ARC 211: American Diversity and Design: Mei, Ivan

University At Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211- American Diversity and Design – Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Ivan Mei

Introduction
D+D has influenced myself in ways I have come to expect but also come to terms
to realize about what we contribute towards society as a whole. I’ve learned that we’re
all designers of some shape or form for the better or for the worse. But we are
designers at heart, and that’s what I find compelling about the course D+D. It created
this notion that everything made is design. It’s untrue to believe that design isn’t apart
of landscapes, buildings, cups, pencils and etc. In addition, the course also helped
develop critical thinking about certain topics such as racism in design, relationships
between buildings and such. I find it all compelling because it helped understand
what’s going on exactly in the world and be able to see through different lenses as to
certain situations. The viewpoint that I held differently between now and before is that
before I didn’t think that everyone is considered a designer, but now I’m starting to
believe that everyone is truly a designer.

The following pages document my responses to the online discussion questions in the Spring 2017 version of ARC 211
American Diversity and Design at the University at Buffalo – State University of New York.

Response to Introduction
This thread provides you with an opportunity to "meet" each other and initiate a connection with participants in your group.
In responding to this discussion thread, please introduce yourself and provide us with one interesting fact about yourself.
After posting your introduction, take a look through and reply to some of the others. The purpose of this exercise is to develop
a sense of community. You might find that you share similar experiences and can help each other in many ways throughout
the semester.
Hello everyone!,
My name is Ivan. I'm an Undergraduate freshman also apart of the Honors
college! I'm from Brooklyn, NY and I enjoy sharing my own life story to people who
wishes to know it! I love listening to stories and just being able to relate to it. I am
currently majoring in Electrical-Engineering and potentially thinking about a minor,
but that's something to think about in the future for me. I chose Electrical-
Engineering because it was a life-passion for me to be an engineer since I was around
8. It's always funny how my childhood dreams always stayed within me from then
till now! It's fascinating how far a childhood dream can take a person! I enjoy
programming, as the nerd I am, and like to play handball. Somewhat of a handball
enthusiast but I wouldn't call it being a profession. I'm a major fan of drinking tea
and coffee. I believe they're the best drinks to ever have to bond with people!
I hope all of you will get to know me and vice versa! :)
Sincerely, Ivan Mei
Ivan Mei

Response to "What is design?" from Hello World

On “What is design?” from Hello World: Where Design Meets Life by Alice Rawsthron
The author opened her chapter with the example of Ying Zheng, the ruler of the Qin empire, one of the most powerful and
enduring empires I the history of China. She explained how design innovation contributed to Ying Zheng’s success. For
example, in the development of weaponry, he resolved many problems by standardizing parts, and this single innovation gave
his armies great advantage over other armies.
For this discussion, let’s move away from 246 B.C. China, and into the U.S. Describe an innovation or invention (can be
current or historical) that gave advantage to a group of people in the U.S. or to the population as a whole. What were the
social impacts of this innovation? Were any groups negatively impacted by this innovation? For example, the telegraph,
developed and patented in the United States in 1837 by Samuel Morse, permitted people and commerce to transmit messages
across both continents and oceans almost instantly, with widespread social and economic impacts. This heightened
communication speed allowed business persons to make decisions with up-to-date information, often resulting in big profits.
Those without access had to rely on outdated information, which put them at a disadvantage.

My opinion of an influential invention was the credit card in 1946 by John
C. Biggins, a banker.
Creating the credit card put a great deal of stress relief upon groups of people
who currently didn't either have their paychecks come in from a week's worth of
work or were currently in debt to some other obligation. It helped essentially all
American card holders as a means to buy items without the need for currency on
their hands. It was meant to be a buy now pay later situation in which people who
had them were insured they can buy what they need even if money wasn't on
them.
The social impacts of the credit card was that life was simplistic in which means
you technically had the ability to buy "whatever items or service you desired".
And that impact has lived even to this day, many people still currently rely on the
credit card systems as a secondary or perhaps primary source of payment.
The groups affected negatively by this invention are the debtors because the
reality starts to kick in. The credit card wasn't a system meant to be abused, and so
the people who abused the credit card became heavily in debt to many banks as
the interest payments increased as time progresses. It put an extreme amount of
pressure on the group of debtors because some of them could not catch up with the interest rates due to low wage jobs.
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/busine
ss-others/debit-cards-transactions-slow-credit-
cards-grow/

Response to "Introduction" from Diversity and Design
On “Introduction” from Diversity and Design: Understanding Hidden Consequences
The editors state that “diverse participation in the design process, from both professionals and public citizens alike, yields
more equitable results.” This makes sense, but typically has not been the case. Nonetheless, many marginalized groups have
impacted design in ways that have changed our visual and physical worlds as well as our systems, policies, and institutions.
For example, in the 1960s, disability rights advocates designed media events to raise awareness about barriers in the physical
environment. They persisted with their efforts for decades, and, finally, in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act became
law. It mandated accessibility in public accommodations such as restaurants and stores, public transportation,
communication, and other areas of public life. This dramatically changed our physical environment (from curb cuts to ramps
to automatic doors) and the results made public life more equitable.

The first thing that comes to mind that has impacted diversity groups is
United State's Education System which started with the Northwest
Ordinance of 1787 and the "Separate but Equal" designed during the mid
to late 1800s.
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 helped the United States to ingrain the
idea that in order to be a good government, it must serve
religion, morality and knowledge. It placed an emphasis on the wellbeing
of its citizens as part of the act. So thus during the first century of the
nation, congress supported 77 million acres to the states and local
governments.
Speed up to later in the centuries, people started to notice the unequivocal
balance of education between white-only schools and non-white schools due to unfair racial discriminating fundings. The white-only
schools received better books than that of non-white schools. This I remember reading an article about how back then the education
system was so unfairly balanced that white-only schools had the most up-to-date textbooks to use for readings while other schools
were still using decade old textbooks that were falling apart! This was what they called the "Separate but Equal" which promoted
segregation as a "positive" idea in which education was only a part of the whole story to it.
This hindered diversity groups as they were not able to receive the level of education needed to attain a job or even properly speak
English, the most basic of knowledge I believe every student should learn in America! This type of segregation was unacceptable
because it was not truly equal to both sides. It was clear that one side had much higher-quality of education than the others. And so
people fought against segregation and to have their children to receive the same education as others. This occurred because of the idea
https://www.piqueshow.com/separate-but-equal

of "Separate but Equal" was designed to give white students to receive better education, and the system prevented diversity groups to
not reach their highest potential! Which is saddening!

