The page you requested does not exist. A search for an aug 500 resulted in this page.

designBytes 06.07.10

designBytes

06.07.2010
Welcome to designBytes, the electronic newsletter of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). Here's the latest design and design-related news we've collected from around the Web.

Are Gestural Interfaces Moving Usability Backward?: At the risk of pooping on the iPhone 4G party, we feel compelled to share an essay from Don Norman, IDSA and Jakob Neilsen that seeks to answer that question. If you haven’t seen it yet, the piece build’s on Nielsen’s critique of the iPad and it aims its ire at nearly every shop currently employing gestural interfaces in its products--not just Apple. They argue, in short, that there are no standards and no expectations. They also tell us that gestural user interfaces aren’t a complete disaster--we just need to move toward consistency in the designed experience. http://jnd.org/dn.mss/gestural_interfaces_a_step_backwards_in_usability_6.html.
Breathe and Stop: Two weeks ago, a breathless proclamation heralded the launch of the Green Products Innovation Institute (GPII)--with good reason. Yves Béhar, IDSA was on board. So was the governor of California. And Brad Pitt. And William McDonough, too. It sounded kinda awesome. But could it be that GPII was merely an oversimplified checklist for certain someones to expand their notorious IP? That is the kind of question that none other than Valerie Casey, IDSA raised (and answered) in this Fast Company piece. (Spoiler: GPII’s potential leans toward awesome.) http://www.fastcompany.com/1655163/the-green-products-innovation-institute-is-this-what-good-looks-like.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT: If you open this message on Monday, June 7, you’ll have only a few hours left to qualify to win a FREE REGISTRATION to IDSA’s International Conference, DIY: Threat or Opportunity?, in Portland on Aug. 4-7. If you register before the early bird registration deadline closes at midnight EST on June 7, you’ll be entered for one chance to have your registration comped. You gotta act fast, though. Sign up now! http://www.idsa.org/absolutenm/templates/?a=5161&z=22.
”We Just Make Too Much Crap:" Bob Brunner, IDSA is like a lot of designers in his peer group: he is weary of the glut of products that continues to accumulate across our planet. He shared some of his frustrations with The Globe and Mail. He also shared the story of the inspiration for his Fuego grill and discussed the value of serendipity: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/business-categories/innovation/disposable-gadgets-irk-former-apple-designer/article1584569/.
Eight Lessons for Creating Social Impact: Just before he left for the World Economic Forum on Africa, Robert Fabricant contemplated the effectiveness of designers applying design thinking to accomplish social innovation. We’re not a patient lot and we tend to struggle with the drag of transforming governmental initiatives. But we can overcome that with his eight tidy tips. http://designmind.frogdesign.com/blog/8-lessons-for-creating-social-impact.html.
The Growing Role of Product Design in India: India may not have its own answer to IDEO yet, but design is emerging as a key driver of growth for the Indian economy. Last week, India’s own Mint published a series of articles examining how the country’s design sector is evolving. From what we can tell, India’s progress would probably make Ray and Charles Eames very proud. You can start reading the Mint’s series with the first of five articles: http://www.livemint.com/2010/05/31204824/Design-a-new-business-strateg.html?d=1.
The Subtle Technology of Indian Artisanship: While India’s business leaders are figuring out how to leverage design, the country’s artisans are providing a model for sustainability and innovation for modern design practice. The experiential knowledge those makers accumulate from their intimate relationships with material and processes elaborates on the phrase “making is thinking” in a way that even the d.school would be hard-pressed to replicate. Design Observer has the story: http://changeobserver.designobserver.com/entry.html?entry=13748.
Are You Ready for Some Fútbol?: If you’re like us, you’re probably plotting which World Cup games you’ll watch live and which you’ll TiVo. If you’re one of the goalies headed to South Africa, you may be a bit anxious about defending against the balls adidas has designed for the tournament. Why? Linda Tischler explains: http://www.fastcompany.com/1652668/designing-the-world-cup-adidass-jubulani-ball-promises-higher-scores-anguished-goalies.
What Co-Design Isn’t: The sad--and perhaps fortunate--truth about collaborative design (or co-design) is that consumers lack design expertise. They can’t do what we do. Consequently, if you’re hoping to create an environment that could yield successful co-design, you need to keep that in mind. This essay provides food for thought on what good co-design is and what it is not: http://www.purecaffeine.com/2010/06/what-co-design-isnt/.
Co-Creating...With Data: Of all the different models for engaging in co-creation, huddling around data and bouncing ideas may not be the most obvious choice. It is, one blogger tells us, becoming more and more viable as governments adopt open source principles. What has worked? How can you learn from it? You may get some good ideas after reading this: http://www.business-strategy-innovation.com/wordpress/2010/05/innovation-perspectives-co-creation-vs-open-product-development/.
Finding a Manufacturer v. Licensing the Design: A jewelry designer wrote to BusinessWeek with a common dilemma: “Now that I have a product that’s market-ready, how do I find and work with a manufacturer?” If you haven’t faced that question yet, you may want to bookmark this link for future reference: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jun2010/sb2010061_303731.htm.
Design Your Own Shaver, Win $500: Do you (or does anyone you know) use a Clio palmperfect shaver? Whether you do or don’t, you could take home a quick $500 by making your own pattern and entering their contest. It’s FREE. You can have all your friends vote for you. You just need to submit your entry by June 30. http://www.cliostyle.com/women/design_your_own.
The Design Comedy: Using irony in design doesn't need to be an empty gesture. It can enrich and stimulate the landscape of objects we live with. Unfortunately, too many attempts at employing irony in design are based on a misunderstanding of what irony actually means. Kinda like that Alanis Morrisette song. On Core77, Tim Parsons explains where ironic design goes wrong and how to get it right: http://www.core77.com/blog/featured_items/the_design_comedy_in_defence_of_irony_by_tim_parsons_16670.asp.
Remembering Tobias Wong: Last week, the design community paused to remember the life and work of Tobias Wong, who committed suicide at his Manhattan home. He was remembered as both a prankster and a gentle presence whose design perspective made the world a more interesting place. He was 35. http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/in-memoriam-tobias-wong/.
What's Happening This Week(s):
- June 8: OSU Senior Exhibition | Professionals Night (Columbus)
- June 9: The Innovator’s Series: Summer Cupcake Experience (Pittsburgh)
- June 11-12: The Greenermind Summit (San Francisco)
- June 12: IDSA STL SketchOff (St. Louis)
- June 17: IDSA Design Debate: Can Design Save the World? (Seattle)
- June 18: San Francisco Design Week Party (San Francisco)
- June 21: Design of Medical Design: AAMI/ANSI HE75 Standard Regional Review (San Francisco)
For more info, visit the Events Page at http://www.idsa.org/events.htm. To include your upcoming event, please e-mail it to designBytes@idsa.org.

Wanna advertise in designBytes? Please e-mail Beth Harrington.

designBytes (dB) is a service of IDSA. If you have any news for dB, please e-mail designBytes@idsa.org.

The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) is committed to advancing the profession of industrial design through education, information, community and advocacy.