ARC 211: American Diversity and Design: JOHN KARST

1. University at Buffalo- State University of New York
ARC 211- American Diversity and Design- Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
John Karst
The followingpagesdocumentmyresponses
to the online discussionquestionsin the Spring
2017 versionof ARC211 AmericanDiversity
and Designatthe UniversityatBuffalo –State
Universityof NewYork.

2. Introduction
Hello and welcome to my profile! My name is John Karst and I
am a freshman at the University at Buffalo. My intended
major is Electrical Engineering. American Diversity and Design
is one of the most enlightening classes that I have ever taken
in both high school and college. The class has taught me so
much about how people live and what we can do to help
people who are less fortunate than us. I was not aware of
how design has such a big influence on our everyday lives.
After taking this class I do look at the world differently.
The most interesting part of the course was a video I watched
for one of the modules labeled “10 Buildings That Changed
America.” The video discussed how different building and
those architects that created those buildings played a huge
role in all the buildings that we live in today. It was very
interesting to learn about all that stuff and it made me
appreciate different buildings more.

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 car was a revolutionary invention that impacted a certain amount of
people. Before the car the fastest way that people could travel the
country was the train,but the train could not go wherever itwanted unlike
the car. This invention gave an advantage to rich people because they
were the only ones that could afford to buy a car when itfirsthit the
market. But this invention did not only impactrich people. It also helped
the working middleclass. Henry Ford was one of the most important
people involved in the invention of the car. He created a simpler and more
efficient way of manufacturingthese cars known as the assembly line. The
assembly linecreated a lotof jobs for these workingmiddle classpeople,
even people who did not have a lot of skills. Theinvention of the car really
did shapethe country and helped a lotof different groups of people.
http://res.cloudinary.com/www-virgin-com/virgin-com-
prod/sites/virgin.com/files/Articles/Getty/henry_ford_one_gett
y.jpg

4. Response to "Introduction" from Diversity and Design
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 eventsto 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.)
The popular basketball teamknown as the Golden State Warriorsoriginally
had their logo originally depicta Native American playingbasketball in the
1950's. The Native American community was not very fond of this logo
depictingthem as people with wide grins and almostno articles of clothing
dribblinga basketball. Becauseof their unhappiness with the logo the
franchisedecided to remove the offensive Native American figure from
their team logo and instead replaceitwith an image of the Golden Gate
Bridge.
http://content.sportslogos.net/logos/6/249/full/5508.gif

5. Response to Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on
Photographs
Where would you place the images shown in Photos That
Changed the World into Croteauand Hoynes' diagram
entitled “Model of Media and the Social World”? Identify a
mass media photograph taken in yourown 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?
I would say that a huge majority of the images shown in the
Ted talk belong in the Media Message orProduct group.
Every single one of those photos has a very deep and
meaningful message that had brought up a change in society.
This reminds me of last week's question where it asked what
design or creation was changed because of a small group of
people. In a way, a lot of these photos can qualify as an
answer to this question because a lot of the horrible things
that we saw that were going on in the photos were ultimately
changed.
Because I have been alive for only eighteen years, the one
photo that instantly comes to mind is the one where the
second plane crashed into the World Trade Center. That
event completely changed the world and changed how we
viewed one another. That event also created the
Transportation Security Administration that made traveling by
plane stricter than ever before.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LYmohCjnTj0/Rl_LTh6kIzI/AAAA
AAAAAXw/6fWieXB-WQI/s320/wtcexplosion.jpg

