Weekly assignment 9

Throughout history the important objectives of designs have been to adress the needs of societies. Over the years the needs of societies and objectives have differed a lot.

During our lectures and readings, we investigated design campaigns held in the mid-twentieth century which used design as a form of propaganda to spread american ideals. One particular example was the American National Exhibition held in 1959. It was here that Kitchen Debate  took place, a series of impromptu exchanges (through interpreters) between the U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita khrushchev. This exhibition was meant to prove each country’s industrial accomplishments. The exhibition displayed an American-style kitchen which was furnished with high tech appliances and innovative designs. Therefore, the kitchen debate can be simply noted as both countries trying to promote the ideologies, as well as showing the comfortable and convenient lifestyle of their people.

Many of today’s designs can be seen as having a lot of political and ideological messages that inform designs and brandings today. However, nowadays we look more towards the idea of being environmentally friendly and sustainable. The idea of consumerism and making a ‘better life’ still exists, but maintaining our planet and keeping it clean and healthy, has become a bigger issue. Global warming, also known as “Greenhouse effect”, is one of the major issues that is being critically discussed, not just politically but also in designs and brandings. 

http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?q=hybrid+vehicles&num=10&hl=en&biw=1600&bih=978&tbm=isch&tbnid=Yl2QXjb8SuWPGM:&imgrefurl=http://auto.701panduan.com/article-details.php%3Fid%3D230&docid=zVME0BjFWE6ICM&w=1300&h=867&ei=_hSMTpu0HoPImAWVpeiPBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=175&vpy=319&dur=31&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=156&ty=98&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=185&start=0&ndsp=35&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0

Hybrid vehicles are one of the sustainable designs that exist today. Hybrid vehicles use two or more distinct power sources to power the vehicle. These consist of electric motors and fuels that help to reduce down the carbon admission. Although they are not very appealing, hybrid vehicles help to keep our planet clean and healthy. 


Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_design
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchen_Debate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_vehicle