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indn241sustainablemediums · 5 years

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Nike AlphaFly and Conclusion

I decided to use the Nike AlphaFly as my example of good design as I believe it showcased the traits that are most important in a good product.

Why Nike’s AlphaFly is good design?

There are many qualities of Nike’s AlphaFly that make it a good design. Firstly, the functionality of the running shoe. It’s ability to improve athletes' personal best running times is a testament to the innovative cutting-edge technology put in the shoe. Components include the likes of the ZoomX foam and Zoom Air pods that provide support as well as extra propulsion forward, which is second to no other shoe. The Nike AlphaFly is great ergonomically. Its sleek, comfortable and breathable polyester upper forms around any runner’s foot providing relief from the strain of long-distance running. Nike has been very successful in design shoes that are aesthetically pleasing to the mass market. The AlphaFly is no exception. The possible colourway combinations as well as the futuristic look of the shoe is unique and is one of the main attractions for purchasers. Finally, the use of materials. Nike is on its way to being a zero-emission and zero waste company. The Flyknit upper of the Alphafly is made of recycled polyester and Nike is making efforts to create sustainable practices for the rest of the AlphaFly’s materials. Overall Nike’s AlphaFly is a good design due to its impressive functionality, its ergonomics around the human foot, its aesthetical design and Nike’s sustainable practices.

Conclusion

I personally believe that the design traits shown in the Nike AlphaFly are the traits of a product of good design. The traits include the function of the product, the ergonomics, how aesthetically pleasing it is to the target market and how the product's material and/or manufacturing process are sustainable. Firstly functionality, good product design should be measured by how well a product is at completing its task, the better the product is at fulfilling the task the more usability the user gets out of it which increases satisfaction. If it is ineffective then the market will most likely avoid the product. It is important when designing a product to think about how it will interact with a user. How it ergonomically molds to their body when they use it. Good product design should be seamless, meaning the user should without instructions be able to tell how to hold, wear or even move the product. The aesthetics of a product aren’t as important in terms of the use of the product as function or ergonomics are but can play a big part psychologically with humans. We naturally gravitate to designs that have been aesthetically thought out. The aesthetics are important in the sense that the user is attracted to the look of the product in their mind making it a good design. Finally, the implementation of sustainability using materials and or manufacturing practices. Humans are very wasteful animals. There are limited supplies on earth that we can’t keep extracting. To sustain a healthy earth, it is important for designers to look towards a reusable, recyclable future for materials and use manufacturing processes that are safe for the environment. Going forward good product design will showcase these practices.

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indn241sustainablemediums · 5 years

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Nike’s AlphaFly Questionaire

Nike’s AlphaFly

-Who designed it?

A Nike Design Team - When was it designed?

2019 - What did the designer want to express/deliver?

Technological innovation in the running and endurance industry

- Was it the designer’s answer or resolution to a problem or issue?

Create a shoe that is lightweight and increases the power of propulsion forward when running

- How long did it take to complete the design since its inception?

Two years 2017 - 2019

- What is the material(s) it is made of/from?

ZoomX foam (possible a variant of the Eva foam), carbon-fiber, polyester, rubber

- How was it manufactured/crafted?

Maufactured using several practices. The polyester upper is steamed and stretched around a mould. The foam sole is most likely made using injection moulding.

- Were there any design/technical challenges? How did the designer overcome them?

Yes, after Eliud Kipchoge under 2 hour marathon the track and fields governing body restricted shoes to having 1 one carbon-fibre plate. The AlphaFly had 3, Nike had to adjust the design without overly hindering its amazing performance, which it was able to successfully do.

- How many units have been produced?

Unknown, hasn’t been released to the public only Nike athletes and other 2020 Olympians.

- Was the material(s) and/or manufacturing/crafting process better than its predecessors or competition? If so, how and why?

The materials are better as they are both extremely light, breathable and comfortable which is hard not only to find balance but to have all tick all those boxes. The manufacturing is most likely more innovative as there is nothing on the market or expected to come that could be competitive with the AlphaFly.

- Was there any consideration of its potential impact on the environment, people or society put into practice ahead of its time?

Yes, a lot of the polyester and rubber in Nike shoes are recycled materials, some presumably the AlphaFly is no different.

