Project 3 for ARC211 Spring 2017 at University at Buffalo

1. University at Buffalo – State
University of New York
ARC211 - American Diversity
and Design – Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
William Illig
http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/09/A-Better-World-By-Design1.jpg

2. Introduction
This class, American Diversity and Design, has opened my
eyes to the power of a conversation and having discussions
about topics that may be controversial or hard to talk about.
It helped me realize the importance of having an opinion
yet also being open minded and taking into consideration
other people’s viewpoints. The portion of the course that I
found most compelling was the aspect that is focused on in
this slideshow: the discussion questions. It was interesting
to see how people reacted differently to the same materials,
and also being able to compare and respond to their responses to spark conversation. I feel like, even though I was open minded
before, this course has helped me grow to be more understanding towards others and ultimately be respectful of other people’s
opinions.
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 Source: William Illig (shown in photo on the right)

3. Response to “What is design?” from Hello World
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?
The Automatic Washing Machine, which was first released in the U.S. in 1937 by the Bendix
Corporation, was something that was innovative and made use of the technology available to
enhance the lives of anyone who could afford it. It made the process of washing your clothes
much less stressful and less strenuous, and freed up time for things that weren't so tedious. In
turn, one could also say that it added some laziness to those who owned it, since they did not
have to do as much work as everyone else who had to wash their clothes by hand. However, as
the technology progressed and they became more affordable to the general public, the benefits
they offered, such as fresher smelling laundry, longer lasting scents, whiter and brighter colors
after washing, etc., greatly outweighed the cons.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/2f/39/3e/2f393ebd1065eab4b960efcb0b528225.jpg?noindex=1

4. Response to “Introduction”
from Diversity and Design
Describe a design that was
impacted by a diversity
group. How and why did it
change form and/or
circumstances?
Pedestrian Crosswalks have
been impacted by the needs of
the many different kinds of people: children, the elderly, and people with audio/visual disabilities. The design of the whole system has
evolved into a self-automated system, one that aids people by providing visual and audio clues for when to cross the street safely. The
designs of the lines on the street itself have many different patterns, helping children stay safer by staying inside the lines and avoiding
accidents. The visual aids of the signs, such as similar colors to the traffic lights for when to stop/go and a countdown timer for how
much time is left to safely cross, are helpful to the elderly and those who may have hearing disabilities. As for the people with sight
problems, audio aids such as a beeping noise signaling when it is safe to cross, have been designed so that they can also safely cross
the street. These changes are all aimed at helping the general public and keeping safety a priority.
http://www.sfbetterstreets.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/crosswalk_treatments.png

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 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?
Personally, I would place the images from Photos That Changed the World into the
Readers/Audience box from the diagram "Model of Media and the Social World". While the images themselves may be a media message/product,
it is more about the interpretation of these images and how changes come about due to everyone's reaction. The impact on the world caused by
those photographs were, for example, strong enough to fuel a whole environmental movement among other things.
A photograph that has recently been taken, a photo of the crowd size at Trump's Inauguration compared to Obama's Inauguration in 2009, has
gone viral and was quickly associated with all of the fear and hatred toward Trump being President. Everyone who was against Trump used the
picture to describe how unpopular he is, while everyone who supported Trump used the picture to say that all of the people that would have gone
were actually at work, unable to make it. The whole event has split the country, and even the world, apart.
http://www.celebritypeak.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/0121-obama-trump-inauguration-crowd-getty-reuters-4.jpg

6. Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design
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 Trump hat and the Pussyhat project have both been very effective in driving their ideas into society,
notably through very simple yet effective means. The simplicity of the designs make them relatable; one
being a baseball cap, and one being a knit hat. With the baseball cap, it was interpreted by the Middle
American voters to be a symbol of relatability, giving them a design to identify with. The Trump hat is
seen as one of the cornerstones of his entire campaign, one that will be remembered for a long
time. The media portrayed the hats as a joke, and many people were offended by that, and saw
it as a scoff at the Middle Americans. To quote the article, "They don’t understand. This is
where we're from. This is where I live. And to make fun of [people wearing the hats]? We
wear ball caps . . . This is the reason [Middle America] had this anger at the media and this
elitist thing."
As for the Pussyhat, the idea had some similarities but in the end was based on the completely
other side of the argument over Trump's presidency. It was meant as a symbol for women to
join together with for the Women's March. The hat was a play on one of Trump's past
statements about grabbing women by their genitals, and the whole project was crowdfunded in order to make enough hats for all the protesters.
The two hats were similar in terms of their simplicity, but the messages they portrayed were completely different. The success of these simple
designs may have just been contextual, but the effectiveness of a simple design should not be underestimated.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1427/9954/products/H4-R_grande.jpg?v=1486064096; http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-
voO0QXYP12M/WEXKW9leDeI/AAAAAAAAmoU/Ngw38uojc14WzYgrJXKCcE1dtQ_44kyFQCK4B/s1600/%2523pussyhat.jpg

7. Thread 1: Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and "The
Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI" by Maurice Conti
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?
There were many social consequences due to the production line being developed by Henry Ford, some being good and some being bad. First
off, a kind of "social norm" was started by this production line due the fact that products were now being standardized and becoming more
affordable to the general public. This norm was a sort of like an image of being a middle class citizen, owning a vehicle, and having a family. All
of those things were expectations for the everyday man, and it became easier to achieve due to more jobs opening up for unskilled laborers
working on assembly lines. It caused businesses and markets to grow, which in turn caused the advertising business to grow, and so on. The chain
reaction led to many changes in society, most of which stuck around. The base idea of the assembly line has not changed much over time, it's just
that the workers have been slowly replaced by machines. The augmented manufacturing processes mentioned are something I have not thought
about before, but the video opened my eyes to how wonderful of an idea it actually is. The changes in the manufacturing process is that it could be
run one day by an AI system, humans, and robots all together in harmony. Humans could simply dream up a design and it could be brought into
fruition by a completely automated process using the futuristic technology. With people becoming more dependent on all of the technology
coming out, the fear of some sort of "robot rebellion" may happen, granted the robots are designed to have their own thought process and to be
intuitive. People may also become lazy and lose the will to design things manually if robots would be able to do it all themselves and create way
more designs in a few minutes than a hundred people could design in their entire lifetimes. While I am excited to see where the future brings us,
there is also a small part of me that worries about the future and its effect on society.
http://corporate.ford.com/content/dam/corporate/en/innovation/moving-assembly-line/Innovation_Moving_Assembly_Line_Carousel1.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 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 site sources.
It was hard to decide which product on the list does not fit into the Cradle-to-Cradle concept, since they all do in some form. But The Access
Strength is one of the products which I feel doesn't completely fit the concept. The design of the product was aimed toward
optimizing healthcare by efficiently connecting the three tiers of the healthcare system, which are payers, providers, and patients/consumers. It
seems to be designed to have a long life of use, but in terms of being able to disassembling and cycling the parts it seems to be lacking. The
software could become obsolete in a few years, the hardware may have to be remade due to the stress and strain of just using the equipment. With
the way steel is currently processed (assuming steel will be used for the product), it produces a lot of pollution due to the coal used in the process.
The reason that coal is used in that process is because it essential in the process of making iron, which steel is an alloy based off of. The quality of
each part during each cycle of the machine would degrade more and more, until the point where the metal would have to be recasted. This is the
step where most of the pollution and waste would be generated in the Cradle-to-Cradle life cycle of the product.
As for a product that fits the Cradle-to-Cradle design, the HUBB Lifetime Oil Filter fits very well. The product's whole purpose was to create an
oil filter that creates much less waste and that is capable of being reused. Along with that, it also fulfills the efficiency role by capturing 5 times
more contaminants and increasing fuel efficiency. The life cycle of the product is projected to be more than 50 years, only needing to be cleaned
every 10,000 miles. Regular oil filters are recommended to be changed every 3,000 or 6,000 miles and are not reusable, thus generating an
abundance of waste. The HUBB filter is very innovative, and seeing it through the eyes of the Cradle-to-Cradle system also exemplifies how
important this system is for the future of industrial design.
http://www.whipsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/Whipsaw_LOF_Main-m5uqhk3ow3d0lh5nos7p67bs12f61pgd2524ruxplk.jpg

