MIAD Design Project
Inspiration & Planning
My inspiration for this project was a designer named Doug Dietz whom we watched a TED Talk about in class, as well as a retired MIAD professor who introduced us to this project, Larry Murphy. They both design amazing things and are great at what they do.
Beginning my planning, I started by thinking of who I know that I could help in any way. I immediately thought about my mother and how she is always complaining about how cold she is. I interviewed her to gather more information and asked her questions about what I can design that will help her with this problem. She informed me that she of course, likes to wear jackets and sweaters. That is when I got the idea of designing a new jacket for her and further interviewed her to find out what style of Jacket she prefers and the reason she is always so cold. The reason for her shivering is because 3 years ago, she was treated for cancer with chemotherapy, which caused her skin to become thinner and has now resulted in a lack of warmth for her skin. I also observed what I could since I live in the same household as her. I came to the conclusion that I will be designing a jacket for her that will keep her warm but can also be used under any circumstances and weather. I began some planning sketches to get an idea of what I wanted to create. I created a mind map as well to figure out my thoughts and all the features this jacket would have that could satisfy my mothers needs.
Ideas & IntentionsMy original intention for this project was to design a jacket that will keep my mother warm but also help help her be at a comfortable temperature during any weather or circumstances, just to make her life a little bit easier. She is always wearing a jacket or sweater so I figured, one single jacket she could wear anywhere at anytime would be great for her.
Process/Experimentation
As I began to design this jacket, I took into consideration how it would look and what the features will be in order for it to function. I drew planning sketches along the way and just let my mind think of new things to add that would be helpful. I decided I wanted my design of this jacket to be fashionable as well. Since it is a jacket she is going to wear everywhere, I added features as to different styles and how she can adjust it to suit her for the proper weather or environment. I thought about how her hands are always cold as well, so I came up with adding detatchble gloves on the sleeves of the jacket since she will not need them all the time, for example in the summertime, she can remove them and store them somewhere else. My mother loves fur on her jakcets and is not a fan of animal cruelty, which is the reason I added faux fur to the inside to keep her warm. I figured that faux fur would not be helpful during the summertime, so I decided that adding little holes where cool air can go through, as well as extra warmth would be essential. That is when I came up with the idea of making the jacket be temperature adjustable, depending on how she feels. I asked my mother and talked to her about my design along the way and changed anything she suggested.
Beginning my final print, I used a free app called Photo Pea to edit all my pictures. I had trouble with the program and got helped by my friends doing the same project. It was a difficult process but I think the outcome was good. I rearranged all my pictures and text to how I wanted them to look on my final print. Once I liked the outcome, I printed the 20x30cm paper. The first time I printed it, I'm not sure what happened but my paper printed too big. I changed the resolution and second time was a win. I cut my paper to fit the core foam and glued it on with spray glue and the help of another person. I used newspaper to flatten my paper down since my hands were a bit sticky and I did not want to ruin my presentation. |
Moms New JacketFoam Core
20in x 30in November 2019 Exhibition Text
My intention for this project was to design a jacket for my mother who is constantly complaining about how cold she is. My inspiration for this project was a retired MIAD professor who came to our classroom and helped us along the way, Larry Murphy, who is a designer as well as his friend Doug Dietz, a Milwaukee designer.
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Reflection/Critique
Overall, I am quite proud of what I have created since I have never done anything like this and I never thought I was smart enough to design something on my own like this. I am thankful for this opportunity to learn and grow, I am not very happy with the presentation aspect of my final piece but I am proud of the process and planning sketches that took a lot of my time and thinking to accomplish, thinking about it that way, I am happy with how my project came out. I think I could have taken my design one step further if I would have made a unisex jacket so that both women and men who are in similar situations are able to wear it as well. I did not think much about how your feet can also be cold so I think a good idea would have been to add socks as well. I expected my final product/presentation to look more appealing. Although it is not the worst, I do not like how it looks and I think I could have asked for help or managed my time better so I could use Photo Shop on my teachers laptops instead.
ACT Questions/Responses
1. Clearly explain and describe how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork?
My inspiration was a pair of designers, as I designed a similar project as their work which is meant to help others. I designed a jacket to help my mother and satisfy her needs.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Dietz & Murfy are both very passionate about what they do. They believe helping others is important and are willing to design things that could help them in any way to make their life a bit easier.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, ect. while you researched your inspiration?
As I watched Dietz' Ted Talk video, I came to the conclusion that he is a very kind man who likes to help others. I learned that Murfy is passionate about designing and believes everyone can do it if they try.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
I did not research these designers but going off of from what I watched in the Ted Talk video, I'd say my central theme was simply to help others as Dietz has done. Murfy inspired me to be creative and have fun with the process.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
I inferred that Dietz is an empathetic designer who puts himself in others' shoes in order to design something effective for them.
1. Clearly explain and describe how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork?
My inspiration was a pair of designers, as I designed a similar project as their work which is meant to help others. I designed a jacket to help my mother and satisfy her needs.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Dietz & Murfy are both very passionate about what they do. They believe helping others is important and are willing to design things that could help them in any way to make their life a bit easier.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, ect. while you researched your inspiration?
As I watched Dietz' Ted Talk video, I came to the conclusion that he is a very kind man who likes to help others. I learned that Murfy is passionate about designing and believes everyone can do it if they try.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
I did not research these designers but going off of from what I watched in the Ted Talk video, I'd say my central theme was simply to help others as Dietz has done. Murfy inspired me to be creative and have fun with the process.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
I inferred that Dietz is an empathetic designer who puts himself in others' shoes in order to design something effective for them.