- Who was its target audience? What kind of responses did it meet with?

The target audience was originally long-distance runners. The reaction to the AlphaFly was very mixed many people were amazed with the under 2 hour marathon that Eliud Kipchoge put on with the shoes and making many fans and possible purchasers of the AlphaFly. But others believe that it is a technological performance enhancer and gives the people using the AlphaFly an unfair advantage over the people not using it. So much so that the original prototype Eluid used is now banned from marathon running.

- Can you describe its typical use or experience?

The users put on the shoes and starts running. The shoe sole is bouncy and provides further propulsion forwards.

- What are the most impressive qualities or features of the design (in your opinion)?

The most impressive qualities of the shoe are how extremely lightweight they are and the amount of power the propulsion makes for the runner is amazing as well as how streamline the designs were able to make it.

- Did you find any less known but remarkably enticing features?

The designer’s choice to add extra foam gives the user impact protection and cushioning, protecting the feet from soreness at the end of long runs.

- Any other intriguing facts?

The Track and Field Governing body added to rules because of the prototype shoe. No more than one carbon plate and the sole can’t be any thicker than 40mm.

- Do you think it is technically, aesthetically or culturally important or meaningful?

Yes to all above, Technically as it is helping athletes break PB’s and other records due to its performance enhancement. Aesthetically as it has a very futuristic look to it, and personally looks great as a running shoe. It is also culturally important as it is able to effect how people feel some are amazed by its performance while others see it as a way of cheating and hindering others to achieve.

- In conclusion, why do you think it deserves to be an exemplar of good design?

I believe the AlphaFly is a good design as it can noticeable improve a runner performance while staying within the guidelines set by officials. The combination of materials making it lightweight and breathable while also ticking the boxes of comfortable and durable. The design is true innovative.

- How would you improve it if you redesign it?

I would source materials of similar properties but made sure they were made, sourced and/or recyclable before the shoe is manufactured and after the products life making it full sustainable.

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indn241sustainablemediums · 5 years

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Bic Cristal Questionaire

Bic Cristal Pen

- Who designed it?

Marcel Bich and Edouard Buffard

- When was it designed?

1950

- What did the designer want to express/deliver?

Value for money and usability

- Was it the designer’s answer or resolution to a problem or issue?

Yes, fountain pens are annoying to refill and ball point pen designs pervious to the bic cristal wouldn’t spread ink evenly when writing

- How long did it take to complete the design since its inception?

Between 5 to 0 years it was made 5 years after the inception of Bic as a company

- What is the material(s) it is made of/from?

Polystyrene, plastic and metal

- How was it manufactured/crafted?

Injection moulding

- Were there any design/technical challenges? How did the designer overcome them?

Previously ball point pens were inconsistent at spread ink evenly

- How many units have been produced?

Over 100 billion

- Was the material(s) and/or manufacturing/crafting process better than its predecessors or competition? If so, how and why?

Yes, the cost of materials and the manufacturing process ran a lot cheaper than the predecessors meaning the pen could be more affordable and therefore dominate the market.

- Was there any consideration of its potential impact on the environment, people or society put into practice ahead of its time?

At its inception there was no consideration of environmental impact as it was made in the 1950’s which wasn’t a period people thought to be environmentally conscious. But in 2010’s Bic claimed that the Cristal was partly made of recycled plastic and in 2012 Bic was awarded the French ecolabel NF Environment (Certified low environmental impact).

- Who was its target audience? What kind of responses did it meet with?

Anybody needing to write on paper. It was an instant success for its usability and affordability for most of the public.

- Can you describe its typical use or experience?

It’s used as a tool to evenly distribute ink onto a surface (usually paper) for the purpose of display information in any visual form. The experience involves gripping the pen in one’s hand and using the thumb and one or two fingers and the shoulder and elbow joint to move the pen around the page.

- What are the most impressive qualities or features of the design (in your opinion)?

The success of the Cristal comes from how effective its ball and socket is at distributing ink out of the pen. In 1950 the improvement from pervious ball point pens made mass societal change from the fountain pen.

- Did you find any less known but remarkably enticing features?

The casing is made in a hexagonal form to make it strong and durable and helps with grip. Mimics traditional pencils.

- Any other intriguing facts?