Response to Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on Photographs
Where would you place the images shown in Photos That Changed the World into Croteau and Hoynes' diagram entitled
“Model of Media and the Social World”? Identify a mass media photograph taken in your own lifetime that has served as an
icon of an event. (Feel free to add an attachment.) What roles does this photo play in the communication of the event?
I would say that the images of Photos That Changed the World would, by a
long shot, be in the media message or product but also with readers or
audience because these images provide provocative messages that spark action
or at least awareness which is still important. I would say that the fall of the
twin towers during 9/11 would be one of the most horrified event and at the
same time it provided people to act and help each other. The fall of the twin
towers during 9/11, although tragic, pushed Americans to act and take care of
each other. Although I may not have been conscience when I was a baby
during that year, I have had those personal night time talks with my mother
about her life and my life. Part of my mother's life was that she was scared at
the aftermath of the event, she was confused, lost, and frustrated. I've spoken
with people in the ages of 30 through 40 and the responses were all the same!
All were frustrated, confused, and heartbroken, but what it also did was
sparked action upon themselves to provide service to people in need of this
crisis. The photos released of the iconic towers falling served as a reminder
that the community needs to stick together at all times because we ourselves
share the same sympathy and even empathy to those who were affected by this
tragedy.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-trade-center

On a side note though, I brought up my mother during my comments because 9/11, although I never had memories of it when I was a
baby, it was a coincidence that my parents bought a home that I currently live today an hour before the 9/11 crisis happened. My
parents were reconsidering voiding the house purchase and moving back to China. However, in the end they didn't void the house
contract, but my life would have led a different path in which I would probably not have been in America today. It provokes me in
that, I don't take kind towards jokes that have to do with crisis's because you never know what may happen that could changed your
whole life for the worse... So to this day, whenever I'm at home I get constantly reminded that 9/11 was apart of my memories even if
I was not conscience when I was younger.

Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design
Typically, we do not think of hats as elements of mass media or social media. However, the two hats (red and pink) discussed
in the articles certainly have taken on that role. Why are the two hats (red and pink) mentioned in the articles vehicles of
communication design? What meanings do each of the two hats carry? In terms of communication design, how are they
similar? And how are they different from one another?
The two hats are considered communication designs
because both hats have symbolic connotations to
them. Like the red "Make America Great Again" trucker's
hat was a symbol to people who resonant with Trump's
ideology and makes the consumers feel like they're apart
of what the hat itself means to them. The pink hat showed
retaliation to what Trump's leaked audio, the hat itself
gave the connotations that it itself was a symbol of hatred
towards what Trump has done and have said.
For example, wearing symbolic clothings like a full pink
attire on Woman's breast cancer awareness gives the
connotations based on what is going on in the current
situation. The color provides the idea that the person who
is wearing it resonates with the event and wants to spread
awareness of it.
http://www.businessinsider.com/pussy-hats-womens-march-washington-
trump-inauguration-2017-2

From the two articles itself, there are similiarities that stand out. One being that both hats are an attempt to gather awareness of people
who have the same beliefs, just like in the article in which talked about how the hat was an attempt to bring clarity to people who were
undecided. It helped them pick the side they believed is structured towards their belief. The difference however was the level of work
put between the two hats. The red hat was a hat that was put little to no effort upon it, and the pink hat was thought out in that it
attempted to create an icon for people to unite. Both in the end were considered good design because of the connotations the hats had
tied to itself which is what marketing is about. One must understand and come up with a design that makes consumers feel like they're
apart of something important!

Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and "The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI" by Maurice Conti
In his chapter on industrial design (written in 1987), historian John Heskett claims that the methods of mass production
introduced by Henry Ford in the U.S. involved new concepts of the standardization and integration of the production line that
were adopted across the world. With Ford’s method, work could be completed by relatively unskilled workers; it was more
efficient and with this method, products were made more quickly and cheaply than previously possible. What were some of the
social consequences of Ford’s production line? In other words, how did this system change our U.S. society? Do any of those
changes remain with us today? Now consider Maurice Conti’s TED Talk, and the predictions he makes about
production. How do you think manufacturing processes will change in the next twenty years? How do you think these changes
will affect our U.S. society?
Ford's assembly line impact not only workers and consumers of his
companies, but also others who the consumer's work for. Creating the
assembly line helped reduce cost for creating the vehicles and mass
produce them for consumers to get a hold of. Through the cheap cost
for Ford's cars, it became a social standard for people to have one back
then. It became like a symbol for America that life was changing back
then, for the better! People working that that time who lived in rural
areas could finally stay in rural areas while holding a city job because
the cars provided a medium in which workers may get to their job on
time without the need to move into the city. Although it produced a lot
of waste during the time, many Americans did not truly account or
cared for the waste produced because the new technology back then
were affordable. Affordable to the point, that I honestly believe it's a
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-mass-production.htm

change that still remains to this day. We as consumers to this day still only perceive the item we buy right in front of us, but do not
think about where or how will the item end up in the future. Pollution is probably a word that has been thrown at us constantly when
we take a deep breathe and look at the world as a whole, the standards of factories mass creating wasteful byproducts has been here to
this day because of the development of mass producing factory practices.
As for how I perceive the next 20 years, I believe manufacturing processes will continue to grow much quicker and complex whether
it would be for the better or for the worse. This would in turn cause more strain onto our already vanishing resources in which people
still have not come to a conclusion on how to prevent this dilemma from truly occuring. I'm hoping that, just like in the video, humans
can work with robots to come up with conclusive ideas that can solve issues we believe to hold to this day (i.e pollution, extinction,
global warming, etc). I can't say whether the next twenty years will be good or bad, I believe it's all up to what we the people
aggregately decide upon what is best for the future. I'm hoping that in the next twenty years, people will truly all agree and try to
change mass producing practices. It would surely create a much more environmentally friendly land for anyone to live in if we can
make a change in better practices for mass production.

Response IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
Which of the 2016 IDEA Gold Award products seems to defy the Cradle-to-Cradle concept developed by architect William
McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart? How does this product resist or disregard the concept? Provide an example
of any products that embrace Cradle-to-Cradle design, please describe and cite.
C2C is an idea in which focused on having all materials in continuous
cycle, using renewable energy only, and celebrating diversity. That
means that C2C wants to push beyond using less material a step
further, by having people rethink about their design through means of
turning the waste product into something reusable again.The ones that
stand out to me as I looked through the list when I filtered through the
category list was "Automotive & Transportation" because as I looked
through the list and read their description, most of the design in the
description does not what-so-ever describe how this can be reused
when broken or even degradable.
For example, "Ninebot A1-Upgradable Smart Single Wheel Self-
Balancing Vehicle" or even the "EVO Urban Utility Bike". Both
demonstrate in the description that it's meant to be user friendly and
improve their daily life through transportation, however neither
considers the environmental impact when new technology are designed
to replace the current ones. This causes the current designs to be
scrapped because there will be a new and improved design which will
https://impactdesignhub.org/2015/12/14/idsa-announces-
international-design-excellence-awards-2016/

make the Self-Balancing Vehicle and the Urban Bike obsolete, and this will only become a spiral of scrapping technology as more and
more new and improved designs come out.
It disregards the concept of having the item being reused even though the items look minimalistic in material. So although they're
being minimal in using materials, they don't embrace fully the idea of C2C in that they have not considered the future of these designs
and where they will end up.
As for products that embraces C2C, I recall there were notebook companies that reuse the papers when completely used. They help
reuse materials so that none of the papers end up in landfills, however I am not sure whether the companies use renewable energy
when reproducing these notebooks.

