are a lot smaller and receive more usage than the screen, which makes the controllers more susceptible to snapping off or getting damaged with non-gentle touches. Because of this, it is tedious to constantly be wary of the pressure being put on the controllers. Despite these imperfections, the design of the Switch is still well-done and fulfills its purpose of entertainment & ease-of-use, which provides more of a pleasant experience than a negative one. When it comes to industrial product design, there are always improvements to be made.
The object I chose is the desk in Phelps 1521.
The desk itself is pretty well-designed, in regards to functionality. There is a gap near the back of the desk to allow for the organization of computer wires. The desk isn’t too heavy, which allows for easy transport; the top of the desk is quite thin, allowing for a considerable amount of leg room. The desk is wide enough to fit both a desktop computer, keyboard, laptop, and notebooks (if needed). It is also long in length and can fit up to 2 computers.
As for comfort, the desk is alright for a person of average height and build. However, the legs of the desk are not adjustable, which can mean less leg room for those who are larger in height or build. The top of the desk is also fairly hard, making it a bit uncomfortable to be resting one’s wrists on it while typing or doing work.
In regards to aesthetics, the desk itself is made very simple. It’s not bad to look at, but can be seen as quite drab as the desk is a metal grey color; the desk legs are black. The color scheme of the desk is most likely made simple, so it can go with most colors in the room. However, the grey can be quite dull. There’s also no logo of the company anywhere on the desk; this may be because UCSB bought these desks in bulk outright from the company.
Overall, the desk is pretty well-designed. After observing the desk design, I can honestly say that functionality comes first, then comfort, and if possible, aesthetics, especially when it comes to useful objects like a desk.
I choose the current strapless shirt I am wearing.
This shirt is not designed exceptionally well. There are some parts of this shirt that I think are designed poorly. First, the shirt is too long. The graphic of Betty Boop pasted on the front gets bunched up at the start of the already very low-waisted pants I’m wearing. Second, the fabric is not very elastic. The fabric does not stay tight to my skin, so it stretches into an oddly loose fit after I wear it for a whole day. Because of this, nearing the end of the day I am constantly having to pull up my shirt and adjust it, because it is no longer very supportive.
However, I also think the shirt was designed in a super cute way — that is why I still love to wear it. It is a strapless black cotton shirt with the character Betty Boop on the front of it. It was designed in a very aesthetically pleasing way. The shirt looks great off the body. The black color of the shirt contrasts the pinkish-white color of Betty’s body and sparkly red lettering. I also love the fact that the shirt is strapless. I love the way these shirts look and feel on the body.
Despite its flaws, I still love the shirt. Overall, the design of the shirt is good enough that it is one of my favorites to wear. The graphic of Betty Boop makes this so. In general, I wish the shirt fit me better and was more stretchy; however, I still love the strapless design.
The object I chose to analyze was my face wash. I chose this because I think there are things that are designed well about it and make the overall experience of using it appealing. For one thing, I think it’s the most user friendly design for this type of product, seeing as though it rests upside down, allowing gravity to pull the product to the bottom so the consumer can get the most out of their purchase. Something else that works well is how spaced out the typography is, making it very easy to read. This is important because there are no images on the product so breaking it up in ways like this make it more effective. There are varying sizes of the text, making the most important details like the name, type, and size most visible. Since this is a medicated product, the front of the bottle makes apparent the active ingredients and what it helps do. The bottle has two colors, black and blue, which also help to break up the text in easy to read ways. The style of the font looks professional, which is important because a main feature of the face wash is that it’s medicated. This product wouldn’t want to look overly cutesy because that might take away from its credibility. Overall, for a product that is designed solely with text they do a great job in making it look appealing, not overwhelming, user friendly, and professional.
I chose a can of Redbull.
The can is bright red, representative of the watermelon flavor. The corresponding color to the fruit it’s flavored after makes what you can expect flavor-wise very clear, as well as creating a distinction from the traditional flavor of regular Redbull. The can is small and slim, fits well into the hand, and the opening is equally sized. I like the slim shape of the can– also helps that it is distinctly different from beer can, meaning I can safely plop it in the cup holder of my car. The opening on the can is more rounded than most soda cans, which I actually like, because it creates a more smooth and focused flow of liquid. This is helpful because the drink is lightly carbonated. The pop tag features a small cut-out of the classic bull logo. This detail makes Redbull stand out– the iconic bull is part of their signature.
A general comment I can make about design based on this example is how important a signature feature or two is for a product. There must be a balance between functionality and style in order for one to not dominate the other, at risk of being overcomplicated or bland.
The object I chose is my own key lanyard. I had personally commissioned this item (in bulk) for a program that I helped coordinate, so I’m probably liable for any of its functional deficiencies!
