Crafty commentary

In Cozying Up to Cozies, Penelope Green of the New York Times writes of the blog kraftomatic.blogspot.com, on which writer Marian Lizzi posts various odd crafty items she finds on the craft-laden site Etsy. Lizzi also adds humorous commentary to the pictures of strange items. She uses the "just sold" feature on the site and writes only of these items; as she says, "The thing about the just-sold feature is that it shows you what people are actually buying, that matches are being made. And that makes me so happy.” Among the items cited are crocheted turkey legs and soaps shaped like dentures. As the article emphasizes, "In a world gone mad, there is something comforting about the fact that someone is painstakingly stitching spotted dick, the British pudding, out of felt, or molding shea butter soaps in the shape of dentures, and that someone else is cheerfully snapping them up." Such quaintness is often the underlying joy of crafting; though these items are certainly not needed, there is something fun about the fact that they are being created for sheer creation's sake. As a design student, it's impossible not to make the comparison between such superfluous crafting and design. How many times have we, as students, been asked what exactly defines design and separates it from both arts and crafts? In my opinion, this exercise in recognizing craft for the sake of craft highlights the underlying definition of design: that it exists for a purpose, whether to sell, inform, guide, or explain.

Jason Santa Maria lecture

Swissmiss highlighted Jason Santa Maria's lecture at SVA regarding print vs. web design. The lecture is quite interesting. First, Jason focuses on the nature of print design and how magazine and newspaper layouts are generally much more inspired and interesting than their web versions. Next, he explores the web medium and the particular problems it poses, such as the fact that designers don't know where the site will be viewed (on a computer, iPhone, or Kindle); cannot be sure how the page will be displayed (font sizes, etc. can differ on different computers); and cannot count on the chronological aspect that books and magazines provide. Finally, Jason highlights how he has attempted to bring techniques of print design to his own web design style, focusing on his personal website, jasonsantamaria.com. I definitely recommend listening to the lecture, as it certainly pertains to Interactive Design, as well as design as a whole.

Kings of Convenience

Seth Godin points out that marketers typically work in Circles of Convenience: "They stick to the tactics, products, people and channels that they are comfortable with, instead of rethinking what the market demands." It's difficult to do, but business requires serious risk-taking. Rather than doing what has always been done, successful businesspeople must try new things that have never been done. Instead of looking at often-used solutions and applying them to current situations, they must look instead at the problem and situation and develop entirely new solutions. They must clear their heads of existing ideas and arrive at something entirely different. While it may seem risky, it seems to be the only way to differentiate oneself from "the pack"—and thus, gain success.

Kindling interest in the Kindle

Nussbaum asserts that the Kindle, Amazon's new medium for reading, is especially loved by Boomers. I have to agree with him from what limited discussion I've had regarding the Kindle; my father and his friends seem to be very intrigued by the device, yet my friends look down upon it. This fact is somewhat counter-intuitive. One would think that younger readers would more readily embrace the new technology, while older generations would prefer traditional books. Nussbaum writes,

Boomers read and the Kindle satisfies this desire. It’s a platform that is light, small, easy to use and better than carrying around heavy books (remember, pain is a constant, especially in the hands, from 55-onward).

I think the weight is a huge factor in the Kindle's popularity. My dad, who travels often for work, cites the fact that he could bring multiple books with him on one device as the main reason for wanting one. The question is: why do Gen-Y'ers not want the device? Is it because, more and more, we read different things (i.e. blogs, social networking sites, and Internet news) instead of books? Is it because we stare at a screen all day long and want to rest our eyes when it comes time to read a book? It's an interesting question and one worth exploring. Further, I wonder how Amazon is pursuing marketing the Kindle and whether Boomers have been their target in marketing efforts.

The High Line - take two

At the risk of beating a dead horse regarding the High Line (which seems to have crept up in every NY news source over the past week), I enjoyed this Design Observer article about the park. The article explores the design process that went into the park, along with the implications of the narrow, elevated space it inhabits. As the article argues, the narrow pathway, which at times gives way to landscaping, causes parkgoers to meander slowly through the directional forces of its structures (including planks and benches), as well as its curvy shape. Plentiful benches and lounge chairs underscore the idea of a slow stroll. Each structure along the way functions in multiple ways, and in doing so, reduces clutter. The surrounding buildings and landscapes become picturesque sights, causing viewers to stop and admire them. The park's unique form is perhaps what has attracted so much public attention, as it seems to be a reflection of what urban life will be in the future.

Plugged in

What a great idea! The node power strip from Metaphys in Japan provides an attractive and functional alternative to traditional, ugly power strips. The device contains two notches near its perimeter, which allow the user to plug in various electrical appliances. Meanwhile, at the center of the "strip" is a button that allows the user to turn off all the devices at once.
I love industrial design that rethinks the way every day objects work—and makes them better. Its often even more difficult to re-imagine current objects than it is to create new objects, as we're used to seeing them a certain way. It can be very easy to get stuck in a creative rut when we have the look and feel of a current product stuck in our minds. This power strip, however, breaks away from tradition nicely, and I'd love to try it out myself.

Pet Airways

A true lesson in absurdity: Pet Airways, the airline for pets that was featured on Cool Hunting this week. The all-pet airline provides amenities such as pre- and post-flight walks, in-cabin kennels, and personal attendants who walk/carry pets onto the plane. As of now, the airline only flies once weekly to select major cities (New York, Washington, DC, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles), but hopes to expand in the near future.
I personally am surprised that the company is launching amidst the current recession. The idea seems a bit extravagant in this market, and I wonder if it will be popular. It seems it would have been better suited for the bull market of a few years ago.