Postcard to John Linn

Precis

Manxman Piano by MH Baillie Scott (Artifact)

MH Baillie Scott pioneered the 'Manxman' piano in London, England during the year of 1896. Six to seven years later, around 1902-03, the masterpiece was ready for use. This hand crafted piano was caringly constructed from ebonized mahogany, carved wood, pewter, mother of pearl, marquetry of stained woods and silver-plated handles and hinges. Baillie Scott’s rectilinear form appears to be simple and thought provoking in construction, by simply adding barriers to enclose a box around the instrument. The dimensions are approximately, H 3’ x H 4’ x D 2’. This was a new concept of the 1980’s due to the fact that the piano was generally complex with many carved embellishments. His unique idea was to hide the keyboard, music stand and candleholders behind broad doors, which in return would downsize the mass of the instrument. Alongside the bland black box, Baillie Scott incorporated eye-catching artistry detail on both the inside and the outside of the container. The dominant paintings and materials provide contrast in color and texture by his placing of mainly browns, greens and creams against the black base. This was a style technique he portrayed in much of his artwork. The Manxman piano was commented and admired by the critics but, unfortunately it never turned out as a commercial success. Its estimated production in London was a mere 40 examples. In addition, Baillie Scotts’ piano failed to sell until 1910 when, a piano dealer, J.C. Shirwin & Sons of Hanley, Staffordshire decided to purchase it at a discount price. Some critics believed it was much similar to a 17^th-century Spanish chest on a stand or inspired by ‘an old strong box of the Elizabethan period’. Coincidentally are both forms that inspired The Arts and Crafts designers of the late 19^th century. (http:// collections.vam.ac.uk)

Similar

The ‘Biscuit Tin’ by Boorne & Stevens Huntley and the 'Manxman' piano were designed around 1903. However this is not the only similarity they have in common, both are also containers enclosing a good. Lastly, both are lavishly decorated in the appropriate places for the viewer to enjoy.

Different

The ‘Bean Bag’ is much different from the ‘Manxman’ piano in many ways. First, the beanbag is used to be relaxed and comfortable while sitting while the piano is designed for proper posture and concentration while using the instrument. Also the beanbag is made of soft fabric while the piano is constructed of solid wood. The beanbag contains small Styrofoam balls and the Manxman has a piano in it. Lastly, the piano would be found in a sophisticated living area while the beanbag would be more likely found in a playroom.

Communication

Communication is about the process in which information is being passed from a sender to a recipient in order to create a shared understanding.  

Paths of Communication:

Print Materials:

We chose to design a poster to give more information about our program as well as about the Greensboro bus system.  Featuring the logo, it would also function as a branding mechanism.

People:

 We felt that a t-shirt would get the message out if a lot of people wore them on the same day.  It would get a question started in peoples' minds.  What is this?  Why is everyone wearing the same shirt?  

Http:

The picture above would be an image that would rotate on UNCG's homepage.  People may have noticed students walking around in t-shirts with the same logo, as well as posters.  Seeing it on the website, they might think Oh, I've seen this! What the heck is it? When they click on the logo on the homepage, they would be directed to a series of images like the one below, which describe our studio and what we are working on:
Products:

One product idea we came up with was a series of decorated bus sculptures (similar to the Big Apples in New York, or the cows in Kansas City), which would also function as benches at bus stops.  

Places:

This is a model of a booth that we would have at the Tate Street festival.  It would reinforce the logo, as well as provide seating, like a bus shelter.  

Other:

For out finial advertising technique, we chose to paint the "Rawk" on the UNCG campus.  It was yet another form of branding.

Codes + ... to aviod a "mousetrap"

For this project we had to take the knowledge we have, the models of our shelter bus, and the bus shelter model to define the codes, ergonomic, and proxemic requirements for them and support human activities and needs for people with varying abilities.

Being required to consider another’s needs and activities in one’s design was a new experience, and was at first found to be nothing less than inconvenient. It was a vehicle for an ample amount of onerous research. In accordance with the research, this requirement, to consider others, has the ability to deduct from or entirely change ones design by rearranging or dictating new measurements in one’s ideation. However, while evaluating others needs may be time consuming and frustrating, we found it to be a necessary and beneficial evil that brings new life to design.

In light of our above experience, it is important to define design before giving designers advice on the subject. Design: To decide upon the look and functioning of (a building, garment, or other object), typically by making a detailed drawing of it. (Apple Dictionary) Since designers impact the function and the appearance of an building, garment, or object, it is imperative that designers ruminate about their targeted market. Primarily, universal design should be a vital characteristic in a designers work. We all share life on this earth and we must work together and consider others to survive, connect, and harmonize.

Since others are important for design, America has established codes as a requirement. These codes are here to aid, and guide designers throughout their designs as well as help one to consider the needs of everyone. Furthermore, since some of these codes are based off of Davinci’s scale of the human body, they help the designer keep their designs at an comfortable proportion. 

