MM_2017

Eyeliner: The Commodified Pop Culture Obsession

In many ways, modern eyeliner is a direct consequence of the commodification of popular culture and media representations. In other words, eyeliner is a perfect example of how designers were able to t

What I’ve Got: S’wells

What I love about the design of the S’well water bottle is that it doesn’t discriminate between liquids. With a s’well, the user never has to worry about using the right bottle for hot liquids versus

What I’ve Got: The Upcycled Plastic Cup

This week, I explored the concept of “upcycling” a design, if you will, with the Sturdy Plastic Cup with Silicone Seal. This design is ubiquitous enough to not originate from a particular brand, thoug

Global Village Parks

Overall Idea Summary: In a world that is largely interconnected through unsourced media (such as Facebook), our understanding of different international and domestic cultures is cultivated through sel

What I’ve Got: Evie Silicone Beauty Blender

This week I’ve decided to examine a design that provokes questions about what makes a product that product. In particular, I’m referring to the beauty trend which is quickly becoming a beauty staple:

Challenge 2a: Logo, Icons, Photo Manipulation

I created a logo based on this original logo from a company called Moon Balloon: I added the rest of my name into the logo, erased the balloon and tried to make the letters sharper. For my icons, I

personal logo (Moon Balloon-based)split

personal logo (Moon Balloon-based)

gender-neutral cheerleading iconssplit

gender-neutral cheerleading icons

illustrated photo editsplit

illustrated photo edit

What I Got: Bev Bag Secret Handbag Flask

This week I wanted to look at designing something for discretion. In particular, designs whose invisibility is what makes them most desirable. Although this conjures up interesting images of espionage

What I’ve Got: Ivy Design Picture Table

Design is always an art form but in my opinion, the true elegance of design is revealed most noticeably in multipurpose products. The simplicity of the Ivy Design Picture Table is what attracted me to

What I’ve Got: The Slinky

I’ve chosen to write about the Slinky for this week’s What I’ve Got, not explicitly for the design itself, but the marketing design for the Slinky. Slinky creators Betty and Richard James initially cr

Challenge 5: The Socialite Strategy

Target Population: Wealthy, upper class, society women who are not working a full time job and live in major cities in the United States. Ages 40-55. According to the CIA World Factbook, there are rou

What I’ve Got: Google’s Liftware Spoon

The Liftware Spoon in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnauGog-cEM This week I was fascinated by the challenges of designing for a disability. In particular, I focused on designing the everyday

Challenge 7: Pretension in the Marketing of the Harvard H Sweater

The Product: A new marketing campaign for the Harvard H sweater designed to minimize the pretentious connotations associated with the sweater. Purpose: To convince more Harvard undergraduates to buy t

What I’ve Got: The ez-pz Happy Mat

This week I was struck by the challenge of designing for children. The following design is a perfect example of the importance of interacting with the target population. Without sitting with children

Drone Adventures

Drone image captured in flight simulation Close up of underside of drone while in flight Close up of the drone after it lands in the plaza

What I’ve Got: The Evolution of the Peach Emoji

This week I was interested in the phenomenon of designing for unintended meanings. In particular, I’m referring to Apple’s latest three emoji revamps. The picture above showcases the most recent versi

What I’ve Got: Ms. Chiquita Banana

This week I was interested in examining the effect of a historical design. In particular, I’m referring to the original 1944 Ms. Chiquita Banana marketing. The logo for the banana is an alluring femal

Challenge 10: The Siitake Chair

Introduction to the problem space: Given the recent change in weather, Harvard outdoor spaces are filled with people trying to engage with the sunshine that they’ve missed for the past 6 months. As wi

What I’ve Got: Microsoft PowerPoint

This week I wanted to look at a product that inherently shaped an action that stems across elementary schools to important client pitches: the act of presenting. In particular, I’m focusing on the des

What I’ve Got: Ramen Noodle Vending Machine

This week I was interested in exploring a design that directly builds on a science fiction. And not just influenced, but directly built, using the science fiction design as a prototype. As a side note

What I’ve Got: Chocolate Shoes

For my very last What I’ve Got, I wanted to write about a magical product. Or, a very ordinary product that reveals something magical. In a way, I’ve found that this exemplifies my design style. I lik

Challenge 10: The Siitake Chair

Introduction to the problem space: Given the recent change in weather, Harvard outdoor spaces are filled with people trying to engage with the sunshine that they’ve missed for the past 6 months. As wi