Huhtamaki

Huhtamaki is a packing factory that makes all kinds of consumer products like paper cups and more. They make cups for places like Jason's deli. They make products that include materials like paper, plastic, and molded fiber. I noticed that the place was very clean, they used lots of expensive machines, and had a lot of automated processes. Those processes include the cup shoots, which were very cool, and the automated forklift. Each one of their materials, paper, plastic, and molded fiber, are used for different purposes in the food packaging/displaying industry. Their coffee cups consist of three pieces, the lid, sleeve and the actual cup. They're made for hot beverages. These cups are quality, sturdy, and thick, and have insulation.

Dimensional Innovations

Our trip to Dimensional Innovations was really interesting. It was cool to see a place of work that included most, if not all, aspects and 'stops' in the making of products. Also, I liked that we visited a place that doesn't make specific products, they are consulted by clients. They 'bridge the gap between design and engineering', which was awesome to see. DI started doing theater work, but now works on the wide range of custom fabrication. One product that they were working on when we visited was the spherical chandelier. I thought this was a really cool, and elegant, design for a chandelier, and it was also cool to know they designed it and are working on it. DI uses materials like wood, aluminum, acrylic, diamond, MDF, PVC, sintra, and more. They have all the normal forming, cutting, and joining technologies like heating/melting, CNC router, table, band, and chop saws, and more. I liked how they start projects on their own, and that their products aren't 100% client-based.

Mardi Gras: Made in China

I enjoyed this video for the main reason of how it clearly shows how a social holiday has turned into a ridiculous, unnecessary event. I enjoy celebrating Mardi Gras, don't get me wrong, but we as Americans have turned the aspect of using beads into a massive waste producer. The city of New Orleans, let alone any other place that uses an asinine amount of beads, does not need to purchase and sell this many beads. These beads have power for a week at most, and then are literally thrown on the ground, left in hotel rooms, or the rarest case, someone actually kept these cheap plastic beads to wear another time. I have been to South Padre for spring break and saw the bead/mardi gras culture first hand and I didn't even think about, or notice, the ridiculous amount of beads all over the city. It wasn't until this video that I really started to think and wonder why these beads dominate the holiday of mardi gras. Even if they were made in the USA, I would still think that the sheer number of beads produced and sold for the purpose of mardi gras is unnecessary. It creates so much waste and are used for reasons that are morally wrong the other 51 weeks of the year. The waste stays longer than that one week, so why should people use and try to collect this many beads, for a couple days, and then let those same beads become permanent waste? The fact that they are made in China, in factories that employ young children at a measly 10 cents an hour tops it all off. First, the chemicals used to make the beads are toxic and cause cancer when melted. From the video, you can clearly see how unsafe these working, and living conditions are for these children and young adults. From the video, many of them appeared happy and were quoted in saying that they would rather be doing what they are doing, then the other options they have in their life. I, personally, didn't expect that to be the case, but it makes a little sense. It doesn't make it right though. I enjoyed how the employees laughed at us Americans when told how we use the beads. I really think this holiday could be just as exciting and entertaining without the use of millions and millions of beads.

Guest Speaker: Justin Atwater Taylor

This was a cool experience; to see someone who graduated from KU's venture in the real world. I thought his ideas for his company was interesting because I frequently played disc golf in high school back home. His company makes disc golf accessories, mainly bags. They make these bags for avid disc golfers who need a way to hold many discs while they are walking the course. I believe his bags were made of a nylon material. The prototypes that he showed were incredible, and it was really cool to see his process from step one to his final bag that is on the market today. The bags, to me, seem a little overpriced but they are definitely grade A quality and if you are a true disc golf connoisseur then you would be obliged to spend the money for this bag. He said they've sold about 3,000 bags this year which is remarkable, especially at $200 a piece. He gave some great advice and it inspired me to be as driven as he was with my career ventures.

Home Contained

This was probably one of my favorite trips we took. I think it was such an interesting idea to make the home in a big container, by stacking them and etc. I figured the home would feel compact and maybe a little clustered, but I was wrong. I thought the entry way from the front door was beautiful. The LED lights made a great touch. Also because of the efficiency that they provide. The upstairs was pretty cool as well. Her son's room was narrow, obviously, but was a good size, and his bathroom and shower was also awesome to see because of its layout. I really liked the porches on the second floor. Especially the one with the garden. It adds a real peaceful aspect to the overall green ideas and impressions that the house essentially gives off on its own. This place really inspired me in my designs to keep things simple and efficient because of how amazing she got her house to look.

Design Manifesto

Design Manifesto

Design is no longer an option, it’s a necessity.

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Design is knowing which ones to keep.

You have to be interested in culture to design for it.

People ignore design that ignores people.

Good ideas never go out of style.

To create a memorable design you need to start with a thought that’s worth remembering.

Good design is partially creativity and innovation, but primarily knowledge and awareness.

The wisest course of action is to take your best shot with a prototype, immediately get to market, and iterate quickly. If you wait for ideal circumstances in which you have all the information you need (which is impossible) the market will pass you by.

The second best friend you can have (the first being someone who can give you a good job) is another designer.

Sustainable design starts from the beginning of the design process.

Land on an idea early on in the process as it will better your end model because of the time spent developing that idea.

Collaborate.

Prototype frequently to keep ideas fresh.