Feature Hierarchy: Bop It

I chose the 'Bop It' as a product design examples that has characteristics of feature hierarchy.

      One of the first features that I notice about the children's toy is its color. Each color represents a different action that the user must accomplish. Another hierarchy feature includes the size and shape of the particular button associated with the task that the user must complete. The green figure requires you to flick it, so it's shape and orientation looks like a vibrating peg, the yellow looks like a twister and requires the user to twist it, the red looks like a wheel and requires a spin from the user, and the blue looks like a tab and requires the user to pull the tab, the purple center requires a push/bop.  Overall, the spatial layout of the device allows the reader to use both hands to hold onto the 'Bop It' and have easy access to the required tasks. I think that the 'Bop It' is a prime example of this week's lecture because it has ample hierarchal visual features.

Visual Perception: Top-Down Processing

    I chose this image because I think that it is a great example of Top-Down visual processing. Top-Down processing involves goal-based visual fixation. In our daily lives, if we do not know where to go, we really on a GPS. A GPS is made for the user to constantly look at it in order for it to provide punctual and effective feedback for use in the external environment. Top-Down visual processing is categorized by goal-directed eye movement, and a constant looping cycle between action and cognition. A GPS embodies both of those aspects; we really at the GPS to provide us with timely feedback on route to the destination/goal, and the information that is constantly provided to the user must be turned into action, creating a constant loop until the goal and/or destination is achieved and/or reached. Any GPS is a great example of Top-Down Visual Perception.

source of image:
http://www.o-digital.com/uploads/2101/2204-1/4_3inch_Car_GPS_8_315.jpg

Syntactical Guidelines: Success and Failure

My interest as a design major is in Product Design. I tend to focus more particularly on mid-century design, however I like to also focus on mid-century graphic design as well. I find the designs to be unique and iconic, some of which have inspired the path, mentality, and design aspects of product designers today.

Example 1: Success
The Nagasaki Chair

I would view this design as a success. This is a new made design by Mathieu Mategot. This chair carries many qualities found within the syntactical guidelines. The chair is visually balanced; cut it vertically and it will be the same. The viewer can see that the design carries simple and structural qualities. I would say that this chair has more leveling qualities than sharpening; the struts, the frame, the shape and form of the chair, all are balanced and equal. I think that the form and color of the chair represent an attracting quality as well; the design has fluidity.

http://www.awhiteroom.com/gubi/gubi-nagasaki-chair.asp

Example 2: Not Successful (not as successful)

Mobilis Lounge Chair

I would say that this design is not as successful. The chair was designed by Marcel Wanders. It has less qualities of the syntactical guidelines than the other example, the Nagasaki Chair. This chair is not balanced, and it is actually less balanced depending on the user. This chair has a swinging seat that can be used by flip the chair over its base, so there are two functions; upright seating and lounge seating. I would say that this chair also has more stressful qualities to it, that create a more chaotic perception of this chair. I think that because there is no balance to the chair, a sense of dynamic stress is created by the form of the chair. While it is still a chair, I think that compared to the qualities of the Nagasaki chair, this design is not as successful. Not to mention that it is impractical, expensive, and ugly, through my eyes.

http://amsterdammodern.com/search-product/3327-Marcel-Wanders-Mobilis-lounge-chair-for-Artifort?s=wanders&show_sold=true