Assignment 3

For this assignment we were asked to compile references for another annotated bibliography, this time on sources we found on ‘Cross Search’, the universities library catalogue. The sources had to support the idea that the area I had chosen to study from Gladwell’s “The Tipping Point” could be applied within design. If you have read some of my previous blogs you will know I chose to look at “The Law of The Few”. Mavens, Connectors and Salesmen, (the few), being people with the ability to encourage an idea to spread and therefore eventually “tip”. In today’s culture social networking encourages people to stay connected to each other or follow an organisation and is helpful for finding “connectors” who can spread the word fast and efficiently. This method of promoting products is particularly useful in design.

 Here’s what I managed to find...

Baym. N. K. (2010). Personal Connections in the Digital Age. 

                                                                  

This source which is available online or from Dundee University’s main library, focuses on the social aspects of the internet, mobile phones and digital media.

Coenen. Tanguy. (2006). Structural Aspects of Online Social Networking Systems and Their Influence on Knowledge Sharing. 

Available from:  

http://www.iadis.net/dl/final_uploads/200602L012.pdf

This paper is relevant to the process view on knowledge management, where the emphasis lies on sharing through interactions between people. Seeing knowledge sharing as a social exchange process, this paper describes the multi-level structure of existing online social networking systems.

Eberts. M,  Gisler. M. (2004). Careers for Financial Mavens and Other Money Movers.      

Available from: 

http://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=C_swH0pfo6cC&oi=fnd&pg=PP7&dq=Eberts.+M,++Gisler.+M.+%282004%29.+Careers+for+Financial+Mavens+and+Other+Money+Movers.+&ots=0fzE4AuDQ_&sig=uw3ZNyrPUJp9s0H_gb4EwgvF9nA#v=onepage&q&f=false

This online book gives evidence that mavens exist and are essential in many subjects, in this case, in the form of Accountants and Auditors.

Fogg. B. J. (2009). The Rules of Persuasion.     

                                      

Available from:

http://www.thersa.org/fellowship/journal/archive/summer-2009/features/new-rules-of-persuasion 

Social networking is a big part of today’s culture. This journal explains ways to be successful in design. For example the way in which we work and where we promote influence the success or lack of success of a design.

Kurtz. P. D. (1998). A Case Study of a Network as a Learning Organisation.

This reference is a case study with explores the use of networks to connect people with friends, family and co-workers. This is relevant to “The Law of the Few” as it is an example of how a “connector” could link his/her friends to other friends etc using the internet.

Sweed. Phyllis. (1997). Who Sets Trends.

This reference shows how certain people can influence others and start a trend. It focuses on examples from the retail industry.

My top 5 design websites at this point in time are as follows... (In no particular order)

1. http://www.droog.com/

2. http://www.johannabasford.com/

3. http://www.ollymoss.com/

4. http://www.kkaa.co.jp/E/main.htm

5. http://dornob.com/

‘The problem is never how to get new, innovative thoughts into your mind, but how to get old ones out. Every mind is a building filled with archaic furniture. Clean out a corner of your mind and creativity will instantly fill it.’ Dee Hock

This blog is definitely over due...

So a few weeks ago the IED studios were chaos. There were balloons, a giant man made of cardboard and a hell of a lot of students somewhere in the middle of it all. Why you ask? Well first through to forth year were asked to join forces and complete a "Bomb" project. We were divided into groups, given a topic and told to create a space which represented that topic. Our group were chosen to tackle the idea of LEARNING. We could use whatever materials we could find and had no constraints apart from time! Of course, all groups took their new found freedom to the extreme. Here's how we got on...

We decided to break down the different stages of LEARNING. We represented each one individually but also collectively as we felt all the stages were equally important.

Starting at the smallest square...

1. Baby - Finger knitted white wool.

2. Toddler - Baby foot prints to show initial development. Learning to walk, talk etc.

3. Nursery/Play - Pleated pipe cleaners showing experimentation through colour and texture.

4. Primary School - Letters and numbers, structured visual learning.

5. High School - Patch worked clothes and plastic bags showing new found Independence, and discovering your own identity.

6. University - Weaved essay notes and magazines, the balance between work and play. This also represents becoming better related to others. Solid and life long friendships etc.

7. Life - Bamboo strips tied together and randomly positioned show knowledge gained over years coming together to form an individual. It also shows how the knowledge gained can take people in very different directions but everyone essentially has the same roots, baby to school etc.

All the squares were arranged so that, if they were viewed from a certain position, all the layers of LEARNING could be viewed collectively to form the one "Big Picture of LEARNING".

Just before I go I'll let you see a sneaky picture from the presentation of our completed installation!

How does "The Law of The Few" relate to design...?

This week we were, well, I think we were asked to design a poster/ mind map on the relation between a chapeter of "The Tipping Point" and design. To form the basis of this task we met in groups to brainstorm various parts of the book and discuss how the ideas mentioned were used in design.

Here's a quick snap shot of a group of us brainstorming over lunch in The Liar...
 

For my poster of sorts  I decided to use a person as my starting point as "The Law of The Few" is the idea that certain people have a gift for spreading/tipping an idea, or in this case a design.

Here's a brief explanation of the idea...

In my opinion connectors are used in design to link various industries together. Connectors form links between different people who can each bring something different to an idea.

Maverns could be used to pass on information about a design quickly, allowing widespread knowledge of a design. They make a design known. 

Similarly, the "6 Degrees of Separation" rule could apply to design. News of a product could reach various parts of the globe rapidly and end up at the desired location, for example a specific target market, through word of mouth.

Salesman are used to promote a design. Their enthusiasm can make the difference between a design succeeding or failing to be successful. During presentations designers must convince people of their idea and encourage them to get behind it.

Realising the links between the book and my studies has encouraged me to appreciate Gladwells book. The ideas he discusses are definitely relevant to the design discipline just as they are to the spread of knowledge or an epidemic.