sampling. a book of tasters. samples and tasters of design ideas and solutions.
mary anneisabelle haymaker.
mary anneisabelle haymaker bad1 - 2011/2012 end of year project catalogue
sampling. a book of tasters. samples and tasters of design ideas and solutions.
present yourself - part 1
present yourself - part 2
super ordinary
bad habits
on location
present yourself - Part 1 Design an object that represents you
What defines me? My current environment? My circumstances? My individuality? My sense of character? My physical appearance? My emotions? How I see myself? How others see me? My background? My values? My belongings? My likes? My dislikes? What is identity? Personality? Character?
So I was inspired by a conversation I had whilst queuing for coffee: “At first we didn’t think we were going to like you. We thought you were going to be too sweet.” Considering my nationality, stature and this statement, the concept for my design was baked.
“Small, sweet and American.” But not.
Present Yourself - Part 2 The gift
Designing a gift based on the item given from Part 1
These were the items I received: Three pieces of coloured plywood, roughly cut out into puzzle-like shapes Making many attempts at piecing the pieces together, they just would not fit. This encouraged me to analyse the items in much detail.
hard to piece together? not predictable? not a perfectionist or pedantic? rough around the edges? not scared for people to see their flaws? one sided? perhaps they did intend for the pieces to fit? Grain shows through? only one side has colour - ‘True colours’ not always visible? standard colours - not complex on the surface?
Gambian flag
Azerbaijan flag
Are the colours from their nationality? Or is each colour a representation of their personality?
Natural or Envious?
Angry or Passionate?
Calm or hot-headed?
Gestalt shapes - psychology term for ‘unified whole’ a visual perception of shapes
size hierarchy - determines importance
colour - changes the hierarchy
Common fate - the eye will create a pattern if shapes are similar Closure - the eye will finish a shape
Looking at the Gestalt Shapes and applying it to the three pieces, it strikingly resembled a Tangram tangram - a Chinese game made of seven pieces, deviding a square into seven parts a square, a parallelogram, five isosceles right-angled triangles: two big ones , a medium one and two little ones With these shapes you then make the silhouettes of different objects.
using the pieces to make as many shapes as possible to form silhouettes to then work from
These colours are the same shades as on the wooden blocks.
To me, I want this to represent how the person presents themselves. How at times they show themselves in different ways at different times; they may be passionate or angry, they may be calm or restful, or sometimes they might want to hide their true colours. These shapes can show their various levels of openness or vulnerability.
personagram. Personagram. is a combination of Tangram , Persona and Telegram. Telegrams were a way of communicating, and the point of this game is to communicate feelings.
how are you today? refers to how the shapes and colours are suggesting the recipient’s mood.
present yourself
by breaking ddown the elements of the piece i was given, i was able to explorevarious ideas and attributes of each aspect of the item - drawing on my own views on what i felt the piece meant and also by looking into colour and shape theories - this successfully helped the idea behind my own piece. Consequently, the relationship of colour and shape and the characteristics or a person became the basisof the project. my thesis explores how we choose to represent ourselves; how our demeanor is conveyed and that our ‘true colours’ are more visible at times depending on the barriers we put up. I have designed my piece as a game, resembling the characteristics of the Chinese Tangram, in which the pieces of the personagram. can be arranged in such ways that represent their current mood and level of openness, and that though they may think that they themselves are hard to piece together there is actually many forms that they can take. However, my design could also be seen as a theoretical game in which the user relates the pieces back to themselves as a representation on ‘how they are today’. The user is a person who considers themself difficult to figure out - through demeanor and personality - and is not sure how they come across. Therefore, the effect of the game shows the user that they can be pieced together in a stable way even if it is not in a conventional manner and that theyr true colours can be seen how they want to be seen. I have not included instructons with the piece as I feel that it is important for the user to draw their own conclusions on what it is about. it could be seen as a game, or as a thought provoking image. Initially, i did struggle with this project as the object i recieved was very cryptic. however, i was able to draw some of my own conclusions from the object that gave me some grounds to work on.
present yourselves was the first project of year 1 it has helped me understand the importance of communicating clearly, whilst allowing me to exercise the use of design software programmes.
super ordinary Design something Super Ordinary
Ordinary The Ordinary is something you are used to – part of your routine, your norms, your standards, your expectations. It is to blend into society to be plain, or to feel comfortable in your surroundings. It is indifferent – neither good nor bad, but satisfying and contenting. It is relative to who you are, and not your pseudo-self.
