Discussion questions about current topics that are impacted by both diversity and design.

1. University at Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211 - American Diversity and Design – Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Kendall Roman
https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrinknp_800_800/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAfDAAAAJGYxZDk0MjA3LWU0MTAtNGU0ZC04N2
Q0LWUzNzk1N2I2ZWViNg.jpg

2. The American Diversity and Design course has allowed me to think about how much correlation the two topics actually have. It has
made me more aware of the social issues that are occurring throughout the country. Some of the problems that we have talked about
are things that I had no prior knowledge of, so it was eye opening to actually learn about them. One thing that I found very surprising
was how respectful everyone was about each other’s opinions. Some of the topics that we discussed were controversial but we were
all able to respect everyone’s opinions, which led to a very mature and thought provoking conversation. I cannot say that any of the
discussions were strong enough to change my opinion. Some of these topics are things that I feel very passionately about and I
disagree with a lot of what people have to say. But at the end of the day, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion and I respect
what everyone has to say. 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.
Photographer: Kendall Roman

3. Week 1
Thread 1: Introduction
This thread provides you with an opportunity to "meet" each other and initiate a connection with participants in your group. In
responding to this discussion thread, please introduce yourself and provide us with one interesting fact about yourself. After posting
your introduction, take a look through and reply to some of the others. The purpose of this exercise is to develop a sense of
community. You might find that you share similar experiences and can help each other in many ways throughout the semester.
Hi my name is Kendall and I am from Yonkers, NY, which is about
10-15 minutes outside of New York City. I am a freshman in
architecture but I almost went to school for either physics or forensic
chemistry. I love to swim and play tennis but tennis is my favorite
sport. I have played for over 12 years and was on the varsity team at
my high school for two years. I used to work as a camp counselor for
four years total and was the head counselor for the past two. I have
been to both the U.S. and the Miami Opens and my dream is to visit all
four major grand slam tournaments. A weird talent that I have is that I
can talk with my mouth closed. I have been able to do it since sixth
grade and it’s a great way to introduce myself sometimes.
http://www.yonkerstennis.com/juniors/camp

4. Week 1
Thread 2: Response to “What is Design” from Hello World
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
businesspersons to make decisions with up-to-date information, often resulting in big profits. Those without access had to rely on
outdated information, which put them at a disadvantage.
One invention that gave an advantage to people, not only in the U.S, but the entire world, was the
airplane. Invented by the Wright brothers in 1903, the airplane completely revolutionized the world
by allowing people to travel long distances in a short amount of time. When finally used
commercially, people could fly from New York to California within a few hours rather than it taking a
few days by land. This allowed companies to expand their network by having the ability to transport
goods longer distances in a shorter time period. Car companies could start expanding internationally
and imports from Africa and Asia became easier to obtain. The airplane also allowed people to travel
across oceans much quicker, thus providing a safer alternative to long distance voyages by boat.
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Photos/igphoto/2000828224/

5. Week 1
Thread 3:
The editors state, “Diverse participation in the design process, from both professionals and public citizens alike, yields more equitable
results.” This makes sense, but typically has not been the case. Nonetheless, many marginalized groups have impacted design in ways
that have changed our visual and physical worlds as well as our systems, policies, and institutions. For example, in the 1960s,
disability rights advocates designed media events to raise awareness about barriers in the physical environment. They persisted with
their efforts for decades, and, finally, in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act became law. It mandated accessibility in public
accommodations such as restaurants and stores, public transportation, communication, and other areas of public life. This dramatically
changed our physical environment (from curb cuts to ramps to automatic doors) and the results made public life more equitable. Now
it’s your turn. Describe a design that was impacted by a diversity group. How and why did it change form and/or circumstances? (Note
that a design can be anything requiring planning and development prior to the production of an action, system, visual, material object,
or environment. Also, keep in mind that, for our purposes, a diversity group is a group of individuals who are underrepresented in
society in some way—children, older adults, the economically disadvantaged, those with cognitive disabilities, etc.)
One design impacted by a diversity group is affordable housing. In big cities, like New
York, one design change that is increasing in necessity is housing that is more affordable to
people of the lower and middle class. New York City is one of the most expensive places
to live in the country, which makes it very difficult for poor people to have access to the
same resources that people with money have. Affordable housing allows poorer people to
live in close proximity to many things that will benefit them more than if they lived in the
suburbs. It changed in form in order to get more people off of the streets and allowing
families to have access to shelter and running water.
https://darnellthenewsman.com/2013/08/15/food-tour-of-restaurants-and-bars-in-east-harlem-nyc/

