Turn The Page #53 Preview

53 turn the page | july 2015

H3

“Creative minds are rarely tidy”

Carl Gustav Jung sven

sven

sven

Spatial Design VERSUS Dying Markets INTERVIEW Annie Atkins

53 | July 2015

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index Editorial Upcoming Coverstory Study association i.d Design Everywhere Interview One To Watch Versus Review Inspiration Test Case Company Insight Flowchart Student Feature New Tech Interview Advertisement How It’s Made Do It Yourself Feature Gadgets

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Spatial Design Annie Atkins Spek Amsterdam Dying Markets APPril Learning New Skills Online Innovating an Archetype What Kind of Designer Are You? Shake-On A New Era for Personal Transport Refine Your Skills Fonts Word Clock Urban Mining

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COVERSTORY

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COVERSTORY

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COVERSTORY

SPATIAL DESIGN: MAKING ROOM FOR LIFE Desk clutter, lost keys, and a daily loss of concentration: twenty-first century life brings an array of everyday frustrations. The space we occupy matters, yet it is increasingly more polluted by products that don’t quite know their place. Spatial design, a relatively new field that explores the interdependence between architecture, interior design, and product design, may be solution. By understanding how our direct environment affects us, could spatial design actually change our productivity, lifestyle, and outlook on the world? text by Eva Oosterlaken | illustrations handcrafted by Eva Oosterlaken and Lianne Siemensma

The known universe consists of an estimated ,6x1060 kilograms of stuff, of which you, as a tiny human being, only make up a microscopic percent. Statistically speaking, you are pretty insignificant. To you however, the universe consists of two nearly equally important parts, you and everything else. In the western world, everything else mostly consists of a home, work, an automobile, and all the things (mostly consumables, such as clothing, appliances, post-it notes etc.) that make up these places.

The spaces we live in say a lot about who we are, and they can actually greatly impact how we feel. Spatial design is humancentric, meaning that it focuses on how spaces may holistically impact human mental health, wellness, and performance.

Considering that the spatial environment is incredibly important to every aspect of our lives, it is a shame that most people are chronically dissatisfied with it. Workplace satisfaction is a disaster in regular offices, and homeowners curse clutter in the home.

According to the University of Scranton, ‘getting organized’ was the second most popular new years resolution this year, just after losing weight. So what makes us so unhappy? A twenty-first century lifestyle brings two major spatial challenges: (1) we own increasingly more possessions while we operate in increasingly smaller spaces and (2) our brains experience an incredible amount of stimuli per day, leaving us with little free time, a short attention span, and an ample amount of stress. In other words, because our living spaces are relatively smaller, our collection of objects is larger, and our brains are constantly preoccupied by a flux of information, the need to optimize space is greater than ever.

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DESIGN FOR SMALL SPACES In the decades following the 1950s, upper middle class citizens in the United States experienced tremendous growth in home square footage. Physical spaces became larger, yet Americans acquired possessions at an even faster rate than they could relocate to a bigger home! In fact, since 1995, there has been a 65% increase in the amount of people who own a storage unit. Out of western countries, the United States has the cheapest land and storage space still available. Here in the Netherlands, we are much worse off, let alone in urban centres all across the world. Architects and interior designers have thought of solutions to the not-enoughspace problem (mostly in the form of smart storage solutions) for years now, but if Americans are feeling crowded in their homes, it can’t just be because of purely physical constraints.

DESIGN FOR CLUTTERED MINDS Considering that spatial design is human centric, a chaotic modern lifestyle is more relevant to address by spatial designers than simply the size constraints of physical space. Homes are perhaps just relatively smaller, because of excessive clutter. Clutter isn’t just an excess of stuff in the form of products, but it is also a mismatch of products, or a combination of products which creates a space environment that is not in harmony, and subsequently restless and unappealing to the mind. Research shows that these chaotic space environments have negative impact on stress levels and overall wellness. 1

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COVERSTORY

In fact, according to a survey, 42% of people experience more anxiety when their homes are cluttered. The Princeton neuroscience institute argues that this is because “the chaos restricts your brain’s ability to focus and to process information.” Considering that in this age we already have an excess amount of information to process, it’s no wonder that consumers are getting stressed out by a messy, unyielding environment. Clutter may also take up more of your valued time than you’d think: on average, we spend one year in a lifetime looking for lost or misplaced items!

FLEXIBILITY So what is the secret to creating more agreeable environments, in which the space around us encourages us to focus and relax, instead of stressing us out relentlessly? Spatial designers all have different approaches to this problem, but one front researchers, architects, and designers can agree on is flexibility.