My Saturday: the washing machine in my halls was broken, so i had to visit the new cross launderette - for me, this was an odd experience for it was not my ordinary. i felt as though i was stepping on toes - what was ordinary to the ordinary... in the evening i went to morton’s club, ‘the most exclusive members’ club in mayfair. is it though? to me it felt like a colony of pseudo upper class-ers trying their hardest not to be ordinary. i left. put on my sweatpants and boots and went to mcdonalds... this was MY ordinary. what i found most interesting was the juxtaposition between places, and how appearance seems to play such an important factor in institutions.
I began this project by looking at what is ordinary to me what is average, commonplace, habitual or indistinct. This made me realise that we all have our own idea on what Ordinary is, be it traditions, norms and values or objects within our homes. The Ordinary changes over time. But is what is ordinary normal? Is Ordinary the Average Joe? Or the Nuclear Family? Is it the American Dream? Is it the accepted behaviours within society? Is it the ‘correct’ way to hold a knife? ‘Deviance is normal, Strangeness is familiarity. And familiarity, as everyone knows, breeds content.’
superordinary
unordinary
ordinary
extraordinary
Super Ordinary The SuperOrdinary: the idea that something ordinary is not good enough. So it is ‘made better’. It is the pseudo-answers to what people want. It gives the impression of being ordinary within its surroundings. It is the socially acceptable. It is (not) perverse. [When the SuperOrdinary meets Social Standards and Social Hierarchy.] [A representation of how people try to be SuperOrdinary in a bid to feel accepted or ‘special’.]
Starbucks is SuperOrdinary SuperHeroes- fictional characters with SuperHuman powers SuperHuman- having or showing exceptional ability or powers Preternatural- beyond what is normal or natural
SuperOrdinary is something imaginary a hybrid of ordinary and unreal
the super class system
is it still everybody thinking that they are somebody?
Drawing together my research and definitions of ordinary and superordinary, i have linked social hierarchy with etiquette, whilst considering my mcdonalds/mayfair visit. With this is mind, my thesis is this: there are two kinds of people in the world; the ‘Ordinary’ and the ‘SuperOrdinary’ (or the ‘Super Class’).
looking at how packaging appeals to different people, and how the presentation of food affects who will eat it. For example, if a kebab was presented in a container with a clear lid like sushi, would it be more appealing?
I have deconstructed packaging to see how i can manipulate it into a product that can transform from ordinary to superordinary, from classless to superclass
Attempted to make a net that could convert
Flipping lid and using a clear lid to imitate superclass style
lid pl astic
Kebab Shop
Chinese TAkeaway
Caviar mcdonalds is known by pretty much everyone. it is ‘classless’. however, there are still those who turn their nose up. My project aims to convey this notion through transforming the Ordinary into the SuperOrdinary – designing ‘class’ into the ‘classless’ McDonalds via the exploration of packaging.
plastic vacuum form under cardboard?
ordinary
upper
sleeves
slide on and off
perforates edges
a separate room for the superclass
middle
is it fine dining? do you queue to order? is the food different? what colours? Furniture? food layout?
happy meal meets fine dining
cup design
heat transfer
canapes
dinnerware
supermeal
‘wineglass’
the print size for the supermeal would be far too large to actual produce. therefore, i am presenting these pieces as visualisations.
foodplatter - canapes.
supermeal visualisation.
fine dining McVIPset.
fine dining McVIPset.
SuperOrdinary
The concept behind my project is inspired by social hierarchy and social class, and how there is a hypothetical ‘pseudo’ class-structure. My thesis is this: there are two kinds of people in the world; the ‘Ordinary’ and the ‘SuperOrdinary’ (or the ‘Super Class’). My project aims to convey this notion through transforming the Ordinary into the SuperOrdinary – designing class into the classless McDonalds – but really it is the same old cardboard, reflecting how exclusivity is a façade. In form, the use of my design is to accommodate a ‘socially acceptable’ status for McDonalds (pseudo)fine diners. However, my project can also be considered a parody of the ‘Super Class’ – taking their ‘manifesto’ and presenting it in the common form of McDonalds. I have designed packaging and presentation in a way that suggests wealth, but in actual fact it is nothing more than standard. It makes light of how people assume excellence on appearance and other such things. In a way, I have referenced back to before the race discrimination act in the sense that there is segregation – where the Super Class have one place to eat and everyone else has another – exaggerating the perversity. For this project I took inspiration from personal experience of going to a launderette, to then visiting a Mayfair club compared to then being in McDonalds, and how one feels ordinary in their surroundings or how people adapt themselves to fit in to their surroundings. For this I researched into the ordinary, and then defined the super ordinary in terms of what I collected. This then led me to exploring takeaway food packaging, which directly related to my final outcome. My outcome is a visualisation for a new section of McDonalds. Therefore, my product is proposals for possible food presentation - size and packaging. I feel that the outcome is directly linked to my brief for I have taken the concept and echoed it in a way that could be understandable to many. I have designed: the ‘Super Meal’ – the Happy Meal for the Super Class, a platter of ‘canapés’, a dining range set and the faux-packaging. I have communicated my project through key points and visual presentation in form of drawings and images, showing my process. For the presentations, I prepared slide shows to effectively structure and concisely explain my project through the stages. This helped me to organise my thoughts and as well as explain to others my ideas.