6. Week 2
Thread 1: Response to Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on Photograph
Thread 1: FROM: Chapter in Media/Society and TED Talk Photos that Changed the World
Where would you place the images shown in Photos That Changed the World into Croteau and Hoynes' diagram entitled “Model of
Media and the Social World”? Identify a mass media photograph taken in your own lifetime that has served as an icon of an event.
(Feel free to add an attachment.) What roles does this photo play in the communication of the event?
The section that I would place the images shown in the TED talk would be The Importance of
Media. I would choose this section because media has a huge influence on society and
displays strong messages in different ways, including T.V, social media, radio, etc. They have
the power to manipulate the news in ways that prevents the viewer or reader from accurately
knowing what is going on. While this is usually true, there are some instances that do depict
the messages that the image was intended to portray. One image taken during my lifetime was
of three firemen raising an American flag after both of the twin towers collapsed. This photo
is now used as a symbol of our country's unity even in great terror. It is used to show that we
are strong and will band together during times of great adversities.
http://blog.onemodelplace.com/2011/09/08/story-behind-iconic-image-of-firemen-raising-flag-during-911/#.WQpnarzyu8U

7. Week 2
Thread 2: Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design
Thread 2: FROM: “Fashioning Protest for the Women’s March on Washington” and “The Worst Design of 2016 Was Also the Most
Effective”
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 two hats serve as vehicles of communication design because of their
color. The red is a color that is heavily associated with the Republican
Party. When mixed with Trump's slogan, it is obvious what the hat is trying
to convey. It shows that whoever wears that hat shares the same values and
morals as the current president. The pink hat also has a similar effect in the
sense that its color is heavily associated with a message. In this case, it
represents the unity of women and their right to equality. Pink is a symbol
of their strength and their importance in this world. The two colors are
similar because they are both associated with a greater meaning. When
seen, there is almost an immediate association and it shows others your
values as a human. They are different however because their messages are
opposites. The pink represents unity while the red is now seen to some as a
symbol of hatred and division in this country.
http://vesselnews.io/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/6360181690885009951662199156_Pic-Make-America-Great-Again_MILLS.jpg

8. Week 3
Thread 1: Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and "The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI" by Maurice Conti
In his chapter on industrial design (written in 1987), historian John Heskett claims that the methods of mass production introduced by
Henry Ford in the U.S. involved new concepts of the standardization and integration of the production line that were adopted across
the world. With Ford’s method, relatively unskilled workers could complete work; it was more efficient and with this method,
products were made more quickly and cheaply than previously possible. What were some of the social consequences of Ford’s
production line? In other words, how did this system change our U.S. society? Do any of those changes remain with us today? Now
consider Maurice Conti’s TED Talk, and the predictions he makes about production. How do you think manufacturing processes will
change in the next twenty years? How do you think these changes will affect our U.S. society?
Henry Ford's assembly line changed the way that businesses around the world approached manufacturing their product. He was able
to reduce the amount of time it took to manufacture a single car by so much that it substantially increased the number of products they
could make in a day. Also, due to a much simpler assembly process, Ford was able to hire less skilled workers, thus making labor
costs much cheaper than before. These changes in production still
remain with us today and is still how car manufacturers approach making
their product. Over the next twenty years, I think that the manufacturing
process will become much more efficient and cost effective. I feel that
machines will start to play an even bigger role in the assembly aspect of
production, which will eliminate the necessity of human laborers. It will
negatively affect society because it will cut thousands of jobs in the U.S
however, the cost of cars might decrease as well due to the loss of an
extra expense.
http://hereandnow.legacy.wbur.org/files/2013/10/1016_modelT_assembly.jpg

9. Week 3
Thread 2: 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? Do you know of any
products that embrace Cradle-to-Cradle design? If so, please describe.
One product that goes against the cradle-to-cradle concept is the Rolls Royce Dawn. This car is promoting the comfort of a
convertible, however, it goes against all three of the ideas in cradle to cradle. Rolls Royce is a very high end and expensive car
company. They do not manufacture their products with the intent to be able to
sell to people of every economic background. They don't take into account
the financial diversity in this country, which goes against one point. The
second concept that it goes against is renewable energy. This car depends on
fuel and oil and is not electric. It does not use the Sun's energy and
contributes to CO2 emissions. One company that embraces cradle to cradle is
Tesla. They are a car company that primarily focuses on using solar energy to
power their car. They also recently developed a model that is much more cost
effective than their first and actually allows people of lower income to be able
to afford a higher brand.
http://images.car.bauercdn.com/pagefiles/68773/rolls-royce-dawn08.jpg