6. Response to Articleson Hats as CommunicationDesign
Typically,we do not think of hats as elementsofmass mediaor
social media.However,the two hats (red and pink) discussedin
the articlescertainly have taken on that role.Why are the two
hats (red and pink) mentionedinthe articlesvehiclesof
communicationdesign?What meaningsdo each of the two hats
carry? In terms of communicationdesign,how are theysimilar?
And how are they differentfromone another?
State:The twohats mentionedinthe articlesare usedbythe people
to conveya message.
Elaborate:The message thatDonaldTrump's famoushatis sayingis
that he will make the countrygreatagain like itwasinthe past.
These wordsgive manyof the people of Americahope because they
believethatthe countryisnot ingood shape andthat Trump isthe
man whoisgoingto fix the problem. The colorof the hat isred,a
colorthat is associatedwiththe words"strong"and"bold." It also
so happenstobe the colorof the Republicanparty. The design of
the hat is simple andstraighttothe point,justlike DonaldTrump’s
message. The message thatthe pinkhatsendsisactuallya protest
againstDonaldTrump. He has made some commentsaboutwomen
that a lot of people donotlike. Soinprotestduringthe Women's
March theywore these pinkhatsinprotestof DonaldTrump's
comments.Againstwomen. The designof the hatshas a hintof
mockeryinthem. Theyare a lightshade of red (alsoknownaspink)
that isusuallythe colorassociatedwithwomen andisa verywarm
and welcomingnumber. There are nowordswrittenonthe hat and
theyare handknitted.
Example:Trumpsupporterswearthe hatsto showtheirsupportof
DonaldTrump andthe Women'sMarch people wore theirhatsto
not showtheirsupport forTrumphttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Donald_Tr
ump_official_portrait.jpg

7. Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and "The
Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI" by Maurice Conti
In his chapter on industrial design(writtenin 1987), historian
John Heskett claims that the methods of mass production
introduced by HenryFord in the U.S. involved new concepts
of the standardization and integrationof the production line
that were adopted across the world. WithFord’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 thanpreviously possible.
What were some of the social consequences of Ford’s
productionline? 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?
I do consider it a new era for production in America when the
assembly line was created. The assembly line revolutionized
how products were made in the United States and gave
millions of Americans jobs. I do wonder what would have
happened if the creation of the assembly line did not happen.
Would it be created by somebody else? Ornot created at all?
How would the United States be if the assembly line was
never created.
/virgin.com/files/Articles/Getty/henry_ford_one_getty.jpg

8. Response IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
Which of the 2016 IDEA Gold Award products seems to defy
the Cradle-to-Cradle concept developedby 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.
Any of the cars that were mentioned in the 2016 IDEA Gold
Award do not go with the Cradle-to-Cradle concept. The Rolls
Royce, for example, does not recycle material that it uses. It
also runs on a fuel that is not a renewable resource and is bad
for the environment.
An example of a product that uses the Cradle-to-Cradle
concept are the Sun Chips biodegradable bags. Even if you
throw the bag away it will just degrade back into the
environment surrounding it.
http://inhabitat.com/sunchips-unveils-new-quieter-100-
compostable-bags/
http://thegreenists.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/sunchips.jpg

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 Virginia StateCapital Buildinghas sensibilities aboutthe past. The
buildingwas builtover two centuries ago after the colonies won their
freedom againstthe British. The builders of the State Capital,Thomas
Jefferson and Charles-Louis Clerisseau,wanted the buildingto be
something completely different from every British buildingwhilewantingit
to represent power. Thomas Jefferson was fond of the buildingstructure
of the Maison Carreein Rome, so he and his French partner builtthe
Virginia StateCapital Buildingin the likelinessof the famous Roman
structure. This shows sensibilities aboutthe pastbecauseJefferson took
the idea of a buildingthatwas builtover 2000 years ago.
The Robie House in Chicago,Illinoishas sensibilities aboutthe present and
the future. The creator of the house, frank Lloyd Wright, wanted to create
a house that was different from all other houses. So he created a
residential housethathad a horizontal roofline,largeoverhangingeaves,
and rooms that flow into one another. This house design shows sensibility
about the present and the future because many house designers later
were inspired by the design of the house so they implemented a lot of the
aspects of the Frank Lloyd Wrighthouse into their house designs that
became very popular.
http://flwright.org/ckfinder/userfiles/images/FLWT_tour_brochure2
016.jpg

