1) What did you learn from Tattfoo’s visit? Was his work inspiring? What did you enjoy the most?
He was really great, I have to say. I learn many “real world” artist information such as store locations and natural, healthy materials which can subside the synthetic. Also he gave me the inspiration to rethink about how should I pursue my carrier.
2) Research articles published in the New York Times within the last month that discuss the current status of climate change. What was the most interesting visual that you found (photo, graph, diagram etc.) and why was it so powerful to you? Include a link. Given what you learned in your research, how different do you think the planet be 50 years from now? In what ways do you think these realities will impact your work and life 50 years from now?
The article was about the rising sea level in Mexico, which is a great threat to many people. House for me is very solid and it is where I feel safe, and a lot of people feel the same. But knowing that your house, your habitat will be sunk into the water is tragic, and the most tragic part of it is that those houses are mostly not a vacation house of executives of oil companies, who are responsible of it, but they are people of rather less developed society, which I wouldn’t blame for climate change. It is the most obsolete selfishness of human. We will not retain our lands if we keep this vicious cycle of fast consumption and non-sustainable, irresponsible life, where “convenience” can justify pretty much everything. We will have to change our map as sea level is rapidly rising and we will lose those beautiful islands where nature is still alive, because of the selfishness of concrete world. I do not have specific ideas of how am I going to intergrade sustainability to my design, but by learning these facts and knowing those tragedies can be avoided, sustainability can and will slip through my sketch and I think it is crucial for those sustainability movements to keep speak up and be active as without them narrow vision of mine will not reach to Mexico.
3) Please watch this design talks video on Regeneration Design (Links to an external site.) and answer the following seven questions on your LP.
– At the start of the program Industrial Designer Fumikazu Masuda says, “we cannot continue like this, there is no future in mass production and consumption.” Do you agree?
Yes. World we live in has became much convenient at even cheaper cost. But the cost we are putting into our calculator is useless as we are putting zero cent for responsibility. It is like a loan, or a bubble economy, the bubbles we gained in return of environment. Those bubbles will pop in a matter of seconds, as America did in 1929 and Japan did in 1992, and we can’t do nothing but to watch the bubble pops and wait for consequences.
– What was the transformative experience that made Matsuda realize he had a responsibility for what he designed?
– Do you think you would take better care of objects if you had to repair them?
Yes. I have some object that I made and I take better care for them than I do for other store bought items. Though repairing is not making it from a scratch but I think I would cherish them more.
– What are examples of materials that you could design with today, that could later return to the “natural cycle” (such as the bamboo that Masuda mentions)?
Corn starch can subside plastic bags and utensils, there are bacteria which makes a fabric which also is biodegradable.
– Masuda says, “nobody wants to leave the next generation with nothing but trash.” Do you think designers should consider the ability for their designs to be repaired, as part of their initial design process? What else might help create less waste?
Before this video, I thought my designs doesn’t have to be self-repairable, as I respect the mastership and complication. But I realized that not every users will have access or will not access to those masters to repair my goods and being able to self-repair will give better longevity to my goods which will make it last longer and I want die watching my goods still being used.
– What are the two things that Masuda says designers should be mindful of when designing (see timecode 20:00)? Why does he say this is important? Do you agree?
If we do not be mindful and waste our resources the potential of those limited resources are being thrown away, and we will “end up with nothing”
– What are you overall thoughts on this video? Did you enjoy it?
Yes I did enjoy watch the video; it was rather less heavy video and informative, and sad.
Project Repair!
Step 1: Ask A Question
What object will you repair and why?
I pick an ashtray that was made by Moser of Czech. They are made of lead-free crystal and has a handle in the middle to grab. The handle is broke as I dropped it off the table and I much enjoyed the ashtray before it broke because it was very practical in terms of use.
Do you consider repair to be an important design skill?
Those crystals are nearly impossible to seamless repair by untrained person. But by using the opportunity to use the broken part or repaired part as a design elements, we can create that can surpass the original.
Step 2: Do Research
What are 2-3 possible ways it could be repaired?
- Easiest
I can use glass glue which dries clear. But it will not become a design elements and also “clear” is not really “clear” so the repaired part will be not aesthetically pleasing.
2. Possible
Taking an advantage of Tafftoo’s advice, I can use pine sap to fill the gap and also make a handle that is ergonomic.
3. Hard
I can melt the tip of the handle using glass torch and stick them onto the other part.
What do you need to do the repair?
1. Glass glue
2. Pine sap and molding materials
3. Glass torch and clear glass bids.
Do you have these materials and skills?
1. I have the skill and glue can be purchase from Blick Art store.
2. I have the skill but it would be hard to get pine sap in NYC.
3. I don’t have the skill and materials will be expensive.
Step 3: Construct a Hypothesis
What will your process of repair be?
I will choose either option 1 or 2 as option 3 can be “too much”. If I choose option 2, I will first make a mold of handle piece and make a handle out of pine sap and attach it to the ashtray.
How long do you expect the repair take?
As molding process takes a lot of waiting, I would say 5 hours of actual working and couple days of seating.
How long do you want your repair to last?
As long as Tafftoo’s stick last!