Response to All Module 4 Materials
Your readings and viewings this week present different ways of thinking about architecture. Mies Van der Rohe describes
architecture as “The will of the epoch translated into space.” Andrew Ballantyne describes architecture as the background for
life. Jeanne Gang describes it as the act of building relationships. All agree that architecture can change based on context and
culture. Choose two works of architecture from any of your materials this week—one with sensibilities about the past and one
with sensibilities about the present and/or future. How do each of these buildings either reflect or challenge their cultural
contexts?
A sensible to the past I would say is the Trinity Church
by H.H Richardson. The reason why I believe it contains
sensibilities about the past is because it is an old style that
roots back to the medieval times but renews it in a way that
was American like. This was also a perfect time as a way to
connect to the cultural context of when it was built. The
building has a historical context of being a symbol of
optimism as America was growing out of the civil war, it was
a reminder to the people walking by it that the building was
there to stay forever due to its solidity. And that's what many
other old buildings tried to replicate, many buildings still
containing earthbound towers with piers on each end along
with arches. It became symbolic and almost instinctive to have https://blogs.harvard.edu/houghton/2012/12/21/youve-got-
mail-h-h-richardson-sketches-trinity-church/

this type of design when designing a building for a community, to let them know they're part of a community and that it's going to stay
here forever.
A sensible to the present is the Seagram by Mies Van der Rohe. I'd say it's sensible to present day values about individualism.
Individualism is about being self-reliable and independent, but part of it is also being efficient and being able to display yourself
especially when like applying for a job. There is a difference between reliability and credibility, and it's essentially the core of
individualism when it comes to a job application. You need to be reliable in order to do the job, and credible for the employer to know
that you're ready to take on this job. And that's kind of what the Seagram building is about, it provides a view that is credible that
makes the building look very efficient with glass walling with structures visible from the outside too. It's also reliable in that it's a tall
skyscraper that can stand up on its own to accommodate offices and such for people to use.

Response to Ballantyne and Zumthor Articles
Andrew Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor present ideas about architecture that seem to value the sensorial and material
elements of life. How are Ballantyne’s and Zumthor’s viewpoints on architecture alike? More importantly, how do they
differ?
The way I see both author's perspective in which they way they agree is that both
agree upon the idea that humans define,hold and put forth value towards
buildings. Ballantyne supports it by talking about how Gray and Le
Corbusier argued between what was best for a building. Something that resembles
a man's shell or something that resembles a machine, both in the end serves the
same purpose but with different approaches. Zumthor argues that humans define
the values and such onto buildings through the quote
"Details, when they are successful, are not mere decoration. They do not distract
or entertain. They lead to an understanding of the whole of which they are an
inherent part." We all put values onto certain aspects, and details that makes an
object more appealing. Like wise, when a building or an object doesn't have
meaning, they just exist there without anything to convey.
The contrast between the two are, in my opinion, subtle. Ballantyne talks about
how habits and draws upon relationships like the mollusk to convey how it is
organic to have a "habit" to create a house that embodies the values the person
lives in. It's almost like a painting describing who the inhabitant is. While
https://www.pinterest.com/explore/architecture
-details/

Zumthor talks about architecture from a more societal point of view in that, a building is conscience of its own environment and vice
versa. For example in a quote he stated "We throw a stone into the water. Sand swirls up and settles again. The stir was necessary. The
stone has found its place. But the pond is no longer the same." Both argue for values that are placed on a house and/or building,
however Ballantyne explains it in a inhabitant view where you see everything from the inside-out, compared to Zumthor who explains
it from a designers and societal point of view. They create a seemingly subtle difference but with the same intention.

Response to Levy Article
John Levy’s article, “An Overview: The Need for Planning,” discussed ways in which planning can determine the
characteristics of a place. For example, some smaller towns restrict the heights of buildings to maintain a certain scale. How
did planning define the character of the place in which you grew up?
Living in Brooklyn was honestly something that is honestly
quite amazing. The community there was, in my opinion,
caring! To be specific, I'm talking about Bensonhurst in
Brooklyn, I live in a house near 18th avenue and Bay
Parkway. These two areas were the main locations for
buying all the necessities you needed. It provoked
communities to form and collide with each other, even if
they don't realize it, in ways that wouldn't have happened if
the two areas were designed like a shopping area for food,
clothes, tech equipments, and etc. Bensonhurst was mainly
dominant in Italians, but not so much anymore because other
communities decided to move in as well, like the Chinese,
Muslim, and Jewish communities there now. It was as
almost like the plan was to create diversity without intending
too because new communities formed without the need of
government planning and such. It's the events, quality of the
buildings, and the loving community that itself planned the
http://www.brownstoner.com/history/bensonhurst-brooklyn-
neighborhood-name-origins/

whole area. The great thing I loved about the area was that the neighborhood was peaceful. caring and quiet. None of the communities
hated each other because we all support each other. We have Italian stores, Chinese stores, etc in which we crossed cultures with. The
area took use of the idea that it was both peaceful and a great place for businesses to sell their products to. Which also dragged many
bank companies into 18th Ave. The list of banks that I could recall of were : Bank Of America, Chase, TD Bank, Santander, and a few
more that I can't remember exactly. But the whole idea of how everything affected one another caused this upward spiral of
prosperity in the area in my opinion. It was the community itself that designed the place, and constantly update itself. I grew up
unaware of how great the community was because I've been so accustomed to the area that I didn't really think about much it has
grown. The housing values in the area are immensely high now because of how attractive the area is now. If I recalled a house there
that cost $400,000 around like 1998, around when I was born, now cost like $1.2million. And I can certainly say that the vibrancy and
homely feeling that is in Bensonhurst still exist today.