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.)
Zumthor believes that a key element to design is detail. He goes on to say,
"details express what the basic idea of the design requires at the relevant
point in the object: belonging or separation,tension or lightness,friction,
solidity,fragility...". What he means by this quote is thatdesign has a huge
impacton the message of the piece as a whole. Zumthor also believethat
the landscapesurroundingthe architectureis a very important aspectto
the architectureitself. He believes that the buildingshould acceptthe
landscapethatis surroundingitonly if the architecturecan appeal to
people's emotions. Zomthor also believes the idea of spaceis really
important.
Ballantyneis a firmbeliever that people should stop what they aredoing
and admire the acrhetectre that they are witnessinginstead of just"taking
a picture" and moving on to the next thing. UnlikeZumthor, Ballantyneis
more focused on the human aspectwhen lookingfor inspiration for his
next build. Ballantynealso sees a house more as partof the person that is
inhabitingit. He calls a house"a man's shell"and basically callsita place
where a person can be justthemselves and not worry what other people
have to think. This pointbrings us back to the other point about how
Ballantynelooks to people for inspiration when constructinghouses.
When comparingthe two men from both of these writingpieces it is
obvious to see that they both have different viewpoints when it comes to
creatinghouses. The overall differencebetween the two is that Zumthor is
a big believer in all thevery small detailsthatcomes to creatinga building
whileBallantynebelieves that the person who is goingto be livingin that
buildingarethe most importantaspect of the architecture.
https://static01.nyt.com/images/2011/03/13/magazine/mag-
13zumthor-t_CA1/mag-13zumthor-t_CA1-popup.jpg

11. Response to Levy Article
John Levy’sarticle, “AnOverview:The NeedforPlanning,”
discussedways in whichplanning can determine the
characteristics of a place. For example,some smallertowns
restrict the heightsofbuildingsto maintain a certain scale. How
did planningdefine the character ofthe place inwhich you grew
up?
I grewup ina little towncalledHopewellJunction. Specifically,I
grewup ina suburbnexttoa golf course. WhenI was5 years old
we had a deadendright nexttoour house sowe couldgo outinto
the streetsandplaywithouthavingtoworry aboutcars. Nowthey
extendedthatdeadendroadtocreate five differentstreetsandall
of the housesonthat streetwere verynewandbig. Nowour street
isusedas a mainpathfor all of these carsthat are comingto and
fromthe bighousesupthe road. Before the developmentof the
upperneighborhoodthe towndidnotreallycare aboutthe
differentproblemswe hadonour streetlike pot holesandpower
outages. Nowbecause of the developmentof thatnew
neighborhoodthe townrespondstoanyproblemwe have instantly.
Pot holeswere beingfilled,streetlightswere beingreplaced,
sewage wasbeingfixed. Justaboutanythingthatwasbrokenon
our streetwasfixedbythattown. This inturn made our
neighborhoodlookevenbetterthanbefore. Anotherreasonwhy
everythingwasgettingfixedinourneighborhoodwasforall of the
rich people thatboughtthe bighousesupthe road. The golf course
rightnextto our roadsreallyattractedthe likingof a lotof rich
people. Sowhentheymovedinthe townwantedtosatisfythem,
evenif itwas fixingthe neighborhood. Isay my neighborhood
keepsimprovingall the time.
https://img.clipartfest.com/30e32a7e9100f29225391f63999
3cdd0_dead-end-sign-signs-symbols-dead-end-clipart_1000-
1000.jpeg

12. Response to Pruitt Igoe Project, Talen, and Larson
Imagine that you are part of a urban planning anddesign
firm working with Emily Talen (authorof “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 developinga 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?
I like your plan about integration shops into the surrounding
buildings of Pruitt Igoe. It is very similarto the plan of the
man who invented the design of the common mall. He
created the mall so people can get out and interact with their
community. I also agree with you idea because of your belief
that it would decrease segregation. Pruitt Igoe would
definitely be a better place if they implemented your plan into
it. That is a very interesting idea you have there where you
want to surround the old community with a new community.
This change could bring a lot of influence by the new
community to the old community that it is surrounding. I also
like your idea about balancing the compact areas and natural
and free space. A great community needs to have space for
trees and wild life to thrive.
http://www.thinwithin.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Under-
Construction-sign.jpg

