
Thursday, April 22, 2010
MY DESIGN IS PIECE

WEEK 14 PRESENTATIONS
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
WEEK 13 PRESENTATIONS
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
WEEK 12 PRESENTATIONS
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
PERSONAL MANIFESTO
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Design Analysis
GROUP MEMBERS: EMMA, LISA, ALEX, ERIC
1. Fire Exit Sign
Key design problem facing the designer:
The fire exit sign is designed to make sure the public knows what to do in the case of a fire. The sign needs to be clear and understandable for quick use and reability.
What the designer needs to know/to do:
The designer needs to be aware of the important information and how to show it effectively. The designer needs to know how to accent the major issues using type, heirarchy and colour.
Others involved:
Other people who may be involved in producing this infographic would include:
- Fire Department of Toronto
- Humber College for approval and placement
- Printers would be needed for final production
2. “Green” Pamflet
Key design problem facing the designer:
The purpose of this design is to communicate ways in which you can help the environment, and become more “green”. The designer needs to find a way to easily show the message and be quickly understandable.
What the designer needs to know/to do:
The designer needs to know how to produce this information clearly, but by using more that just type. The designer used icons to communicate each section, adding interest and simplicity to the design. The designer needs to know what information to include and what to leave out for when they visit the website.
Others involved:
Other people who may be involved in producing this infographic would include:
- Humber College (placement of pamflet)
- Printers would be needed for final production
- David Suzuki’s company (for design approval)
3. Campus Map (at Lakeshore & Kipling)
Key design problem facing the designer:
The purpose of this design is to communicate direction to a viewer. It needs to be simplified enough that anyone can easily find where they are, and then easily navigate their way to their destination.
What the designer needs to know/to do:
The designer would need to know how to follow suit to Humber’s corporate identity in order to maintain continuity across campus. They’d also need to work with an urban planner to ensure the accuracy and scale of the campus layout.
Others involved:
Other people who may be involved in producing this infographic would include:
- Urban planners: who would have the blueprints and technical drawings of the campus, which the graphic designer would need to simplify.
- Representative’s from Humber College would be needed to approve the artwork.
- Printers would be needed for final production
- City of Toronto by-law person to regulate placement of the sign.
4. Parking Meter
Key design problem facing the designer:
The purpose of the instructions on the parking meter is to show customers how to propery pay for their spot. The designer used images to show the procedure rather than a long written discription.
What the designer needs to know/to do:
The Designer would need to know how to communicate with the viewer in a clear and useful manner. For this piece of design it was important that the content was kept simple. A problem to overcome with this design is that there is a very small space to fit a lot of information.
Others involved:
Other people who may be involved in producing this infographic would include:
- Toronto City Parking
- Printers would be needed for final production
- Land Developers: placement of the parking meter in the packing lot area
5. Stop Light Scoss Walk (Lakeshore & Kipling)
Key design problem facing the designer:
The purpose of this design is to help pedestrians cross the street safely. They would also have to take ino consideration different peoples ned while creating this.
What the designer needs to know/to do:
The designer would need to know to use many different forms to communicate when it is sate to walk. In this case the designer used pictures, numbers, writing and sounds to communicate. The designer needs to properly incorporate each of these thing so that there is no confusion about when or how to cross at the crosswalk.
Others involved:
Other people who may be involved in producing this infographic would include:
- City of Toronto Transportation (placement and approval)
[ Information design is organizing information in the most effective way for communication. It needs to be generic, simple, and universal. ]
Friday, March 5, 2010
20 words
Sunday, February 28, 2010
WHAT I HAVE LEANED IN LIFE SO FAR...
Sunday, February 21, 2010
WHAT IS DESIGN??
Friday, February 12, 2010
Technology and Me

Saturday, January 30, 2010
MAKERS VS. THINKERS
Tracking my Creative Process // current assignment

Sunday, January 24, 2010
My Creative Process...
While designing I can't shut off the world around me. I need some sort of background noise to keep me focused. Whether it be tv, radio, music on my computer, of just having people around me. If I am sitting in silence I will most likely get bored and look for something else to do, instead of focusing on my work.
When thinking of ideas it is not an instantaneous thing that happens. I need to sit and think about the information that i have been given and decide where to begin. More often than not my ideas come at unexpected times. I may have walked away from a project hours ago without any ideas where to begin and all of a sudden I have a million ideas.
One thing that I do on a regular basis is take breaks between working on different projects. I find that if I finish work on one and then hop right into another my mind is still focused on the first project. Also, I find that it helps to talk to others. Even if it is not someone in your class or program, something that a stranger says could spark an amazing idea.
Overall my design process is quite simple. UNDERSTAND THE FACTS, ATTEMP SOME WORK, TAKE A BREAK, SPARK AN IDEA, MAKE IT HAPPEN!
my journey
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Design is...
As discussed in class, design may not be everything, but it is everywhere. There is not a moment in your life where you are not surrounded by some type of design.
So, what is design?
Personally, I feel that design is anything that has been constructed for a purpose, or to solve a problem. It is meant to be seen by a large audience, and has been created to provoke a specific reaction. Nothing is ever designed without purpose. Design can be anything: posters, clothing, signs, buildings, furniture, movies, landscapes. No matter what is being designed, it was constructed that way for a reason. Even things designed by nature were made in a specific way to benefit or provide for its surroundings.
I do not believe that design is in no way a form of art. Though it was not created as a personal expression, it is still open to interpretation. Though a designer may be looking for a certain reaction from their audience, individuals are always going to understand things differently. Design, like art, is producing an emotion or feeling that will be interpreted by its viewer.
Design is part of a process. This process is determined by how the person thinks and works individually, and with others. I am positive that no two person's design processes are the same. We all think differently and need to follow different paths to create a unique design.
-- emma