Response to Pruitt Igoe Project, Talen, and Larson
Imagine that you are part of a urban planning and design firm working with Emily Talen (author of “Design That Enables
Diversity”) and Kent Larson (who gave the TED Talk "Brilliant Designs to Fit More People In Every City" The thee of you
have been tasked with developing a plan to rebuild Pruitt Igoe in St. Louis. City officials told the three of you that that they
want to do it right this time. Identify three strategies for rebuilding Pruitt Igoe in ways that promise to be more successful.
What would Talen do? What would Larson do? What would you do? How would your strategies differ from those of the
original urban planners/designers of the project? Why would your strategies be more effective?
From how I've had my perspectives, my three strategies
to resolving the issues about Pruitt Igoe is to, first, rebuild
relations with their surrounding communities not including
the community itself because Pruitt Igoe I'm sure became
a symbol of despair to those outside looking at the tragedy
of the building, which is why I believe it's important to be
clear and coherent letting other communities know that the
community at Pruitt Igoe isn't as bad it is displayed
otherwise people would be inclined to stay away from the
area at all cost, causing a spiral of negative events to
occur.
Secondly, utilize planning for the community/building,
like events, for the long run not just the short run because
surely the idea of quick fixing the residence's problems are
http://thoughtcatalog.com/michael-koh/2014/05/the-st-louis-problem-
pruitt-igoe-and-the-social-factors-that-led-to-its-eventual-destruction/

important but it is certainly not enough. It's important to keep the spirits of the community alive, and to do that you always need to go
the extra step to helping out the community. It's like boiling a cup of tea for your mom, surely you wouldn't need to make her a cup of
tea but it'll uplift her mood.
Third, bring diversity! I think it's important that my first and second suggestion be done before the third because I believe it's the
ingredients to bringing diversity. It will attract people of all sorts, no matter the race, ethnicity, and etc. It becomes important because
it helps create the vibrancy that is a community that Pruitt Igoe so longed for. It makes residences not want to leave their own home
because they should feel where they live is perfect!
If I were to give advice from behalf of Talen, I would say is to rethink the whole design of Pruitt Igoe. From design of building all the
way to the target consumer because from what I understand is that we currently do not have all the knowledge to resolve the current
issues about segregation, gentrification and such. It's imperative to her that all aspects should be rethought of because of how the ideas
that were designed to keep diversity in tact were in shambles because of how inconsistent the relationships were with the idea and
reality to promote diversity.
I would honestly implement all three of what I suggested before as well as Talen's idea of rethinking the whole system because there
seems to be the need of thinking outside the box. Something new needs to be done to keep diversity a symbol to the community. It's
certainly not easy but I personally believe that in the long run, we can figure a way to resolve it.
Mine would differ from the original planners/designers, in that it takes more into account of ideas that have taken place. My ideas I
think are more towards the community itself rather than thinking about the project in a whole. It takes much more understanding of the
community you build than to look at other designs and aspects to generalize the community because you never know if it's always the
case.

I think my strategy would be more effective because it's more personal towards the community, as well as considering other
communities around it to form relations. Certainly a lot more time-consuming to go through the process, but certainly much more
effective for the project in the long run for development.

Response to F.L. Olmsted
Displaying his plan at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Frederick Law Olmsted stated that "Buffalo is the best
planned city, as to its streets, public places, and grounds, in the United States, if not in the world." What was the basis for this
claim? Would Olmsted still make that claim today? Why or why not?
I think the basis for Olmsted's claim was because of how
good the system was for Buffalo. The parks and
parkways formed Buffalo's green infrastructure and the
formation of the skeleton of the city through using
Niagara Square as the connecting point of the parks and
parkways. In addition to the three broad streets, they
weren't interrupted at all which makes it a good
scenery. What I think also made it one of the best was
that the city's main cultural institutions are held in his
landscapes which makes the area more attractive. It was
breathtaking, especially the lagoons and plants at the
South Park Lake.
Personally, I would say Olmsted wouldn't be able to
make this claim in present time. Currently, because of the
new highways and road systems implemented, the
sceneries of his landscapes just isn't there
anymore. It made much of the green infrastructures he wanted seem obsolete to the current times of what's here at Buffalo.
http://www.olmsted.org/

Response to Walter Hood's Work
Identify something that should be memorialized either on UB's campus or in your hometown. Imagine that you are the person
who will oversee this project, and that you are using Walter Hood's 'triad of investigations' as your approach to the
project. What would your landscape intervention commemorate/memorialize? How will you use Hood's 'triad of
investigations' to design a new landscape intervention? What do you imagine that the design will be.
I personally believe that instead of memorializing a
person in NYC, I'd prefer to have Con Edison as the
"something" to be memorialized. I chose Con
Edison because it was created in the early 1800s
and it provided much of today's electricity and
giving back to the people. They currently to this day
create projects to help the people of NYC, and have
provided jobs for people. It created a cycle of giving
back to the community, as the company grew, it supported more community-based projects to express their gratitude of existing as a
company today to supply NYC with electricity. There wasn't particularly a person who founded the company, which is why I chose
the company itself. The company itself was a mixing of roughly six sub-companies in which they decided to work together.
The triad of investigations involves three categories: The everyday and mundane, commemoration, and life ways.
For the everyday and mundane, I would put a massive and noticeable statue, anywhere in Manhattan. I say anywhere because
typically, when you view Manhattan as a whole, it doesn't matter exactly where it is due to the fact that everywhere has a massive
crowd density and the whole borough is a tourist attraction. The reason why I want it to be a noticeable statue is because it's like the
https://www.coned.com/en

everyday and mundane for a New Yorker in Manhattan, everything is lighted up with streetlights, LED, massive buildings, bridges
and such. It's almost a part of life to have large embodiments of what New York City is like, a city filled with massive skyscrapers and
lightings.
As for commemoration, I personally believe that New Yorkers in the city are proud of the large infrastructures like the bridges,
skyscrapers and attractions there. They keep the pride and spirit of a New Yorker alive everyday, in which becomes unnoticeable to
them because there is always something new going on, in terms of creating. The city is like a place where people can experiment new
ideas and play off of it. To be specific of what kind of statue it should be, I think it's personally best to be a factory of some sort, as to
serve as a reminder of what kind of city we lived in and how we grew off from it. The city is definitely industrialized and we're
starting to move away from the physical look of industrialization to more business and commercial looking because we're constantly
introducing new stores that sell many new things constantly.
In order to have life ways for the statue, I think it's best that it would be an interactive park. New yorkers, from how I experienced it,
love being able to interact with their environment. They like the interactions with the trees, scenery and such that it becomes
practically mundane although ubiquitous because in the city, you don't necessarily see nature so much. A lot of us long for peaceful,
and green environment because of how dense the population of New York is. So I would want to create a park in which animals and
people can interact with each other and the environment. But I also want the statue to serve the reminder of who we are exactly, and
by putting an environmental setting, it would juxtapose the factory to emphasize the city in which we are in.
In the end, I believe it allows people to get to know the city itself a lot more, by imposing these ideas when entering the park. It would
provoke more insightful thoughts of the city itself, which I believe is always a good thing to do.

Response to the Brookes
The abolitionist poster, the Brookes, is an iconic image that often is included in exhibits that explore issues of race and power.
It was commissioned by Thomas Clarkson in 1788, and the Committee of the Abolition of Slavery used it to inform and shock
the public. While some consider the poster as an important component of the abolitionist campaign, it recently “has been
strongly criticized by some individuals and groups of African heritage as providing a very limited view of the history of the
transatlantic slave trade, resistance and abolition (Hudson 2007).” The lesson here is that how a viewer sees an image is
dependent upon his/her social, economic, and cultural position. Keeping this in mind, find another iconic graphic that
addresses racial issues and post it for others in your group to view. (Add it to your response by clicking on the picture in the
tools section. Do not add it as an attachment that needs to be opened.) How do you interpret the graphic? What is its meaning?
Now imagine that someone from a racial and cultural background different than your own is looking at the same graphic.
Briefly describe this person. How might s/he interpret its meaning? How might this differ from your interpretation?

