April 2014

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 28 apr 2014

Most robotic components that are currently used are hard, large and heavy and therefore limit their speed and motion. But researchers like Saul Griffith are trying to change that. He is using soft, inflatable materials that are lighter, faster and even substantially strong. Soft in this context would signify lighter weight, lower cost, more efficient, more resilient, higher dynamic range, and tunable. Some of the examples of soft engineered robots in the current research include gripping eggs (George Whitesides at Harvard University), inflatable robotic arm, inflatable vehicle etc. Moreover the research have potential to be utilized in medical applications - prosthetics, aiding stroke victims, lessening spinal cord injuries, soft external muscles for aging population etc. Read on...

Engineering: Rethinking Rigidity in Design
Author: Tom Spendlove

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 12 apr 2014

3D architectural design is changing the work dynamics of architects and their interaction and relationship with their clients. Popular softwares that assist them to design, draft and alter three-dimensional images include Archicad, Vectorworks and Revit. These softwares simplify the work by making subsequent changes in other areas when one aspect is altered or changed. But architectural experts differ in their opinion of the overall usability and impact of these softwares on various elements of architectural design. They argue that actual creativity is essential for design which these softwares cannot provide. Architect Gerard Damiani, who teaches at Carnegie Mellon University says that substantial number of architects in the school still believe that mastering hand-drawing is a required skill but there is less use of it as the course progresses where students focus more on computer-aided design. Most architects do believe that these softwares eliminate the tedious, routine and repetitive aspects of design work. Moreover they also help architects collaborate more efficiently with the project team and the client due to the ease of technology assisted sharing and feedback mechanism. Read on...

TribLive: 3D takes architectural design to next dimension
Author: Bob Karlovits

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 12 apr 2014

Jonas Damon, the Creative Director of frog, shares his views on 'traditional' (or outdated) forms and materials, user experience and the relevance of Dieter Ram's 'Ten Principles of Good Design' in today's world of design. According to him - 'Honesty' in design in the past was expressed by skilfully skulpting with and around a given product's physical conditions, rather than just hiding or disguising these. While these days 'honesty' is more complex and difficult to design for, as it's about the tangible aspects of the brand the product embodies. Traditional forms and materials have cultural value because of their iconic, built-in character; Hardware is an integral part of user experience. A true UX is multi-sensory. Industrial design has become richer since 'living technology' is being considered as a material. 'Living technology' represents those elements that bring objects to life, that make them animate and tie them to other parts of the world around us; Dieter Ram's principles are still relevant but some may not reflect today's times like 'Good Design is Unobtrusive', 'Good Design is Thorough to the Last Detail', 'Good Design is as Little Design as Possible'. Moreover a new design principle may be included, 'Good Design is Inclusive', as it would be more appropriate to current times. Read on...

Core77: Industrial design in the modern world: Short doc and exclusive interview with the 'frog' creative director Jonas Damon
Author: NA