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?
Olmsted's claimis a bold one but also very close to the truth. I
live 6 hours away from Buffalo from a small town and always
imagined Buffalo as your typical city with skyscrapers
everywhere and basically a concrete jungle. Then in the
beginning of my first semester I took a tour of Buffalo and was
blown away by the different buildings and parks that were in
this city. Everything seemed to flow very well, especially for
the different urban parks. When I watch the video the city of
Buffalo looked even better in the past than it did today. Today
I believe that Olmsted would be a little disappointed in what
the city of Buffalo has become because of their plan of putting
a highway in the middle of a neighborhood. he would not
have been happy about that.
http://www.olmsted.org/storage/images/04_The_Olmsted_Legacy/Fre
derick_Law_Olmsted_Sr./photo_1_0013.jpg

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).
Back in my hometown we have a small burial sitewhere a family called the
Van Wyck family is buried. The Van Wyck family was a aristocraticfamily
who came to my home town and basically founded and put our town name
on the map. Many of the family members were a part of the Revolutionary
and Civil War and some went on to be influential politicians,oneof the
family members was even the mayor of New York City for a short time.
The burial siteof the Van Wyck family is on a small hill rightnext to a
church that gets no recognition at all. In my 18 years of livingin thattown
I have not seen one person go to the burial siteand I believe that it
deserves more recognition.
My plan for the burial siteis to make it more recognized and more
accessibleto the public. Its a difficultlocation to work with itbecause it is
on a very steep hill nextto a busy road. There is a wooded area right
behind the burial sitethat could be knocked down and replaced with a
more accessibleentranceto the burial site.
The family also had a housethat they all lived in for many generations.
That house was a very important part of the Revolutionary War because
they held a lot of artillery for the Revolutionaries thateventually won the
war. i would also createa memorial for that site. Maybe convert the
house into a museum where people can come in and embrace the house
that helped win the Revolutionary and recognize the many contributions
that the Van Wyck family has for this community.
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/find-a-grave-
prod/photos/2015/351/149994968_1450474299.jpg

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?
I actually went to a museum that had this same exact bar and the same
seats as the ones that were shown in the picture. The thingabout this
picturethat I find quite disturbingthough is that this was only 50 years
ago. How do you think you would interpret other famous photos likethis if
you were from Franceand did not know anythingabout the Civil Rights
Movement? More specifically pictures likeMLK's speech atthe
Washington Monument and Rosa Parks pictureon the bus.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/
Martin_Luther_King%2C_Jr..jpg/220px-
Martin_Luther_King%2C_Jr..jpg

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. (Use the beliefs or
principles that are most relevant to your critique rather than
all of them.)
The MLK memorial created a lot of controversy when it was
first revealed to the public. Many people thought that Martin
Luther King's eyes were very squint, making him appear like an
Asian man. People blamed this mistake on the artist, who is
also Asian himself. The other controversy relating to the
sculpture was the quote that was etched into the sculpture. it
was a quote that was made by Martin Luther King but it was
not a direct quote, it was paraphrased. EquityXdesign would
have criticized this mistake hard because the artist did not
recognize nor include the full quote. This goes back to the
whole discussion about equality that equityXdesign was
talking about. The artist in a way was treating the sculpture
and the whole black community with disrespect because he
paraphrased and misrepresented MLK. That sculpture needed
some improvement so it can represent MLK and the black
community right and giving both of them equity.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c2/MLK_Memorial
_NPS_photo.jpg

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?
A placethat I consider to be a good representation of my background is
definitely my diningroom. It is a room set asidenext to the kitchen that is
only used a hand full of times a year (mostly for holidays). Comingfrom
families of Irish and Polish blood itwas very importantto have a dining
placeset asidefor one special occasions. When I establish my own house i
will try to have my own diningroom becauseI am proud of my heritage
and want to continue it.
In my hometown they have this placecalled "The Polish Club." The club
was established by a couple of men from Polish descentwho wanted to
express their culturewith other Polish people. I do not know exactly how
longthe Polish club hasexisted for but it has been around for more than
50 years. This is also a group in my hometown that is notvery represented
when compared to the other people that are in the town. The club is also
working very hard to establish and keep the club in mint condition for
future generations to come.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Irelan
d-Capitals.PNG

