The Clip

The Clip Storyboard

Interim Hand-in

Design Standpoint

“Good design is obvious, great design is transparent”

 -Joe Sparano

This quote from Joe Sparano suggests that great design is taken for granted, and not “seen”. Such design could be as simple as a spoon, a safety pin or a remote control. There are many objects that appear to be simplistic, but they all had to start somewhere. It all starts with an idea, may it be a solution to a problem, from here an industrial designer follows a process to create or develop a product, ultimately improving its function, aesthetics and ergonomics. This is best seen in the great designs that we take for granted, they are so easy to use, we use them without thinking. It never occurs to us how it was created only how it helps us. Because of its success great design is often invisible. My stand is that we should appreciate all design, including the simple things that we may take for granted. It all had to start somewhere; it may not have always been so simple.

For my stop motion I intend on focusing on a simple everyday object that we use without thinking. Someone will truly look at this object and think about it. I plan on showing how it started as an idea and has been built up through processes to create a product. It will be built up by a series of sketches to represent the design process and development of a product until the sketches turn into the real object. This will encourage users to think about and appreciate the simple things and the process that occurred to get to the final product. This will provide ‘A new way of seeing’.

Locovisual

The Wellington Free Ambulance Building served as the headquarters for the Wellington Free Ambulance Service for 61 years. It has since been refurbished to become the St John’s Heineken Hotel, operating as a bar, theatre and venue for special events. The building is located along the waterfront of Wellington city. It was first opened in 1933 and designed by architect William Turnbull, who was given the task to provide a highly distinctive, modern and functional building. It is clear that this was achieved as the building survives as one of the finest, purpose-built Art Deco structures in the city.

The Art Deco style is well known for its clean, uncluttered lines, its simple features, as well as emphasis on the vertical aspects this is represented in the design of the Free Ambulance Building, through things such as the elongated windows and the vertical moulding and banding on the exterior of the building. Other significant characteristics of Art Deco include the use and abstraction of geometric shapes, this can be seen within the Free Ambulance Building as the original floor tiles in the interior of the building are a geometric design, also the style of the lamps and wall fittings inside can all be seen supporting the Art Deco style. The Art Deco style is also presented in the decorative detailing of the building, including the plaster panels and decorative capitals.

A combination of the characteristics of the Free Ambulance Building such as the architecture, its location and the history of the building and its use has resulted in a strong social value for the city. The building is still a significant landmark on the Wellington waterfront.

References

Wellington Free Ambulance. (2012). History of Wellington Free Ambulance. Retrieved from http://www.wfa.org.nz/history

Heritage Buildings. Retrieved from http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/heritage/details.php?id=85&m=building&p=11