9. Response to All Module 4 Materials
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?
As an architect, Frank Lloyd Wright always designed buildings and houses that were out of the
ordinary. The one that was mentioned in the PBS video, the Robie House, was very
influential and even thought by Wright to be "a cornerstone of American architecture". It gave
rise to an entirely new style of homes called ranch style. They feature low pitched roofs, lines of
windows, overhang, and were mostly built as the new style of suburban homes. Frank Lloyd
Wright was adamantly challenging the cultural norms of the time which were Victorian style
homes, very box like and structured. The Robie House, built near the campus of the University
of Chicago, was built with a very open and flowing interior, as well as having a substantial
amount of privacy due to the art glass windows and a balcony. Wright open admitted he was an
honestly arrogant man, and took pride in all of the works he created. His designs have been
influential for the designs of many other building, one example being the ranch style home
mentioned above. One other interesting fact is that one of the houses designed by Frank Lloyd
Wright is located in Buffalo, so it is interesting to see how influential of a person he was.
As for a design that had sensibilities about the past, the Virginia State Capitol made use of very
prominent design features from Ancient Rome. As an architect and a revolutionary, Thomas
Jefferson was in search of something exciting and ultimately independent from the Colonial architecture, which was based off of British architecture and named Georgian
architecture after King George III. He looked back to the past and copied the entire building from an existing temple in Southern France. He was very interested by the concept of
total symmetry and exact geometry in his designs, which is why he chose this specific temple. I feel that it both reflects and challenges the cultural context, both in their own way.
Looking through a revolutionary point of view, it was a move towards independence and showing that the United States was a major player in the Western world. It used powerful
and clean designs to exemplify that fact. By giving off that sense of freedom and patriotism, it also reflects the minds and feelings of the people at the time, carrying over through
generations and standing a testimony to their cause.
http://flwright.org/sites/default/files/detail/robietours.jpg; https://www.bluffton.edu/homepages/facstaff/sullivanm/virginia/richmond/capitol/whole.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?
Ballantyne and Zumthor have interesting views on architecture, both in their
own separate way. They both focus on how architecture is a deeply ingrained
part of our daily lives, in both our habits and memories. Ballantyne's article
focused a lot on the aspect of aesthetics and how those qualities reflect in the
impression the buildings leave. He brings up the point that many tourists visit buildings in big cities because they look nice, and they
focus their attention on them by taking pictures and examining them. The other point he brings up which he focuses on more in the
article is being very close with buildings and knowing them on a deeper level through repetition and daily habits. A contrast to the first
point would be that because you know the building so well, you tend to focus more on what is going on inside the building rather than
the aesthetics of the outside. As for Zumthor, he feels that architecture is a way to connect with the environment around you and
create/relive memories. He enjoys simple designs that exemplify the beauty through stimulating your senses. He also states that he
prefers working drawings for their sense of mystery and beauty, something that reminds him of a living body of nature.
https://uploads1.wikiart.org/images/jacek-yerka/grandma-s-kitchen-1.jpg

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?
Despite moving around a lot when I was younger, I settled in to the
house where I currently live in 2nd grade, and it is located in a
suburban neighborhood in Niagara Falls. There is a big park right
across the street from my house with a public pool and three baseball
diamonds, as well as another park two blocks over with another 3 baseball diamonds. There is a creek that separates the two halves of
the neighborhood, and an elementary school near the center of it all. With all of these factors taken into consideration, my
neighborhood became very popular with families since there were so many places for kids to go and play. It is relatively low traffic,
however there is a highway that runs along the outskirts of the neighborhood. One interesting fact about my neighborhood is that it is
where the whole Love Canal incident happened during the 1970s. Toxic sludge was seeping into basements in people’s homes and at
the school that was there at the time due to the area once being a landfill. I'd say that the planning of a residential area in the same
location that the landfill once existed was not the greatest idea, but it made sense at the time since the population of Niagara Falls was
expanding. My house is about 5 blocks away from the actual Love Canal site, so I used to walk around and explore that area when I
was a kid.
https://file.ejatlas.org/docs/love_canal.jpg