The Bic Cristal was successful for the fact that it was easy to dispose. Unlike its competition such as the refillable quill pens. This won it the market due to its easy usability.

- Do you think it is technically, aesthetically or culturally important or meaningful?

It is all the above, its technically sound as it functions perfectly for its job. It is aesthetical, having a very bare bones simplistic design. Its has a huge effect culturally, it is in almost every household in the world, most likely every school bag and brief case. It has huge cultural significance ranging from education to the work sectors to casual use. The Bic Cristal is very meaningful globally.

- In conclusion, why do you think it deserves to be an exemplar of good design?

The Bic Cristal is an exemplar of good design for several reasons. Firstly, and most importantly its functionality as a pen. The innovative ball and socket, the visible ink cartage and its durability and grip while using low cost materials are some of the reasons it has been able to stay on top of the market since the 1950’s. Other reasons include the disposability which can also be a negative due to the wastefulness of the unsustainable practice. However, in 2012 Bic decided to change their ways and the Bic Cristal was then made using recyclable plastic as well as a refillable ink was designed.

- How would you improve it if you redesign it?

If I was to redesign the Bic Cristal, I would figure out a way to minimise the plastic use on the pen without hindering its functionality for the purpose of implementing further sustainable practices. There isn’t that much to change to the design as it is already bare bones and very simple. Over complicating the design or taking to much away from it will hinder functionality.

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indn241sustainablemediums · 5 years

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Research on Artefacts - 12/03

First I composed a list of products that I thought were great innovations or staple products that have stood the test of time.

Artefact ideas - Eileen Gray cigarette table - Air Pods - Chesterfield sofa - Tesla Model S - Bic Cristal Pen - Nutribullet - Nike's AlphaFLY shoe - Barcelona Chair - UE Boom - Barcelona Chair Then I chose the 4 artefacts that I believe showed great product design.

Chosen Artefacts - The Bic Cristal Pen - UE Boom - Nike's AlphaFLY Shoe - Barcelona Chair

The Bic ‘Cristal’ Pen

- In 1950 Marcel Bich adapts and improves the ball point pen invented by Lazlo Biro. The quality and affordable price makes the pen a hit (BIC World, 2020).

- A single pen can write a distance of up to 2 to 3 kilometres. The use of a polystyrene casing keeps materials cheap and allows the user to see how much ink is left (The Design Museum, 2020).

- The Hexagonal shape of the pen is inspired by the shape of traditional pencils. The shape makes the pen strong and durable, and gives the user better grip and stability while writing (The Design Museum, 2020)

- The ballpoint is held in a socket where it can roll around freely within. The space between the ball and socket are big enough where the ink can come out as you write but doesn’t dry out (works similarly to roll-on deodorant) (The Design Museum, 2020).

- The defining factor between Bic Cristal and previous ballpoint pens are the value for money and its reliability as the quality control for Bic Cristal Pens stay consist (The Design Museum, 2020).

- In 2012 Bic became the first manufacturer of writing instruments to receive the French ecolabel NF Environment (Certified low environmental impact) for seven of its products, Including the refillable Cristal pen (Lees-Maffei, 2014).

- Bic has become a partner in the first programme for recycling of used writing instruments, enabling it to participate in the end of life management of the Cristal (Lees-Maffei, 2014).

Barcelona Chair

- Designed in 1929 for the Spanish Royal Family by the German designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Mies is regarded as the pioneer of modern furniture. (Watson-Smyth, 2011)

- The chair was specifically designed to fit in the Barcelona Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition (World Fair) with the idea that the King and Queen of Spain would see and possibly sit on the chairs, Mies even said the chair was “Fit for a King” (Knoll, 2020).

- The Chair and the pavilion were meant to symbolise the new progressive spirit of the Weimar Republic (Germany’s Government from 1919 to 1933) (Knoll, 2020).

- The Chair, as well as the accompanying stool, was considered a “modern throne.” (Burch, 2019).

- A plain design that used “modern engineering, perfectly blending form and function” (Burch, 2019).

- Made from chrome-plated steel curved into an X that connects behind the headrest. The seat is covered in cowhide but was originally pig skin (Burch, 2019).

- The Chair is very geometric with both the side-on view and the front on fitting into a square (Elam, 1951).

