Critical Debates Task2

Sign system (way finding)

Definition

Wayfinding can be described as the process of using spatial and environmental information to find our way in the built environment. Wayfinding can also be defined from the standpoint of the designer & client seeking to establish or improve the function of a particular environment: Wayfinding design is the process of organizing spatial and environmental information to help users find their way.

My critical debates in design task2, I choose Terminal 21 in Thailand for discussion. Terminal 21 is the newest multi-complex in Bangkok.Terminal 21 is included with supermarket, brand retail, cinema and hotel. It was launched in October 2011. The concept of terminal 21 came up with thai international airport and famous places . Terminal 21 is divided into nine level which are Caribbean on LG floor, Rome on G floor, Paris on M floor, Tokyo on first floor, London on second floor, Istanbul on third floor, San Francisco (city) on fourth floor, San Francisco (pier) on fifth floor and Hollywood on sixth floor. In each level have a different decoration depend on theme of that place.


In my opinion, I'm really interested in sign system of Terminal 21 because this department store use airport and traveling concept. The main wayfinding in this place similar with thai international airport sign system.Most of thai people usually used to with environmental sign system in thai international airport. In consequence, it is easy for thai people to recognise it.The signposts of thai international airport are clear and clean.They use blue colour on the background and use white typeface on the foreground and insert icon on the right side in the signage. Moreover,in each level have different signage. For example, concept of second floor is London. They created sign system similar with London's signature for example, restroom on second floor they use underground train logo and then they put pictograms of restroom in the middle of logo.This concept can make customers feel like passengers who are traveling during in the central city and this is very attractive for clients.This concept makes Terminal 21 differently from other department store because they have a strong concept and idea. Therefore, I really like the concept that they combine design element of airport with department store. It is alternative way of communication by use another environmental sign system and adapts them suit with our place.

Critical Debates in Design (Task1)

Choosing two typefaces : one that I like and one that I dislike


I like Futura

Futura typeface was designed by Paul Renner in 1927. Geometric shape is prototype of Futura. There are several style in this typeface which are Light, Medium, Bold, and Bold Oblique, Light Oblique, Medium Oblique, Demibold, and Demibold Oblique.

From my point of view, I really appreciate with Futura character because characteristic Futura is geometric sans-serif typeface. Furthermore, almost all of my work is used Futura typeface. In my opinion, I think Futura suits with every kind of art for work but we have to choose appropriate for that work. Futura is 85 years old but it still is used vastly. Futura looks classic and modern in the same time. There are many company who used this typeface on their logo such as, Absolut Vodka, Adidas, IKEA, Social Network Film poster and ETC. Personally, Futura is powerful and strong typeface because it is very effective when it's on poster or artwork. This is reason why I like Futura typeface.

I dislike Brush Script

Brush Script typeface was created by Robert E. Smith in 1942. Appearance of Brush Script is handwriting letters with an ink brush.

In my opinion, I am not familiarise with handwriting letters. At first, I saw this typeface. I couldn't read it at the first time. I had to spent a few time to read it. After that, I could decide this typeface that can not be my typeface certainly.Let's mention about appearance. The characteristic Brush Script looks fat, ancient and lack of elegant. However, It may work on retro style. This is reason why I dislike Brush Script.

Final task : Critical Reflection on Design Project A

Critical Reflection On Design Project A

There are many briefs in the RSA student design award 2011/2012 such as, tomorrow’s workplace, shared assets, something for everyone, the good journey and ETC. Every brief is challenge for design student because it is difficult and complicated.It is very hard to design something that can answer the scope that the RSA set. Thus, I decided to work on the good journey’s brief because I think traveling become massive part of people’s life and I also concern in security of commuters. Furthermore, because I am one of traveller who always travel by underground train and bus. That is reasons why I worked on the good journey. After that, I read brief carefully. The aim of this brief is to improve daily journey and make people think differently about daily travel.

