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This denim kimono cardigan I own is a perfect example of an orientalist style of design. Kimonos are a traditionally Japanese garment, but the one in the picture above is made of denim, a French style of clothing, and was sold at target, therefore not being authentically Japanese in any way. It merely operates off of the success of this Japanese style of clothing, while appropriating it in such a fashion that makes it more trendy with modern, Western society. While I personally love this sweater, I recognize that it’s not something paying any sort of respect to Eastern cultures and is instead profiting off of  a successful design from another part of the world.

When considering objects in my local environment that embody the Renaissance style of design, one that is blocky and stable and built to last, I immediately thought of my childhood upright piano, one I grew up around for years. Similar to the one in the picture (actual photos not existing), my family piano is made of a glossy black wood with very subtle, minimal gold accents. The actual frame doesn't have much in the way of embellishments, the housing and lid all being very sleek and lacking significant bevels or woodwork that would make it extravagant. This piano is simply blocky, and as an expensive instrument that is a known investment for anyone on the market, it is built to last and exist in different spaces without coming off as clashy or loud. These broad, simple design choices are akin to the style of the Renaissance, where architecture and craftsmanship begins to reflect both urban development and the need for an aesthetic and the growing wealth and stability of the working class.

This design is an original illustration by the artist Heikala. The piece is composed in two dimensions with watercolor of an individual standing blanketed against a field of wild grasses, together soft and tranquil while also deceptive with cloak. If this piece was constructed in 3D space, the natural illusion of the figure against nature could be lost or difficult to recreate. In that transition, it would be important to fabricate the structure in such a way that the individual appears disjointed and dissolves into the background, such as making two sculptures that appear as one. Furthermore, it’s important not to compromise the softness of the painting, so either the medium should be soft and recreational of the original feel or the background where the 3D structure should be embellished. This could include painting a nature scene that can be scene through the model or placing the model in an outdoor location. 

I believe my Nintendo Switch is an example of good design.  This design was inspired by the current generation of video game users who are constantly on the move and their older demographic who are still nostalgic for Nintendo devices while still remaining accessible to younger generations. The most important aspect of this design I feel is the portability of the device itself, allowing me to both connect to a larger screen for home gaming while also being able to pick up and play when I’m away from home. To anyone who has never used a Switch before, I would describe it as the same processing system and classic gaming as the Wii with the portability of their DS line. For someone who hasn’t played video games as much as I have, I would describe it as a really good current generation video game option that allows you to play wherever you are and has a good range of video game series. Inherent constraints regard the Switch being identifiable as a console, including decent memory size, good graphics and screen resolution, access to most modern game series and constantly developing new ones. Imposed constraints set the Nintendo Switch apart from other consoles, including the portability, the classic controller style of joysticks/analog sticks and buttons, a large screen size, ability to connect to a TV with a dock and HDMI system, access to Nintendo exclusive titles, removable joy-cons/controllers to accommodate different playing styles, and more. These constraints allowed the Switch’s design to compete with PlayStation and Microsoft consoles while still remaining original to Nintendo’s classic, playful ethos. 

This package is an example of bad design. Aside from the massive cut I made into it with scissors, there are no ways of opening the bag, accessing the cookies, and resealing it without using another bag of sorts. This design isn’t sustainable because using another bag would be wasteful, and not using something else to seal it would lead to spoiled food. I’d be inspired to design a solution that is more sustainable, including resealing options of some sort. To design a solution, I would consider other similar products and what sort of seal works for them, such as Oreos or Trader Joe’s Joe-Joe’s. I would also use the SCAMPER technique, especially substituting the current design or eliminating/elaborating on what is already present.