10. Week 4
Thread 1: 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 does each of these buildings either reflect or challenge their cultural contexts? (Use the SEE-IT method to respond
to this question.)
One work of architecture that challenges the cultural context of its time was the Wainwright
Building. This building, designed by Louis Sullivan, was revolutionary during its time because
of the use of steel. Steel was still a fairly new building material at the time but it allowed
architects to build up higher than usual. This building represents our present because it is how
all buildings are made now and the thin metal framing is actually being integrated in
housing. It is a symbol of progression in design and architects and engineers to create more
advanced structures. One work of architecture that resembles its cultural context in the past
was Trinity Church by the architect H.H.Richardson. It was created soon after the end of the
civil war and is the first building of its style: Richardsonian Romanesque. It represents its time
period because of the exterior masonry. Its texture looks as if it were chiseled out of an
existing rock on site. It then went on to inspire the facade of many buildings long after
Richardson's death 9 years of the completion of the church.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Wainwright_Building_-_2012.JPG/220px-Wainwright_Building_-
_2012.JPG

11. Week 4
Thread 2: 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.)
Ballantyne's and Zumthor's viewpoints on architecture are alike because they both think that architecture should impact the way that a
person feels. A person should be affected by whatever space they are experiencing and it should shape how they interact with a
structure. Architecture needs to influence your emotions no matter what and if a building does that, then it is successful. Their main
difference is that Zumthor mainly worries about the aesthetic nature
of his buildings. He is concerned with the building’s ability to
impact everyone that comes into contact with it and he isn’t as
worried about the flow or functionality of it. Whereas,
Ballantyne thinks more about the people within his space and wants
them to be more comfortable in it than anything else. He would
rather sacrifice the appearance of a building in order to make people
feel more welcomed in a structure.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/600x315/de/c6/d2/dec6d2b68498f5210eb71831e6c036f5.jpg

12. Week 5
Thread 1: Response to Levy Article
John Levy’s article, “An Overview: The Need for Planning,” discussed ways in which planning can determine the characteristics of a
place. For example, some smaller towns restrict the heights of buildings to maintain a certain scale. How did planning define the
character of the place in which you grew up?
I grew up in the city of Yonkers, which is the 5th biggest in New York. The suburban area, where I grew up, is the much nicer and
safer part of my city. Yonkers is in Westchester, one of the richest counties in all of America, and the suburbs in it are the transition
from poor/middle to the upper class. There are very few apartment
buildings but a ton of houses with very little privacy from neighbors. It is
exactly what you think about when you hear the word suburb but at the
same time, it isn't cookie cutter at the same time. One thing that I feel gives
Yonkers its character is the fact that there are no flat roads. Yonkers is one
of the hilliest cities in the country and it is definitely a noticeable
characteristic. The planning of the city truly followed the up and down
curves of the terrain and there are barely any open, exposed areas directly in
Yonkers. The city is kept true to its natural form and it distinguishes
Yonkers from the rest of the towns and cities in the surrounding area.
https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5602/15778368772_99010653da_b.jpg

13. Week 5
Thread 2: 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?
I feel that Talen's main issue with Pruitt Igoe is that it heavily lacked in diversity. It would have been a more thriving community if
there were a higher diversity in socioeconomic status, race, and even gender. Larson was concerned about there not being enough
space for people to interact with each other. He would make it so residents can interact each other better and create a more welcoming
environment. I agree with Larson more than Talen because I feel that communities that interact with each other are much stronger,
despite their economic or social status. One video last week talked about a building called the Archi-Center, which was a place for
people to actually interact with each other. The designers of that building studied different examples of community centers throughout
history and used that to design a place that forced interaction. It worked in its goal
to join people together that would not normally interact with each other. I would
also suggest another idea from last week, which featured a police station that was
transformed in certain parts to form a community center. Neighborhood children
would gather in the parking loot to play basketball and people could head to one
side of the station and get a haircut. Pruitt Igoe was a place that needed to bring its
people together rather than tearing them apart.
http://www.pruitt-igoe.com/YAMA/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/P-I99.jpg