In summary regarding codes, ergonomics, and proxemics we have entered into a new chapter of design. It is this chapter that will aid and give rise to a careful thoughtfulness of others. Instead of limiting our creativity, as so many have conjectured, these three standards will open new realms of thought. One can let these canons confine them, or one can allow them to set him or her free. 

Ice Breaker Project

Sketch the following campus spaces 

People Eating

People Relaxing

People Relieving 

People Sleeping

People Standing in Line

(don't know why that gray box is there :/ )

Lounge Chair in Watercolor

Lounge Chair in Watercolor for Robert

(first time for watercolor, but it's really neat and fun to work with) :)

Chair in Pencil

Vanity Chair in Pencil for Robert

Vanity 

Hurricane Bus

Sketches for bus layout

Bubble Diagram

Sketch Model Designed from Sketches!

Group Members

(click on them)

Jayson Parker

Hanna Selim

Michelle Bodon

Postcard to Jenny Paige

Jenny Paige,
            Before you spoke with us on Wednesday, September 3^rd I was not aware of the program, sustainability@UNCG, but after learning more it is really an awesome thing you all have going on!  I think the ‘Waste Reduction and Recycling’ section was especially interesting due to all the opportunities that have been put out there to reduce, reuse and recycle.  Also the recycling savings at UNCG last year was amazing.  Keep up the good work!!!
            Best wishes,
                     Morgan Bodford
P.S. – I found the image on http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=5053629.

The Three R’s

-Reading-Riding-Recording-

First I completed the riding portion of the assignment. Since my only prior experience of riding public transportation was in Mexico where the buses were very unsanitary, hot and crowded, I was extremely nervous about riding the Greensboro City Bus. While waiting to board the bus I noticed that there was neither seating nor shade available, which was slightly disappointing. So I decided to sit down on the sidewalk to wait. While sitting and waiting on the bus, men in cars that passed by yelled out rather impolite comments, which only made me more nervous about riding. The bus finally pulls up and then starts to drive off and I'm not on it! Ahh! But thankfully the bus driver stops and lets me on.  He was an exceptionally nice man that took the time to ask me if I was a student and informed me that I could use my student Id and not have to pay with cash, which was awesome. I causally sat down in the back of the bus and was just looking around like I really got on the bus to go to a certain place. Then I realized 'Oh No!' I'm supposed to be taking pictures and notes. This made me realize that the scary city bus was not so scary after all. Everyone on the bus was really quite, calmly sitting, just looking out the windows. There was even a lady that came over the intercom that let you know your exact location, which I thought was a nice touch. There was also a lot of poles to hold on to, if needed, and the bus did not even smell bad. Also, I noticed the bus was conveniently laid out, much different then any other bus I had ridden. Its layout had some seats parallel to the bus and some perpendicular, this made easier flow for getting on and off the bus. The only things that were unpleasant was that the driver would slam on breaks occasionally, there was not much, if any air-conditioning and to an extent the seats would vibrate you, but these are all small things that can be dealt with easily. I did not do such a good job of collecting my thoughts of what was going on outside of the bus. This may be due to the fact I rode down roads I am familiar with and I guess I figured I needed more of a grasp of what was taking place inside the bus rather then outside the bus.

After the bus ride, I read William H. Chafe's Civility and Civil Rights. I believe since I rode the bus first that it did not have much of an influence on the reading. However, I feel if I had done the reading first it would have had a greater impact on the bus ride because I would of not concentrated so much of what was going on inside the bus but more so the surroundings outside.  Also, I would of tried to go by places that were mentioned in the reading.  Moreover, while I was reading the history of Greensboro and how it created a huge snowball effect on the civil rights movement, I began to think of how African Americans had to sit in the back of the bus and there I was sitting in the back and the African Americans were in the front, I thought it was quite special since here in Greensboro was one of the first places that equality for all was made possible.

I consider this assignment to be beneficial in learning that one must gain knowledge of the background and history of an environment if they wish to design and recreate something magnificent for it.

Images I took while riding Greensboro public transportation a.k.a. "The City bus" (above and below)

December 1, 1955 - "Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat at the front of the colored section of a bus to a white passenger, defying a southern custom of the time and starting a bus boycott. December 21, 1956, the buses were desegregated."  (http://www.ateacherslove.com/photos.html, Yshonda R. Wisher)

September 1957 - " Little Rock Nine attempt to desegregate Central High. The nine black students are blocked from entering the school on the orders of Governor Orval Faubus. President Eisenhower sends federal troops and the National Guard to intervene on behalf of the students." (http://www.ateacherslove.com/photos.html, Yshonda R. Wisher)

February 1, 1960 - "Greensboro, N.C. Sit-ins non-violent student protest proved to be beneficial in the civil rights movement. Four black students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College begin a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter. Student sit-ins would be effective throughout the Deep South in integrating parks, swimming pools, theaters, libraries, and other public facilities." (http://www.ateacherslove.com/photos.html, Yshonda R. Wisher)

Postcard to Tommy

The first postcard to be sent out!!!