This picture was captured in
1957 during The Little Rock
Desegregation. In the photo is a black
woman trying to enter the school as the
school had become the 1st school in the
United States to desegregate. This,
however, followed up with a sense of
hate against what the school had
declared because groups of white people
in the community refused to allow both
Elizabeth Eckford and Hazel Bryan
entering the school because they feel as
though their children shouldn't be sitting
next to them.
If a person from a different cultural
background looked at this graphic, I
personally think that they would still feel
the same way I feel about this picture. I find that the picture is cruel in that no white person at the time wanted to embrace the idea of
having their schools desegregated so that people of different backgrounds could enter the school. I believe that people of all race,
ethnicity, gender, and etc should be allowed to enter their desired school to gain the education they wish to receive. Both the person
and I would most likely feel the same attitude towards this picture. However, the only difference I would probably say is that someone
might find the picture more unappealing than another depending on how heavily tied the picture is to his/her background. Some
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-ap-photos-1957-little-rock-desegregation-
effort-2014jan14-story.html

people tend to have emotional connections to the pictures because his/her family members may have experienced this to a certain
degree which definitely would create different levels of reaction.

Response to Charles Davis and equityXdesign's Work
Critique either the MLK Memorial or the National Museum of African American History and Culture
using equityXdesign’s core beliefs and/or design principles.
For the MLK Memorial,
I'd like to talk about belief #2, racial inclusion. The MLK memorial set a
foundation in which is inspiring people to speak out against everyday
racism in the country, not only that but to unify. It created a sense of
community and pride among people who experienced racism to come
together, share their experiences and embrace one another. The monument
serves as a constant reminder that no one shall be excluded from the
community.
The other is design principle #1, designing at the margins. The MLK
memorial serves as the medium of voicing the community of the
marginalized because the memorial is designed with respect to its context.
It shows that the social order can't just allow itself to dictate what the
marginalized feel because social order doesn't account for the marginalized community's experiences as a reason to dictate who they
are. I think though, however the memorial should have connotations with connecting to the privileged because it can create a stronger
connection with the marginalized and the privileged.
The last one I want to talk about is design principle #2, start with your self. I think it's imperative that when designing/planning
something it's important to know the people you're designing it for(i.e background, experiences and such). From my perspective, I
think if there was a suggested improvement of the MLK memorial, it would be that the design should be considered not just for the
https://washington.org/visit-dc/martin-luther-king-jr-
memorial

marginalized group but the whole country itself. It puts unity in beliefs and values across the United States, in which connectedness
forms among groups.

Response to Article on Sports Branding
Recent controversies about sports branding focus on ethnicity. The Washington Redskins team is just one example of the
larger controversy, but it receives the most public attention due to the name itself being defined as derogatory or insulting in
modern dictionaries, and the prominence of the team representing the nation’s capital. Should sports team branding designers
use ethnic references (Fighting Irish, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Braves, etc.)? Why? Why not? What are some of the complexities
of this issue?
I personally believe that using ethnic
references only work well depending on
who they're specifically referencing to and
what connotations does the reference come
with because references can implicate
diminishing a group or honoring a group.
Using the word redskin for a Washington
football has racist and negative connotation.
By slapping the name redskin onto the
football team, it disrespects the history of
Native Indians by displaying inaccurate and
demoralizing ideas about them. So in my response, I would say that, yes, it is good as long as it truly "honors" the ethnicity group and
doesn't phase them whatsoever in a negative way. I would also say, no, if the branding is completely baseless and racist. The
complexity is that it's already happened before with sports team and like stated in the reading they did it to "preserve their heritage."
Implying that it is a practice that only continues to persist.
http://www.itwsbi.com/SportsBranding.aspx

Response to "Landscape Stories" Chapter
First, let’s start with your own home. Describe a place in your home (indoors and/or outdoors) that you think of as
representative of your own ethnic background and discuss why you consider this place to be ‘ethnic’. –OR-- Describe an object
in your home that you think of as representative of your ethnic background and discuss why this object is considered to be
‘ethnic’. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this object or place something that you will keep or continue when you establish your
own home? Why or why not?
Now let’s move into your community. In “Landscape Stories,” the authors show how landscape architects develop a historical
narrative that sifts through and interpets the culture and material of underrepresented groups. Think about the community
where you grew up. Describe and discuss any evidence of cultural influences on the physical environment in your community.
If possible, describe evidence of the cultural influence of an underrepresented group. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this cultural
influence being acknowledged or preserved from future generations? Why or why not?
For me, I think what represents my ethnic background is the red
envelope. The whole idea behind red envelopes is used as a blessing to who
you give it to, typically all red envelopes have money in it. My parents
always reward me with a red envelope whenever I accomplish or am about
to take an exam. During Chinese New Years, groups of families come
together and celebrate by all accompanying into one area to give red
envelopes to each other and talk about anything. Typically, the rule is that
only married families are allowed to hand them out. The red envelope is
representative of my ethnic background because it's a practice we do
commonly as a way to express gratitude towards each other. The red
http://www.celebrations.com/c/read/red-envelope-
game

envelope is something that I plan to continue doing when I
grow up because it's become so ingrained in Chinese
heritage that it feels ashame to not continue this in the
future.
I think the thing that represents the cultural influences are
the Chinese cuisine restaurants and bakeries in New York
City. They provide a point in the city where groups of
families or friends could gather and socialize, and the
realization is almost immediate when going into
one. Particularly in 8ave, Brooklyn you could not
physically walk beyond 2 blocks without a seeing a
Chinese restaurant or bakery. It definitely is preserved and
acknowledged because NYC has the most concentration of
Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere. It becomes
essentially a must to have these in our everyday lives.
http://www.mightysweet.com/mesohungry/2010/03/30/dim-sum-
east-harbor-seafood-palace/

Response to "Visualizing Gender" Chapter
In their chapter “Communicating Gender,” Maya Ganesh and Gabi Sobliye discuss two primary visual advocacy approaches:
1) get the idea, and 2) stories in data. Find a new example of either of the two visual advocacy approaches to gender issues,
and post it in this thread. First, identify the approach. Then explain how the designer uses the approach to communicate a
gender issue. Is the approach effective in this example? Why or why not? How could this graphic be improved?
The approach of the designer of the picture is
"get the idea" because of the context the image
presents only. The context it gives is the idea of
a man and a women both who seem to be of the
same position level in a company, however if
you look their bag of money they each own are
of different sizes. Why would it be that though?
For people who try to comprehend this picture,
the only message that communicates to them is
that "women are paid less than men do" but not
necessarily given a reason why. I think the
example is effective from the simplicity because
modern day majority of people want to work for
companies with high wage pay and it highlights
the disparity when trying to comprehend the
reasons behind it. There isn't anything that necessarily explains why this exist, but it does and causes people to prod at the image.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-men-get-paid-more-than-women-lydia-
moussa

Perhaps what could be improved of this image is underlining a message along with it because it would put the context to stand out
more than the image currently is.