14. Week 6
Thread 1: 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 his claim is that he connected the entire city. He incorporated circles that radiated streets from its center, which
connected to other circles. He also managed to bring greenery into a big city through the use of his parkways. There are three major
parks in Buffalo, all of which are connected through these parkways and each one consists of wide streets with a noticeable amount of
green space including shrubs and trees. I think Olmsted would still make this
claim because there are not usually green spaces in big cities where you can
escape the polluted city. It is one thing that many places don’t have enough of
and should try harder to incorporate. Places like parks increase the possibility
of communities forming stronger bonds and making it a nicer place to be
around. His design allowed people to travel through the entire Buffalo area
while still being able to have access to such green space and this method of
incorporating nature into people’s lives is one that should be adopted in more
places.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/df/88/e3/df88e332bf49fc322f5ecc91fdef589c.jpg

15. Week 6
Thread 2: 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)
Even though I live in Yonkers, I lived in a town called Greenwood Lake for a little. This little village is located inside of a valley and
sits on a lake. There was a small beach down the street from my house and that is what I would memorialize. It was a very small
town so everyone already knew about it, which made it a great place to meet up during the summer. I wouldn't change much of the
beach but make it larger. Even though it was a small town, I felt that
the beach still wasn't proportional to the size of the surrounding
area. There was barely any room to spread out so making it larger
would actually make it more inviting. There was maybe a good
30 feet between the water and the entrance so it felt very tight
despite being outdoors. Unlike the Hill in Pittsburgh that Hood
mentioned, this beach was man made so none of the sand that is
currently there is indigenous to the area. Therefore, we would
actually have to add things to make this more interactive. My plans
for the beach would also be to highlight the views of the mountains
that meet in the distance.
http://img.theepochtimes.com/n3/eet-content/uploads/2016/07/27/Greenwood-lake-2.jpg

16. Week 7
Thread 1: 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. Thomas
Clarkson commissioned it in 1788, and the Committee of the Abolition of Slavery used it to inform and shock the public. While some
consider the poster as an important component of the abolitionist campaign, it recently “has been strongly criticized by some
individuals and groups of African heritage as providing a very limited view of the history of the transatlantic slave trade, resistance
and abolition (Hudson 2007).” The lesson here is that how a viewer sees an image is dependent upon his/her social, economic, and
cultural position. Keeping this in mind, find another iconic graphic that addresses racial issues and post it for others in your group to
view. (Add it to your response by clicking on the picture in the tools section. Do not add it as an attachment that needs to be
opened.) How do you interpret the graphic? What is its meaning? Now imagine that someone from a racial and cultural background
different than your own is looking at the same graphic. Briefly describe this person. How might s/he interpret its meaning? How might
this differ from your interpretation? What are the possible reasons for these differences? (Consider the three assessment principles
mentioned in the article to help you: a technology of vision, an instrument of empathy, and a symbol of control.) (NOTE: Limit your
response to less than 250 words.)
The attached picture is of Jackie Robinson, the first African American baseball player to play in the major leagues. He is standing
next to his teammates in the dugout looking out at the field. I interpret this picture as a symbol of strength, bravery, determination,
and perseverance. It was very difficult for black people to succeed in anything during the time of the civil rights movement, which
made it a huge deal for Jackie Robinson to be where he was. I think of how much work this man put into getting where he needed to
be. Someone of a different racial and cultural background would probably perceive this picture differently. If that person was alive
during the time that this picture was taken and was white, they might think that Jackie Robinson was trying to invade something that
was unique to the country. Similarly to how people today think that immigrants are coming into this country and stealing jobs that

17. was probably a very common thought in that time period with how
black people were gaining the same rights as white people. They
probably felt this way because something that they were so
accustomed to was changing and people don't always handle change
well.
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/docroot/dulcinea/fd_images/news/on-this-day/March-April-08/On-this-Day--Jackie-Robinson-
Joined-Brooklyn-Dodgers/news/0/image.jpg

18. Week 7
Thread 2: 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.) (NOTE:
Limit your response to less than 250 words.)
The first belief of equityXdesign is to see both who we were (historically) and who we actually are (currently). The Martin Luther
King Jr. Memorial is a great example of that first belief. This memorial is a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. attached to a huge
rock. He is not fully broken free from the rock but he is very close. The rock in the memorial represents how all black people were
seen during his time. African Americans were not thought of as people for a very
long time. They were not seen as individual human beings; rather they were
looked at as a group of animals. However, Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the
first people to define themselves publicly. He made sure that everyone else knew
that he was a person with ideas and beliefs of his own. The reason that his statue
is still embedded into the bigger rock is because he has not fully broken free from
all of the stereotypes that the rock contains but he is almost there. He has proven
to the majority of his opposition that he is not that different from them and has
convinced the majority that they are all individuals.
https://fotoeins.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/hl_dc_mlkmem.jpg?w=910