If you’ve ever been to the Rietveld Schröder house you’ll have witnessed how each room in the house is carefully tailored to human needs: architecture, interior, and function, are perfectly integrated in order to optimize space. At first sight, the top floor looks quite regular; there are several bedrooms and a hallway area. However, all of the walls, separations, and shutters can be pulled away so that the entire top floor becomes one big space: the living area. One corner of the room is a window, which creates the illusion that the space is even larger. The Rietveld Schröder house perfectly illustrates how a flexible spatial arrangement creates not only a multifunctional space, but also a very pleasant living experience.

ON AVERAGE, WE SPEND ONE YEAR IN A LIFETIME LOOKING FOR LOST OR MISPLACED ITEMS Businesses discovered that what Rietveld was onto in the 1920’s could not only apply to the home, but also to the workplace.

Subsequently, a ton of research was conducted towards office environments that increase job performance. The findings were ubiquitous: grey stationary cubicles are demotivating and time consuming, open office environments with more transparency, light, and interaction, on the other hand, stimulate work ethic and increase efficiency. The open office ‘fad’, however, has problems

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of its own, as some employees condemn the spaces as distracting and impersonal. Open offices are positive but only when it doesn’t take away from privacy and personal control. It all comes down to one thing: employees perform better when they can control their space, i.e. flexibility. For example, at Google, Facebook, and other progressive companies, employees have the ability to personalize the configuration of their offices, and teams can easily build a project space that is most suitable.

The companies also provide easy access to banks, grocery stores, gyms, and arcades so employees can choose how to manage their time between work and play easily, without losing too much valuable time. Giving employees autonomy and flexibility, has led to greater job performance and satisfaction.

REDESIGNING LIFESTYLES So a cleverly designed space can reduce stress levels and improve job performance, but could it also change our lifestyle, change our outlook on life, or even save lives?

Another aspect of the modern age is that people’s lifestyles have become more sedentary. Globally obesity rates are on the rise, “but there is hope,” says Craig Zimring, an Environmental Psychologist and Professor of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “When designers are conscious of their decisions, especially the evidence linking design to health and behaviour outcomes, the results are significant, be it on an urban scale or at home or in the office.” Zimring hopes that through clever spatial design—by for example making stairs more attractive, and locating points of interest on the second floor—individuals will be encouraged to lead more active lifestyles.

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COVERSTORY

Spatial design is often especially important when people aren’t in control of their direct environment, like in hospitals. Hospitals are often very monotone, which is both depressing and potentially hazardous, because the elderly often can’t see contrast. Instead, hospitals should echo a natural environment with dark floors and light ceilings, and should give patients more input in controlling their space. In many cases giving patients a sense of control will help them heal faster. It may even save their lives!

Even if you finally do bite the dust, it’s probably nice if it isn’t in that same dull hospital room. In the TED Talk ‘How Architecture can

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help the Dead’ Allison Killing argues that the place where we die is important, and there is a better way to do it. Spatial Designers could help give the dying a more positive outlook on death.

SPATIAL DESIGN FOR PRODUCT DESIGNERS Traditionally, the prerequisites for excellent product design are a combination of outstanding performance, great function, a simple production process, and a pleasant appearance. In modern society however, product design has a big impact on the spatial environment. We should design with a spatial awareness, and realize that our products are usually seen within a bigger picture. 1

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Product designers are often unknowingly responsible for the cluttered mess that infiltrates a large number of our homes, and with a few spatial design guidelines, we may be able to avoid that.

FLEXIBILITY: The user feels most comfortable with your product if he can control it, so let him! Design a product that can be stored on its side, upside down, or facing the wall. Couches that can be rearranged in multiple configurations, or chairs that double as a table, are also cool. If you want to go really crazy, make your product mouldable, so the users can easily mould it into whatever shape they likes as if it were Play-Doh! BACK TO OUR ROOTS: Research has shown that a sunny forest picture on the wall of a hospital room greatly boosts the patient’s mood, because for our ancestors, sunny forests meant it was a good day for hunting and gathering. I don’t suggest plastering your own picture of a sunny forest complete with inspirational quote across your product, but maybe find some other way to incorporate natural components in your design.

KEEP IT SIMPLE: To make your product less likely to be labelled as ‘clutter’, make it as simple as possible. Dieter Rams is the way to go here: balance, relaxing colours, and a minimalist approach will ensure your product won’t become an eye-, and subsequently, a brainsore. I myself only have clothing with prints, have a laptop sleeve with cars on it, and am a big fan of my pineapple candle from HEMA, but then again, my living space is pretty chaotic and I should really consider a lifestyle change. 3

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july 2015 | turn the page

Study association i.d

Study association i.d Another Turn The Page, another photo report of i.d’s activities. Read all about IO Festival, the freshmen’s prom, Pluim-Kafee, and many more. Don’t forget to browse through and you might find your picture. Not to forget, enjoy your summer holidays!

