These are the topics involving diversity and design that I discovered in my ARC 211 class from the University at Buffalo.

1. University at Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211 - American Diversity and Design – Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Andy Wengender
http://www.image.edu.in/certifi
cate-graphic-design-course.asp

2. Introduction
My name is Andrew Wengender, but I prefer Andy and my major is environmental engineering. It’s my second semester of my
freshman year and this course opened my eyes on all kinds of innovations, issues, future prospects and much more. Coming into the
class I knew very little if nothing about diversity and I didn’t know about all the different meanings of design. Not only did I learn
from the materials given but from the views and experiences I saw in other peoples posts. This is where I learned most of my
information about the different cultures of different diversities from the people in my group. I wouldn’t say my views were changed
but instead they were expanded. I don’t travel much so it’s hard for me to experience different design and diversity first hand so this
opened my eyes and pushed me to want to travel and see these now that I’ve
learned about them.
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.
PC: Me

3. Response to "What is design?" from Hello World
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 out-dated information, which put
them at a disadvantage.
In 1859 Edwin Drake made the first successful pipe used to keep a hole from
collapsing to collect oil. Within the next decade oil began to transform the world in
being used for lamps, heating, automobiles and others. This oil continues to make
life easier for people today because of the large amount of energy produced from
burning it. Social impacts were both positive and negative as now people could travel
more easily visiting new groups of people but at the same time oil wars have caused
much grief. Fisherman in the gulf were a group negatively impacted by this
innovation by the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill that ruined their waters.
Wile, Rob. "A Hundred Years Ago." Scientific American 1, no. 14 (1845): 3.
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican12181845-3a.
http://www.businessinsider.com/
edwin-drake-first-modern-oil-
well-153-years-ago-2012-8

4. Response to "Introduction" from Diversity and Design
Now it’s your turn. Describe a design that was impacted by a diversity
group. How and why did it change form and/or circumstances? (Note
that a design can be anything requiring planning and development prior
to the production of an action, system, visual, material object, or
environment. Also, keep in mind that, for our purposes, a diversity group
is a group of individuals who are underrepresented in society in some
way—children, older adults, the economically disadvantaged, those with
cognitive disabilities, etc.)
The design of the law was changed in 1978 to help rid the injustices that
occurred in the 1930s to Native American groups of people. They were
forced off their land and had nowhere to go which led to sickness and
poverty. At the same time, they were racially targeted and had a very high
unemployment rate until the American Indian Religious Freedom Act in
1978. It allowed the Native Americans to have their own land and be free
from being subjugated to taxes and some other laws by the government.
This change in the design of the law helped set things right helping the
Native Americans go back to their traditional ways.
"The American Indian Religious Freedom Act 1978." The American Indian
Religious Freedom Act. Accessed May 03, 2017.
http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~rfrey/329AIRFA.htm.
https://www.loc.gov/item/2006691703/

5. 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?
In the Ted talk there were many iconic photos that had monumental impacts on people and society in general. Because of this these
photos would fall under the category of "Media message or product". The photographers that took these pictures are included in
the "Media Industry" and the people who look at and are affected by the photos are part of the "Readers or Audience" category. In
the Ted talk it is even explained how the photos conveyed different messages that changed peoples view on the world which in turn
helped spur movement. The gorillas for example that were murdered immediately had an effect on people spurring movement.
An iconic photo that was taken in my life back in 2003 was that of a young African American child holding hands with an older lady in
a wheelchair. This was after hurricane Katrina and this communicated to America that in the heat of a crisis we need to help each
other out despite our race, age, or background. There were many photos in this time both heartwarming such as this one and
devastating that both helped to communicate the same thing... that these people needed help and we as a country need to stick
together.
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/katrina-victim-captured-
popular-photo-age-now-settled/story?id=11497090

6. 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?
These hats are a very clear and visible communication of one’s political view through a basic yet insightful design that represents
through color, style, and words. These three characteristics of the hat are what communicate the peoples view on todays
government.
The first hat says "already great" which undermines Donald Trump and the republican parties signature statement "Make America
Great Again". Through two words the people wearing these hats display their distaste in what the republican party is doing. Another
hat that represents the displeasure of the republican party is a hat that simply states "No". This might not be as clear to many
people as the other hat but this red beanie hat through color is clear that its talking about the republican party who’s campaign color
is red. The last hat which was a pink hat shaped in a way that resembles cat ears doesn't have any text. Its design directly focuses
toward the distaste of trumps history of grabbing women. Trumps red "Make America Great Again" hat is different in that it is
simple and straightforward. It is a trucker hat which is as "American as baseball or pumpkin pie". The hat is simple and whether it
was meant to or not, shows the republican goals of trying to reclaim Americas former glory. These
hats are the same in that they communicate one’s political views but are different in how they do
this where one is through a pink cat shape, while the other is through a simple red trucker hat that
has the republican slogan.
Trumps campaign spent 3.2 million dollars on these hats and 60,000 of the pink hats were nitted.
This shows that the hats were designed to communicate the person’s political view as they are not
any more appealing than any other hat. I believe that wearing this clothing is a good way of
representing oneself rather than other protests that have been more violent.
Garfield, Leanna. "Thousands of women will wear pink 'pussy hats' the day after Trump's
inauguration." Business Insider. January 18, 2017.
http://www.businessinsider.com/pussy-hats-womens-
march-washington-trump-inauguration-2017-1