19. Week 8
Thread 1: 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 have 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 interprets 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? (Limit your response to 250 words.)
One thing in my home that I feel represents my ethnicity and heritage is our fire pit. During summer nights, we invite all of our really
close friends and family over and we sit outside and gather around the fire. We just sit there and talk for hours, just laughing and
telling stories. The reason that this reminds me of my ethnic background is because whenever I visit my family in Puerto Rico, we do
the same thing. My grandma lives in a very small town and we are
very close to her neighbors. We are closer to them then the majority
of our biological family and we would sit on their lawn and have
bonfires. It was a special part of my childhood that I will always
associate with my ethnicity. So whenever we see that the fire pit
comes out, we know that we are going to have a good time with the
people that we are the closest too.
http://d15s74raupkmp7.cloudfront.net/sites/im/images/im-pr-Puerto-Rico-SR-fly-by.jpg

20. Week 8
Thread 2: 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?
(Limit your response to 150 words.)
I think that sports teams should refrain from using terms or symbols that can come off as derogatory. Something that has one meaning
to one person may have a completely different meaning to someone else. That being said, America is arguably the most diverse
country in the world. We are known as the country built off of immigrants of all
races. So if a team names themselves after something that has even the slightest
chance of being seen as racist or derogatory, I think it is inconsiderate of the
hardships that people have faced to get to where they are and to get this country to
where it is. I think that people need to be more aware that everyone comes from
different places and that no matter how much time passes, certain topics will always
be a soft spot to someone who has gone through and experienced it.
http://orig14.deviantart.net/a0aa/f/2012/044/0/4/redskins_logo_by_junkfunkio-d4po4ge.jpg

21. Week 9
Thread 1: 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? (Limit your response to 200 words.)
The approach that this designer uses is "get the idea." The designer is fighting the unrealistic beauty standards set by companies like
Victoria Secret. Models are portrayed a very specific way and make it seem like if you don't look as perfect as these models then you
are ugly. However, companies like Dove are trying to make people realize that it is very difficult to look like those types of models
and by finding women that are confident enough with
their bodies to take these pictures, they are able to help
women realize that they are perfect the way they
are. They don't need to starve themselves to look
beautiful and all that matters is how comfortable you feel
in your own body. This approach is effective because
Dove is a very famous brand and people will take their
ads into strong consideration. I feel that the graphic is
strong and proves its point and does not need to be
altered.
http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/10/31/striking-back-against-victorias-secret-perfect-body-campaign

22. Week 9
Thread 2: Response to Bathroom Bill
Last year, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed into law a bill that repealed local LGBT anti-discrimination laws, and
required people to use the bathroom that corresponded with the biological gender written on their birth certificates. This prompted
massive backlash. McCrory stated, “You know, we all have to make adjustments in life. And we’ve had the proper etiquette situation
for decades in our country, and all of a sudden through political correctness we’re throwing away basic etiquette.” Just this past
Thursday, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill to repeal the law while placing a moratorium on nondiscrimination
measures.
Should people be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with the biological gender written on their birth certificate? State why
AND state why not. In other words, to receive full credit for this question, you need to present an argument for both sides of the issue.
As a designer, how would you solve this gender dilemma? Use the SEE-IT method to respond to this question. (Limit your response to
less than 250 words.)
I believe that people should be able to use the bathroom that corresponds with whatever gender that
person identifies as. If a man identifies as a woman and truly believes that he is more comfortable as
a woman, then I don't see what the problem is. People still have their privacy when they are in the
stalls so technically, you would only be sharing a sink as a trans gender person. It could be a problem
if someone pretended to identify as a member of the opposite sex just to get into the other bathroom
but it is probably very unlikely. I would fix this issue by just making gender-neutral bathrooms. This
would eliminate the need for people to ask questions and be concerned because everyone shares a
bathroom but just takes turns.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8b/e1/1e/8be11e5e5a7db95458175bba93379e7b.jpg

