Online Discussion Questions

1. University at Buffalo-State University of
New York
ARC 211- American Diversity and Design- Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Abby Abraham
http://www.africafex.org/acc
ess-to-information/2015-
another-tragic-year-for-
freedom-of-expression-in-
somalia

2. Response to Introduction
 When I registered for D+D, I had no idea how
much this course would have impacted my
mind and how I viewed everyday things and
situations. Every week I looked forward to
see the resources that were uploaded to the
module folders because they usually
contained Ted talks or documentaries that
would make the audience change how they
perceive things in order to understand the
speakers ideas. I would find myself spending
a lot of time looking into these resources and
afterwards I noticed that my thoughts
reflected the ideas learned from D+D. The
part of the course that I found most
compelling was this idea of the importance
of design and how that an idea is at it’s best
potential if it is inclusive to everyone. My
viewpoints on gender, ethnicity, race, color,
etc. have all been changed in a better way
because now I have more understanding on
the subjects. The following pages document
my responses to the online discussion
questions in the Spring 2017 version of ARC
211 American Diversity and Design at the
University at Buffalo – State University of
New York.
Photo taken by my father- Sebastian
Abraham

3. Response to "What is design?" from Hello
World
On “What is design?” from Hello World: Where Design Meets Life by Alice Rawsthron
The author opened her chapter with the example of Ying Zheng, the ruler of the Qin empire, one of the most powerful and
enduring empires I the history of China. She explained how design innovation contributed to Ying Zheng’s success. For
example, in the development of weaponry, he resolved many problems by standardizing parts, and this single innovation gave
his armies great advantage over other armies.
For this discussion, let’s move away from 246 B.C. China, and into the U.S. Describe an innovation or invention (can be
current or historical) that gave advantage to a group of people in the U.S. or to the population as a whole. What were the
social impacts of this innovation? Were any groups negatively impacted by this innovation? For example, the telegraph,
developed and patented in the United States in 1837 by Samuel Morse, permitted people and commerce to transmit messages
across both continents and oceans almost instantly, with widespread social and economic impacts. This heightened
communication speed allowed business persons to make decisions with up-to-date information, often resulting in big profits.
Those without access had to rely on out-dated information, which put them at a disadvantage.
The assembly line is an iconic innovation that changed the way America lived in many fashions. One-way that it changed American
lifestyle was by introducing a cheap affordable automobile known as the Model T Ford. This gave the population the ability to travel
farther distances, take trips and open a new door for civil and cargo transportation. Another way the assembly line affected a social
level was by creating a lot of blue-collared jobs for unskilled workers. This helped boost the economy in local areas and helped
increase employment. Those without a car were at a drawback because they were not able to drive far which maybe limited the types
of jobs that were available around them.
https://www.thoughtco.com/henry-ford-and-the-
assembly-line-1779201

4. On “Introduction” from Diversity and Design: Understanding
Hidden Consequences
The editors state that “diverse participation in the design process, from both professionals and public citizens alike, yields
more equitable results.” This makes sense, but typically has not been the case. Nonetheless, many marginalized groups have
impacted design in ways that have changed our visual and physical worlds as well as our systems, policies, and institutions.
For example, in the 1960s, disability rights advocates designed media events to raise awareness about barriers in the physical
environment. They persisted with their efforts for decades, and, finally, in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act became
law. It mandated accessibility in public accommodations such as restaurants and stores, public transportation,
communication, and other areas of public life. This dramatically changed our physical environment (from curb cuts to ramps
to automatic doors) and the results made public life more equitable.
Now it’s your turn. Describe a design that was impacted by a diversity group. How and why did it change form and/or
circumstances? (Note that a design can be anything requiring planning and development prior to the production of an action,
system, visual, material object, or environment. Also, keep in mind that, for our purposes, a diversity group is a group of
individuals who are underrepresented in society in some way—children, older adults, the economically disadvantaged, those
with cognitive disabilities, etc.)
A design that made an impact for the diverse working force was the public bus. It allowed the transportation of a large number of
people, which allowed traveling to jobs affordable for most people. This helped the working class because many people who worked
in factories were not presented with a cheap means of getting to their jobs before.
https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/press-
past/2013/02/04/remembering-rosa-parks-on-her-100th-
birthday