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?
Learning about Pruitt-Igoe myth has been a very interesting experience. The idea itself was not entirely bad, but looking at it from an outsider
point of view it seemed to be used as a tool for racial segregation. One of things I would have changed would be to add a variety of types of rooms
in the structures, something that would attract people from all social backgrounds. Part of the reason of the decline is that people couldn't cope
with the new high-rise city life. I also feel like since it was the first of its kind and altogether a new idea for the time, that there was uncertainty
about how it would work. However, since the high rise city life has become part of society since then, in places such as NYC and other big cities, I
feel like it could work a lot better now. It would also be more successful if it was funded more and supported by the general public. Larson's ideas
of the robotic walls and the ability to change rooms into other rooms is a very cool concept, and one that would attract a variety of people to the
project. It would erase the racial stereotypes of the original project by appealing to more than one group of people. Talen's idea of having mixed-
income and diverse housing is what I also try to aim for. Being a multi-use facility and attracting people from all backgrounds would be a very big
step towards the success of a project like this. Society today promotes diversity more than ever, which is why I feel these strategies would be more
effective.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Pruitt-igoeUSGS02.jpg/350px-Pruitt-igoeUSGS02.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?
The basis for Olmsted's claim, that Buffalo was the best planned
city, was that it was designed for everything to be easily
accessible. The main streets ran outward in all directions from
Niagara Square, making it convenient to get to the center of the
city. In terms of Olmsted's plans for the city, he used the fact
that the city was still growing to his advantage, making it
possible to build something different than what he had made for New York City. His 6 miles of interconnected parks and parkways in Buffalo
have lasted generations and still stand today, but have definitely went through a rough patch in the 1960s. The parks were neglected, but
restoration started to preserve and bring back the beauty of the parks. I'd say that he would say today that Buffalo is maybe among the best
designed, but not necessarily the best. Many new cities have sprung up since then, but none quite like Buffalo. His design for the parks was so
unique that it has not been replicated, and it brought the community of Buffalo together to preserve it. Going off of this, Olmsted's plans for
Niagara Falls State Park are starting to be implemented as of 2012, and since I live in Niagara Falls, I can say that changes are looking to be pretty
fantastic. They are integrating more nature into the design so people can be more immersed in the beauty of the park on the U.S. side.
https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAqTAAAAJGI5OWU2YTgwLTQxYjktNGM2Mi05ODIxLTQ4NWE0ZjE2MTR
iOA.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?
Growing up a few blocks away from Love Canal, it has always been an eyesore to drive by on the highway or side streets and just see
these large areas of fenced off areas where the epicenter of the disaster happened. There are parks surrounding the enclosed areas, so
abolishing the fences and memorializing the grounds of Love Canal while also turning it into a park would be an amazing feat for my
community. It would give access to making larger parks for the community, and would also focus on memorializing the homes,
school, and other facilities that once stood there. It would be reminiscent of Olmsted's parks in Buffalo, connecting my community by
connecting the parks across the highway that cuts through and also across the creek on the other side. In terms of the everyday and
mundane, it would be nothing more than tearing down fences and adding some amenities, which would not obstruct traffic in any way.
It would benefit the community by enhancing their daily lives and open opportunities for artists and others to come out and enhance
the area. With many families in the area, it would just be nice to have more places for kids to go and play, as well as open up spots for
fishing and boating along the Niagara River by expanding the waterfront park that is across from my house.
http://montanusphotography.com/rides/lovecanal/DSCF0071.jpg

