Space

There is a strong correlation between the way media portrays office culture and the realities of that corporate culture. There are four different office designs that can be found in most offices. The design behind them is different, because each space is created for a specific purpose. The television show "the office" shows all of these different office spaces. Although the show is a dramatized comedy, the design of the office is very accurate to reality.

An office has four designs throughout. These designs each serve a different purpose. The first design is the "focus" design. This is the area where employees go to analyze, write, and reflect on their work. This is done in an area that is isolated and blocked off from outside distractions. An example of this would be an office cubicle. Every employee has their own individual space where they go to focus and complete their work.

The second design in an office is the collaborate design. This design accompanies a team or a group of co-workers that must work together. This space usually has a large table with many of chairs in order to accommodate the many people involved. This space is used for discussing and creating ideas in the company/business. This space is also used to help build teamwork amongst employees.

The third design in an office is a "learn" space. This space is a large room with a lot of open space and seating. An example of this is a classroom. This space is used to acquire new knowledge and advance skills in a certain area or work. These spaces are good for a company to train its employees when they first start or it is a good way to train their employees on new technology.

The final design in an office is a "socialize"space. This is a place where employees can go to bond with other coworkers or just take a break and get away from work. The best example of this is a break room. The employees can get away from their work and talk to their co-workers about things outside of work. This is a great place for employees to meet their co-workers and possibly form a friendship. This will help the work place because the employees will have a good relationship, and this will lead to success in the business/company.

Artifacts Presented in Class

Contact Case, The Lex Apartments. Personal photograph by author. 2016.

In the seventh grade I was playing baseball and I realized that I was having a difficult time picking up the ball with my eyes while I was batting. I told my mom that everything looked fuzzy and unclear. My mom decided to make me an appointment with the eye doctor. I went to the eye doctor a couple of days later and got a full examination. The doctor told me that I needed glasses or contacts because I am nearsighted. I chose to get contacts because they are easier to deal with for all of the sports I played. Glasses were too bulky for my liking so I thought contacts would be easier.

The doctor told me all of the different things i had to do in order to keep my contacts in the best shape. He told me I needed to wash them every day with contact solution. I also had to let the contacts soak in the solution overnight. He gave me this contact case to put my contacts in overnight. It has become a necessity to me. Every day I wake up, open my contact case, and put my contacts in. At the end of the day I take my contacts out, clean them, and finally put them in the case to soak over night. This contact case has become part of my daily routine, and it always will be now. Without this case I would not have contacts and I would not be able to see as clearly. It would in turn make me a different person.

Object

Michael, Joseph. Black Iphone 5. Digital image. Joseph Michael's Efficient Life Skills. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2016. <http://www.efficientlifeskills.com/top-24-details-about-the-new-iphone-5-and-ios-6/>. 

The design of the Iphone 5 can be connected with the "high mobile" American character. It has everything needed in one mobile device such as calling, messaging, internet, camera, video and much more!

Sports Objects. Photography on Wooden Boards. Digital image. Dreamstime. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2016. <http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-sports-objects-photography-wood-wooden-boards-image56854176>. 

This picture describes the "athletic" part of American Character. All of these objects are easily recognizable and paired with the idea of an athletic activity. The design of these are both fashionable and comfortable which makes working out a lot easier.

Gun Control T-Shirt. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2016. <http://images.oldglory.com/product/72872f.jpg>. 

This shirt describes the two American characters of being "Democratic and outspoken" because this shirt is playing off of a provocative statement. Also the donkey is the symbol for the democrats. This shirt describes how Americans can be very outspoken because they will wear this out in public to let everyone know exactly how they feel.

Water Bottle

Water Bottle, The Lex Apartments. Personal photograph by author. 2016.

The water bottle is a very common object used throughout the world. Whether it a plastic bottle that can be recycled after one use or a reusable bottle that can be used for years. Both of these types of water bottles do the same thing, they both hold water. However, both of these bottles have something else in common that is less obvious. Both of these bottles have a specific design. Although the design are not the same, the idea and though process behind it is the same.

Every water bottle has a specific design. For example a plastic water bottle has a different shape than the water bottle above does. This is because they are made of different materials. Plastic is weaker than metal so a plastic bottle must have a different shape in order to have better support. Even though there are differences in the actual designs of the water bottles, there is similarities about the purpose of the design. 

The purpose of design is to attract a certain audience. Plastic water bottles such as Ice Mountain have a specific picture that lures in a buyer. A buyer sees the picture of a beautiful mountain and instantly thinks that is where the water is coming from, but in reality this is not true. However, as a company, Ice Mountain is able to be successful because it lures in the attention and desire of its customers. The water bottle above does the same thing in trying to lure in customers, however, they are doing it with a different market. This market is the Fraternity, Chi Psi. By putting the recognizable logo and name on the water bottle, a specific customer base is being targeted. This design relates to a large population of fraternity members. The design, in the case of the picture above, is used to target a specific audience. This will lead to more of these water bottles being purchased, so the fraternity is also marketing its identity. Design is a great way for businesses, groups, teams, etc. to market their brand.