23. Week 10
Thread 1: 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 photographed and why it might discriminate against a specific population. Identify the
location where you took the photograph, and make certain that you are in at least one of the two photographs.
This picture is from Silo City. This would be considered crusty because it is in a very
public location but it is a private property and there are gates that block it off from the
public. The public does not have the opportunity to completely experience a place that
heavily contributes to the history of Buffalo.
Taken By Me
This picture is of a bench from Riverside Park and can be defined as prickly. Like described in the
article, benches in Tokyo are designed to make people not want to stay there for long. This bench is
metal meaning that it can get unbearably hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter.
Taken By Me

24. Week 10
Thread 2: 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 them 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 would design a program for Tammy and others like her that allows her to work and go to school at
the same time. She could go to a community college and get a decent amount of financial aid that
allows her to continue feeding her family and pay all of her bills. I would first try to get her into the
education system so that she can start trying to get a degree a soon as possible. She would take night
classes and work during the day. As she continues to work I Burger King, I would try to work with
local schools and get her a job as a teaching assistant or an aid so that she can start getting familiar
with a school environment. The rest is on her.
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/694921357864386563/p0nF8Bj8.jpg

25. Week 11
Thread 1: 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?
The first problem that the designers of Regent Park made was that they
didn't take into account the opinions of the people that frequent the
park. Whenever you design something for other people, you need to
take their needs seriously because the design isn't for you in the
end. And if they took the elderly opinion into account when they
finished the park, the elderly would actually enjoy going and more
people could end up using the space. The second problem is that they
did not integrate as many types of groups into this park as they could
have. Whenever a public space is being designed, the designers need to
make a space that appeals to multiple age groups and social classes in
order to have more human integration.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Regent%27s_Park_bandstand.jpg/1200px-
Regent%27s_Park_bandstand.jpg

26. Week 11
Thread 2: 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?
Our expanded lifespans will change society and built environments because the human population will only increase at a higher rate
while the death rate will sharply decrease. This change will only happen for a few years but the total population will increase
substantially. This means that there will be less space for people to live in with the amount of housing opportunities currently
available. Also, with more people living on earth, more people will also be contributing to the amount of pollution in this world. It
could possibly cause global warming to progress much faster than we have expected
which can have severely damaging long term effects. New issues that designers
might face have to accommodate a much larger number of people in an already
limited space. We will have to start thinking of ways to build higher because
expanding outwards won't always be an option with major cities. More cities will
probably form in order to provide the necessary opportunities for the amount of
people that we have.
http://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2014/01/PG_14.01.29_agingFacts_1_popAge.png

27. Week 12
Thread 1: Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
The two most frequently mentioned models of disability are the ‘social’ and the ‘medical’ models. The medical model of disability
views disability as a medical ‘problem’ that belongs to the disabled individual. The social model of disability, in contrast, draws on the
idea that it is society that disables people, through designing everything to meet the needs of the majority of people who are not
disabled. There is a recognition within the social model that there is a great deal that society can do to reduce, and ultimately remove,
some of these disabling barriers, and that this task is the responsibility of society, rather than the disabled person.
In the Smithsonian online exhibition, the story about the superhero hand, and Elise Roy’s TED Talk, you saw examples of ways to
engage disability that use the social model rather than the medical model. In the Disability and Design PowerPoint, you were
introduced to the concept of Universal Design (UD) (sometimes called inclusive design, design-for-all, or human-centered design).
Certainly, UD embraces the social model of disability. In this same PowerPoint, you saw positive and negative examples of each of
the seven principles of universal design.
For the Module 12 Thread 1, please select one of the seven universal design principles, and post photographs that show both a positive
and a negative example of the principle. Then address the following question: How do your examples empower or disempower
various people? Describe the specific features of the positive example and the specific features of the negative example. Discuss ways
that the positive example could be even further improved.

28. This is an example of Equitable Design. It is a picture of a car that
was designed for people in wheel chairs to use. The back opens up
to allow the person to enter and use the car easily and with as little
obstruction as possible. I think this is a great example because cars
are a huge part of society. Billions of people use them every day yet
despite the large number of people with physical disabilities, cars are
not designed for them to be used by people in wheelchairs. This new
design then allows people in wheelchairs to have the same mobility
as someone that isn't in one.
http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Kenguru-car-wheelchair-entry.jpg
And despite the fact that cars like these are used every day, they are
technically poor universal designs because it prevents a certain group of
people from using them the same way that non-disabled people can. It
takes a really long time for people in wheel chairs to get into regular cars
by themselves and some people can't even do it on their own. They need
someone to help them, yet with the other design, they can be more
independent.
https://previews.123rf.com/images/rioblanco/rioblanco1403/rioblanco140300033/26996391-Wheelchair-user-getting-into-a-car-
Stock-Photo.jpg