18. Response to Article on Sports Branding
This thread will focus on the ethnic characteristics of sports
branding. Please post your own response by Friday, March
31at 10:00 am, and respond to at least two other students’
responses by Sunday, April 2 at 10:00 pm.
Recent controversies about sports brandingfocus 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 definedas 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 the sports teams should not change their names.
Sports franchises chose their names because they want a
name that represents something powerful and honorable.
The reason that Washington chose the name of the Redskins
was to honor the Native American for how fierce and fearful
they were. Because of this reason I do not think there is any
problem with the name of the different sports teams. You do
not see a lot of people getting offended by the Boston Celtics
mascot or the Notre Dame mascot. I do not see anything
complex about this issue right row.
http://prod.static.redskins.clubs.nfl.com/nfl-assets/img/gbl-ico-
team/WAS/logos/home/large.png

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. Cite
the source.
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?
I choose to go with the "stories in data" approach. In the
image you can see the author approaches the different kinds
of sexual harassment and how frequently it happens amongst
people. It is shocking to see how frequent that it happens to
people, especially women. The author of this picture
approaches gender issues by displaying how more frequent
sexual harassment happens to women than men. I believe
that this example is very effective because the graph shows
that women get sexually harassed almost three times as likely
as men. The graph does not the be improved.
http://www.stopstreetharassment.org/our-work/nationalstudy/

20. Response to Bathroom Bill
Last year,North CarolinaGovernor Pat McCrory signed into law abill that
repealed localLGBT anti-discrimination laws,and required people to use the
bathroom that corresponded with thebiologicalgender written on their
birth certificates.Thisprompted massive backlash.McCrorystated,“You
know,we all have to make adjustmentsin life.And we’ve had the proper
etiquettesituation for decadesin our country,and allof a sudden through
political correctnesswe’rethrowingawaybasicetiquette.” Just thispast
Thursday, the North CarolinaGeneralAssemblypassed abillto repealthe
law while placing a moratorium on nondiscrimination measures.
Should people be required to use thebathroomthat correspondswith the
biological gender written on their birth certificate? StatewhyANDstate why
not.In other words,to receive fullcredit for thisquestion,you need to
present an argument for bothsidesofthe issue.Asa designer,how would
you solve thisgender dilemma? Use the SEE-ITmethod to respond to this
question.
Itshould berequired to usethebathroomcorrespondingto your biological
gender becausethatiswho you are. You cannotchangewhatgender what
you areborn with becausethatisphysically who you are. Justlikeyou are
physically a certain age,certain skin color,andcertaineyecolor. Itwouldalso
be very inappropriateif men and women used thesamebathroom. I would
notbe comfortablewith my daughter usingthesamebathroomasanother
man.
Peopleshould justusewhatever bathroomthey please. Regardlessof gender.
Itreally discouragespeoplewho aretransgenderto usethebathroomsof their
birth gender becausethey look moreliketheother gender and beharassed by
the peoplein thatbathroom. Peoplego to thebathroomjustto do their
businessandleaveso I do notknowwhatthebigdeal iswith lettinganyone
usea certain bathroom.
To solvethisgender dilemma I would constructa onepersonbathroomthat
can beused by any gender and placeitatevery placeof interestso itdoes not
haveto become a problemwith peopleof both sides of thisargument.
https://pixel.nymag.com/imgs/fashion/daily/2015/09/04/04-
gender-neutral-bathroom.w190.h190.2x.jpg

