Design and You

Twenty designers were asked the same ten questions. Yes, it is confirmed.

No two designers are alike!

Enjoy the read.

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Innovation_Winter05_20_10.pdf

Bill Moggridge, FIDSA, director of the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, was awarded the 2010 Prince Philip Designers Prize Tuesday, Nov. 9. The U.K.’s most prestigious design prize is awarded annually to recognize a lifetime contribution to design. As one of the pioneering designers of the 20th century, the jury, chaired by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, determined that Moggridge has been central to how design helps people understand and use technology.

The Apple PowerBook was one of the most revolutionary computers ever made. It changed the way people used computers. It was highly portable and lightweight, but functioned as effectively as a desktop. We call them laptops today, and many users never leave home without one.

The original PowerBook series—the 140 and 170—were designed by Robert Brunner, IDSA; Gavin Ivester, IDSA; Suzanne Pierce; Jim Halicho; and Eric Takahashi of Apple Computer; Michael Antonczak of Indesign; and Matt Barthelemy of Lunar Design for Apple Computer, Inc.

 OXO International—founded in 1989 by Sam Farber—introduced Good Grips kitchen utensils, with oversized, ergonomic handles.
 

Kerstin Nelsen Strom, IDSA | Strom Studios

Ecodesign Section Chair: 2010–2013
Minnesota Chapter Chair: 2010

As soon as she figured out she could design a car for homework, Kerstin Strom gave up a career in law in favor of design. Since then, she's pursued a career based, in part, on connectivity. She talked to us about that as well as sustainability and "the proprietary mindest" of some designers.

GREEN AIR is a low-cost, space-efficient air purification system that uses plants to reduce toxins in the air. The wall-mounted ceramic planter contains a small 115 VAC fan that slowly pushes air through the soil to the plant’s roots, a process that breaks down toxins equal to that of 15 regular plants. A conical bottom allows users to easily replace plants without interfering with the fan. GREEN AIR’s organic, twisting form appears to wrap around the plants in an elegant, nurturing manner, and its matte, textured ceramic exterior is a soft contrast to the plant’s dark, glossy foliage.

While observing a wheelchair basketball scrimmage, it became apparent to the designers that hands have two primary roles in the game: propelling, turning or stopping the player's own chair and shooting, passing, dribbling, stealing and blocking. The hands-free braking and turning system of the Balance Sport Wheelchair allows athletes to maintain control of their wheelchair without using their hands, which are then available for dribbling, shooting and passing. When the athlete leans to the left or right, the chair turns accordingly.

The ICON A5 amphibious sport plane was developed in response to the establishment of the Sport Pilot License and Light Sport Aircraft category. Pilots and non-pilots alike appreciate the aircraft’s features, which emphasize the user experience, accessibility, safety and fun. The A5 can fly from both land and water, and has folding wings, enabling it to be towed on a trailer and compactly stored.