Tag: kwongbrown-ursula

Ursula Kwong-Brown

Set: SAFE EFFICIENT
Visual Language (VOICE)
Contrast of Space 60-90% white space
Shape of Forms Square 1×1″ and rectangles up to 7″
Orientation of Forms 90 degrees
Size of Forms varies
Placement of Form center
Space between Forms varies
Objective Rules (assignment rules)
#1 symmetrical around center line
#2 Minimize black-to-white ratio
Interpretation of Visual Language
I tried to achieve simplicity of form by using mostly 1×1 squares, leaving 60-90% free white space, and creating symmetry around the center line.

Set: WHIMSICAL
Visual Language (VOICE)
Contrast of Space 50-90% white space
Shape of Forms Square 1×1″ and rectangles up to 9″
Orientation of Forms 30 degrees, 60 degrees
Size of Forms varies
Placement of Form usually off center
Space between Forms varies
Objective Rules (assignment rules)
#1 Use “soft” angles like 30/60 degrees
#2 Nothing off the page
Interpretation of Visual Language
I avoided the rigid parallelism of the Safe-Efficient set. I avoided parallel lines, restricting myself to mostly using 30, 60 and occasionally 45 degree angles

Set: DYNAMIC
Visual Language (VOICE)
Contrast of Space 40-80% white space
Shape of Forms Square 1×1″ and rectangles up to 10″
Orientation of Forms 45 degrees
Size of Forms varies
Placement of Form sometimes off the page
Space between Forms varies
Objective Rules (assignment rules)
#1 Use diagonals
#2 Often off the page
Interpretation of Visual Language
I focused on exploiting the dynamic feeling of the diagonal line, and often had shapes go off the page. I used a higher density of black-to-white than in the other sets.

Ursula Kwong-Brown

Dynamic
1. Tsunami
2. Parrot
3. Tiger
4. Fire
5. Always changing
6. Full of energy
7. Grabs attention
8. Charismatic
9. Sharp contrasts
10. Non conformist

Whimsical
1. Fairy
2. Ballerina
3. Dandelion
4. Off-centered
5. Playful
6. Light
7. Butterfly
8. Rainbow
9. Silly
10. Subjective

Efficient
1. Square
2. Functional
3. Boring
4. Cookie cutter
5. Objective
6. Heavy
7. Rigid
8. Inflexible
9. Non-artistic
10. Unimaginative

Ursula Kwong-Brown

Object: kitchen grater

Characteristics of the original object: a culinary device that shreds cheese and vegetables. Not fancy, very functional. Utilitarian.

Characteristics of the new object: a jewelry display device. Still functional, but much more fancy! Instead of being associated with potatoes and parmesan, it is now associated with hair clips, bracelets (hidden inside), dangly, sparkling earrings, titanium and gold necklaces.

The first comment that I received from the audience was “Can you use it for post earrings?” This question made me happy because it was clear that the person had fully accepted the new functionality of the cheese grater, and was even hoping to carry it one step further! In fact, it does work for post earrings, but I didn’t bring any to class because they fall off easily.

The second comment that I received from the class was: “has it changed your perception of the original object?” This question caught me by surprise, as I had never thought about it before. In fact, my perception of kitchen graters has changed in that I’ve realized they are not very sharp! I used to think they were much too sharp to trust with my expensive jewelry, but the truth is that graters cut vegetables because of the force the user exerts, not their intrinsic sharpness.

My intended outcome was accomplished. I successfully found a new functionality for a an already-useful device! I’ve bought myself two graters: one for the kitchen, and one for the bedroom. It’s a very space-efficient way to display my jewelry.

Ursula Kwong-Brown

The “miracle” berry taste testing reminded me of a neuroscience paper published around 2005 on the encoding of taste receptors on our taste buds. At the time, there was still debate about whether or not we have a “tongue map” for all the different taste types, or whether each taste bud had multiple kinds of receptors. As part of their tests, I believe that the researchers used genetic knockouts (in mice) to switch the binding site of one of the taste types (ie, converting umami into sweet). At the time, I remember thinking that would be very useful because I have a sweet tooth and maybe I could convince my body that eating healthy vegetables was like eating candy. After reading the NY Times article on the “miracle berries,” I had high hopes, but I was disappointed.

The “miracle berries” made all acidic things taste cloyingly sweet: the vinegar, lemon, lime, grapefruit, kumquat, tomato. It made the grapes a little bit sweeter, too. It did not seem to affect the cheese or crackers.

Prior Associations vs New Associations (for acidic foods):
I have always enjoyed acidic foods: I will drink vinegar straight and I used to suck on limes until I learned that they destroy enamel. So, my past associations were pleasant. My new associations were pretty awful: everything tasted disgusting, like it had some kind of awful Splenda or fake sugar additive. If the lemons had tasted like candy lemons, maybe I would have a positive association, but instead it tasted fake and unnatural, like I was eating something possibly poisonous.

Ursula Kwong-Brown

Part 1 – What does this object mean to you?

To me, earbuds signify low-quality, anti-social music appreciation. It’s like filling your ears with something slightly better than background noise, but not really appreciating music per se.

Part 2 (Please see the attachment.)

Part 3
a) What if we looked at all objects,people,thoughts, and things in the world this way?
I think I would be a lot more careful with my electronic devices if I realized how fragile they are! The wires were unbelievably flimsy and easy to break. The wire was only held in the casing by a knot.

b) When would we need to look at the world this way?
We would need to have expendable double copies of all of our items so that we can destroy them just to understand them. Honestly, it was hard for me to destroy these earbuds; even though they are low-quality, they were fully functional and it seemed like a terrible waste.

c) Has the meaning of this object changed?
No, the meaning of the object has not changed to me. But then, I work in audio and electronics and so I was not really surprised by what I found.