29. Week 12
Thread 2: Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
Currently, we have the technology for you to choose many of the survey characteristics in your future child, and this ability to choose
poses some ethical questions. Of course, we all want the best for our own child. However, as we move into a more collective situation,
we need to consider how the consequences of majority choices for children might change who we are as a species.
In the film trailer FIXED, you were introduced to the dilemma of living in a culture in which the “science-fiction of human
enhancement” has become almost a way of life, from prenatal genetic screening to bionic body parts. In the video, “A Man with Three
Ears” you are introduced to an artist who is using current technology to move humans beyond their current abilities. Last week, Juan
Enriquez asked us if it is ethical to evolve the human body. All of these videos suggest that the concept of disability ‘as we know it’
could cease to exist in the future.
This leads us to this week’s discussion question:
What lessons do you think we should learn from history when thinking about emerging enhancement technologies and reproductive
technologies? What are some of the possible consequences (both positive and negative) of being able to design our bodies and the
bodies of our children? What ethical quandaries do these technologies pose?
I feel that there are a lot of both positive and negative aspects to reproductive technologies and enhancement technologies. We can
definitely benefit because through genetic modification, we could weed out diseases and conditions from the human body. We can
make our children immune to common diseases to lower the amount of people that die from things like cancer and
infections. However, there are also many negative aspects to this way of creating humans. One is that if we remove the possibility of
people to have diseases such like cancer or even the common cold, we will lose many jobs. A lot of people are involved in the
medical world and less doctors and pharmacists will be needed if people aren't coming into hospitals with people that need medical
attention or prescription drugs. The need for them will slowly disappear until they are completely unnecessary. Also, people will no
longer be unique. If we start using genetic modification to create a human, no one will have characteristics that stand out and make

30. them who they are. We won't have the chance for people to see from
different perspectives if they all come from the same place with the same
background. We start moving away from being human and start moving
towards the idea of being artificial and man-made, almost as if we were
produced in a factory on an assembly line.
https://ak2.picdn.net/shutterstock/videos/1925416/thumb/9.jpg?i10c=img.resize(height:160)

31. Week 13
Thread 1: Response to Titicut Follies
The state of Massachusetts tried to ban the 1967 documentary Titicut Follies, arguing that director Frederick Wiseman had violated
the patients’ rights by not getting written permission to film them. The case went to court, and Wiseman argued that he had consent
from their legal guardian, the institution. After a judge ruled in favor of the state, the legal appeals carried on for several years: in
1969, Massachusetts allowed the film to be shown to doctors, lawyers, and health care professionals; in 1991, a superior court judge
ruled it could be released for the “general public,” as privacy concerns were no longer at issue, so many years later.
Should Wiseman have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility? Why or why not? How
might this film be of value to designers (communication designers, product, designers, architects, interior designers, planners,
landscape designers, systems designers, and/or social designers)? In other words, what might they gain from this film that they could
use in their work?
I think that he should have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility. As inmates, you
lose your right for privacy because you need to be monitored at all times. The people in this facility could cause
harm to themselves or to others if unsupervised so they cannot have privacy what so ever and for that, I feel that the
film does not violate their rights. This film can inspire future designers because of how much it highlights the flaws
in the design. We were able to see how poorly these inmates were treated how better design could allow a more
fairly managed institution. It can influence other designers by giving them examples of what not to do and if they
avoid certain things, then that facility might be able to run more smoothly. Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional
Facility can be compared to the Pruitt Igoe Housing Complex. Both were examples of how poor designs can lead
to the failure of the complex itself and both inspired designers in that field to avoid those same mistakes.
http://static.rogerebert.com/uploads/movie/movie_poster/titicut-follies-1968/large_v9alKxaEGOYVtlVo0H6Z5cLxJh8.jpg

