the good, the bad, and the why?
I honestly do believe that design has the power to change in the world. The word “design” can be used in many situations: from products to designing experiences and buildings. I think that the best part about design is that it can contribute to a better world and making smart decisions. While “innovation” is certainly an overused and oft meaningless word, I think that design innovation is the key to the future. The best part is that design can help contribute and build a better world.
This leads to my discussion of what I often think is good, or actually great design. I think that the design solutions I am most attracted to solve a problem or help bring light to an issue in a clever way. This brings my to my first example.
This is an ad designed by the The Philippine ad agency BBDO Guerrero for the “Childhope social campaign” To directly quote them the cans are “designed so realistic that it seems as a real ‘hand to hand’ help.” Donation cans can be a trick business because there’s no personal touch, and it can feel like you are giving money to a faceless issue. Not only does the design of this help give a face to the issue, but it also helps give you an idea as to WHAT you are giving the money for.
The next example of great design I want to talk about is this Play-Doh ad. Part of the reason I love this ad is because it is almost heartbreakingly simple. A shot of the product, head on, and a sticker like badge telling you everything the product contains. That’s where the genius of this design is. When you are getting Play-Doh, you aren’t just getting Play-Doh; you’re getting the limits of your imagination. The ad helps remind the viewer of that, reminding them that the possibilities only end where their mind does.
The last example of excellent design I want to bring up is an ad by the American Disability Association. The staircase, which I assume is a subway staircase from the photo, features a photo of Mt. Everest. The text simply reads “For some, It’s Mt. Everest. Help build more handicap facilities.” The reason why I liked this design in particular is because it made me pause and think about my situated perspective as an able bodied person. I think that is partially what the as is aiming to do. While donations are I am sure a goal, the end point of this goal seems to be more of a public awareness.
Though I want to comment on and write about a number of bad designs, I want to stay on this issue of disability for a moment and talk about US currency. With the exception of coin money, US paper dollars are exceptionally poor designed for the disabled, in particular the visually impaired. US bills are all the same size, shape, and texture, rendering anyone who cannot see to rely on either someone else or the trust of other.
Another common point of frustration among pretty much everything — plastic clamshell packaging. Why is this a bad design? It’s dangerous and hard to use; and really what more do I need to say. When discussing design, customer safety should be a top concern, and it should be easy to use. At the very least, not so frustrating it causes intense anger. There is so much hatred surrounding these packing, it is almost baffling that they are still in use at all. However, it’s hard to beat low cost solutions.
The last example I chose of bad design really caught my eye. At first I thought there was nothing wrong with it, and then I paused again…what button would I press? It boils down to a really simple statement. Good design should be easy to use. Especially when we are talking about pushing a button to either goes up or down. If someone even has to think about it for a moment, the designer has failed at his or her job in this case.