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Study association i.d

Actid: Easter lunch This year, Easter wasn’t two, but three days long! On the 7th of April Actid organised an Easter lunch filled with chocolate eggs, Easter loaf and loads of other deliciousnesses. A good way to start your week and renew your energy for the afternoon.

special beer tasting One of the most tasteful i.d-Kafee nights of the year: the special beer tasting. A group of 42 people enjoyed five special beers personally selected by i.d-Kafee 43. To make the night even better, our hero the handyman came and freed a beer taster in distress from the toilet.

presentation moment 6 The last presentation moment of the year! The fresh freshmen’s weekend committee presented themselves and received useful feedback in return. Also. the upcoming board made themselves known to the public. From left to right: Emma Schalkers (Events), Gabrielle Ribbens (Education). Silke de Jong (Secretary), Koen Luijkx (Chairman), Willemijn Rutte (Treasurer), Sam van Eijk (External affairs) and Rens de Graaf (Publicity).

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Study association i.d

IO Festival This year’s IO Festival was again a great success. With the theme ‘Cirque Mécanique’, the 33rd edition of the festival converted IDE into a spectacular circus of artists, stages and beautiful scenery.

This year 1600 visitors enjoyed 21 bands, DJ’s and performances such as Broken Brass Ensemble, Melon, Anton Piete en Jack and the Weathermen. We hope you enjoyed it and to see you next year!

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Study association i.d

A successful edition of Cases on Tour 2 lead 25 master students to T-Mobile, Connexxion, Yepp and Unilever to work on different design challenges. It was a busy week full of hard work and dedication of the participants. The companies were really satisfied with the results and the students really enjoyed their week.

Actid exhibition 16

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Study association i.d

Pluim-Kafee The Pluim awards always cause a lot of commotion among the teachers and employees of IDE. This year we combined the award ceremony with the Pluim-Kafee. Which means many employees and teachers left their desks and lecture rooms to provide you with a fresh beer in i.d-Kafee.

Another thank you to all of you who voted and congratulations to all of our winners!

Freshmen’s prom The Freshmen Gala for Industrial Design Engineering and Architecture freshmen took place for the first time ever this year. Everyone was dressed up for a wonderful evening. Evenso, the welcoming drinks soon made room for some beers.

The dating service provided some lovely couples and the band and DJ made the evening into a stunning success till the end.

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Study association i.d

The square of IDE was filled with 28 enthusiastic teams, lots of games, sunshine and beer. At the end of the day all the student teams had a nice barbecue to forget their deadlines and celebrate the summer with the participating employees.

august

Summercue

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Wanted: Freshmen’s weekend referees

It’s almost here again: the Freshmen’s weekend! We’ve chosen our mentor duos already, but we’re still searching for referees. Do you want to be one of those to decide who will get the points and who won’t? Send an e-mail to eerstejaarsweekend-svid@tudelft.nl

july 2015 | turn the page

Study association i.d

Every year i.d-Education organises the Pluim Awards, an award ceremony in which students nominate the IDE staff. Every year this causes for a lot of commotion among the staff at IDE. Who got nominated? Who will win? And what will the Pluim look like this year?

Then there is another aspect to the Pluim, which is the Pluim-Kafee! In the Kafee you won’t get your beer from just anyone, no, you’ll get it from the IDE staff. Normally you find them behind desks and in lecture halls, but this all changes during Pluim-Kafee.

This obviously caused for a whole new wave of questions among those who would be handing beers to the students.

How to get a perfect beer? How much should someone pay if he wants two beers, but hands in five plastics and also wants nachos? Should we check IDs?

The 27th of May all those questions were answered and everyone enjoyed the elections and there beer in the beautiful weather. For all those who missed this amazing day, for one more time, all the winners and nominees: The Pluim for ‘Most appreciated employee’ went to An Mendes of GOM. This year the Pluim for ‘Best bachelor course’ went to PO3. For ‘Most inspiring bachelor teacher’ the Pluim went to Sander Minnoye. For the three Master’s degree programmes the awards went to Armagan Albayrak

(IPD), Frido Smulders (SPD) and Ianus Keller (DfI).

For the ‘Most appreciated employee’ Carlo Buhrertavenier and Wil Sneekes were nominated. For ‘Best bachelor course’ nominations went to Design Experience and Modelling. The ‘Most inspiring teacher’ nominees this year were Joost de jong (Bsc), Wolf Song (Bsc/IPD), JC Diehl (IPD), Christine de Lille (SPD), Erik Roscam Abbing (SPD), Jasper van Kuijk (DFI) and Pieter Desmet (DfI).

Frido Smulders

Armagan Albayrak

Ianus Keller

Sander Minnoye

PO3 (Ellis van der Hende)

An Mendez

turn the page | july 2015

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53 turn the page | july 2015

H3

“Creative minds are rarely tidy”

Carl Gustav Jung sven

sven

sven

Spatial Design VERSUS Dying Markets INTERVIEW Annie Atkins

53 | July 2015