the SuperOrdinary project really helped me to draw upon personal experience and use research to push the concept in a design project.
bad habits design for a bad habit
Obsessive Perfectionism Bad Habits:
Bad habits are generally perceived as non-acceptable tendencies. Things people do repeatedly to gain momentary relief or satisfaction, with negative repercussions.
Everyone has an in built desire to be ‘perfect’ in some shape or form; whether it is in terms of work, hobbies or appearance. My project is based on Obsessive Perfectionism predominantly within the world of Cosmetic treatments. People may feel that cosmetic treatments are bad habits in themselves. However, I look at it as a way to ‘reverse’ previous bad habits. For instance, excessive coffee consumption can lead to staining of the teeth – whitening could be a solution; smoking can lead to premature wrinkles – Botox is a solution; prolonged periods in the sun may cause skin damage – lasering can remove freckles and brown spots. Each of these being bad habits, with negative repercussions. With my final piece, I have aimed to communicate what treatments are available and how they can boost self-esteem, in a bid to make cosmetic treatments more acceptable. I have designed the cards as fliers for the aesthetics and skin care clinic, DermAzur.
social experiment at canary wharf observations made
What are habits?
- Established way of behaving; addiction to a drug
- A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behaviour that is acquired through frequent repetition
- Customary manner or practice – it’s personal – but everyone does it
- An addiction Some forms of bad habits: Physical Personal/Emotional Environmental/Global Cultural
white lies
desire
lies
infatuation
obsession
looking at lies, obsession and assumption, i moved onto cognitive behavioural therapies and ocd. this lead me to obsessive perfectionism. the title of my project.
// The Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- how you think about yourself, the world and other people - how what you do affects your thoughts and feelings
- Evaluating Assumptions, Rules, and Standards - Cognitive Distortions
Axienty, depression, panic, phobias (agoraphobia and social phobia), stress, bulimia, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, psychosis, anger and low self-esteem
Bad habits gone bad?
child beauty pagents cosmetic surgery vs. the ‘reversal’ of past bad habits - wrinkles, sun damage, caffeine stains - through cosmetic treatments
the marilyn look superimposing a beauty spot
how our routines become bad habits
teeth whitened + yellow acetate over to show ‘before’ to peel up
visible veins
unibrow - no more rashes between the eyes
brown spots and freckles
facial hair is a thing of the past
teeth whitening strip plastic
these are proposals for postcards for the dermatology and aesthetics clinic dermazur. if these were to be made for production, they would be cropped to 6x4 and the acetate would be joined without a seam. Furthermore, the graphics on the acetate would be created by printing onto the sheets , creating a more believable finish.
bad habits
I initially began looking at Lies, Obession and Assumption, which then led me into Cognitive Behavioural disorders. When researching into Cognitive Behavioural Disorders, I kept noticing how there was a constant need to be ‘perfect’. This made me look at my own ‘bad habits’, in terms of Obsessive Perfectionism, to which I was surprised at, on reflection, how much I do to ‘alter’ myself. And how I see it as a way of reversing ones’ previous bad habits as apposed to being a bad habit in itself. This brought me onto cosmetic treatments and how, in the UK, it is generally not viewed as acceptable. This is the aim of my project – to make light of cosmetic treatments in a positive way – making it more acceptable. My outcome is a series of fliers for the aesthetics and skin care clinic, DermAzur. I have designed them to promote a positive look on cosmetic treatment, in a somewhat humorous way, and also to advertise for DermAzur the treatments available. For this project, I looked at the various forms of Cognitive Behaviour disorders and therapies, I conducted my own social experiment in which I visited Canary Wharf to analyse the bad habits of the public, and I also observed myself and my experiences as a subject in terms of collecting information. Altogether, this research helped me develop my outcome in various ways. During methods and processes, I created many models and drawings which helped me explore the terrain of bad habits and ways in which I can document, research and develop my projects in the future.
bad habits has reiterated to me to pay much attention to considering ethical discourse when designing for sensitive matters, as well as ensuring that as a designer you should not ‘sit on the fence’ with your ideas. do i or do i not agree?
on location design an intervention somewhere in london
Tourists
Cut buses
ty
Travelling
Sar
k f or
Mar
iti
me
Gre
enw
ich
Large traffic of people Cyclists Brownie Guides Dog walkers
Pearly King of St Pancras Taxi (Charity)
Families
Couples dressing similar
my location is greenwich town
Motorcycles in threes “All for Charity Pity the Poor� - lots of people donating - affluent area?
