CONE - O - MATIC Bullet Points

1. The Color/Texture of the mood board evokes...a feeling of vibrancy, being current/relevant to today's society's needs and desires, modern/fresh/cutting edge technology

2. The Soundscape evokes...a feeling of calm and serenity that you might feel once in the cone, then a transition to modern and fun as you can quickly fold up your on-the-go cone and be on your way in a flash

3. CONE - O - MATIC is a place for a moment of serenity...where you can "get your me time"

4. Fellow networkers of my site have taught me that rather than a workspace for virtual computers, CONE - O - MATIC works as a workspace to be used on-the-go anytime, anywhere

article "Marketing Halloween"

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/10/marketing-halloween.html


Seth makes a good point here about holidays functioning as a marketing ploy. But isn't just about everything a marketing ploy? When do we stop being suspicious and just simply enjoy? Or does that mean we have just been duped under the spell of evil advertisers? But I do agree that no matter how much you market something, there is no way to force something to become a universally accepted event or tradition - it has to already be something that communities have been wanting. The next person to create a holiday as marketable as halloween is a genius.

article "1 Hour Design Challenge: Play-Doh Kicks"

http://www.core77.com/blog/featured_items/announcing_the_winners_1_hour_design_challenge_play-doh_kicks__17576.asp

Remember Play-Doh? I think something that really comes back to me about Play-Doh is the smell - very reminiscent of my childhood! This is an event I would have loved to participate in. There's something about a timed challenge that produces great/crazy products. Working under time constraints really helps create something unusual - maybe we think differently under pressure. That would be an interesting study.

article "Monster post: Crap I've Built - Banquettes (poor man's couches)"

http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/monster_post_crap_ive_built_-_banquettes_poor_mans_couches_17752.asp

I love the way this designer embraced his creative process - using leftover materials to create pieces that are for everyday use. He also opted to keep aesthetic needs in the corner while concentrating on function as his priority. This is a great idea to live by, especially as for designers, materials tend to be so costly and problematic. Why not just work with what you have? The process of the means to an end with only the materials you are given is a challenge and a way to get creative. Great design is methodical as well as beautiful, which is something I can really appreciate.

CONE - O - MATIC Data Compilation - Updated

 

CONE - O - MATIC Data Compilation

article "Change and its constituents (there are two, and both are a problem)"

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/10/change-and-its-constituents-there-are-two-and-both-are-a-problem.html


Most people are adverse to change, and I can understand it. There is that fear of the unknown, possibility of failure/inconvenience, and what not. However, when change happens for the better, it's hard to take in. These things are issues, but I'm not sure what can happen to incur a change in beliefs and behavior. Perhaps the best way to present a big change is to do it in increments. Even in design, something too radical is difficult to prove as successful, but little steps to great change lends greater chance for acceptance. But maybe that is a cowardly means of going about it?

article "New Bike Rack"

These bike racks are soon to be taking over NYC, one street at a time. The design is simple, effective, and a great use of space, and of course, attractive! Anyone see these around, yet? These new designs are a hopeful means of encouraging more people to take active transportation, but I'm not sure how successful it will be in under those terms.

article "Cool new way to light up the streets"

This is a great design idea I saw at the Design Triennial. The little leaf fixture attached to the top of the tree soaks up sunlight during the day, then reuses that solar energy to light up at night. Supposedly these lights are already being used in Seoul, Korea. It would be cool to see them in New York! Apparently it is stressful for trees to be wrapped in twinkle lights, so this would be a neat alternative. Not to mention a great replacement for all the streetlights out there.

article "Time to get off the bandwagon"

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/10/time-to-get-off-the-brandwagon.html


I definitely agree that the unique ideas are the more successful ones. Of course in today's society, every idea is "borrowed" and "manipulated", and it becomes a question of how unique can ideas get? But still, following suit with the majority will most likely lead to no real result, as it's already been seen and done, rendering it moot. With marketing, especially, the newest ideas are the ones the seem to catch the most attention, which then calls for action.

article "Getting smart about the hierarchy of smart"

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/10/getting-smart-about-the-hierarchy-of-smart.html