15. Response to the Brookes
Find another iconic graphic that addresses racial issues and post
it for others in your group to view. 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?
The Oscars have been increasingly controversial in recent years, mostly due to statistics like the ones in the graphic being put out for
people to see. Major films and performance by and about African-Americans have been overlooked by the Academy, leading to
boycotts and general resentment for the Oscars. I feel as though diversity is not properly represented in movies, one recent example
being Scarlett Johansson being cast as the main character of the movie Ghost in the Shell when the main character is supposed to be a
Japanese woman. The whitewashing of the Oscars has been so prevalent and predictable that people are able to make accurate
predictions of who and what is not going to be nominated. As for someone from a different background, let's pick someone who has
been nominated for the Oscars before (with particular focus on Charlotte Rampling, but this applies in general). They could make the
case that they went to acting school, have a lot of acting experience, and more people from wealthy backgrounds are able to achieve
those sorts of things. They may neglect the fact that many diverse movies have been made recently, but have just been overlooked. To
quote Charlotte Rampling, nominee for Best Actress at the 2016 Oscars, she said the uproar over the lack of black Oscar nominees
was "racist to white people".
http://cdn.hercampus.com/s3fs-public/styles/full_width_embed/public/2016/03/02/racist-oscars.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.
With the MLK Memorial, it is a symbol of a period of
history where many changes were occurring for African
Americans. The memorial is filled with symbolism and
representation of all the great deeds he accomplished in his
lifetime. The historical context of the quotes on the memorial has been the topic of controversy and has even led to alteration of the
memorial. The quote "I was a drum major for justice, peace, and righteousness" was criticized because it made MLK seem arrogant, as
said by Maya Angelou. However, the quote was from a sermon that originally dealt with the dangers of having an ego, and to turn that
ego into service to others; without knowing this context and shortening the original quote, the meaning was misinterpreted and
ultimately the quote was removed from the statue. I feel as though the quote could have been worded better so that it did not make him
sound as arrogant, because the original meaning of the quote was that the arrogance of people should be turned into humbleness and
service to the community.
http://media.nbcwashington.com/images/621*349/IMG_20130722_090933_6591.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’. 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. 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. Is this cultural influence being acknowledged or preserved from future generations?
Why or why not?
My family has never been very attached to our ethnic background, therefore we do not have anything in our home that would be representative of that. My
mother's side of the family is Dutch and my father's side of the family is Native American, but my father just recently reconnected with his Native American
relatives last year. With my mother's side of the family, it was never an important aspect in our household to be connected to our heritage, so I never even
bothered to ask exactly what our heritage was until a few years ago.
In my community, it is predominantly white and in a suburban setting with many families. This led to the development of many family friendly areas such as
parks and playgrounds. The elementary school and middle school were within walking distance of my house, and it was safe enough of a community where
children often walked home after school. There is not much evidence of influence from underrepresented groups in my community, as it was mostly catered to
the family oriented community. The parks have public pools, baseball diamonds, and walking trails, which all contribute to the society and help children stay
active and connected with the community. I feel like the city of Niagara Falls has plans to conserve the area for future generations, as many improvements are
being made to the area, such as abolishing old abandoned factories to create new public spaces, for events such as concerts.
https://dev.virtualearth.net/REST/v1/Imagery/Map/Road/43.080606,-78.958260/14?mapSize=278,206&key=AsqsVZ6BMfq04T6OG--
5Vuxa9iPZ6ewrzWue5duE6713HGwi8r1WwBbZYzsgKCpO

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 feel like the usage of ethnic references depends on the context and the term used. For teams like the Redskins, where the term
redskin has been defined to be a derogatory term, it is definitely not okay for that to be used. It does not matter how much connection
the fans have to the name or if they say that they are "honoring the heritage", especially since the Native Americans have consistently
voiced their concern and even taken the owner of the team to court to try and change the name. The complexities of the issue are that
while some ethnic references may not be derogatory, such as the Celtics, it is still unclear how people will react to it. Ethnic issues
have been prevalent in society for decades, and the country is still working towards equality.
http://niagarafallsreporter.com/Stories/2015/MAR17/images/maxresdefault.jpg