My process started with collecting research about transportation in London by using mind map to explore it. There are many kinds of transportation in London which are bus, overground train, underground train, cab and cycling. I decided to focus on underground train because I am also familiar with it.  In the research method, I read details about tube from TFL website and 2010 annul report of  TFL. Next step, I did two kinds of survey which are online survey and survey by myself. I did online survey to ask people that I know about when they travel by tube. For example, how often do you tube, how long do you have to wait on platform and which activity do you do on tube and second survey which is observation I noticed commuters behavior and interior design in tube. For example, what they do when they on platform and inside tube , how advertising and sign on tube look like After, I did two kind of survey. I got the idea about how to prevent waiting habits. At first, I did a scenario to show what is people have to face it when they travel by tube and bus. I thought I was going to push some entertainment on the tube which are television and radio.  I took this idea to discuss with my tutors in class. Later, I got the new ideas which are handbook and smart phone’s application for commuters. It is called “simple journey”. Next step, I tried to list table content in handbook and details in application. The list of index which are essential equipment, how to reducing stress and how to project your belonging. Additionally, application present tube map service status short route and e-book.

Next stage is design process. After, I got the new idea. I sketched appearance of product. How are handbook and application going to be. At first, I created logo of product by using the same element of underground train logo but I changed word from “underground” to “simple journey”. I also used the same colour of underground identity. I brought my sketch to discuss with my tutors and classmate again. I received a new feedback. There were two feedback. Firstly, The idea was good. It could help commuters when they travel. Especially, short route in smart phone application. Secondly, I had to do more research about content in handbook. Honestly, I am not good in research because it is my first that I have to do a lot of research. However, I found out many substance which relate with my content  and then I selected content to insert in handbook. In second step, I designed handbook similar with manual book. There were images and description for explanation. This book has four sections and I created different layout in each section and the images that I used which is vector image. Personally, I think vector images it is very strong graphic and also challenge designer to create something to make audiences understand. Furthermore, I design simple journey application content into four section which are Service Status, Tube map, Short Route and Simple Journey e-book. I did this sketch in digital form and present in the front of class. I got a new concept of my product which  is “safe, simple and stress free journey” and also feedback from tutors and classmate. It was better than last time but I still had to develop it. This time, the problem is layout in handbook. It seem like indivisible and unusual. Afterwards, I bought layout book. I spent time for few days to read it in some section. In consequence, I can set symmetrical layout in my handbook. Moreover, I changed the logo of my product. because I used shape of underground train logo. Red circle and blue rectangle are signature of underground train London not my product. So, I decided to change simple journey logo. But I still use the same colour with underground train. Final of design step which is communication channel. My product relates with London underground train. Thus, the best place to promote my product. It should be tube station. I thought I would put handbook on information stall and set posters to present handbook in every place such as, the way to platform, platform, inside train and escalator. This is my design process in Design project A.

In conclusion, I am very satisfied with this product and idea because every step is done by myself. I though commuters can use this product practically because the content base on research and it can remind traveller what they are going to face. In my opinion, Handbook seems like reminder and smart phone application seems like alternative way for commuters. I hope this product can help people when they travel. Furthermore,this module is very effective for me due to the fact that I can improve my design skill planning skill and research skill.

References

Ambrose, G. and Harris, P., (2010) DESIGN THINKING UK:AVA Publishing SA.

Ambrose, G. and Harris, P., (2005) LAYOUT UK: AVA Publishing SA

London transport museum : guide (2007) UK : London transport museum

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British Transport Police, Don’t be a victim [online] Available from

http://www.btp.police.uk/pickpockets/

Hayley K. How to Survive Taking the London Underground [online] Available from

http://www.wikihow.com/Survive-Taking-the-London-Underground

Personal Development Coach 20 tips to reduce stress [online] Available from

http://www.personal-development-coach.net/tips-to-reduce-stress.html

Lynn Eaton, Channel 4’s stress survival guide to travel [online] Available from

http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites//0-9/4health/stress/cws_travel.html

Direct Rail passenger safety [online] Available from

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Publictransport/RailTravel/DG_10036272

TFL Design standards : London Underground [online] Available from

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/lu-basic-elements-standard-issue02.pdf

Design Project A : A3x4 Board

Here is my board about RSA in "the good journey" brief.

