One of the main statements that stood out to me was “Every object tells a story if you know how to read it.” This really stuck with me because designers go through so many variations of their objects until they get it correct. If you look at an object and think about what possible variations there could have been its like you’re reading the history of the object. Take a desk. How big? How tall? Curved or square edges? How thick? Is it adjustable? Whats it made out of? All of these plus so many other questions should go through the designers head when trying to design a product.
“That’s what we’re really always looking for whenever we design, ways we can improve the way people do things without them even knowing or thinking about it.” This has made me think about how subtle some changes in design are, since the film I have already been noticing improvements in the products I use everyday. The changes would make my day to day life better.
I would define design as “anything created to visually, physically, or emotionally enhance your day to day experience through life.” After watching this documentary I feel that my eyes have opened to see so much more physical objects that are designed to change my experience every day. A desk isn’t just a desk anymore, it could be a table, a bed, a shelf, a bench, the possibilities are unlimited. I never thought about repurposing these everyday objects for anything but what they are already used for.
Adapt. Conform. Co-Opt. Exploit. React. Respond. Signal.