21. Response to Hidden Ways
Author Steven Flusty categorized five types of disciplinary
architecture that perpetuate what he calls urban spatial
injustice: 1) stealthy, 2) slippery, 3) crusty, 4) prickly, and 5)
jittery. Go out into the city of Buffalo, and find/photograph
two examples from the list of five. Identify what type of
space you’ve photographedand why it might discriminate
against a specific population. Identifythe location where you
took the photograph, and make certainthat you are in at
least one of the two photographs.
For my two photos I have a photo of a graveyard and a photo
of a statue of Tim Horton.
The graveyard statue was taken in the Forest Lawn Cemetery
in Buffalo. I would categorize this as crusty because there is
different stuff that is growing on and deteriorating the
different graves in the graveyard. Some grave are missing
chunks from it and some you can barely read.
The statue of Tim Horton was taken in Canalside in Buffalo. I
would categorize this statue as slippery because so many
people have touched the statue that some parts of the statue
have changed color and now have a slippery surface to it. I
know it is hard to see it in the photo.
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B1OJu6oCAAA6Rju.jpg

22. 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?
I think the neighborhood that Tammy livesin right now plays a
big role in her economic status. I would recommend that she
and her family move do a differentneighborhood that has
greater economic potential and an added benefitof being closer
to where she would work. Speaking of work, I would also try to
get Tammy a job that pays well and that does not require
vigorous work or hours. She could get trained in how to do this
job by some job coach so she would be very prepared in her job.
We would obviously have a backup plan if none of this works out
for Tammy and her family,which is to just go back on welfare. I
know it may not be the most ideal thing to do for her and her
family but if that is what it comes down to them=n that is what
must happen.
http://image.pbs.org/video-assets/pbs/people-
us/105325/images/Mezzanine_777.jpg

23. 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 couldbe
taken to ensure more social integrationfor the older people
living in the ‘new and improved’ Regent Park?
If there is anything that I do not like about the design it is that
the old people have to live on floors other than floor one. If
you put the older people near the ground floor it would make
it easier for them to access theirapartment complexes. This
would also increase the social integration between them.
Because all of the food and shopping centers are on the first
floor and are closer to them if they live on the first floor they
would be more inclined to go down there and but food or
maybe clothing. They would then start interacting with their
community and the people that live near her. You would
essentially kill two birds with one stone if you move the older
people as close to the first floor as possible. It would be easier
to access theirhouses while also making them interact with
their community.
http://clipartall.com/subimg/at-the-park-clip-art-park-clipart-
1300_1300.jpg

24. Response to EnriquezTED Talk: “WhatWill Humans Look Like in
100 Years?”
For this question,we will focus on Juan Enriquez’Life Two
civilization,whichalters fundamental aspectsof the body. We are
livinglongerthan everbefore inhuman history. Enriquezargues
that, because of advances in bio-medical technology,the
possibilityoflivingto 120 years of age and beyondis quite
possible formany ofus inthis D+D class. Assumingthat his
assertionis accurate, how do you thinkextendedlife spanswill
change our societiesand builtenvironments?Whatnewissues
might designersface because of extendedlife spans?
Thispossibilitythathumancan live formore than120 yearswill
mostdefinitelyshake thingsupinthe future. Because peoplewill
be able to live onearthlongerinthe future that meansthatthe
populationdensityonearthisgoingto increase alot. This means
that designersare goingtohave to come up withstructuresthat
accommodate all of these people thatare livingonearth. For
example,designersnightbe inclinedtomake houses forpeople
smallerbecause there isnotgoingtobe enoughspace for people if
we keepupwiththistrendof livinglonger. Designersalsohave to
workon makinghousesandotherstructureslastlonger. Many
people mightenduplivinginthe same house foralmost100 years
and theyneedthathouse tobe steadyandsafe. Designersalso
have to considersthe issuesthatmightpopupfor veryoldpeople
that reach 120 yearsold. Theirmobilityisnotgoingto be goodand
theyare goingto needalot of help. These designersmustcome up
withsome accommodationstohelpthese people live theirlives
comfortablywhentheyreachthatveryoldage. There isa lot of
designfactorsto considerwhenthe possibilityof 120 yearold
people emerges.http://www.clipartkid.com/images/44/old-people-clip-art-free-
cliparts-that-you-can-download-to-you-ogHg2q-clipart.png