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?
This visual is from Facebook, and depicts the change in the "Friends" icon that was made in 2015. It utilized the "Get the Idea"
approach by comparing the old and new icons, with the updated one conveying gender equality by making the man and woman the
same size and changing their positions. The creator of the new visual, Caitlin Winner, made a statement about the change, "As a
woman, educated at a women's college, it was hard not to read into the symbolism of the current icon; the woman was quite literally in
the shadow of the man, she was not in a position to lean in." I feel as though her method was successful in multiple ways, both in
equality and representation. The hairstyle of the woman was also changed because Winner felt that the old hairstyle was a "Darth
Vader-like helmet." I don't think there is a way to improve the current visual, unless another person was added to represent all of the
non-binary genders.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/07/08/421240583/facebooks-new-logo-is-a-visual-nod-to-gender-equality

20. Response to Bathroom Bill
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?
This is a very controversial topic in society today, and I feel like it has a lot
to do with age and cultural norms of the past compared to today. As for my
opinion, I think that people should be able to use the bathroom that they
want to use, and also that biological gender written on your birth certificate has no place in the definition of who you are. For most
people my age and in the general vicinity of mid-20s or younger (millennials), we have been told our whole lives to shape our own
lives and personalities, and one of the main aspects of growing up is self-discovery; this plays a part in why social norms have been
shifting towards being acceptive towards the LGBTQ community. On the contrary, people in older generations have been put on blast
for being close-minded when it is simply due to the fact that they were taught their whole lives that "boys are boys and girls are girls."
So for them to go against what they have always known to be true is hard, or even impossible, for them to conceive. People of that age
feel as though criminals will take advantage of these gender neutral bathrooms to do things such as assault or molest people. As a
designer, I would opt to not assign a gender to the bathroom at all, or follow UB's lead and make a gender neutral sign (like on some
bathrooms in the Capen Library). Society has to adapt to the changes that the people bring to it, and this is just one example of that.
http://az616578.vo.msecnd.net/files/2016/04/28/635974736228425629-506774514_gender-neutral-sign.jpg

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?
I think the first step would be getting them access to public transportation, so that they are able to go out in the world and start
searching for opportunities. I would also work on finding, or designing if necessary, low income housing where Tammy and her
family could live safely and securely. In terms of tuition for college, I believe there are programs available for low income families to
help pay for tuition. Working her minimum wage job is a good start towards improving her life, but it is very difficult to move past
that point when you have no resources available to help you succeed.
https://www.colourbox.com/preview/3627518-bus-stop-on-rural-road.jpg

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 get more interaction in the lives of the
elderly who live in Regent Park, one thing that may
help would be making a community center with
activities that would attract people of all ages to come, providing the elderly with a community of people to form relationships with
and have more social interaction between their peers as well. I also saw a video on Facebook before about a nursing home that
doubled as a child daycare; this idea was amazing to me because it pointed out great facts that the children help the elderly feel less
lonely, and interacting with the elderly in turn helps the children's communication and social skills.
http://cdn2.collective-evolution.com/assets/uploads/2016/09/nursing.jpg

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?
I feel as though it is harder to design things for older people because there are a lot of aspects to take into account, such as their
general lack of mobility and others needs related to their deteriorating health. When a certain age is reached, people usually become
feeble and I don't foresee any sort of invention fixing that issue any time in the immediate future, but in 100 years it most certainly
could exist. During the span of time leading up to that, I think the surviving generations will be more vocal about their opinions on the
design of society. The built environment can be altered over time to cater towards older people by making things more automated and
simple, which the world seems to be heading down that path anyways. The new issues that designers may have to face would be on a
case by case basis and would differ from area to area, such as rural, urban, and suburban. It could be anything from making bus
benches/seats more comfortable or easier access to buses in general in urban areas, to making transportation more accessible in rural
areas. While this is only one area of design in this example, the general idea applies to all design professions.
https://bss.lacity.org/images/news/[2011-12]_BusBenchProgram.jpg