5. Response to Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on
Photographs
FROM: Chapter in Media/Society and TED Talk Photos that Changed the World
Where would you place the images shown in Photos That Changed the World into Croteau and Hoynes' diagram entitled
“Model of Media and the Social World”? Identify a mass media photograph taken in your own lifetime that has served as an
icon of an event. (Feel free to add an attachment.) What roles does this photo play in the communication of the event?
The impact of seeing another human life, especially one of a child, always incites the feeling of a need to help them because as
humans, most of us determine life as the most precious thing in our world. When I first saw this image in the media, I had a feeling of
anger and remorse even though I had no doing in the demise of this small child. I feel like I felt this way because it sickened me that a
family had to flee their own native country due to political issues and as a result, in their pursuit of a better life, a child and his family
members drowned to death. The fault is not of the family but of the country, they had fled from, for its dangerous state to live in, and
it is the fault of neighboring nations for not offering a safe haven for them to go to. The image definitely created awareness of the
problems and pain that refugees have to go through, and ignites awareness for people around the world, to try to convince their nations
to help.
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/aylan-kurdi-the-syrian-toddler-
drowned-bodrum-beach

6. Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design
FROM: “Fashioning Protest for the Women’s March on Washington” and “The Worst Design of 2016 Was Also the Most
Effective”
NOTE: Use the first three part of the SEE-IT method of critical thinking (State, Elaborate, Exemplify) to address the
following questions:
Typically, we do not think of hats as elements of mass media or social media. However, the two hats (red and pink) discussed
in the articles certainly have taken on that role. Why are the two hats (red and pink) mentioned in the articles vehicles of
communication design? What meanings do each of the two hats carry? In terms of communication design, how are they
similar? And how are they different from one another?
The pink hat is very effective in voicing against Trump. Women who choose to fight against him represent a movement that
does not want a leader who will disrespect and downplay their gender, just so that leader can fit in with so called "locker room
talk". The hat is a message that can be interpreted in a precise manner every time.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/fashion/womens-march-washington-
fashion-protest.html?_r=0

7. Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and "The
Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI" by Maurice Conti
In his chapter on industrial design (written in 1987), historian John Heskett claims that the methods of mass production
introduced by Henry Ford in the U.S. involved new concepts of the standardization and integration of the production line that
were adopted across the world. With Ford’s method, work could be completed by relatively unskilled workers; it was more
efficient and with this method, products were made more quickly and cheaply than previously possible. What were some of the
social consequences of Ford’s production line? In other words, how did this system change our U.S. society? Do any of those
changes remain with us today? Now consider Maurice Conti’s TED Talk, and the predictions he makes about production.
How do you think manufacturing processes will change in the next twenty years? How do you think these changes will affect
our U.S. society?
A major turning point in history was when Henry Ford introduced the assembly line into American culture because it changed the
nation’s economic structure and production efficiency. Ford's notion to bring an assembly line helped increase jobs in the United
States because it created a method to produce cars without requiring the skills of an artisan. By increasing the number of vehicles
produced in the market, it made transportation more affordable so now people are able to travel farther distances then before. This
social consequence was very beneficial because the high volume of cars generated an economic boom in cities across the country
because the factories had brought a plethora of jobs into the market. The downside to this change in the nation was that the assembly
line was redesigned and outsourced to other countries because it would be cheaper to produce which lead to cities becoming over
encumbered with poverty because those jobs were terminated. Conti in his TED Talk presentation, revealed the innovations of
augmented design, which is a computer-generated design of an idea that is impossible for any human to think of. This new
manufacturing process will rapidly change industrial design at an accelerating rate because now designers can have computers
formulate ideas for them which will cut down on time consumed. These changes may lead to a smaller job market or it will used as a
tool for people to use for precision. Our society will definitely see more of a beneficial change because by augmenting the human
cognitive process, innovations for products will be made for specific need instead of being made for possible needs.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1923-1927-ford-model-t1.htm

8. Response IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
NOTE: Use the first three part of the SEE-IT method of critical thinking (State, Elaborate, Exemplify) to address the
following questions:
Which of the 2016 IDEA Gold Award products seems to defy the Cradle-to-Cradle concept developed by architect William
McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart? How does this product resist or disregard the concept? Provide an example
of any product that embraces Cradle-to-Cradle design. Please describe and cite your source.
Cradle to cradle is a design process that helps to conserve resources and energy adequately. A BMW X1 was on the page as I scrolled
through and it kinda stood out to me as a product that doesn't flow with the idea of cradle to cradle because it is just a flashy sports car
that is definitely overpriced than what it's worth. If the car was designed to be environmentally friendly, used eco-friendly materials
and had a cheap overhead price then the product would be more in line with the cradle to cradle concept. A product that definitely
followed the cradle to cradle concept was a design for a cast called Bone-Aid. This product was more in line with the concept because
it reduces the amount of resources needed for a cast which allowed for better transportation. Also the product could be used for more
than one type of bone injury such as arm, leg and ankle fractures.
"BMW X1." Industrial Designers Society of America - IDSA. August 18, 2016. Accessed March 10, 2017.
http://www.idsa.org/awards/idea/automotive-transportation/bmw-x1-0.
"BoneAid." Industrial Designers Society of America - IDSA. August 18, 2016. Accessed March 10, 2017.
http://www.idsa.org/awards/idea/student-designs/boneaid.
http://www.idsa.org/awards/idea/student-designs/boneaid

