Design Philosphy

Inspirational Graphic by: Gnat Design

Ok people let’s get deep for one moment. Think about it. Every designer has an awareness of their design style and approach. We all think about it, but some of us never write these thought on paper. In case you are lost I am referring to a design philosophy. You know. What is your attitude about design? What do you want to achieve through your design? Why do you even like design? Etc. etc. etc.…. Well I thought about it and I decided it is finally time to put it all down on paper. So here is my personal design philosophy.

                Designers are presented with the unique opportunity to redefine and create remarkable interiors. But what’s most interesting is the ability to be creative and think outside the box. For the designer this is perfectly acceptable (as long as it’s safe and functional). Interior design is a service profession to be practiced by caring individuals who value the needs of others. Good design reflects the needs and wants of the client and understands and appreciates their needs as well.

It’s a satisfying feeling to know that as a designer, the interiors created are something tangible that will impact the lives of other, yet realizing that design is bigger than you or me, it’s global. We should have an appreciation for other cultures and embrace the diversity each one brings. I am fascinated with other cultures and it’s fun to try to understand the world from someone else’s perspective. The world is forever changing and society is always reinventing itself, but it’s important not to get caught up in fads and trends because they don’t last long and ultimately neither will the design. Design should possess a timeless quality that can transcend expectations and leave an environmentally friendly footprint. Mother Earth’s resources are depleting and that’s why it’s important to practice sustainability. While meeting the needs of the client a designer needs to think about the efficient proper use of materials and their effects on the environment. Ethical practices are as important in the area of design as in other professional disciplines.

By nature I am very inquisitive and I am not afraid to ask questions or say I don’t know. What’s great about that is that I am always learning and looking for ways to gain more exposure to the field. As I continue my quest for knowledge I know that there will be obstacles to overcome and hurdles to jump over but that’s part of the exploration! My education, technical knowledge, and my own intuition are key components that will definitely help me be able to enter the design field as a competent, confident designer.

Baby steps

“Design is a learning experience. So my agenda is to figure out what I want to learn next.”

Ayse Birsel, Industrial Designer and President

This statement sums up exactly where I am right now. I am learning and growing and continuing to expose myself to as many things as possible. This is my final semester in college and so far I have been exposed to a lot of different areas of design, but for my thesis project I decided to delve into the world of institutional design. I am designing a space for at-risk youths ages 13-18 who are in crisis and consider “at-risk teens”. The shelter will provide short-term housing along with a healing and rehabilitating environment. Therapeutic interventions such as Play Therapy, Music Therapy, and Art Therapy are some unconventional methods as outlets which enable people to heal, change, and grow. Well my focus for this will be culinary therapy that will be incorporated in the treatment that the teens will receive.  There will also be a café which will be operated by the teens and staff and will be open to the public.

            The research for this project has been very interesting and tedious. The impact of color and the discovery of the user/client needs has been an adventure. I am excited to learn more about healthcare design and who knows, maybe it might open a door for my future. I enjoy learning about different types of design and methods. I will never stop learning even when I leave the “classroom”. After this, what’s next!? Maybe yacht design!!

“WTF (What the font?!”)

It’s about that time….. I have begun the process of reorganizing and structuring my portfolio and boy what a task. So the first thing I thought about is color, and after that I immediately thought about what font to choose. There are so many fonts to choose from and I have had a hard time deciding which fonts will be the best reflection of my personality and design style. I am getting a degree in interior design, not graphic design so with that being said I had to do some homework. I spent some time looking for information in a few of my textbooks and online about portfolio design and geez I didn’t realize how crucial it is to make sure you pick the right ones. I know font’s important and it needs to be legible but I must say, I am a little smarter now! I didn’t know there were different typeface categories: Oldstyle, Modern, Slab Serif, San Serif, Fringe, Script, and Decorative. Serif fonts generally have a thick/thin contrast in their structures whereas san serif fonts are mono weight.

 I selected three fonts, two serifs and one from the sans serif family. This will allows for a nice contrast. Sans serif fonts tend to strain the eye so the most appropriate way to use this is for titles, headings, and short passages. So I chose Gotham and Rotis fonts to be used interchangeably for my headings and quotes and I chose Didot for my text. I think these three fonts are meaningful to my style and personality.  Gotham is sophisticated with clean lines and Rotis is funky and looks good in a large font. I chose Didot for my body of text because it looks modern and dramatic. These are a reflection of how I want my design to be perceived. I have been on the hunt to discover who I am as a designer and what my design aesthetic is and I have come to realize that I am eclectic. I like these shades of blue, green, and yellow.  I like to mix and mingle with them all!!!

               

Here are a few helpful hints that I learned from my readings:

·         Look for typefaces that look good together and try mixing serif and sans serif faces that relate to each other.

·         A clear differentiation between all the elements of type this is achieved by creating contrast through the relative relationships of size, weight, structure, form, direction, and color. A reader should never have to try to figure out what is happening on the page.

