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I feel that the potential of design in the future lies in the media.  I feel that Virtual reality will take over our social lives.  There are so many kids that hide behind their video games and avoid contact.  As games like pokemon go on our phones, the less need we will need actually interact in person.  Virtual gaming will take over social activities. 

Designers will play a bigger part in activism.  Coming up with new, cheaper and quicker solutions to problems like housing for the homeless and clean drinking water in rural villages.  

When choosing this class, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  I am not artsy, or creative so I was interested in the elements of design.  As many have before, I assumed design was art.  I never gave thought to design for function.  I realize that I know what the definition of design is and I used it to describe my car or hair straightener, but I never gave thought to how it affects my life.  Now, when walking on campus, I notice the architectural differences in all the different buildings on campus.  Some are old and some are new, but their designed to fit like a puzzle to make a functional campus.  

I am also coming to realization that I really did look at the function of things before I would buy them.  When purchasing a couch I knew I needed something large that would fit in a smaller space, cushions that were attached and an easy to clean fabric.  I took all these things into account and didn’t really comprehend the design elements.  

One of the fields that has the biggest impact on interactive media is software engineers.  They designs are geared to masses of people.  They have to anticipate what their users will want to do before they actually use the software.  And the software must be user friendly. 

Of the 7 principles of design, I feel that the most applied principle would be size and space for approach and use. Whenever you step into a room all of the furniture and appliances are arranged to best utilize the amount of space in the room to provide adequate space to move.  Furniture comes in all sizes and shapes to accommodate small and large living spaces.  Most dining room tables are designed to get maximum seating out the size of the dining table. 

When driving around downtown I enjoyed focusing on the architecture different styles and elements. I am not an very artistic so I never payed too much attention. I have always loved the courthouse. It has big strong features and big and bulky size makes it very intimidating which seems appropriate for the courthouse. Some building we’re very uniform in design from top to bottom while many had very different design on the first floor than the rest of the building. I loved the churches with their points and very ornate decorations. I never realized that bright colors were used. I saw red, blue and green buildings. Most building are square but many have very smooth curves. Most of the buildings had different textures using stone, bricks and ornate designs.

I took a walk with my daughter to her school. We noticed this bench. It is a very simply design but it is functional and sturdy. It is painted bright colors to appeal to children as this is on school grounds. It has 4 legs, a seat and backrest. A very common design for a bench. Some benches omit the back rest. It is made of solid wood. benches are usually made out of wood, stone or metal. The colors are would stood out to me. I couldn’t help but smile when I thought about all of the children who have sit on this bench or how many conversations with childhood friends were discussed on this bench.

Futurism Design. You can’t miss it, the Milwaukee Art Museum.  It’s design is very industrial with it’s metal beams.  It almost looks like a machine rather than a building to house art.  

De Stijl Design. Working in a school, I often come across these tables and chairs for children.  They are all primary colors, very basic and squared design.  There are no curves.  

Bauhaus Design. I have walked in to many doctor offices, banks and professional buildings and have seen this chair.  It combines the industrial metal look, simple design and lacking color. I have always seen it in black and shades of white.  Less is definitely more in this stunning chair. 

My first impression of this Design Survey class and what I was to expect was crushed after our reading of Thinking by Tim Brown (2008) this week.  I was fixated on art and home decorating.  I now realized the vast influence that design has on everything that I use in day to day tasks. I can now appreciate the creativity involved in all things around me from the design of my ergonomic keyboard to the hairbrush that reduces tangles. According to Tom Brown (2008) in the Harvard Business Review, Design thinking “is a discipline that uses the designer’s sensibility and methods to match people’s needs with what is technologically feasible and what a viable business strategy can convert into customer value and market opportunity.”  This has expanded my view of design past the cool sneaks I am wearing or my comfortable couch.  The example in this reading about the nurses and their schedule would have never occurred to me to be an example of design.  Looking back, I can now see that the solution to shift changes was solution designed software and including the patients. Never had my previous views on design thinking included terms like business strategy and customer value.  

It has been 19 years since I last attended UWM. It was a brief enrollment so I am still taking it all in as I start the 2nd of many semesters in my journey to better myself. 

I am a full-time single mother to a beautiful and hormonal 12-year-old daughter. Let’s hope she doesn’t gain access to my blog any time soon.  She is my main motivation for going back to school. I want to stress the importance of school and doing something that you are passionate about.  I want to lead my example.  I also would like to begin my career doing something that I love.  I began fostering 4 years ago and found that children were my passion. My daughter and I fostered 9 kids in our 3 years as a foster family.  An experience that we both treasure.  I have worked in an office for over 21 years, but knew I wanted to work around and with children. Now, I currently work in an urban school near downtown Milwaukee and I am attending UWM for Social Work. 

My biggest strength has always been multi-tasking, which is why I feel that I have been successful working in an office. I am a highly motivated person and I always accomplish what I set my mind to. I feel these qualities will help keep my successful. My biggest weaknesses would be that I am older now and I have many more responsibilities that occupy my time. Working full-time, a full-time class schedule and being full-time mom keeps me busy.