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Showing posts from 2018

Kano Analysis; Client Satisfaction and Loyalty | Week 15

Client's needs and satisfaction is always changing. In an attempt to keep up with his, Professor Noriaki Kano developed a theory: customer satisfaction is proportional to the extent at which the product or service is fully functional. In his model that he created, he aimed to reach 3 needs: basic, performance, and excitement. I think that the Kano theory is a very excellent way to look at how we as designers and business owners can begin to not only satisfy our clients but delight them in everything that we do. I want to always have at least one delighting factor to my projects so that my clients are wowed. I think this causes not only satisfaction but loyalty to a company.  In the article that I read, they mentioned how DoubleTree Hotels use chocolate chip cookies to delight their customers. This can be seen in interior design when maybe a project is kept under budget and then something special is added in to make a project more exciting and overall more functional and beaut

Museum and Display Specialty Design Trends | Week 14

In the last century, museums have evolved. According to "Building Design + Construction" magazine, museums are no longer just for the "upper levels of society". The museum itself, including the architecture and display design, has become an art. Major components in the design of museums are retail and restaurants. People want well designed places to shop, along with interesting items to purchase. They also want attractive places to stop and eat. This restaurant uses unique ceiling pieces and a gallery wall to welcome hungry museum goers at the San Francisco museum of modern art. The main lobby and entrance are the most important design element as they greet the visitors first. An excellent example of this is the main lobby at Milwaukee Museum of Art. Flexible gallery spaces allow for versatile uses of the building and create possibilities for new and unique exhibits. " In the MoG, the HVAC is a continuous linear system, which enables a room to be properly

Education Design Trends | Week 13

When researching design trends in education, I found a very interesting article written by Pacific Office Interiors. While most of the trends are obvious, it's interesting to note these as they can creatively be taken to new heights to create truly exceptional designs. Creating collaboration spaces in an educational environment is becoming a very important trend. According to Pacific Interiors, collaborative spaces should include " seats with swivel functionality and desking that can pivot or rotate", like we see in this picture. The classroom is an ever changing environment. Here we see that it is a new trend for everything to be adaptable, and that also means mobile. Swivel chairs with appropriate ergonomic features, and module tables that can be in simple rows, or conform to the needs of the users, are both important. Finally, color and branding are a key feature in educational design. This is something we see implemented especially in universities. Not only do

Hospitality Design Trends | Week 12

Hospitality design trends are all centered around the comfort and convenience of the guests. There is also an essence of "escapism" that designers are trying to evoke within a hospitality space. Guests want to get away from real life and want to have many amenities that will allow them to relax. In this hotel reception area, a massive green wall is the focal point. Green walls have become a trend in all areas of design, not just hospitality, as they create a feeling of being in a tropical area no matter the geographical location. In this hotel dining area, the gold metals and bright blue leather make a statement. This high end, classic looking dining room is another example of escaping the ordinary to give the guests a phenomenal experience. This is an example of incorporating technology into hospitality design, which seems to be an increasingly more apparent trend. From making conference calls and meeting rooms both more accessible and high tech within hotels, to cutt

Healthcare Design Trends | Week 11

Carolyn BaRoss, an interior designer specializing in healthcare design at Perkins+Will, says that " Health systems are considering ways to strengthen brand identity across multiple locations and how to attract patients" Most healthcare facilities start with minimal colors, textures, and designs to relieve stress and keep patients calm. Then fun design elements are introduced to enhance the experience and promote happiness. It is obvious that pediatrics has been doing this for a long time and has arguably, "perfected" it. More health care facilities are introducing more exciting design elements everyday to both brand themselves and also create a fun and happy atmosphere. A waiting area in China, uses the familiar and comforting idea of a Chinese garden, to create a feeling of calmness and serenity. Natural colors and textures, along with soft lighting add to the feeling of simplicity and safety. A medical center in California uses textured, brightly colored wall

Designing for Children | Week 10

Designing for children is a whole different clientele than the general public, just like designing for the elderly or college students. In studying specific designs for children, bright colors, room for playing and exploration, and a variety of textures are usually present.  Inclusive design for children means shorter heights for drinking fountains, sinks, toilets, door handles, and counters. Everything must be safe for children. This includes guard rails, or in some cases netting to children safe at heights. Designing for children, even in residential settings, can be both whimsical and functional. In this example, unusual shaped floating shelves, imaginative use of the lego shape, and bright upholstery work together for a fun environment to learn, play, and live in. All images from: https://www.archdaily.com/869081/18-cool-examples-of-architecture-for-kids

Observations from Mart Trip | Week 8

The purpose of the trip to the Merchandise Mart last Monday, October 8 th , was to learn a little more about connecting electrical and gain some insight into office workspaces. The presentation of Knoll’s history, and the tour around the showroom, were both fantastic. I found it fascinating to learn more about the life and work of Florence Knoll and also the history of Knoll in general. The tour was very helpful in understanding some approaches to electrical, especially in workspaces, and helped me visualize how I might set up mine in my space plan. My  interest  was sparked multiple times with inspiration for my project. Although the presentation from Herman Miller was a little less exciting and interesting to me, I found it interesting to learn about the Eames connection to Herman Miller, as I did a precedent research project on the Eames House and Charles and Ray Eames my freshman year. The tour of the second showroom added to my understanding of electrical and workspaces. I had nev