Color My World

     I was looking at the pantone color forecast 2012 selection and I wasn't too impressed. I liked some of the colors but they weren't vibrant enough for me I love green and I only saw two colors with a hint of green. But as I looked at them again I began to see a couple colors that spoke to me. These colors are a little subdued but I like them. Rasberry Pantone 18-1754, Bamboo Pantone 14-0740, and Blue Moon Pantone 17-4328. I could see myself using these colors in a section of my portfolio for the background.

    

Food for Thought

      I watch TLC's Fabulous Cakes all the time, but for some reason yesterday I was viewing it from a different perspective. I noticed how much Pastry Chefs and Interior Designers have in common. Think about it. They use a lot of the same concepts, principles and elements as designers do. Scale, proportion, shape, balance (figuratively and literally), color, and texture are some the the key components that make design successful and it is true for both designer and chef. 

These custom cakes take a lot of hardwork and patience. 

 

 Teamwork is another aspect they have in common.  



      Although the technique and application is different they both operate from a heart inspired to design and create lasting impressions from conception to construction!

"To Be or Not to Be"

     There are so many professional organizations for Interior Designers to be a part of. ASID, USGBC, IIDA, and NEWH are a couple, just to name a few. As I get closer and closer to graduation I realize that when I begin working I must continue to find more ways to stay involve and be "in the know". So I thought to myself, if I had to choose only one which one would it be?! I would choose to be a member of International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
     I believe that this organization will be the best fit for me. I want to work in hospitality design and I want to travel all over the world. What better way than to be connected with an organization whose mission is to "create an international association with a united mission that would represent Interior Designers worldwide". Not only am I getting a degree in Interior Design, but I am also obtaining one in Spanish. Being a member of an international organization will also help me unite with other people from different walks of life and see the world of design from their eyes.
     I spoke with Carolina Diaz about membership in organizations such as this one and she said that it's a great opportunity for networking and learning more about the field and staying connected with the latest advances. It's also a great way to continue feeding your passion for design. As a designer networking is very important and beneficial and can lead to other great opportunities as well such as jobs and new friends.
Other benefits of IIDA is the forums that aid in your professional development and their philanthropic efforts worldwide. As a college student I have been involved on campus in a variety of different ways from giving tours to prospective students to going on missions trips to help make a difference and I feel that being a part of IIDA will continue to allow me to do so even after college.
     After I graduate I definitely want to work for an International firm (Residential or Commercial) where my passion for design and desire to learn can be appreciated. I enjoy embracing different cultures and styles of design and I would like to be able to have that flexibility to travel abroad to work on other projects.

Luxurious House Zephyr Place: Coast Rica, Central America

The Dream House

 
     This summer, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) held a design competition for Architect Barbie's "Dream House." Architect Barbie's new home is a one-of-a kind 4 story Dream House. This modern environmentally sustainable and open floor plan is sure to be a favorite amongst all the little ladies playing with it.

The winning design by Ting Li and Maja Paklar, is a significant transformation from Barbie's old dream house.

      The house has many features: One the first floor there is an open kitchen, living, and  dining area and a space for entertaining guest. The second floor features an office, library, meeting room, and terrace. The third floor is Barbie's bedroom and massive amazing dressing closet  and the  forth floor is her meditation space and exercise room. The roof has a garden and play area for her pets. The roof has a green house and a landscaped garden for her pets. The design elements incorporated in this dream house that help contribute to a sustainable environment are solar panels, landscaped rooftop and irrigation system, operable shading devices, bamboo flooring, low flow toilet and sink fixtures, and locally sourced and manufactured materials and furnishings.

     This Barbie dream house is very modern and nothing like the traditional "American Dream" house we are accustomed to seeing her live in. Here is an example of the Barbie dream townhouse from 2010. It is a 3-story pink traditional house with traditional furniture. It has some great features such as a full kitchen, elevator, and fire place.

Barbie's Dream Townhouse 2010

     Each of these designs are completely different and my personal design aesthetic is a happy combination of the two. I like the sustainable aspects of the first design and the floor plan, but I would like to see some traditional elements incorporated. Also, what about downsizing and designing a dream house that isn't so big? It is a little too modern for my taste, but I think the concept of the modern house will sell and more of Barbie's homes to come will transform to a more modern design aesthetic.
     If I had to pick one to buy as a gift for a young girl I would buy the modern house because it is a reflection of the current design aesthetic that is becoming more and more popular amongst the nation.  Also once again, I really like the message behind the sustainable elements implemented as well. It would be interesting though to work on the traditional house as a designer and add more of a modern influence and incorporate some sustainable principles. One thing that I would like to see as an added feature in the traditional townhouse is a rainwater tank.

Rain Water Tank

     A rainwater tank is a great approach for water conservation and a great step in toward being more sustainable. Rainwater tanks can be stored above or below ground and the stored water can be used for gardening, flushing toilets, washing cars, and clothes, even for drinking water, if properly treated. 

     Even though her new modern house has solar panels, operable shading devices and energy saving bathroom and light fixtures I believe it is is important to make sure that the children playing with the Barbie dream house understand the significance of these features and what they mean. It is a wonderful idea to try to instill principles and sustainable practices in the minds and hearts of those who will be influential in our future ecological success, however I think the message is lost if they don't truly understand the meaning.