(Elam, 1951)

Nike AlphaFLY

- Eliud Kipchoge ran a marathon in under 2 hours in a prototype of the AlphaFLY’s (Nike, 2020).

- The shoe is loaded with two Zoom Air pods in the forefoot and the ZoomX foam in the heel provide extra propulsion when running (Nike, 2020).

- The Flyknit upper called the AtomKnit is steamed and stretched giving a lightweight contoured fit with minimal water absorption and good breathability (Nike, 2020).

- According to a 2017 study in the journal sports medicine, Nike’s Vaporfly shoes (The predated line before the AlphaFLY) provided a 4% boost in running economy (Ramsay, 2020).

- The shoe uses air pocket and a carbon plate built into the midsole to absorb and return energy (Bowen, 2019).

UE Boom Series

- Balanced 360° sound, 15-hour battery life. Amazing portability. Simplistic button design and controllability (Ultimate Ears, 2020).

- Water, dust & drop proof, high-performance fabric. Can be submerged in water for 30 mins and floats to the top (Ultimate Ears, 2020).

- Able to connect several speakers together (Ultimate Ears, 2020).

- Awarded Gold International Design Excellence Award in 2014 in the entertainment category from the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDEA). “We designed UE BOOM to be a speaker to truly fit your life – anywhere you go,” said Branko Lukic founder of NONOBJECT, design firm behind UE BOOM (Logitech, 2014).

- “[UE BOOM] feels like industrial design 2.0,” said Mike Simonian, an IDEA 2014 Juror. “[It’s] a progressive and fresh approach to form, detailing and colour.” (Logitech, 2014).

References

BIC World. (2020, 03 11). OUR HERITAGE, YOUR PASSION. Retrieved from BIC World: https://www.bicworld.com/en/about-us/our-heritage-your-passion

Bowen, R. (2019, November 5). Wafer-thin bicycles, speedy shorts, go-faster trainers: controversial technology in sport. Retrieved from Bournemouth Unniversity: https://blogs.bournemouth.ac.uk/research/2019/11/05/wafer-thin-bicycles-speedy-shorts-go-faster-trainers-controversial-technology-in-sport/

Burch, M. (2019, January 23). Here’s How the Iconic Barcelona Chair Design Came to Be. Retrieved from House Beautiful: https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a26010236/barcelona-van-der-rohe-chair/

Elam, K. (1951). Geometry of Design: Studies in Proportion and Composition. New York: Priceton Architechural Press.

Knoll. (2020, 03 11). Design Deconstructed: Barcelona Chair. Retrieved from Knoll: https://www.knoll.com/knollnewsdetail/design-deconstructed-barcelona-chair

Lees-Maffei, G. (2014). Iconic Designs: 50 Stories About 50 Designs. New York: Bloomsbury.

Logitech. (2014, July 7). UE BOOM FROM ULTIMATE EARS WINS GOLD INTERNATIONAL DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD FROM INDUSTRIAL DESIGNERS SOCIETY OF AMERICA. Retrieved from Logitech: https://news.logitech.com/press-release/consumer-products/ue-boom-ultimate-ears-wins-gold-industrial-design-excellence-award-i

Nike. (2020, 03 11). Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%. Retrieved from Nike: https://www.nike.com/nz/running/alphafly

Ramsay, G. (2020, Feburary 6). Nike's controversial shoe will be commercially available this year. Retrieved from CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/06/sport/nike-alphafly-shoe-running-spt-intl/index.html

Reddinger, R. (2019, October 9). A Breakdown of the Nike Kipchoge Prototype Shoe. Retrieved from Believe in the run: https://www.believeintherun.com/2019/10/09/a-breakdown-of-the-nike-kipchoge-prototype/

The Design Museum. (2020, 03 11). Bic Biro. Retrieved from the Design Museum: https://designmuseum.org/discover-design/all-design-objects/bic-biro

Ultimate Ears. (2020, March 11). BOOM 3. Retrieved from Ultimate Ears: https://www.ultimateears.com/en-nz/wireless-speakers/boom-3.html

Watson-Smyth, K. (2011, May 27). Independent. Retrieved from The Secret History Of: The Barcelona chair: https://www.independent.co.uk/property/interiors/the-secret-history-of-the-barcelona-chair-2289641.html

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