vineet - learning so far

Even before we could introduce each other, unexpectedly we all encountered our hidden fears. After all the only way to counteract your fears and weaknesses is to be vocal about your them and free yourself. It was then that we had an insight into our batchmates minds. Combined with a memory game, discussing fears couln't ever be that engrossing. Team work and oneness was the note that we started upon.

Then discusing the literal meaning of design, to its evolution as a vocation, I realised the many factors that go into the success of a design. We also discussed how the society carves for changes and uniqueness constantly, how a designer should design a product which lies in contrast with the existing ones in the market.I also learnt how the demand for a product reaches a saturation point at the end of its life span.

The comb design exercise, in which we were supposed to conceptualise an idea worth a million dollars. It was only after an intense discussing of each design that I actually grasped the intricacies of the design process. Apart from this, I must say I polished up my comunication skills, both verbal and pictorial. And how sometimes the most wild or insane idea can work wonders. But one's concept has to be based on a thorough and keen study of theperiphary of the product. Minute observations of the product's use in the day to day life of all possible users. One has to cover all possibilities of the product's 'affordances'. It is then that we would be able to zoom into the the problem areas which provide us opportunities, to mark our product stand against its rivals in the market. And the pivot for the whole design process is none other than the user itself. Only by bit by bit study of the way the user handles and what is it that s/he expects (and usually unexpects ) from the product. Satisfying the needs to the maximum and sometimes even combining it with and unexpected area of concern can work wonders.

Only when the designer fully concentrates, does't digress and sets standards for her/himself, can s/he give her best to her/his profession.

When the exercise of buying the product worth Rs.10 was asked to be redone, we searched for an interesting product with double the zeal and enthusiasm. And what made it more exciting was the suspense that built up about what the actual objective of the exercise was. It was then that we racked our brains, putting our heads together to think what actually had gone into making of the particularily designed product, that appealed to us. I also realised how a simple task of eating an ice-cream could give us such information which is so much vital for an efficient and successful design. The discussion on wild ideas made us broaden our outlook(Bisociation). And the best part was how a simple question 'What is this?' mind boggled us and made our imagination run wild, and break out of our preconcieved notions. And this is how I grasped the whole idea behind the term 'Affordances' .

One can only come across opportuinities when a thorough observation of all spheres of the product and user is made.It is these problem areas which when worked upon, may lead to innovations.The more we visualise and actualise ( by QADP ! ) the more accurate our solution would be. Apart from our primary concern (the user), I also learnt what the other ( buyer, manufacturer, entrepeneur) look for in a new design.

Vineet Kaur

Semester II

IICD, Jaipur.