This is good to know when getting into the workforce. There is always a hierarchy to follow, and it becomes important to know where you and everyone else stand. I do think that there is a different way to talk to every coworker based on their skill set and level, and this is something to be very aware of. Office politics is something that can't be avoided, and when it can't be avoided, it is better to join in on the mix.

article "You're famous"

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/10/youre-famous.html

A lot of valid points on the life of celebrity is brought up here. So many people today are obsessed with what it means to be a celebrity, imitate a celebrity, and meet a celebrity. I suppose it makes sense they the become romanced with the illusion of celeb-dom and hope some of it will rub on themselves should they somehow follow suit. I do agree with the point that celebrities are created and defined by a person's social life and social rank. There is a worldwide fame and there is a local fame. It's weird how fame relates to a person's self worth that way.

article "Ubiquitous distribution is overrated"

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/10/ubiquitous-distribution-is-overrated.html


I was buying jewelry off a street vendor yesterday (I am a big supporter of struggling design talents out there) and had quite a intense discussion with the designer about ubiquitous distribution today. What is it about scarcity that makes something so appealing? Even in relationships, "hard-to-get" is a game to live by. Chanel has upped their prices (what is it, 20-30%) without any change to the quality of the product, only saying that they wish to keep their product more exclusive, not unlike Hermes. Chanel seems to be concerned that their product has become too ubiquitous, in turn, lowering it's market value. But why exactly is something so much more valuable when its harder to possess, and why do we want something more when it's out of our reach? Is it about the feeling of gratification when we are finally able to achieve/possess whatever is it that we have been pining away for - the more difficult the process the greater the reward?  

article "Demonstrating strength"

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/10/demonstrating-strength.html

These are all valid points to live by, but also things that we often overlook and avoid. I think we all want to take the short cut, and generally make our lives as easy to live by as possible. However there are benefits to taking the long route, and we're humbled by it. Seeking help, relying on others, and being generous are things we all should live by, especially as designers, where the help of your peers will take you so much farther than you alone. This is what I feel concerned about right now, especially, now that I am back in school. Usually I feel more comfortable keeping to myself, but making more of an attempt to relate and connect with my peers, I realize that being open to help each other often does lead to a better end product, and make the process more enjoyable.

article "Generous gifts vs. free samples"

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/10/generous-gifts-vs-free-samples.html


I love that this is being brought to attention, because I am a total sucker for free gifts, bonuses, and samples. If it's but 2 get 1 free, or buy this get that, more often then not, I am tricked to believe that this is one great deal. I think that this is something that benefits me - a gift for me with no strings attached - rather than a clever marketing scheme. I do like that it is mentioned that gift giving with no form of exchange or compensation is powerful - this is something that should be explored further in terms of sales and market.

brand platform soundtrack

http://blip.tv/file/get/Skimpratt-brandPlatformSoundtrack585.wav

article "Five rules for your About page"

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/09/five-rules-for-your-about-page.html


These are some useful points. I have always been a bit lazy about my "about" page and coming up with descriptor words about myself. But it is true that when looking up other people, the first place I investigate is their "about"/"info" pages to see how they describe themselves. A personal tact is probably the best way to go, as suggested. Comments and testimonials are a good idea - another area that I have been neglecting. I am curious to see what a difference a well-sculpted "about" page will make...

article "Needs don't always lead to demand"

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/09/needs-dont-always-lead-to-demand.html

This makes sense. No one wants to be told what they need. As people's demands often overlook their needs, assuming a person's needs will most likely lead to dismissal. A better designer will investigate what people need and want, then create a product based on these demands. But is it better to try to merge the needs and wants, or should we push consumers even further into their demands, leaving them to neglect their most primary needs? Is this unethical, or a logical marketing scheme?

article "Getting better at seeing"

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/09/getting-better-at-seeing.html


What you see in front of you is a major motivator in decision-making, and appearances do matter. I definitely agree that small companies and individual markets do trap themselves in unsightly design. Great design does not have to be expensive, and may just call for absolute simplicity. However, too many fall into the pitfalls of dizzying, unattractive, and thus ineffective design - repelling consumers rather than luring them. This shows me just how important designers are to the world of consumerism, and how our work has the power to effect and change a person's entire decision-making process.