9. Response to All Module 4 Materials
Your readings and viewings this week present different ways of thinking about architecture. Mies Van der Rohe describes
architecture as “The will of the epoch translated into space.” Andrew Ballantyne describes architecture as the background for
life. Jeanne Gang describes it as the act of building relationships. All agree that architecture can change based on context and
culture. Choose two works of architecture from any of your materials this week—one with sensibilities about the past and one
with sensibilities about the present and/or future. How do each of these buildings either reflect or challenge their cultural
contexts? (Use the SEE-IT method to respond to this question.)
The two buildings that I chose to write about are the Wainwright building and the Highland Park Ford Plant from the PBS video, "10
Buildings that changed America". The Wainwright building is located in St. Louis and was built in 1892. It became an iconic and
revolutionary because it was the first skyscraper ever made starting the age of the modern city. The concept delivered an new concept
in architecture which lead to city expansion being built upwards instead of outwards. Meaning, that less land is needed because office
spaces can literally be stacked on top of each other. Although this skyscraper is not the tallest one ever built in the world, it was the
first one which set an example to other architect designs. The Highland Park Ford plant is also an example a new design that layed
down the bricks for efficient American industry. Henry Ford and a team of people developed a ingenious design for a factory that
changed the ways of production. The plant was the first of its type that had a series of assembly lines which built the Model T Ford at
low cost and within a fraction of time compared to previous methods. Architects now understood the idealism of this new way and
now every factory made since then have followed a similar design. These designs both are perfect examples of the "background for
life" because since their development, modern day factories and cities have taken shape based of them.
http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Wainwright_Building.html

10. Response to Ballantyne and Zumthor Articles
Andrew Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor present ideas about architecture that seem to value the sensorial and material
elements of life. How are Ballantyne’s and Zumthor’s viewpoints on architecture alike? More importantly, how do they differ?
(Use the SEE-IT method to respond to this question.)
Ballanttyne's and Zumthor's architectural ideas are very similar in the sense of them believing that every design is built with a purpose.
Ballantyne conveys his point when he write "If everything is going well, we do not focus on the building but rather on what we are
trying to do in it. This is the case even where the building has a definite presence in the artworld". In translation this means that
although we may not notice the building itself as we interact within them, it being unnoticeable makes the design better because the
building serves its purpose in a quiet way. Zumthor expresses a similar idea and says "Architecture has its own realm. It has a special
relationship with life. I do not think of it primarily as a message or symbol, but as an envelope and background for life which goes on
in and around it". This focuses on the main idea that buildings were made to be a important aspect to our daily lives and although the
details are taken for granted, the buildings are crucial to our tasks and without them things would not work in harmony.
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/subjects/what-can-
you-do-architecture-degree

11. Response to Levy Article
John Levy’s article, “An Overview: The Need for Planning,” discussed ways in which planning can determine the
characteristics of a place. For example, some smaller towns restrict the heights of buildings to maintain a certain scale. How
did planning define the character of the place in which you grew up?
I grew up in an area called. New City, located in downstate New York. New City is a well-planned area because it is a combination of
a high populous suburban area with an urban city abundant with small business. The area was planned by grouping all business close
to each other so that people can walk between shops and reduce the need to use cars. In addition, there is a high quantity of stoplights
and sidewalks, which keep people active and safe. This area really tends to promote a friendly character because it is very safe and just
calls to you to go out on a beautiful day.
http://www.town.clarkstown.ny.us/