Historic shop signs
Old road markings
Street Markings - many ignore these!
Lots of People lean on the Bollards
A lot of Construction happening Still a lot of tourists and visitors
Point of interest A lot of history Focal point
Signs, Markings and Crossings
Brownies on Trip Holding Hands
Young girl waiting holding on to bag tightly Been told to be wary?
Many cyclists - professional - ammetuer - rented bikes Runners and Joggers Training and Leisure
McDonalds advertiser
Man using pay phone only person for approx 30mins
strong smell of weed - unexpected?
Crossing the road
Market
nners showing this
lighting cigarettes waiting Lots of people carrying around food - Greenwich Market Sundays very busy – Market Many people with coffee in hands Old fashioned. Traditional. Affluent. family day Sun shining lots of families Cyclists driving/traffic groups of kids couples tourists foreign sellers Greenwich has become Royal Borough - lots of banners showing this
Visitors for: the cutty sark greenwich park National maritime museum royal observatory royal naval college greenwich market greenwich university “Green place on the bay”
most people start waiting here - some run across between traffic others eventually go to the crossing
observations stop traffic
lots cross this road on their phones without really looking Often get beeped!
Cross paths a lot bumping into each other and doging
Lots of people with suitcases looking very lost
People don’t know where to cross lots of dodging
Tourist Destination
Royal Greenwich ich
enw me Gre
iti or Mar Sark f Cutty
i made videos recordings and sound recordings to add another dynamic and viewpoint to my observations. the sounds recordings really gave another dimension to the feel of the surroundings.
300x300 vinyl
hat?
STOP
helvetica?
high vis jacket
STOP lazy?
450
measure distance 600
5ft pole
sing cros 20m way this
12mm dowel 300mm diametre
direction post - like those in greenwich
STOP JAYWALKERS
black spraypaint
mapping
mdf
20m this way
development
this is my final outcome. the lollipop lady of greenwich. diverting j. walker.
on location diverting j. walker
My project has been broadly led by mapping through observation. I have recorded my observations via various drawing techniques, video, photography and sound. These recordings then led me towards the area of the ‘traffic of people’ in my space. I have looked at the ways in which the pedestrians move and how this links in with road users and cyclists, which brought me to look at road safety and my final design, along with inspiration of the assortment of people in Greenwich and the traditional aesthetic – the Lollipop Lady of Greenwich, whose job is to deter pedestrians from ‘jaywalking’ across the street and influence them to use a safer route. The use of this design is for road safety. It could be a scheme funded by road safety organisations or the local councils to influence people to be more cautious of road use. The design would be good for children as part of the ‘Green Cross Code’ and it perhaps makes older users more aware. It could be used on any similar road to the one I have been looking at in Greenwich Town and ideally reduce road accidents. The drawings made from observations helped me in designing the realisation. Forms and structures from the area of Greenwich town also contributed to the formation of the design. For the production of the outcome I used various methods – woodwork and vinyl cutting, spray painting and 3Ddesign software. Each of these methods are new to me so it was quite exciting yet challenging to use them. My outcome is a form of proposal but also a working design. I feel that as this was my first time working with the methods used, I have designed quite a well finished piece as it could appear authentic and it is highly identifiable. Usually ‘lollipop’ poles are made from metals and I have made mine from wood, I think that this adds a more traditional aesthetic to the design. Using the laser vinyl cutter adds a professional finish. As the outcome is a presentation of three A4 sheets expressing this design, I think that it has been quite efficient in what it is conveying. Ideally I would have chosen a busier time of day to take my photographs to gain maximum impact, so this I plan on executing again to try and rectify this. I feel that I spent a lot of my time doing observational and mapping work and did not spend quite enough time on developing ideas or doing further research. However, I think that I spent a good amount of time working on my final piece and worked hard on trying to produce it, so I am pleased with my outcome in terms of reaching outside my comfort zone in using processes and techniques I was not completely familiar with, along with experiencing the pressures of doing ‘on location’ work and dealing with people and interaction. Therefore, I feel I have gained a lot from this project, from confidence to experience and hopefully this will translate into future projects where I will also be able to manage my time more efficiently.
to me, this project was about working on my confidence; pushing past inhibitions, working on location in greenwich town during rush hour, staging the intervention and using the workshop independently for the first time.
mary anneisabelle haymaker. bad1 - goldsmiths, university of london. end of year project catalogue 2011/2012.