Design - In the Perpetual State of Becoming

Coming back to DES001, a year after taking the class, I see what I could have done better – I look back at some blogs and see where I could improve. However, I don’t look back in regret because design like ideas and thought’s, is in the constant state of becoming. Becoming what – one may ask. At least, that’s the question I thought about in class; becoming better? Becoming more encompassing? More accessible?

Taking the utopian route, I would to love to believe that design is in the perpetual state of moving forward, but having some experience in the design world, I’ve come to witness that the above is not always true. Somewhat disenchanted, with my own work and that which I see around me, it is easy to lose sight of the reason why we’re designers. How do you balance the utopian ideas and virtues that we as designers’ hold with the actual practice of design? It is a dilemma I face and many before and after me will face – when adding that bright yellow for no purpose except to draw attention – I feel like I’m selling my soul to the devil; it feels like I have no morals left anymore. Here is where design can get frustrating. And here it is where it reveals it most human side.

By its definition, design is utopian – it is “no place” – it shouldn’t even exist. Like the many utopian ideas and movements we’ve witnessed through history that have taught us that seeking a utopia is worthless, disastrous even. But then why, astonishingly, is design part of our everyday lives, how are designers like Yves Behar able to actually change the world with their designs?

“Design is a never ending quest…it is in the perpetual state of becoming” (James Housefield, DES001). Reading back my notes, these words came as a remedy to a broken heart; yes, I am bound to make meaningless work sometimes, but in the recognition of my actions I am learning to become a better designer. In asking the hard questions of my work, I am embarking on a quest to make it better. I have always felt that one of the greatest beauties of life is being in the perpetual state of learning something new everyday – what if the point is not “what design is becoming”, but rather its perpetual state of becoming – of the process of learning, itself.

DES001: Getting to the classroom!

The DES001 class this quarter is held in Haring in room 2205.

See map below for the location of the building:

Above: Haring Hall in relation to campus.

Room 2205, however, is located at the very back of the building on the 2^nd floor. So if you enter from the front of Haring, the entrance that has relief sculptures of animals on it, you will have a long trek ahead of you to get to the classroom!

Fortunately, there are two easier routes to room 2205: See map below with highlighted routes.

ORANGE: Route from North - Go down California Ave. and take a Right at the second roundabout.

BLUE: Route from South – Go towards Hutchison Ave. and the Silo Bus terminal.

If you’re coming from the North dorms, Segundo or Cuarto, head down on California Avenue towards campus. Take a Right at the second roundabout (See photo on left). Unfortunately, the street has no name but you will see Hutchison on your right and to your left will be the back of Haring, our destination!

Above: While on California Ave. turn Right on the second roundabout.

Continue down the street till you see a sign that reads “Do not Enter, Authorized Vehicles only”, on you Left. (See photo). Don’t worry you can enter that path - just not with your bike, so park your bike across and walk. On the path you will see a covered walkway that leads towards a door—the back of Haring. Enter through the door and take the first staircase to your Right. Once you reach the second floor, Room 2205 is on your Right.

Walk down the path with the sign that says, “Do not enter Authorized Vehicles only”. Walk through covered pathway towards the door.

Coming from the South? Get on to Hutchison Drive and go towards the Silo Bus Terminal. If biking, park your bike nearby and walk towards the Terminal as if you were going to take the bus. Look for the bus sign that read “A, O, L”. (See Photo). By the sign you will see a door, enter, and take a Right. On your immediate Right you will see a staircase, climb to the second floor, and Room 2205 will be on your Left.

There is an entrance to Haring 2205 located behind the “A, O, L” bus sign at the Silo terminal.

Entrance to Classroom, Interior of Classroom & Vending Machines

A slew of vending machines are located down either flight of stairs and can be accessed before class or during Break.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the Comments box below. Good luck and see you TH at 10 am in class!

Gesamtkunstwerk & Kathak

*Image from Wikipedia

A North Indian classical dance form called “Kathak”, I believe, is a good example of the Gesamtkunstwerk because it combines aspects of music, theatre, and literature into one dance form that gives the audience a sense of the “totality of experience”. Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word “katha” meaning “story” and kathak dancers are essentially storytellers; in fact, originally katak dancers were nomadic bards that performed mythical and moral stories from great epics such as the Mahabharata, with the accompaniment of music and stylized gestures. Today, kathak dancers exemplify the same spirit of storytelling, except now the stylized hand gestures and body movements have been abstracted and have a more expressive quality that represents universally understood human emotions such as love, lust, joy, heartbreak etc. While instrumental music from the hand drum and sitar still accompanies the dance, dancers create their own rhythmic music through complex footwork and bells that are tied around the ankle. Although this dance form doesn’t directly aim to “change the world” in Wagner’s sense, it played a big part in sparking a new found nationalism during Indian independence from the British and provided moral messages of freedom and equality. So, kathak embodies the Gesamtkunstwerk in its amalgamation of theatre and literature in its storytelling, music and dance in its footwork and hand gestures, and in its spirit to educate and entertain fully; creating a “totality of experience” through dance.

Design is a Process: Welcome back!

First of all, “Hello again”. Sometimes in design when we say something is “done”, in actuality it is just the beginning! Design is a process and I should have known better than to claim something is “my last blog”. So, for now, I’m back and will be posting sporadically!