12. Response to Pruitt Igoe Project, Talen, and Larson
Imagine that you are part of a urban planning and design firm working with Emily Talen (author of “Design That Enables
Diversity”) and Kent Larson (who gave the TED Talk "Brilliant Designs to Fit More People In Every City" The thee of you
have been tasked with developing a plan to rebuild Pruitt Igoe in St. Louis. City officials told the three of you that that they
want to do it right this time. Identify three strategies for rebuilding Pruitt Igoe in ways that promise to be more successful.
What would Talen do? What would Larson do? What would you do? How would your strategies differ from those of the
original urban planners/designers of the project? Why would your strategies be more effective?
Pruitt Igoe in St. Illinois lead to failure due to numerous reasons such as a fall in the economy, architectural collapse and the separation of the high
and low income areas. By leaving poor residents behind it lead to the unsuccessful design of the city. Three things needed to be done in order to
fix these problems is to diversify, fund and promote business in the area. Diversifying the area means to build housing that is affordable to low
income people but also appealing to higher income to. By doing this we create a community with different backgrounds living together. Funding
the area would be creating taxes to those living there in order to pay for the maintenance of the housing there. Promoting business would help
stabilize the economy in the area because by bringing in new money, the city has a means to pay for itself. Talen would be in charge of promoting
the business in area, because she talks about increasing retail activity in order to increase the demand for different services. Larson would be in
charge of maximizing the usage of space in order to bring down costs, which leads to more affordable living. As for me, I would promote public
mural projects in to brighten the area and create a sense of diversity in the community. These projects would represent the different cultural
backgrounds of the people that would help people understand where others may come from. These strategies would be more effective because it
creates a more self-sufficient city that can support itself; also, it leads to better living since the city would maintain its housing.
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/apr/22/pruitt-igoe-high-rise-
urban-america-history-cities

13. Response to F.L. Olmsted
Displaying his plan at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Frederick Law Olmsted stated that "Buffalo is the best
planned city, as to its streets, public places, and grounds, in the United States, if not in the world." What was the basis for this
claim? Would Olmsted still make that claim today? Why or why not?
Olmstead claimed Buffalo as the greatest city in the world based on a multitude of reasoning. Buffalo used to be known for its
contribution to the automotive industry because factories were built here and generated a high volume of jobs. Olmstead saw this
factor as a positive that would lead to population growth and invite new business to the area. Olmstead then probably saw the increase
in population as an opportunity to create a park, which would lead to socialization and strength in community. Although the
automobile industry outsourced jobs from Buffalo, leaving it in poverty for a time, there has been an increase in funding to new
business and technology companies to bring business to Buffalo. Definitely, within the next five years Buffalo will see drastic changes
to the new flow of money and jobs coming into the area. If Olmstead were to see this change, he would definitely make the same
claim as he did before because now Buffalo will definitely see a better economy and greater population than ever before.
http://www.pbs.org/wned/frederick-law-olmsted/learn-more/olmsteds-buffalo-park-
system-and-its-stewards/

14. Response to Walter Hood's Work
Identify something that should be memorialized either on UB's campus or in your hometown. Imagine that you are the person
who will oversee this project, and that you are using Walter Hood's 'triad of investigations' as your approach to the project.
What would your landscape intervention commemorate/memorialize? How will you use Hood's 'triad of investigations' to
design a new landscape intervention? What do you imagine that the design will be? (Either written or visual descriptions are
acceptable).
I would suggest that UB build a park/landscape on campus dedicated to it's hard working maintenance and bus staff. It should be
highly up to display the respect UB should have for them because without their contributions of work the school would not function.
The park follows Hood's investigation because it would be the everyday commonplace for people to come and enjoy. The park also
follows Hood's investigation because it would be dedicated to the hardworking crew on UB and the beauty of the landscape would
represent the work they put in.
https://www.suny.edu/campuses/buffalo/

15. Response to the Brookes
The abolitionist poster, the Brookes, is an iconic image that often is included in exhibits that explore issues of race and power.
It was commissioned by Thomas Clarkson in 1788, and the Committee of the Abolition of Slavery used it to inform and shock
the public. While some consider the poster as an important component of the abolitionist campaign, it recently “has been
strongly criticized by some individuals and groups of African heritage as providing a very limited view of the history of the
transatlantic slave trade, resistance and abolition (Hudson 2007).” The lesson here is that how a viewer sees an image is
dependent upon his/her social, economic, and cultural position. Keeping this in mind, find another iconic graphic that
addresses racial issues and post it for others in your group to view. (Add it to your response by clicking on the picture in the
tools section. Do not add it as an attachment that needs to be opened.) How do you interpret the graphic? What is its meaning?
Now imagine that someone from a racial and cultural background different than your own is looking at the same graphic.
Briefly describe this person. How might s/he interpret its meaning? How
might this differ from your interpretation? What are the possible reasons for
these differences? (Consider the three assessment principles mentioned in
the article to help you: a technology of vision, an instrument of empathy, and
a symbol of control.)
The picture I chose to interpret seems to be an iconic one which most of us has seen in our high school history class. The picture is of Elizabeth Eckford, who was one of the
members of the Little Rock Nine, who were 9 African Americans who were chosen to come attend an all-white school. The time period of this picture was taken when racial
tension in the U.S was an all time high. As I look at this image, I can interpret and understand the emotion and tension from looking at the faces of the people, and I can understand
that this was from a time people did not accept equality amongst all people. A person from a different background who may look at this may understand the hatred from the women
behind Elizabeth, but may not recognize why they are so angry at her. The reason for the differences between my interpretation and someone who may not have background is that
I learned about the context of this picture in my history class and the other person may not come from a place where skin color created a barrier amongst people.
https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/ak1.htm