Perhaps I’m not making much use of its functionality since I mostly keep it in my pocket (maybe that explains why I misplace it all the time). If I were making proper use of it, however, I would definitely be able to vouch for its design. The lanyard material is nylon — inherently durable, retractable, and elastic even if slightly tattered, which might be why it has lasted me all these years. My keys are latched onto a clip swivel hook which can accommodate both a key set and even a name tag if needed. There’s a clasp at the end of the lanyard that I’ve never unlatched because I honestly don’t know how to (I’ve tried). Perhaps it loses points for its counter-intuitive nature; perhaps I lose points for not having the intuition. Either way, however, if I made effective use of the design (you know, like actually wearing it around my neck), it’d be much harder for me to lose.
The aesthetic elements of this lanyard are certainly less effective than its overall functionality. It’s a subdued navy blue color — very muted and fails to catch the eye, which may be the reason why I often misplace it. There are two different fonts plastered on the nylon, both of which are equal parts graphic and jarring. Neither font is clean, readable, or complementary to the other. There is also a logo, imprinted in white, that bookends both mentions of the program title on the string. It’s not very distinguishable and a relatively weak design choice, in my opinion. That being said, when it comes to something as practical as a key lanyard, functionality trumps aesthetic. Where my lanyard’s aesthetic design is lacking, its functional design is certainly effective, and that’s what really matters.
The object that I chose to analyze is my water bottle. Reusable water bottles have become a staple product for students across the country, and although it is odd to think about given their ubiquity they are somewhat of a trend. However, there would be no trend without a trendy appearance.
The water bottle that I own is a Hydro Flask, one of the most popular among the multitude of water bottle companies producing overpriced merchandise. The design serves two purposes, its functionality (how well it insulates/holds water) and its design. The two must work together to create the best possible product. What instantly drew me in about the design of my water bottle was how sleek it was. Apart from the small logo (a crude and curved shape resembling a smiling person with outstretched arms) and brand name, the water bottle is just a gray cylinder. The design is reminiscent of many other products you might find at a store like REI, giving it an outdoorsy feel. The bottle curves in at the top where the lid is attached and there is further writing describing how much liquid it holds and other miscellaneous information on the bottom, hidden from sight. The simple and sleek design is reminiscent of other expensive products made by Apple and Porsche –or even luxury brands like Gucci– which emphasize their logo and nothing more on the product, making it clear that you are paying not only for the product’s function, but also what owning one represents.
My Nike shoes
I am looking at my nike tennis shoes. The base color is beige with accents of white and grey. The area in which the nike swoop is located lays on beige leather. The nike swoop brown with leopard print scattered over it. The shoes fit my aesthetic is a sense they they are neutral with a pop of something fun and exciting. I think these shoes were designed well, the laces and stitching are high quality and the shoe itself provides significant support. The process of design is complicated but the final product is quite simple and elegant.
Look around you and choose an object that’s been designed–for instance, an item of clothing you’re wearing, the coffee cup that you’re drinking from, the chair you’re sitting in, etc. Try not to choose anything too complicated. Then write a paragraph on what you think is well designed and/or poorly designed in this object. What general statement about design can you make based on this example?
Looking around me, I see my desk lamp. It has a silver base and a circular, glass, lamp shade. I chose this lamp because of the look of it solely, I paid no mind to the function. While it still goes with my decor, that is the only thing it accomplishes. The first poor design is it’s inability to properly stand up. Most desk lights, allow you to adjust it so light travels wherever needed. However in this lamp, when I try to stand it up it just falls right down. The other poor design aspect is it’s brightness. Not even the brightest light bulb could help this dim lamp. The one good thing this lamp does have however, is its USB drive. Even with that, this lamp can’t do the one thing it was asked: to light up a room.
The object I chose is my vanity.
It was bought from an antique store and made of dark red wood. You can tell it is dated in the wood scratches and mirror but has lasted me more than 10 years. I have primarily used it as a desk for homework. However, I have learned over time that the primary function as a spot to put on makeup is more realistic for being comfortable. I believe the design including equality, multi-purpose features, and a satisfying appearance to the eyes makes it pretty well-designed. There are three drawers as well as an organizer where the top lifts up to reveal the mirror. The drawer storage options are nice because I can keep a portion of my stationery collection out of view. For me, the design issues are the lack of legroom from the drawers once I sit which becomes uncomfortable when I sit for long periods of time doing homework. The second issue is that in order to get to the mirror I have to move the majority of my stuff from the middle of the desk. Additionally, the consequences of it being made of real wood requires me to oil it every so often.
In general, the design of an object can be unique and beautiful but might not be as practical for uses outside of what they are made for.