24. 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?
Designing the baby did not feel natural, and I really felt
pressured to pick options that would conform to the norm. The whole process of discovering yourself and creating individuality would
be gone if designing your baby became a thing in the future; everyone would want the best for their child therefore all standards of
society would be thrown out of balance. As for the consequences of designing your body, there would be some positive effects like
being able to achieve things not possible, and exploring the effects that these enhancements have on the mind and body. It would be
heavily monitored before being able to be released for the public, so I believe that it ever did happen, it would not get out of control
for at least a little while. This leads into the negative, because there is also the chance that these inventions could (and most likely will)
have negative effects on the mind and body of the person using them. I personally don't think we should be trying to enhance the
human body, but rather working on ways to prevent and cure diseases currently affecting people all over the world.
http://i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/130412144551-bionic-hand-story-top.jpg

25. Response to Titicut Follies
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?
I personally feel like since these people are prisoners, Wiseman's argument of
getting consent from the institution is valid. Most of their rights were set aside when
they became prisoners and the use of the documentary for professional development
would ultimately be more important than not getting consent for shooting the film.
Also, as time progresses, the memories of these specific individuals will be lost and
it will barely affect them at all. The value of this film is that you get to see life from
the inside in a raw form, information on how the prisoners interact with their daily
environment and the people in their lives. This could be used to design the prisons
in a better way, catering towards the safety of both the prisoners and employees. By
judging the treatment of the prisoners, it could also affect the way the prisons are
run, in terms of staffing and scheduling. Some of the prisoners shown seemed to be suffering from mental and physical disabilities,
something which even today is prevalent but better handled than in the past.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/85/TiticutFolliesPoster.jpg

26. Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
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”?
It is hard for me to say whether or not I would support this proposal because there are many factors that would go into it. One thing I feel that
might sway the opinion is how you feel your children would react to it and how you personally want to raise your children. For me, I feel like the
exposure and normalization of people with intellectual disabilities would be a great way for them to shape their own world and perspective, and
also become more empathetic in general. Being a part of the community would also provide a great experience for the individuals with the
disabilities. There is a certain attitude towards any challenging behaviors of people who have intellectual disabilities, and it definitely puts me off
of the idea of the home being built in the neighborhood, however only slightly. Those behaviors haven't been exhibited in 4 years, and I feel like
once they get acclimated to the community, everyone will be more lenient towards those behaviors and may even help try to prevent them. I do
believe it is important for the individuals to be provided with "the same basic human rights as the rest of the population", but I am having a hard
time thinking of an alternative solution. The group home seems to be a good starting point for this integration into society, therefore I can't think of
any other solution right now.
http://www.kibois.org/images/DD/GroupHomes.png

27. Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning
by David Engwicht
Identify a place of worship with which you are somewhat familiar.
Show a photograph of this religious structure. 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?
One of the places of worship in my community, St John de LaSalle Church, has
had a noticeable impact on the development of the area. It was first built in
1907, in LaSalle, a suburb of Niagara Falls. It was the first Catholic parish built
in the area, and over time had grown to be a very integral part of the community
and expanded their presence in the growing community. The number of parishes
in Western New York was dwindling, yet St Johns was thriving. As the role of
religion in society grew smaller as time progressed, the church adapted to the
changes by offering events to the public and becoming involved in community
programs; examples of these would be that they have a carnival every summer,
with all sorts of rides, games, and food, as well as being the host location for the
local Boy Scout troop. I expect them to continue their role as the main place of
worship in the community for years to come, as well as continuing to adapt to the changing environment.
http://www.stjohndelasalle.org/media/1/cover%20photo.jpg

28. Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity
and Design
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?
My major is Civil Engineering, and the biggest
problem that will always be prevalent in the field is pushing the boundaries of how tall a building can go, how long a tunnel or bridge
can be made, and ultimately bringing all of the skills and ideas from the field together to make a city as efficient as possible. There
will always be new innovations and designs that will enhance the daily life of the people in their community, and I hope that one day I
can help with these issues. An issue that I would love to tackle is the issue of closing the gap between technologically advanced cities
and rural towns and villages, making sure that everyone is still comfortable yet could transition from one place to the other without
any major inconveniences; for example, integrating internet into rural areas in a way that doesn't change their lifestyle, yet also allows
people from the city to still have a mobile signal in those areas.
https://www.12keysrehab.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Rural-vs-Urban-Drug-Abuse-12-Keys-Recovery-1024x537-
1024x537.png