Response to Bathroom Bill
Last year, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed into law a bill that repealed local LGBT anti-discrimination laws,
and required people to use the bathroom that corresponded with the biological gender written on their birth certificates. This
prompted massive backlash. McCrory stated, “You know, we all have to make adjustments in life. And we’ve had the proper
etiquette situation for decades in our country, and all of a sudden through political correctness we’re throwing away basic
etiquette.” Just this past Thursday, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill to repeal the law while placing a
moratorium on nondiscrimination measures.
Should people be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with the biological gender written on their birth certificate?
State why AND state why not. In other words, to receive full credit for this question, you need to present an argument for both
sides of the issue. As a designer, how would you solve this gender dilemma?
I think that for people who correspond to their biological gender in their birth
certificate, it makes the most intuitive sense to have bathrooms that correspond to
their biological gender because it creates a sense of order. The sense of order is
that there are two types of bathrooms for two types of biological genders so they
can go do their own things. We're accustomed to the idea of seeing only two types
of bathroom : a bathroom for males and a bathroom for females. It's the least
difficult way of differentiating people to their respective bathrooms.
It makes sense to naturally do this because much of our society taught people to
believe that there are only two genders back then which are male and female. But
now because we've become more open towards the fact that there are more than
just the two mainstream genders, it's inherent that we open up options for those
https://www.seattle.gov/civilrights/programs/g
ender-justice-project/all-gender-restrooms

who identify themselves to different genders. Which brings the flip side of the argument, which is that because we have more than two
genders we shouldn't be opposing those genders to choose the bathroom they believe they conform to. Otherwise, it would be
infringing on their basic rights.
My idea, I'm sure it's been done before, is to cater to both sides of an argument. It would be that both male and female bathrooms
would be built, but in addition you would include bathrooms that cater to the other genders in which they identify themselves as.
Although it takes up more space in a building, I think it's important to address these issues for each respective building.

Response to People Like Us
After almost two decades of public assistance, Tammy Crabtree took herself and her family off the welfare rolls. But her job
cleaning bathrooms at a local Burger King barely paid the bills. Crabtree wanted to do better and hopes to go to college and
become a teacher.
Imagine this scenario. You are a designer who works at the well-known firm, iPD (Integrated Planning and Design). You work
on a team with planners, urban designers, policy designers, architects, and social designers. You have been tasked to
develop/design a way for Tammy Crabtree and her family (and others with situations similar to Tammy’s) to move themselves
out of poverty. What will your team to do to help Tammy and her family achieve their goals? What approach will your team
take to address this difficult problem?
At iPD, I would work with the community planners
and designers to help facilitate initiatives for
families of different economic status to create an
environment where people feel the possibility of
moving the economic latter. Also an increase in
transportations around housing areas and working
areas so that families who don't own a form of
transportations can use local transportations to get
to their work areas. In addition, I would want to
work with a team to promote education as the main
idea of concept to escape poverty status because it's
essential to gain skills through means of education to
http://www.msek.com/our-firm/diversity/

get higher paying jobs. As well as creating events to fund the education to start with because we need a way to improve the quality of
education within the area, otherwise they wouldn't be able to move up as easily. I would also like to provide incentives for companies
from outside to promote their businesses to the residents because it will provide more connections for people to create networks and
perhaps, hopefully, find jobs that will pay more.

Response to Hidden Ways
Author Steven Flusty categorized five types of disciplinary architecture that perpetuate what he calls urban spatial injustice:
1) stealthy, 2) slippery, 3) crusty, 4) prickly, and 5) jittery. Go out into the city of Buffalo, and find/photograph two examples
from the list of five. Identify what type of space you’ve photographed and why it might discriminate against a specific
population. Identify the location where you took the photograph, and make certain that you are in at least one of the two
photographs.
Buffalo Metropolitan Bus Transportation Center under
the category of prickly
This photograph exhibits how tightly spaced the seats
are next to each other. This is a public area where
anyone can enter, it's primarily used for taking the buses
from a city to another. (I use Greyhound there to get
from Buffalo to NYC and vice versa). This primarily
discriminates the homeless to sleep there and camp out
because morning and night hours are rush hours where
people start to take up spots and it becomes entirely
impossible to sleep around. In addition, police survey
the area constantly to see that everything is ok.
Ivan Mei

Remedy Intelligence Staffing. 403 Main St #106,
Buffalo, NY 14203 under the category crusty.
This is a building is designed to help search for
opportunities and jobs for people around the city.
Although the idea of a fence all around the building
creates this idea of unwontedness from people. This
primarily would discriminate everyone who is
unassociated with the building because the fences
around it make seem uninviting nor active. I tried
looking around the area but it's entirely fenced off. They
don't even include the proper name on the building,
rather they have a logo only attached to it.
Ivan Mei

Response to Enriquez TED Talk: “What Will Humans Look Like in 100 Years?”
For this question, we will focus on Juan Enriquez’ Life Two civilization, which alters fundamental aspects of the body. We are
living longer than ever before in human history. Enriquez argues that, because of advances in bio-medical technology, the
possibility of living to 120 years of age and beyond is quite possible for many of us in this D+D class. Assuming that his
assertion is accurate, how do you think extended life spans will change our societies and built environments? What new issues
might designers face because of extended life spans?
I think that with the idea that people could extend their
life spans to 120, it would imply that a lot of our
standards of design and the target consumers will
change a whole lot. By increasing the life span, it will
become a designer's responsibility to start
incorporating current technology and stuff to adapt
with even older generations. By increasing age limit
possibility, it also rises the issue of overpopulation
because we currently still live in a world where
overpopulation is an issue due to limited space and
resources. Designers will have to take on the
challenges of optimizing space usage per person or
find new ways of generation habitable space for people to live on. Resources will also become rapidly scarce as population increases
because the demand for commodity items and other items will increase as newer generations start appearing but older generations
aren't diminishing either. Surly, it's good to have older generations live on, but the social implications I believe that will arise is that
http://www.zmescience.com/research/technology/humans-and-robots-
working-together-efficiency-24343/

although it's possible to live longer, some people will refuse to have alterations to their body while others may want to. And it may
spike some or even a lot of controversy whether people should be allowed that option.