16. Response to Charles Davis and equityXdesign's Work
Critique either the MLK Memorial or the National Museum of African American History and Culture using equityXdesign’s
core beliefs and/or design principles.
Although the MLK Memorial is a monument that has great significant value, it has a few things about it, which could have been
improved. The first thing well executed by the team was the promotion of the barrier of racial discrimination being broken by MLK.
This design was well represented by the monument by how MLK seems to be breaking free from rock formation. Although it
promotes the significance of breaking the racial barrier but fails to promote a united feeling amongst everyone who views the
monument.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-
National-Memorial

17. Response to "Landscape Stories" Chapter
First, let’s start with your own home. Describe a place in your home (indoors and/or outdoors) that you think of as representative of your own ethnic
background and discuss why you consider this place to be ‘ethnic’. –OR-- Describe an object in your home that you think of as representative of your
ethnic background and discuss why this object is considered to be ‘ethnic’. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this object or place something that you will keep
or continue when you establish your own home? Why or why not?
Now let’s move into your community. In “Landscape Stories,” the authors show how landscape architects develop a historical narrative that sifts
through and interpets the culture and material of underrepresented groups. Think about the community where you grew up. Describe and discuss any
evidence of cultural influences on the physical environment in your community. If possible, describe evidence of the cultural influence of an
underrepresented group. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this cultural influence being acknowledged or preserved from future generations? Why or why
not?
Whenever I think of my ethnic origins, my mind always comes down to the thoughts of my mothers cooking which makes the kitchen in our home the
representation of our background. My parents come from a state in India called Kerala, which is a place known for it's amazing cuisine because they utilize a
plethora of blended spices in a mass variety of dishes. My mom is always cooking the food she grew up with in our kitchen, filling our home with the fragrance
which motivates me and my siblings to leave our rooms and run downstairs to see what she has prepared. I believe that food helps create a nostalgia of cultural
identity for anyone of a specific background, which is why I associate the kitchen with my ethnic background.
In my community there is not that many structures which you would look at and understand that it helps promote cultural influences, but here at UB you can
look at the Commons as a symbol of cultural influence. When you walk into the commons there is a variety of different restaurants that serve food that is
representative of different cultures. There is Korean food, Indian food, Japanese and maybe others of which I don't know. I personally been to the Korean place
and when you walk in there is a list of food written on the wall in English but in the Korean annunciation. Whenever I order I always try something new even
though I don't know what exactly I'm ordering. I feel submerged in there culture every time because I always try to grasp an understanding of the menu and what
to expect of the food I'm ordering.

18. Response to Article on Sports Branding
Recent controversies about sports branding focus on ethnicity. The Washington Redskins team is just one example of the
larger controversy, but it receives the most public attention due to the name itself being defined as derogatory or insulting in
modern dictionaries, and the prominence of the team representing the nation’s capital. Should sports team branding designers
use ethnic references (Fighting Irish, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Braves, etc.)? Why? Why not? What are some of the complexities
of this issue?
I believe that sports team branding designers should be allowed to use ethnic references for their designs but should be limited to what
words they are allowed to use. Using a derogatory word such as redskins degrades the significance of Native Americans as a cultural
group which is understandable to why we should not use it as the name for a sports team. Using a word such a Celtics isn't bad
because it represents a language group of people and does not degrade them.
http://americanfootball.wikia.com/wiki/Washington_Redskin
s