25. 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.
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.
The design principlethatis beingdisplayed in these photos is the equitable
use principle. The firstphoto disempowers people in wheelchairs because
people in wheelchairs cannotwheel us a set of stairs. Thestairs arenot
longand have a very steep incline. They would not be ableto even get up
on the firststep. The second photo empowers people in wheelchairs
because they can actually wheel up the ramp with no problem. The ramp is
longin length givingita steady inclineso itis easier for people in wheel
chairs to go up the stairs. The positiveexamplecould be improved by
makingthe entrance to the house easier for people in wheel chairs. In
they example it appears they have to pull the door towards them, which
appears to be difficult. They should implement a door that can go both
ways so all shehas to do is push her door to enter and exit her house. Or
make is a slidedoor.
https://static01.nyt.com/images/2011/03/13/magazine/mag-
13zumthor-t_CA1/mag-13zumthor-t_CA1-popup.jpg

26. 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?
There are many positives and many negatives when it comes to enhancing
one's body. The positives of enhancingour own body is thatwe can
become somebody that we have always wanted to be and be satisfied with
that. We can also be the best version of ourselves if we enhance our
bodies. It does seem great that we can create these super humans that
are very strong, smart, healthy, and can livea long time, but there are
obviously somenegatived when itcomes to creatingthese super human.
One negative is that itwill make human more competitive with each other.
If we refer to the survey we took two weeks ago we can see that everyone
wants their child to have an excellent memory and a very high IQ. This
could causea lot of competition for students as they apply to a collegeor
apply for a job because every other student is as smartas them. Another
negativity with enhancingyour body is that nobody is uniqueanymore. If
everybody is very athletic and very smart and very beautiful there is
nothing special aboutdifferentpeople anymore. One thing we should
learn from history is the book I read in high school called BraveNew World
where they selectively created to be very smart and very strong. It made
everyone have the same personalities and interests which one of the main
characters was tryingto stop from happening. It justmade nobody special
with this selectivebreeding. A question that does pop up aboutthe
reproductive technologies is this:is itethically rightto choosethe features
of your child? I mean shouldn'ta parent accept their child for whoever
he/she is?
http://superhumanos.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/body.png

27. Response to Titicut Follies
The state ofMassachusettstried to ban the 1967 documentaryTiticut Follies,
arguingthat director FrederickWiseman had violated the patients’rightsby
not gettingwritten permission to film them.The case went to court,and
Wiseman argued that he had consent from theirlegalguardian,the
institution.After ajudge ruled in favor ofthe state,the legalappealscarried
on for severalyears: in 1969,Massachusettsallowed thefilm to be shown to
doctors,lawyers,and health care professionals; in 1991,asuperior court
judge ruled it could be released for the “generalpublic,” asprivacyconcerns
were no longer at issue,so many yearslater.
Should Wiseman have been allowed to film the residentsofBridgewater
MassachusettsCorrectionalFacility? Whyor whynot? How might thisfilm be
of value to designers(communication designers,product,designers,
architects,interior designers,planners,landscape designers,systems
designers,and/or socialdesigners)? In other words,what might theygain
from thisfilm that theycould use in their work?
I believethatitwas acceptablefor Wiseman to filmtheresidentsof
Bridgewater MassachusettsCorrectional Facility. When hewas recording
thoseresidenthewas ina sensehelpingthemoutby havingrecordsof how
the residentsacted sothathealth careprofessionalscouldseehow they acted.
The videos couldhelp theprofessionalsseeif thereisany unusual behavior
with the residents. I do notbelievethatthevideo should havebeen released
to the publicbecausethey haveno businesslookingatthevideo. Only
authorized peoplewho canhelp theseresidentsoutshould beableto viewthe
video. I did agreewith thecourtsrulingwith onlysharingthevideo with
doctors,lawyers,and health careprofessionals. I do think though they they
should havereleased thevideosa littlebitlater when all theresidents there
were dead. Designerscan look atthisvideo asvery helpful to their designing
process. Lookingatthevideo,designerscan seewhattheresidentsof the
Bridgewater MassachusettsCorrectional Facilityhad to go though or whatthey
struggled with. They can then seewhatthey struggled with anddesign things
for them thatwould allowthemto nothavethesestrugglesanymore.
http://www.clipartbest.com/cliparts/4Tb/L6b/4TbL6bjGc.jpg

