Blog Entry #6

I feel that the value created by information design in society cannot be measured. It is something we take for granted when it is there and curse when it is unclear or non-existent. It is something that is so prevalent in daily lives we do not even realize that everything we see, and every direction we take has some type of wayfinding factored into it. We have even, as a society, come up with ways of making wayfinding even easier by creating programs and other software, such as Garmin, that help us navigate unfamiliar places even if the original wayfinding design is lacking. We use wayfinding design every day even if we are entirely unaware it is inevitable.

Have you ever been to a city or building that wayfinding was lacking? Did you not find yourself feeling out of place and lost? I know I have. Wayfinding does not only help us navigate certain areas, it helps us to form an attachment with the place that they are helping us navigate. They make a person feel more comfortable and in control of their journey without making them feel like the creator believes they are stupid. This is a delicate balance, finding a way to direct people without making them feel as if they are being forced to do something one way or the other.

Great wayfinding not only creates a sense of knowing and a way to get from point A to point B in an efficient way, it creates a sense of connection to certain places especially when frequently traveling through a certain area. Wayfinding opens the door for people to start their connection to certain areas. It helps newcomers discover all there is to do or see in a certain area all while informing them and making them feel comfortable in an unfamiliar environment. 

Blog Entry #1

This dog stuffed animal has been in my family for 2 generations. It was given to my mom by my grandpa once she was born and when I went to college it got passed onto me. It represents more than just a stuffed animal to me, it represents family and never forgetting where I came from. It is traditional and I will pass him onto my kids if he doesn't fall apart by then. He has been there all through college for me and it always makes me smile to walk into my room and see him sitting there, reminding me of home and my family.

Snowbird, and recreational mountains in general, I believe have great wayfinding design whether you are driving to the mountain, finding parking or lodges, or riding on the mountain. Because they are such large tourist destinations, the wayfinding has to be very effective or tourists and locals alike will not have a good experience when they ski or snowboard there. The wayfinding on the mountain relies on shapes and colors while the other directions are in very simple format in a very easily readable font and symbols to show the exact direction each of the buildings or runs lie.

Blog Entry #5

As a snowboarder, I see these types of signs often. They use color as a way to navigate which ways are better for beginners and which trails are meant for experts only. I believe they accomplish this task well.

This is a picture of the UTA Trax Map in Salt Lake city. Here color is used effectively to describe which line runs in which directions and which line you should take to get to certain destinations.

Here is another example of Snowbird's wayfinding, this time using the symbols as the main focus of the map. I believe the wayfinding is effective because it is universal, no matter what mountain you go to the symbols stay the same.

This is a floor marker for an office building located in Portland, Oregon. It is effective in that it catches your eye because it is not just a simple floor number written up on a board, it protrudes from the wall and demands attention.

This is a very famous sign also located in Portland, Oregon. This sign marks the division of old, and new Portland and as you cross the river, it is on the top of one of the oldest buildings in portland. It's effective because of its size and bright neon colors as well as its random design.

This is one of my favorite kinds of 3 dimensional wayfinding. This lady has become famous in Bend, Oregon for holding her little ceasers guitar and directing people to the restaurant all while rocking out harder and longer than anyone expects.

This is the dream boat for any boat owner who likes to get out on the water and have fun. It is built to look good, while at the same time create one of the best wakes in the business. It has a very sleek low profile design look but when it is in the water the front end rises and the back ends sets into the water to create a much larger wake than most other boats. It also makes a statement with its bright colors and speed boat esque outer appearance. It is both effective and well designed and I believe the combination of both usefulness and beauty is what makes this boat so appealing.

Blog Entry #4

Wayfinding Branding

 These signs are all based outside of Mammoth, California and while you are driving towards Mammoth they appear periodically on every major highway around Mammoth Mountain. I believe it is successful, it speaks to their target market and is consistent in its design so that passers by can recognize that they are advertising and branding the same thing. They have similar design but the images are different along with the text. They all also feature a block of text, "Two Daily Flights From LAX," playing with the concept of flying and air travel.

