Three Ways You Can Improve Your Design Today!

Recently, I read a blog post called, "Designing the Ideal Industrial Design Program". It's author Paul Backett, Ziba's Director touched on a variety of points regarding what's lacking in Design education today. I could go on a rant about design education but I'll spare you that and just get to the point. Many of the subjects Paul brought up that need to be addressed for up and coming design graduates also need to be reinforced in the working community. In many aspects of a person's life things you know you should do get shortcut because of a variety of external pressures. With design it's no different. People, including myself, need a refresher from time to time. So here are just a couple things you can do to improve your design practice and have fun doing it.

1. Build something yourself!
In the words of Richard Sennett, "The large issue here is that simulation can be a poor substitute for tactile experience." What is being suggested is that hands-off design disables a certain type of relational understanding. In a design world now dominated by CAD packages, 3D Renderings and offshore manufacturing it's difficult to get hands-on. To experience how a tool reacts to wood, how parts interact with each other or seeing realistic spacial relationships are essential. When it comes to design or artistic endeavors in general the head and hand cannot be separate. So take the time to get out from behind that desk and create something physical. You don't have to be a craftsman or a master welder either! All you need is some foam core, hot glue and a sharp knife. Test your designs in a quarter scale model before committing. I promise it will be fun, rewarding and educational.

"When the head and hand are separate, it is the head that suffers!"

Harvey Card / What If? Card

2. Challenge your own completed design.

Just when you think you are finished ask yourself, "What can I do to make this design even better?". These are not just words pounded into my subconscious by former professors but words I don't personally use enough. Today's pressures in product development can force you to make concessions just for the sake of getting it done but you owe it to yourself to fight those impulses. Take time and ask yourself questions such as, "What if I make it bigger?", "What if I change the color?".

A fun way to do this is with Harvey Cards a.k.a. What If? cards. These cards are a fun and simple way to challenge yourself brought to you by Core77 Industrial Design Website. They have been around for more than a decade and I'm sure used by millions of creatives the world over. Simply cut them out, shuffle them up and pull a card. Try to apply what it says to your concept. Harvey Cards can be downloaded here.

3. Reinvent your design identity.

Chances are whether you are just starting out or have been in the game awhile people have already slotted you creatively. "Oh, Brett is master at metalwork, he's your guy." or "There is no one better at color trending than Angela." and "No, he's a modern designer, he can't do traditional." Real or perceived you have either created for yourself an identity or your peers have done it for you. BREAK IT NOW!! If the identity is real try stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new. If it's perceived, show your peers something they haven't seen from you before. Designers have to evolve and innovate in the same way their products do. Otherwise, they like their creations will be replaced by the newer, shinier model that has more features.

Thank You Charity Supporters!

Rose Mercer spots the
Steampunk Time Machine!

The 1st Annual Etsy Dallas Charity event Sit Down To Stand Up For Kids was a huge success! Many thanks is owed to all of our supporters out there who came to the event last night and made a difference for local children. I also want to thank our incredible Etsy Dallas Charity Squad members who tirelessly worked for months on making this come together. It truly took a team effort to make this night as special as it could be.

The event itself received a spectacular turnout. From the moment we opened the doors there was a steady stream of people and within about 30 minutes time we had a crowd. Conversations surrounding the artists interpretations were soon followed by opening bids. I found it personally rewarding to observe the artists interacting and talking with people about their concepts. It was fantastic to see the passion behind their work on full display.


The bidding war began to pick up pace as the night went on. As we neared the close I could hear concessions being made and deals being struck. In the end, I think everyone (well, almost everyone) got the chair they wanted. It was an auction after all.


I look forward to next year's event. Hope I see you there!

Steampunk Time Machine

Steampunk Time Machine by Ferrochie

It's finally done and we are super excited about it. The Steampunk Time Machine (really combustion punk but I made that up) is our answer to the EtsyDallas Artist challenge and charity, "Sit Down To Stand Up For Kids". Before I talk about the chair I want to remind you that YOU are invited! Learn more about the event (if you haven't heard enough from me about it already) by visiting: http://www.etsydallas.com/Charity.html

Left Side View

I had originally wanted to do a very intricate carved chair done in the tradition of someone like Charles Rohlfs. Two things changed my mind on that. The first was seeing what Chet Phillips of ChetArt put together for his chair: http://chetart.com/blog/?p=4594  After seeing Chairman Chimp I realized I was going to have to do something a little more unpredictable . . . less safe.

Front Seat Closeup

The second was doing a little more brainstorming with Misty. We bounced some idea's back and forth and steampunk is what stuck. If you are unfamiliar with steampunk, here is an excerpt of how Wikipedia defines it:

"Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s.^[1] Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne."

Rear View

Our Steampunk Time Machine does follow that description with a few exceptions. There is a combustion engine on the back courtesy of the salvaged Indian motorcycle our Victorian Era scientist somehow acquired. Perhaps this belched out into his laboratory from a previous attempt at tearing into the space/time continuum. Otherwise, is follows the genre. :)

Complete with time dial, leather seats, solar sails and a sleeping bag, this time machine is ready to travel. I worked hard on the chair itself while Misty created the leather seats and sails. Frankly, I like this so much I wish it wasn't traveling to a future where someone else is taking it home. However, I am glad that in a small way it will be helping to take a child on a journey to a much better future!

Full Size