19. Response to "Visualizing Gender" Chapter
In their chapter “Communicating Gender,” Maya Ganesh and Gabi Sobliye discuss two primary visual advocacy approaches:
1) get the idea, and 2) stories in data. Find a new example of either of the two visual advocacy approaches to gender issues, and
post it in this thread.
First, identify the approach. Then explain how the designer uses the approach to communicate a gender issue. Is the approach
effective in this example? Why or why not? How could this graphic be improved?
[The images I used on the discussion board were not working and didn’t allow me to view them :’( ]
The first image I chose that tackles the issue of gender was one of British propaganda. I assume that this was distributed at a time of
war when all men were drafted and there were no workers in industrial factories. The designer illustrated a woman with open arms in
order for women in the nation to feel welcomed to come work. This helped closed the issue of women not being able to have a man's
job. I don't think the graphic needs to be improved because it properly conveys it's point.
The second poster I chose fights for the roles of women in Society. High religious positions such as being the pope, are roles which
have been held by men for years. The designer has an aggressive approach in which it tackles this issue head on. Religion is a big
factor on how the values of gender roles are perceived. The poster could be improved if the designer added more words with
background information on the issue.

20. Response to Bathroom Bill
Last year, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed into law a bill that repealed local LGBT anti-discrimination laws,
and required people to use the bathroom that corresponded with the biological gender written on their birth certificates. This
prompted massive backlash. McCrory stated, “You know, we all have to make adjustments in life. And we’ve had the proper
etiquette situation for decades in our country, and all of a sudden through political correctness we’re throwing away basic
etiquette.” Just this past Thursday, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill to repeal the law while placing a
moratorium on nondiscrimination measures.
Should people be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with the biological gender written on their birth certificate?
State why AND state why not. In other words, to receive full credit for this question, you need to present an argument for both
sides of the issue. As a designer, how would you solve this gender dilemma?
I believe people should used the corresponding bathroom according to gender from birth. It does sound unfair but it would make
people uncomfortable if there was a man in the womens room. Gender neutral bathrooms should be made more often in places in
order to tackle the issue so it wouldn't be so controversial.
http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/61052/20151230/transgender-privacy-issues-abound-for-public-
restrooms-sexually-segregated-facilities-after-new-rule-from-washington-human-rights-commission.htm

21. Response to People Like Us
After almost two decades of public assistance, Tammy Crabtree took herself and her family off the welfare rolls. But her job
cleaning bathrooms at a local Burger King barely paid the bills. Crabtree wanted to do better and hopes to go to college and
become a teacher.
Imagine this scenario. You are a designer who works at the well-known firm, iPD (Integrated Planning and Design). You work
on a team with planners, urban designers, policy designers, architects, and social designers. You have been tasked to
develop/design a way for Tammy Crabtree and her family (and others with situations similar to Tammy’s) to move themselves
out of poverty. What will your team to do to help Tammy and her family achieve their goals? What approach will your team
take to address this difficult problem?
The clearest answer to Tammy's problems is to help her attain a specialization in something in order for her to get a job with a higher
pay. The team should help make public transportation in her area so that she has accessibility for at least a bus that could take her to a
community college. She should then try to receive an associate degree so that she can find a small better paying job first but if she
would like to continue her education afterwards, she can. Also I feel like the team can help her renovate her home to help increase its
value so she has the option to try to sell it and leave.

22. Response to Carroll Article: “(Re)forming Regent Park: When Policy
Does Not Equal Practice”
The development of Regent Park is phased, and there are several more phases to the project. What actions could be taken to
ensure more social integration for the older people living in the ‘new and improved’ Regent Park?
In order to create more social integration within the community, one action that should happen is more social events. I have a position
at the Governors dorm complex here as hall council president and one duty I have is to come up with ideas of social events so that
other students can come together and interact with each other. By creating something interactive like a game night, it encourages
people to talk and communicate with each other. Older people can enjoy a game board night and be asked to play with other residents
in order to make things more social.
http://seniorbuzz.org/whats-a-senior-center-really-like/

23. Response to Enriquez TED Talk: “What Will Humans Look Like
in 100 Years?”
For this question, we will focus on Juan Enriquez’ Life Two civilization, which alters
fundamental aspects of the body. We are living longer than ever before in human history.
Enriquez argues that, because of advances in bio-medical technology, the possibility of
living to 120 years of age and beyond is quite possible for many of us in this D+D class.
Assuming that his assertion is accurate, how do you think extended life spans will change
our societies and built environments? What new issues might designers face because of
extended life spans?
Living to 120 sounds nice to many people but poses a couple of problems in living that long. By
having people being able to live longer, we would have higher populations since the death rate
would slow down. By having this happen, the world would have to accommodate more living
spaces and food resources, which would deplete quicker. This would negatively affect our
environment because it would demand us to use up more land. In addition, the cost of living
would increase because there more demand for food and other things. Designers would have to
create living space with smaller proportions because they will need to create more spaces for all
these people. In addition, they will need to figure out how to use less resource.
http://www.eartheclipse.com/environment/problem
s-of-overpopulation.html

24. Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
The two most frequently mentioned models of disability are the ‘social’ and the ‘medical’ models. The medical model of disability views disability as a medical ‘problem’
that belongs to the disabled individual. The social model of disability, in contrast, draws on the idea that it is society that disables people, through designing everything to
meet the needs of the majority of people who are not disabled. There is a recognition within the social model that there is a great deal that society can do to reduce, and
ultimately remove, some of these disabling barriers, and that this task is the responsibility of society, rather than the disabled person.
In the Smithsonian online exhibition, the story about the superhero hand, and Elise Roy’s TED Talk, you saw examples of ways to engage disability that use the social
model rather than the medical model. In the Disability and Design PowerPoint, you were introduced to the concept of Universal Design (UD) (sometimes called
inclusive design, design-for-all, or human-centered design). Certainly, UD embraces the social model of disability. In this same PowerPoint, you saw positive and
negative examples of each of the seven principles of universal design.
For the Module 12 Thread 1, please select one of the seven universal design principles, and post photographs that show both a positive and a negative example of the
principle. Then address the following question: How do your examples empower or disempower various people? Describe the specific features of the positive example
and the specific features of the negative example. Discuss ways that the positive example could be even further improved.
My examples I chose are related to equitable use. The first image is a photograph taken by a handicap who has trouble accessing a
ATM due to the fact that the designer of the machine, made it so that the machine was
accessible only to those who can stand. It is unfair to those who are handicapped, because
they should have ease of access to their accounts from a bank.
The second image I choose to convey the principle of equitability is public transportation. Most
buses these days are wheelchair accessible and have power ramps which allow handicapped
people ride the public bus. this design principle should also be applied to other forms of public
transportation like taxis
http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2012/07/16/accessibility-for-
persons-with-disabilities-still-not-achieved-in-turkey/
http://montrealgazette.com/author/aimee-louw-special-to-
montreal-gazette

25. Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
What lessons do you think we should learn from history when thinking about emerging enhancement technologies and
reproductive technologies? What are some of the possible consequences (both positive and negative) of being able to design our
bodies and the bodies of our children? What ethical quandaries do these technologies pose?
I do not believe in choosing the physical attributes for a child. I believe a modern society would be more accepting of people if they
were born with all different traits on how they looked instead of having an expectation on physical appearance. Manipulating other
traits that would benefit someone like preventing disease is something I would back up because it's an aspect that would help make
that child's life easier.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gattaca

26. Response to Titicut Follies
The state of Massachusetts tried to ban the 1967 documentary Titicut Follies, arguing that director Frederick Wiseman had violated
the patients’ rights by not getting written permission to film them. The case went to court, and Wiseman argued that he had consent
from their legal guardian, the institution. After a judge ruled in favor of the state, the legal appeals carried on for several years: in
1969, Massachusetts allowed the film to be shown to doctors, lawyers, and health care professionals; in 1991, a superior court judge
ruled it could be released for the “general public,” as privacy concerns were no longer at issue, so many years later.
Should Wiseman have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility? Why or why not?
How might this film be of value to designers (communication designers, product, designers, architects, interior designers, planners,
landscape designers, systems designers, and/or social designers)? In other words, what might they gain from this film that they
could use in their work?
A few people who replied to this discussion had expressed that they believe this filmed should have been made with the consent
of the residents. I on the other hand disagree with this because although these people are humans, their rights are limited due
to breaking the law. It is important for us to have a better understanding of the people within the facility but would be hard to
comply with if the people filming had to receive consent from residents. The residence should have the option to have their
identity not revealed in order to make them feel more comfortable.

27. Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
 Prelude: Wolf Wolfensberger's seminal work "The Origin and Nature of Our
Institutional Models" posited that society characterizes people with
intellectual disabilities as sub-human and burdens of charity, He argued that
this dehumanization, and the segregated institutions that result from it,
ignored the potential productive contributions that all people can make to
society. He pushed for a shift in policy and practice that recognized the
human needs of those with intellectual challenges and provided the same
basic human rights as for the rest of the population.
 The Scenario: Imagine that you and your four children live in Amherst, New
York in a $650,000 home at the end of a cul-de-sac on the edge of a ten
acre woods. The town has purchased a one acre lot three houses away from
yours, and plans to build a group home for ten intellectually challenged
adults.
 As a resident of the neighborhood, would you support or oppose this
proposal and why?
 You've learned additional information about the residents of the proposed
group home in your neighborhood. In 2013, three of the ten intended
residents exhibited challenging behaviors including screaming, public
masturbation, repetitive rocking, and echolalia (elective incontinence).
However, these behaviors have not occurred since then.
 How would this change your opinion about the construction of the group
home in your neighborhood?
 The residents in your neighborhood voted (14-3) to reject the town of
Amherst’s proposal to build a group home in the neighborhood. Town
officials agreed that the home would not be built in your neighborhood if
you and your neighbors could develop a workable alternative.
 What are some possible solutions that would allow the residents of the
home to be provided with “the same basic human rights as the rest of the
population”?
 If I were subjected to this scenario
I would be concerned with the
safety of my children, so I would
not be comfortable with this home
being built. Although such behavior
has not occurred since I would not
take the risk only because my
family is the priority. As an
alternative to this proposal I would
say to build a
psychiatric/rehabilitative center in
an area that is slightly isolated
from a community. This facility
would be staffed with doctors and
nurses who would help the
resident's in this facility carry on
with daily life and ensure they
maintain good health.

28. Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban
Planning by David Engwicht
In his article, David Engwicht discusses the fact that religions (of all types) have played major roles in the development of our cities. Today, places of
worship are primary components of almost all urban centers. Author Lorne Daniel writes “From their often active role in supporting people who live in
city centers to their iconic influence on design and use of space, religious structures tell us a lot about our history, our current needs, and where we
might be headed in the future. This is an aspect of our urban future that planners and urbanists should attend to.”
Identify a place of worship with which you are somewhat familiar. (If you are not familiar with any places of worship, do a bit of research on one in
your own city or town.) Show a photograph of this religious structure. (You may use photographs from the web.) What roles has this place served in the
development of your city/town? How has it influenced the design of the area around it? How has its role changed over time? What roles could this place
of worship play in the future development of your city/town?
About two years ago my family and I traveled to India and while we were there we visited this church called Velankanni, which was famous for claiming that the
mother of Jesus Christ had came to that location. According to the locals, there was a tsunami which flooded and destroyed all the homes and businesses in the
area but the church and all the people who sheltered in it had saw the Virgin Mary there protecting them, leaving them unharmed by the disaster. I am not as
religious as most people who take pilgrimage there and was skeptical about the church because as I went around the place I saw how Velankanni impacted the
economics of the town. Many of the locals who live in the area are homeless beggars (usually women with babies) that will follow you until you gave them
money or told them you had nothing. Since most tourists are religous people, the beggars understand its a great opportunity to ask for cash since many people
feel obligated to be charitable around a holy place. Also there are many other churches in the area also claiming some holy miracle that happened at there church,
usually saying that Mary or Jesus came there to visit. After walking around for two hours and being constantly asked for money by the hundreds of beggars in the
are, I understood that the church served as the economical source in the area. Without it, there would be no reason for tourists to come to that poor area and
funnel equity into the church and the pockets of the people. The area is very underdeveloped and close to third world conditions, since most of the residents of
the area are poor, homeless and are reliant on donations as their main source of income. If the church was not there, the area would struggle to survive. The
church does not seem to have made the conditions any better since the people there are concerned with there own survival then the improvement and
development of the area.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velankanni

29. Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design
 Consider the quote in your syllabus from educator
Michael J. Shannon: “Design, as vision in action--the
intersection of understanding and creation--is a
universal human capability that can play a fundamental
role in social evolution, in the process that transforms
resources, energy, and information to make our
world.”
 At the beginning of this course, we discussed the idea
that we are all designers regardless of our profession
or field of study. We’ve asked some big questions along
the way, and the conclusion section of our textbook
raises additional issues that require input from people
who might not consider themselves to be part of the
formalized design professions.
 Think about your own major and/or future profession.
What is the biggest challenge, problem, or question
that your field needs to tackle right now? What do you
plan to do to address this challenge, problem, or
question either as part of your studies or professional
life?
 As an undecided major, I have no
problems within my field since
there is none. After taking this
course and reading through all the
resources and informations given in
our assignments, I have a better
understanding and appreciation
that the concept of design is
important for whatever task we
undertake. We should always keep
in consideration of the different
people who would be affected by
our solution to a problem and
make sure it is inclusive to
everyone