Typography

I believe this piece of typography works or what it is. It is designed to be artsy and creative, not for every day functionality. It provides a deeper story into the meaning of the text when the author designed it. It gives a voice to the text, it doesn't just say it, it tells a story as well.

This typography is both stylish and functional. It takes into account it's target audience and plays with what they expect while still giving them something unexpected. They expect to see their coffee listings on a blackboard with types of coffee etc. It still looks hand-drawn and keeps with the traditional coffee shop style while giving it a clean sharp look to keep up with modern design styes. It also does a great job of creating contrast with its style.

This typography sticks with a very retro style and goes back to a very 50's-60's typeface. I believe that the current state of design, retro text styles are very in, and very up to date. The typefaces are also very consistent with one another and you can tell they belong together. They make a statement by being so different than recent styles and they have a great, easily readable style.

Types of Design

Visceral

The Shelby Cobra has visceral design. It looks so different, and has o many qualities that no other car on the road does it creates a want. When it comes to cars, it may not be the fastest, or the longest lasting vehicle but it will always be highly sought after. Its lines are unmistakable and those who get the opportunity to own one in the car community gives you a connection to a car that most of your colleagues wont have.

Behavioral

This updated washer and dryer are a great example of behavioral design. Washing machines have gone through many changes throughout the past 50 years. They used to be hand driven, difficult to use machines. They have now upgraded to touch screens, settings, and styles of wash all to make the wash more convenient and less time consuming. They have made many changes in order to make washing clothes less of a hassle.

Reflective 

Reflective design is when something is fashion over function. People buy things not because they work better or have greater functionality, but because they look better. Apple products are a great example. You can get almost an identical Windows or Microsoft product that has nearly identical features to an Apple product for a third of the price. However, many consumers still pay the extra money to buy the Apple product because it is sleek and looks better than some IBM products.

Blog Post #3

Jordon Commons Movie Theater
Directs you to the different theaters in the building

Parleys Canyon

Directs you to 215 North or other directions you can travel

Downtown Bend, OR

Directs you towards downtown and Drake Park with arrows pointing in a specific direction

Orientation

City Creek Center Map

This map gives the viewer a picture of their surroundings with street names etc so they are able to figure out where they are

Westminster College Map

Map gives an overhead layout of all the buildings and a compass in order for the viewer to orient themselves.

Map from My hometown to SLC

Map gives a compass and a full layout of the way to get to your destination. 

Identification

Salt Lake City Library

Identifies what the building is and what its purpose is.

 The Tower Theater Bend, OR

Clearly identifies the location and the name of the building.

Woody the Rolling Keg

Identifies the brewery with the outside logo and large fake tap on the back.

Regulatory

Guardsman's Pass

This sign tells you that the road is not usable during winter and says it is closed placing it in the regulation category.

Idaho/Utah Border

Gives drowsy drives orders to use the next exit to regulate fatigue while making the long boring drive from Boise to SLC.

Main Street SLC

Tells you where you cannot park. 

Emotional Reaction to Design

 

I react emotionally to the design of this car because it is the first car I ever got to own. I am attached to the body style and get nostalgic every time I see an '07 on the street. I sometimes even get a little down when I see a Mustang with the '07 body style because it makes me miss my old car and all the good times I had in it. 

Blog Post 2

I would classify Bend, Oregon as a landmark based city. Many of the roads are built in order to handle traffic to either scenery or parks within the city. This layout gives Bend a chance to show its beauty and the natural world surrounding it. Many of the main roads in Bend lead directly to a landmark or provide a way to get to it. As shown in the map, the landmarks are directly correlated to where certain landmarks within the city exist. The roads also either run next to the Deschutes river or are perpendicular creating a bypass to the east and west.

 

The attractive option works better because it creates a sense of needing. It isn't just your typical run of the mill vehicle. Its appearance makes it look as good as it runs, and gives an originality not provided by the base model vehicles. It has something that not every vehicle has, a timeless style that ford has been using for its sports cars. It not only runs well but its appearance makes us believe that it is the full sports vehicle experience. The body work looks much more custom and inspires us toward originality and trending styles.