32. Week 13
Thread 2: Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
Prelude: Wolf Wolfensberger's seminal work "The Origin and Nature of Our Institutional Models" posited that society characterizes
people with intellectual disabilities as sub-human and burdens of charity, He argued that this dehumanization, and the segregated
institutions that result from it, ignored the potential productive contributions that all people can make to society. He pushed for a shift
in policy and practice that recognized the human needs of those with intellectual challenges and provided the same basic human rights
as for the rest of the population.
The Scenario: Imagine that you and your four children live in Amherst, New York in a $650,000 home at the end of a cul-de-sac on
the edge of a ten acre woods. The town has purchased a one acre lot three houses away from yours, and plans to build a group home
for ten intellectually challenged adults.
As a resident of the neighborhood, would you support or oppose this proposal and why?
You've learned additional information about the residents of the proposed group home in your neighborhood. In 2013, three of the ten
intended residents exhibited challenging behaviors including screaming, public masturbation, repetitive rocking, and echolalia
(elective incontinence). However, these behaviors have not occurred since then.
How would this change your opinion about the construction of the group home in your neighborhood?
The residents in your neighborhood voted (14-3) to reject the town of Amherst’s proposal to build a group home in the neighborhood.
Town officials agreed that the home would not be built in your neighborhood if you and your neighbors could develop a workable
alternative.
What are some possible solutions that would allow the residents of the home to be provided with “the same basic human rights as the
rest of the population”?
As a resident, I would honestly be okay with the group home. My brother, who is 25 years old, is autistic so I am pretty familiar with
the situation. While he is highly functioning and has never shown symptoms like the ones mentioned above, he does interact with

33. people that do behave that way. They draw a lot of attention too themselves but do not do so intentionally, as it is something that is
outside of their grasp. They do things impulsively, like pull on their hair or even hit their head against a wall. They can't all help it
but they are all great people that are just like us. Yes they need special attention on most occasions but the majority of them still have
the ability to function in society. That being said, I would still warn my kids to
be careful and never walk outside alone. You never know what can happen,
but I would honestly tell them the same thing, regardless of the group home
being built or not. If people are uncomfortable with the situation, which most
understandably are, I feel that a reasonable solution would be that a care taker
should be with them at all times. If one of those people is known to act up, he
or she should be under constant watch so that they don't physically harm
themselves or someone else. But it honestly wouldn't be too much of a
problem for me to live in close proximity to people that are intellectually
challenged as I have been surrounded by people like that my entire life.
https://www.parkviewservices.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ParkviewServices-BigPhoto-1.jpg

34. Week 14
Thread 1: Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning by David Engwicht
Identify a place of worship with which you are somewhat familiar. (If you are not familiar with any places of worship, do a bit of
research on one in your own city or town.) Show a photograph of this religious structure. (You may use photographs from the web.)
What roles has this place served in the development of your city/town? How has it influenced the design of the area around it? How
has its role changed over time? What roles could this place of worship play in the future development of your city/town?
One church that I am familiar with is the Fordham University Church. I went to the high school affiliated with the university and we
would go to the church for special occasions. It was built as a seminary in 1845 but was purchased by Jesuits (a subset of Roman
Catholic) and made a part of Fordham University, which was St. John's University at the time. It is currently just a normal church
used for daily mass and occasionally weddings. I wouldn't say that it
influenced the design of the surrounding area at all. It is a Gothic
style church and matches the majority of the campus but it is not
centralized. It is put off to the side, far away from a lot of the
activities, but is in very close proximity to the dorms. I honestly
don't think that the role this church has in the community will change
in the future. The university does not have much room to grow due
to the environment surrounding the school and since the church is
pre-civil war, I doubt that they would demolish such a beautiful
piece of history.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Fordham_University_08.JPG

35. Week 14
Thread 2: Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design
At the beginning of this course, we discussed the idea that we are all designers regardless of our profession or field of study. We’ve
asked some big questions along the way, and the conclusion section of our textbook raises additional issues that require input from
people who might not consider themselves to be part of the formalized design professions. Think about your own major and/or future
profession. What is the biggest challenge, problem, or question that your field needs to tackle right now? What do you plan to do to
address this challenge, problem, or question either as part of your studies or professional life?
My major is architecture and the biggest challenge in the field right now is innovation and sustainability. As a society, we do not
welcome change very easily. So whenever an architect or different type of designer comes up with a new idea, people become
skeptical and try to shoot down the idea. As designers, we need to become a little more assertive with our ideas because we cannot
grow and learn if we don't take risks. Also, we destroy nature in order to construct our buildings, yet we fail to replace the things that
we take away. We no longer have a balance between the natural and built environment, which is a topic that a lot of designers are
trying to address. We need to come up with better ways to
incorporate greenery into our buildings and learn how to coexist
with nature. I plan on challenging this mind set that society has by
fully exploring every idea that I have and determine on my own if
something is doable or not. I will ignore people if they tell me that
the way that I approach a problem is wrong or unconventional. I
will design a space that allows us to live with nature and to keep
that balance.
http://sustaineng.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Sustainable-Building.jpg