Response to Carroll Article: “(Re)forming Regent Park: When Policy Does Not Equal Practice”
The development of Regent Park is phased, and there are several more phases to the project. What actions could be taken to
ensure more social integration for the older people living in the ‘new and improved’ Regent Park?
For me, I believe that in order for the elders to live in the new
and improved regent park, it would be necessary for services
and transportation that promote social interaction such as cafes,
restaurants, laundry, and trains (maybe even a lounge like the
ones at Ellicott) close to where they live because it would
encourage interaction between the older living with others. In
addition, I believe that there should be mixed income and age
group in integrating because it will expose the elderly and
others to each other and would promote the idea of diversity.
The whole idea is to encourage interactions as the main means
of social integration and by allowing one to be surrounded by
others, it will promote interconnectedness in the community of
Regent Park. Like the laundry room idea, in which people who
are doing laundry at the same time, could get to know each other while doing laundry since it would only be awkward to not interact
in a room while waiting. I also want the idea of interconnectedness to be prominent within building to buildings just like the way
Ellicott is like a labyrinth that connects all the each buildings together as long as you know the direction towards each one. It gives the
sense of being one with the community and certainly the people would embrace an idea like that.
http://www.buffalo.edu/UBT/UBT-
archives/volume30number1/features/Ellicott.php

Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
Currently, we have the technology for you to choose many of the survey characteristics in your future child, and this ability to
choose poses some ethical questions. Of course, we all want the best for our own child. However, as we move into a more
collective situation, we need to consider how the consequences of majority choices for children might change who we are as a
species.
In the film trailer FIXED, you were introduced to the dilemma of living in a culture in which the “science-fiction of human
enhancement” has become almost a way of life, from prenatal genetic screening to bionic body parts. In the video, “A Man
with Three Ears” you are introduced to an artist who is using current technology to move humans beyond their current
abilities. Last week, Juan Enriquez asked us if it is ethical to evolve the human body. All of these videos suggest that the
concept of disability ‘as we know it’ could cease to exist in the future.
This leads us to this week’s discussion question:
What lessons do you think we should learn from history when thinking about emerging enhancement technologies
and reproductive technologies? What are some of the possible consequences (both positive and negative) of being able to
design our bodies and the bodies of our children? What ethical quandaries do these technologies pose?

The lessons I think we should learn from history is that with emerging
technologies and reproductive technologies is that as we advance in
technology controversy amount certain topics will occur. Some people
will agree with the ideas of these new technologies, others not so
much, and people who completely find it horrifying to be
implemented. It's similar to the issues on the controversy about
abortion, whether a woman has the right to terminate pregnancy
because there are many people who stand on all three sides.
I think the positive consequences about being able to design bodies is
that it can help support people with certain needs and desires. Any
specific physical qualities that a parent wishes to have in their children
to be guaranteed to them is considered a blessing as their wishes come
true. In addition, like in the video of fixed, it helps bring people who
are on the lower level on the plane field to equal plane field through
the use of technology. But they also mention the idea that people with
disabilities help encourage the idea of even perhaps surpassing them in
the plane field which gives people the edge they want. The negative
consequences is the whole idea of labeling and a divide in opinions about certain groups of people because just like in history, when
controversy arises labeling groups become a tendency as a way to draw stereotypes about them. Perhaps even stigma behind certain
groups after the advancement of technology.
I think the ethical quandaries that these technology poses is to question exactly what it means to be considered "human". There
certainly would be issues as to believe whether someone with technological enhancement would be considered human or a robot at
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/214343263491821899/

that rate. What implications having technological enhancement as a norm in a social setting would be like. Will they only divide
people even more, or will it not pose any difference whether someone has alterations or not.

Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
The two most frequently mentioned models of disability are the ‘social’ and the ‘medical’ models. The medical model of
disability views disability as a medical ‘problem’ that belongs to the disabled individual. The social model of disability, in
contrast, draws on the idea that it is society that disables people, through designing everything to meet the needs of the
majority of people who are not disabled. There is a recognition within the social model that there is a great deal that society
can do to reduce, and ultimately remove, some of these disabling barriers, and that this task is the responsibility of society,
rather than the disabled person.
In the Smithsonian online exhibition, the story about the superhero hand, and Elise Roy’s TED Talk, you saw examples of
ways to engage disability that use the social model rather than the medical model. In the Disability and Design PowerPoint,
you were introduced to the concept of Universal Design (UD) (sometimes called inclusive design, design-for-all, or human-
centered design). Certainly, UD embraces the social model of disability. In this same PowerPoint, you saw positive and
negative examples of each of the seven principles of universal design.
For the Module 12 Thread 1, please select one of the seven universal design principles, and post photographs that show both a
positive and a negative example of the principle. Then address the following question: How do your examples empower or
disempower various people? Describe the specific features of the positive example and the specific features of the negative
example. Discuss ways that the positive example could be even further improved.

The negative example is the design of pringles can when
looking at it through the lens of low physical effort because
we all know the struggle of trying to reach inside the can
when you're beyond half way finishing it. It becomes much
of a hassle to grab the chips as you reach closer to the
bottom and requires more physical movement trying to
reach around. These typically affect people who have larger
hand and arms as they will most likely have difficulty
finishing it without trying to roll out the chips instead. The
whole reason behind why the can is so small in diameter is
because it keeps the chips from being able to break when
being transported. Although it's fairly easy for people with
smaller hand and arm sizes to reach, people with larger arms
will end up using more physical effort to consume.
A positive example of Low physical effort are door handles
because in order to unlock a door with a door handle all it
takes is to apply force downwards onto the handle and open
the door. It is comparatively better than door knobs because
door knobs require you to twist on the know to unlock and
open the door. On busy grocery days with a lot of bags, it
becomes quite useful to have a door handle than a door knob
as you can use any part of your body to push the handle downwards and open the door. Unlike door knobs which require you to have a
http://www.shemazing.net/its-time-to-upcycle-your-empty-pringles-
can/
http://www.dauby.be/en/nieuws/retro-en/do-you-prefer-retro-or-
design-door-handles-for-your-inteerior-doors/

hand free to twist the knob which can prove difficult in certain situations where you may not even have a hand available. For further
improvements on the door handle, there could be card systems in which it identifies its owner and locks/opens the door when in range
of the sensor. This can help people with disabilities who can't physically pull down the handle or even people who don't have arms.

Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
Prelude: Wolf Wolfensberger's seminal work "The Origin and Nature of Our Institutional Models" posited that society
characterizes people with intellectual disabilities as sub-human and burdens of charity, He argued that this dehumanization,
and the segregated institutions that result from it, ignored the potential productive contributions that all people can make to
society. He pushed for a shift in policy and practice that recognized the human needs of those with intellectual challenges and
provided the same basic human rights as for the rest of the population.
The Scenario: Imagine that you and your four children live in Amherst, New York in a $650,000 home at the end of a cul-de-
sac on the edge of a ten acre woods. The town has purchased a one acre lot three houses away from yours, and plans to build a
group home for ten intellectually challenged adults.
As a resident of the neighborhood, would you support or oppose this proposal and why?
You've learned additional information about the residents of the proposed group home in your neighborhood. In 2013, three
of the ten intended residents exhibited challenging behaviors including screaming, public masturbation, repetitive rocking,
and echolalia (elective incontinence). However, these behaviors have not occurred since then.
How would this change your opinion about the construction of the group home in your neighborhood?
The residents in your neighborhood voted (14-3) to reject the town of Amherst’s proposal to build a group home in the
neighborhood. Town officials agreed that the home would not be built in your neighborhood if you and your neighbors could
develop a workable alternative.
What are some possible solutions that would allow the residents of the home to be provided with “the same basic human rights
as the rest of the population”?

For me, I personally would support the proposal because I
believe that anyone who doesn't have a criminal record
should have the right to choose where they live. Even if they
are intellectually challenged, they shouldn't be held
accountable for that. In addition, as long as there are services
around the area to help these ten adults incase any situation
were to happen and assistance is needed. Even with the
knowledge of what occurred in 2013 because it only
happened once and it would most likely not reoccur again, in
addition as long as they don't cause a lot of public attention
to situations like that.
I would honestly keep proposing it to different
neighborhoods till they find an accepting one because even
if we manage to pass the proposal to the neighborhood. It
shouldn't be forced upon the neighborhood if they feel
uncomfortable around them. But if they do accept, I would
say to accommodate for the ten adults there should be things
like a soundproof house, assistances and other services that
would help keep the neighborhood peaceful.
http://mycom.net/mycom-2-rfq-neighborhoods/

Response to Titicut Follies
The state of Massachusetts tried to ban the 1967 documentary Titicut Follies, arguing that director Frederick Wiseman had violated the
patients’ rights by not getting written permission to film them. The case went to court, and Wiseman argued that he had consent from their
legal guardian, the institution. After a judge ruled in favor of the state, the legal appeals carried on for several years: in 1969, Massachusetts
allowed the film to be shown to doctors, lawyers, and health care professionals; in 1991, a superior court judge ruled it could be released for
the “general public,” as privacy concerns were no longer at issue, so many years later.
Should Wiseman have been allowed to film the residents of ? Why or why not? How might this film be of value to designers
(communication designers, product, designers, architects, interior designers, planners, landscape designers, systems designers,
and/or social designers)? In other words, what might they gain from this film that they could use in their work?
I believe that Wiseman should be allowed to film the residents of
Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility because it depicts
the horrid living conditions inside the facility. It allows the public to
bring attention to the issues going on which they should have the
right to know because these types of living conditions shouldn't exist
in the first place. No one should be forced to be naked or force fed.
Although, I do think there should be some form of consent from the
legal guardians because these are recordings of the patients.
I think that the film could be of use for designers as it brings
awareness to the issues that led to all of this. They would take into
consideration on the aspects so that it would never occur again. Help
the patients in facilities like these feel comfortable living there rather
https://pumpcoat.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/doing-time-in-
prison-in-record-time-our-work-for-the-ma-department-of-
corrections/

than torment. Perhaps things like space for their own rooms should be considered because of how disturbing their rooms were. Avoid
design that are meant for jails and institutions, instead should be designs on how a regular home should be perhaps. Although, the
other issues is about the workers there because they were completely rude towards them. Perhaps a more selective process for workers
so that issues like force-feeding and such doesn't take place again.

Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning by David Engwicht
In his article, David Engwicht discusses the fact that religions (of all types) have played major roles in the development of our
cities. Today, places of worship are primary components of almost all urban centers. Author Lorne Daniel writes “From their
often active role in supporting people who live in city centers to their iconic influence on design and use of space, religious
structures tell us a lot about our history, our current needs, and where we might be headed in the future. This is an aspect of
our urban future that planners and urbanists should attend to.”
Identify a place of worship with which you are somewhat familiar. (If you are not familiar with any places of worship, do a bit
of research on one in your own city or town.) Show a photograph of this religious structure. (You may use photographs from
the web.) What roles has this place served in the development of your city/town? How has it influenced the design of the area
around it? How has its role changed over time? What roles could this place of worship play in the future development of your
city/town?
This is the Guangxiao temple, in literal meaning is
called: Bright Filial-Piety Temple. Filial-Piety in philosophy is
about the virtue of respecting one's parents, elders and ancestors. It
is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Guangzhou. The temple
serves as an spot for missionary monks. For residences near the
temple, the temple serves as a preaching area for Buddhist. It
helped propagate various elements of Buddhism such as living a
moral life, to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions and
development of wisdom and knowledge. This helped the
development of the Guangzhou by teaching people who are
http://www.chinatourguide.com/Guangzhou/guangxiao_tem
ple.html

religious to believe in education in seek for wisdom. To live a peaceful and healthy life is what the people strived for and it helped
build bonds within the community who were Buddhist and go there for preaching. It influenced the design of the area around it
through religious influences. Its role hasn't really changed so much since it was built. It still continues to serve as a place of practice.
Even to this day, many of the younger people of the community go there to give their offerings, prayers and such. The role of the
temple serves as a continuing foundation of keeping the area religious and keep the community together.

Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design
Consider the quote in your syllabus from educator Michael J. Shannon: “Design, as vision in action--the intersection of
understanding and creation--is a universal human capability that can play a fundamental role in social evolution, in the process
that transforms resources, energy, and information to make our world.”
At the beginning of this course, we discussed the idea that we are all designers regardless of our profession or field of study.
We’ve asked some big questions along the way, and the conclusion section of our textbook raises additional issues that require
input from people who might not consider themselves to be part of the formalized design professions.
Think about your own major and/or future profession. What is the biggest challenge, problem, or question that your field needs
to tackle right now? What do you plan to do to address this challenge, problem, or question either as part of your studies or
professional life?
My major is Electrical-Engineering and a minor in Computer-
Science. I think the largest issue in electrical-engineering is the
access to technology in third-world countries such as
Africa. Although it's developing in technology, majority lacks the
technology most first-world countries have like
computers, phones and etc. And part of Electrical-engineering
and computer science is how to advance our technologies we
currently have, however many other countries don't have the
foundations for upgrades to technology nor even electricity for
some areas which brings issues of educational resources and
such from phones, laptops and many other forms of devices
that we use in the US today.

For me, the way I think that can best address these forms of issue
is by continuing my research in my field and in future apply for
companies whose mission statements are about advancing the
technology in third world countries and/or designing
electricity generators for electricity so that they can receive access to the internet and online resources. The wonderful thing I love
about Electrical-engineering is that the field applies to many of the challenges with technologies today and I hope that my major
serves as a strong foundation for design solving issues today.
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ARC 211: American Diversity and Design: Mei, Ivan

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ARC 211: American Diversity and Design: Mei, Ivan