20/20 presentation : Design research method Task7-8

I'm fascinated in comic books and cartoon characters so much. These things inspire me to do everything in my life. Comic book have different story and attitude. 

1.Ryu (Street Fighter) : This cartoon character come from Japanese video game that is called Street Fighter. Ryu is main character in this video game. He use zen power to fight with another character.This is the first video game that i play.

2.TSUBASA OZHORA (Captain Tsubasa) : Captain Tsubasa is the name of japanese football comic book. The story about japanese football player who try to be the one of football player. This character drives me to play football.

3.Sakuragi Hanamichi (Slam Dunk) : The most popular basket ball comic of Japan is Slam Dunk. Sakuragi Hanamichi is main character on this comic. He turn from bully in school to to be the great player of basketball.

4. Tin Tin (The Adventure of Tin Tin) :The Adventure of Tin Tin is French comic book that is created by belgian artist.Tin Tin who love travelling and finding the truth. He have a brave heart. This character inspires me to travel around the world.

5. Boya Harumichi : This is one of my favourite comic. Boya, he is great fighter in High school. He teaches me the way of man in school.

6.  Uzamaki Naruto ( Naruto Shippuden) : This is the most my favourite manga and character. The boy who never give up with himself and try very hard to be the number one.

7. Kobayakawa Sena (Eye shield 21) : American Football manga. The story's about Kobayakawa Sena who is loser in school but he have ability which is agility after he found his potential, he turns himself to be the great american football player.

8. Straw hat pirate crew (One Piece) : One piece is the most popular comic of the world. One piece has a funny and strong story. This pirate crew want to be the great of pirate. I like attitude of their captain (Luffy). His friends are the most important thing than others.

9. Muto Ashirogi (Bakuman) : In my opinion, This manga is super intelligent. Writer represent the story of two boys who want to be number one of japanese manga.There are two main characters in this manga which are Takagi and Mashiro. One is smart and one is talent. If you have a good partner. Everything can be done.

10. Dare devil (Dere devil) : The blind hero. The man who can overcomes his handicap and be a good hero.

11. Fantastic Four (Fantastic Four) : Mr.Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and Thing.These name are the name of great superheroes team. They do everything by their teamwork. 

12. Captain America (Captain America) : He came from weak person but he never estimate himself and he try to be the man of value until he be Captain America.

13. Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman) : The girl who is the strongest in the world. She is beautiful and Powerful. She can do everything like man and sometime she do it better than man.

14. Wolverine (X-MEN) : He is immortal.He fight like animals.He decides to do everything by his emotion.So, he tells the world that every people have animal instinct. 

15. Ghost rider (Ghost rider) : The who sold the soul to exchange with power of death to protect people that he loves.

 16. Hulk (THE HULK) : Big green is definition of Hulk. He teaches me how to control and use angry in the right way.

17. Iron Man (Iron Man) : Tony Stark or Iron Man shows me. If you are rich guy that is not enough. You must have a brain as well. The result is Iron man suit.

18. Spider Man (Spider Man) : "great power come with great responsibility" This is slogan of spider man. He changes from nobody to be the most popular hero.

19. Batman (Batman) : Batman is the most my favourite hero because i like his attitude and behaviour.He don't have a special ability like another hero. His potential come from his brain.Further, whatever people say or look at him. It doesn't affect to him. He still do the right thing.

20. Superman (Superman) : Superman is the man who is the strongest in the world but he shows me that "Nobody is perfect". He has a weakness as well which is Kryptonite.