28. 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 challengesand
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 thisproposal 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”?
Before hearing about the past behaviors ofthe residents I was in favor ofallowing them
to build a house for them three houses away because I would not think they would pose
as a threat to my children. Now that I have heard about their past instances I am more
in favor of them not building the house near my house. I do not want to have my kids
see someone masturbating in their neighborhood. An alternative could be to build the
home not in a neighborhood with families. Build the home where the population is not
as dense and give them a lot ofspace. This way they would have a lot ofspace to do
whatever activities they please.
https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/big-tall-house-building-
illustration-cartoon-old-high-home-windows-apartments-
outbuildings-each-side-36498546.jpg

29. Response to The ConnectionBetweenReligionandUrban Planning
by David Engwicht
In his article,David Engwicht discussesthe fact that religions(ofall
types) have playedmajor roles inthe developmentofour cities.
Today, places of worshipare primary componentsof almost all
urban centers. Author Lorne Daniel writes“From theiroftenactive
role in supporting people wholive in city centersto their iconic
influence ondesignand use of space, religiousstructurestell us a
lot about our history, our current needs,and where we might be
headedin the future. This isan aspect of our urban future that
plannersand urbanistsshould attend to.”
Identifya place of worshipwith which you are somewhatfamiliar.
(Ifyou are not familiarwith any places of worship,do a bit of
research on one in your own city or town.) Show a photograph of
this religiousstructure.(Youmay use photographs from the web.)
What roleshas this place servedinthe developmentofyour
city/town? How has it influencedthe designof the area around it?
How has its role changed overtime? Whatroles couldthis place of
worship play inthe future developmentofyour city/town?
The buildingthatispicturedisSt.Patrick's Cathedral inManhattan.
The cathedral startedbeingconstructedin1858 andwas completed
in1878. This CatholicCathedral helpedbringinalotif Irish
immigrantstoManhattan whentheywere fleeingtheircountryin
lookfora newstart inlife. Theybuilttheirwhole neighborhood
aroundthischurch and the people there became acommunity. The
church affectedalotof architecture arounditself. Because somany
people were comingintothe Manhattantheyhadto build
apartmentbuildingsthathadverysmall apartmentsthatasmany as
10 people livedin. The churchnowhas still andhas always
functionedasa church.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee
/StPatCathExt1.jpg/220px-StPatCathExt1.jpg

30. Response to Prospectsfor the Future ofDiversity and Design
Considerthe quote in your syllabusfrom educator Michael J.
Shannon: “Design,as visionin action--the intersectionof
understandingand creation--isa universal human capability that
can play a fundamental role in social evolution,inthe processthat
transforms resources,energy,and informationto make our
world.”
At the beginningofthis course,we discussedthe idea that we are
all designersregardlessofour professionor fieldofstudy. We’ve
asked some big questionsalongthe way, and the conclusion
sectionof our textbook raisesadditional issuesthat require input
from people whomight not considerthemselvestobe part of the
formalizeddesignprofessions.
Think about your own major and/or future profession.Whatis the
biggestchallenge,problem,or questionthat your fieldneedsto
tackle right now? What do you plan to do to address this
challenge,problem,orquestioneitheras part of your studiesor
professional life?
I am an Electrical EngineerandIbelievethe biggestproblemsthat
Electrical Engineersface isgettingelectricitytoundeveloped
countriesthatdo nothave electricityandfindingcleanerwaysto
produce electricity. There are still asurprisingamountof countries
that do nothave electricity. Tosolve thisproblemthese thirdworld
countrieswithnoelectricitycangetsolarpanelsoruse
hydroelectricpowertogenerate electricityforthem. All countries
shoulduse bothof these methodstoproduce electricityinsteadof
usingcoal to produce electricity. Thiswouldmake the plant
greener.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Solar_cell.png