Aging in Place | Week 7

As a society, we are approaching a time where a large percentage of the population is becoming senior citizens. With that, aging people make up the largest client population, even for interior designers. As a designer, CAPS certification is something very important to consider.  With this certification, a designer can design for the aging community whether that be residentially or commercially.  However, senior citizens are beginning to want to stay in their homes more than ever. Residential design is getting more focused on grab bars, ramps, lighting, and more. Something often overlooked is tub and shower design, though it is extremely important for the safety of aging people. Lighting is a broad category that includes stair lighting, and even automatic under cabinetry lighting. These types of lighting are all vital to a safe home for an aging person. One organization providing design services like for the aging is Planetree. This organization strives to  create "patient centere

Reception Areas | Week 6

I chose to look at two different reception areas. The first one is less desirable than the second one. Both reception areas use neutral colors, a variety of shapes, visually interesting materials and wall shapes, and unique lighting. They differ by the geometry of the shapes used, the types of materials used, location of seating, orientation of seating, shape of desk, and much more. The second reception is more desirable for multiple reasons. The orientation of the seating is more desirable as it is open to the corridor, welcoming people. The corridor is more than wide enough for people to walk through comfortably. The use of shapes on the carpeting design leads the eye down the hall, without being over powering or distasteful. The first reception area is very busy. From the pattern on the accent wall, to the shapes of the lights, to the craziness of the floor covering, it is all too much. There is adequate seating but the orientation of the sofas closes of the seating from both th

ADA and Universal Design | Week 5

The first place on campus that I located was just outside of Ohio Hall. The entrance of Ohio Hall is ADA approved, as of last year, because of the installation of a ramp. The ramp provides students who use wheelchairs, with accessibility to their dorm. This is somewhat compliant with ADA because it is wider than 36" and has a 4" minimum barrier edge, but it does not include a handrail and the landing is not 60" wide. The second place I located was the seating and meeting area outside of Jerry's Cafe. This space is somewhat inclusive. There are many different options for sitting, such as arm chairs, high stools with no back and a place to work, and also stools with a back and a smaller workspace. There is more than a 44" space to walk behind the chairs at the bar, even when 18" is given for the chair to be scooted back. However, I don't see inclusive design in the area provided for conversation and resting in arm chairs. The chairs are too close togethe

Simon Sinek - Why? | Week 4

Simon Sinek thinks that he cracked the code on why some people, organizations, and businesses inspire more than others, and I would have to agree with him. Sinek says that it all has to do with "the golden circle". This is a series of three circles. The outer and largest circle is "what", the middle circle is "how", and the inward most small circle is "why". Sinek says that everyone can tell you "what" they're doing, some can tell you "how" they're doing it, and only few can tell you "why". Most people start with the what, explain how this is done, and then insist you believe them. As humans, we aren't convinced by this. When companies such as Apple, and people such as the Wright brothers and Martin Luther King Jr, have told us their beliefs or why they do what they do, we have been mesmerized and hooked. Sink repeatedly used the phrase, "People won't buy what you do, they buy why you do it"

Steelcase: "Stand to Work" Study | Week 3

The "Stand to Work" study was done by Perkins+Will and Steelcase to see how standing desks would change the overall office experience for employees. After the study was completed, it was observed that by implementing the standing desks, employees were in fact both feeling and working better. Among the key findings were improvements such as: reduced sitting, feeling better, easy to use, increased productivity, and improvements outside of work. This study was conducted over an extended period of time of 12 months. This enabled the study to gather a lot of data and truly express how the employees felt and experienced their new workspaces. I think this study was incredibly interesting and important to office design as a whole. I already see standing desks being implemented in offices. I know of one staff member at Judson who transitioned to a standing desk and it has done wonders to his energy levels and productivity. A close friend of mine recently entered the work force at a m

Proxemics and Egress | Week 2

For the first quiz, we were tested on proxemics, ADA, and egress. Proxemics were very interesting to learn about especially since it is such a huge part of daily life that we don't full realize. I didn't notice the extent that proxemics influences interior design. It was almost overwhelming how much information is needed to make a space ADA approved. However, it does not make it less important. I find it beneficial to educate myself on ADA as it is how we make spaces safe and comfortable for everyone. Egress was interesting to read about as I had no idea that corridors have specific dimensions that must be followed. I now find myself wondering if everything is up to code as I walk through buildings on campus and other commercial areas when I'm out in public.

Space Planning and First Project | Week 1

Last Friday, my first project was due for studio. It was an exercise on space planning, a new concept to me. The assignment was to interview the client to see what they wanted in a home, and what styles of furniture they had a preference for. Christyanne was my client and she showed me some modern, yet rustic pieces and room inspirations that she liked. I looked on a few different websites to get the dimensions for the furniture I wanted to use. I found a lot of the pieces on Hooker and a few on Stanley. After going through a few of iterations, and using the new skill of bubble diagrams that I learned, I found a final layout that both myself and my client liked, and worked well. This project taught me a lot about space planning, from the required distance between a counter and an island, to what is a pleasing-to-the-eye setup for a home office. I also learned how to maneuver my way around a company's website, like Hooker for example, and find the dimensions.