Task 5: Video Reflections, David Kelley: Human centred design

The most prominent messages that I received from this video is that designers have to take into consideration that they are designing for the interaction between human and the products function, as opposed to the human and the product, as demonstrated in Spyfish, where there was a stronger concentration on mimicking nature. Also, designers have to think up ways to push themselves creatively, putting themselves in the users position, and be able to “experience” the design.

The possibilities that the video suggests for my growth as an industrial designer are endless, demonstrating the continuous developments in technology, with examples of designs that incorporate them. I have learnt how a design team would work together, and extend themselves creatively, putting themselves in the position of the user, as demonstrated in the creation of Dilbert’s ideal office cubicle. The way they put themselves in the workers positions are so interesting, especially, the people as walls, as they close in on Dilbert and have a group hug. Basically, they created a work space that they believe would allow people to work better, by giving them positive, creative inspiration in their surroundings, that is more personal and friendly, as opposed to a traditional, clinical, cubicle that is usually boring to be in. They invented creative techniques of interacting with their office environment, as they said “Life would be sweet in a cubicle like this”. 

As innovative and creative as technology has allowed designers to be, I believe that if we are not careful, designers could take the technological advancements too far, as demonstrated in the Spyfish. The concept of the product is very creative and strong, being able to control the device and navigate around what the user sees on the interface, however, the video hardly showed the actual user interface that the user would be seeing everything on, which would simply be a screen. This would lessen the experience, and even though the speaker says that you would “completely lose yourself under water”, it is impossible to mimic nature with technology, and the experience of actually immersing oneself in water to interact with the sea life. After a while, people will settle for this, but getting so distracted by the awesome design and technology, as opposed to the full experience of interacting with life under water.

I think that as a designer, we would have to be up to date with technological advancements in society, to be able to take advantage of them, as can be seen with these designs. Also, we would always have to be aware of the consumers when designing.