7. 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?
The implementation of mass production in the early 1900s created social consequences that linger with us today although that is
switching as we are entering the Augmented age according to the TED talk. Mass production involved workers each getting a certain
job that they were trained in to repeat over and over again. Because they only did one thing training didn't take long and the
workers could be unskilled. They would do their steps quickly which allowed the mass production of cars making them cheap and
affordable for most of America. The fact that luxury appliances like a car were cheap and affordable is one change that stuck with us
today. Almost everything is mass produced such as computers, phones and cars which are just made more by machines now than
line workers. Having cheap products even drove competition to make higher quality products as they could no longer just lower the
price. Lastly this mass production method helped create more jobs including the trainers, engineers, and the line workers even
though the skilled workers of the previous age lost their jobs. In the next twenty years I
still think things will be mass produced but not in the same way as now. Computer
generated alternatives was something mentioned in the TED talk where the computer
actually generates millions of alternative designs that we couldn't think of. This will help us
have better technology and products but at the same time will eliminate the jobs of
engineers to come up with these alternative designs.
https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/features/game-
changer--100th-anniversary-of-the-moving-assembly-line.html

8. 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 any
products that embraces Cradle-to-Cradle design? Please describe and cite your source.
One product that defies the Cradle to Cradle concept is Rolls Royce Dawn, a luxury car. What is often considered when making a
luxury car is style, speed, and comfort for the buyer. Fuel efficiency is often an afterthought because the people buying this car are
not looking for a car that is good for traveling. This is exactly the case with this car as it gets 12 mph city and 19 highway which is
worse than a lot of trucks on the market. Cradle to Cradle talked about diminishing resources happening sooner than later and the
first resource that came to my mind was gas/oil. This is a product that is used for transportation ideally but also in plastics. It can’t be
reused when being burned for fuel but it can be limited which is not the case for the Rolls Royce Dawn. Seeing as gas and oil is one
of our more important limited resources I think the HUBB Lifetime Oil Filter is an awesome way to save gas/and oil. It captures five
times as many contaminants reducing oil changes and increases fuel efficiency. On top of that we are saving the material that goes
into oil filters, not just gas and oil. This is a very cool product that if used by the American majority will make a huge difference.
http://www.idsa.org/awards/idea/automotive-
transportation/hubb-lifetime-oil-filter 
http://www.idsa.org/awards/idea/automotive-
transportation/rolls-royce-dawn -->

9. 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?
(Use the SEE-IT method to respond to this question.)
You may have wondered why government buildings all look similar in their design which is different than almost all other buildings.
It all started in 1788 in Richmond Virginia where Jefferson 10 years after helping write the declaration of Independence wanted to
move on from Virginia's classical English architecture as America was trying to different itself from its predecessors. He borrowed
ideas from the ancient Roman temples such as the symmetry and their box shapes. However, he needed to differ from the
traditional open space in the middle as this was not practical for government business. He also used more "ionic" coulombs but did
stick with the ideas of coulombs which are now well known for many government buildings. He even borrowed the Roman idea of
having a statue in front of the building but instead of making a godly statue he developed one of George Washington. The big part of
this statue was to make George Washington not look godly but like one of the people. For example, he was missing a button and was
wearing somewhat ragged clothing. He was not meant to look like a king so that the design would help break America away from
England's monarchy as we developed our own culture of democracy.
Frank Loid Write in 1957 developed a new state of the art home called the Robie house in the Midwest which was the first design of
our modern Ranch home. He designed the house with low slung roofs and made it flatter and not as vertical. In the film it described
the old middle class homes as "tall boxes". Unlike these the Robie house was flat and embraced the environment in which it was
built which was the Midwest. Old fashioned houses had small boxed in windows covered in drapes while the Robie house has
continuous bands of open glass stained windows where there is light flowing in everywhere once
again embracing the openness of the Midwest. In fact, most of the house was open in the inside
as rooms just meshed from one to another. Despite having all these modern features, Frank
incorporated a traditional family room setting in the middle of the house where there is a
fireplace so that the family culture of the middle class was kept. This house developed by Frank
Loid Write was what opened up the doors to the present day
prairie home.
http://flwright.org/visit/robiehouse

10. 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? (Use the SEE-IT method to respond to
this question.)
Andrew Ballantyne split up the ideas of architecture into two categories, one was that in the eyes of
a tourist and that in the eyes of life. He believed buildings being judged on their "tourist" appeal are
all about art and the way they look but at the same time compared them to an empty shell of a snail
with nothing living in it. He believes that most buildings are judged on an everyday basis where their
judgment can only be determined by the match between its qualities and the life within it. He
believes every building is different in this aspect and should be judged by how they support the
vitality of life within them. Zumthor and Ballantyne both seemed to concentrate on the fact that
every lifestyle engraves a certain habit or atmosphere that carries with the person. For example,
Ballantyne believes the reason moving is one of the most stressful parts of life is because of the
habits "attached to a certain dwelling". Zumthor backs this up in his first paragraph stating what he
thinks of a kitchen is insoluble linked with his childhood and where he grew up. The ideas of what
architecture is there for related differently for everybody in different areas who grew up in different
styled houses. The main difference I found was that Zumthor believed that material and the way a
house was made with other physical qualities are what architecture was about
while Ballantyne argued for the most part that the life inside the house is what makes architecture.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture

11. Response to Levy Article
Here is your discussion question on the Levy article. Please post your
own response, and respond to at least two other students' responses.
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?
I'm from the town of Webster which is about thirty minutes East of
Rochester. Because its next to a fairly large city most of the people living in
Webster worked in Rochester. This effected the town in multiple ways. First
off since most of the people worked in Rochester, Webster has smaller family owned shops and doesn't have any large buildings
whatsoever besides the schools of course. Also because we were 30 minutes away from the major city the houses could be more
spread apart than those of the suburbs relating right next to Rochester. The planning of these houses and shops gave Webster its
open relaxed characteristic. However, there was around 40,000 people living spread out across this entire area. This is what caused
the planning of two separate plazas so that it wasn't too busy and hectic in a certain area and this served as a better convenience for
people living on the edges of Webster. Having two plazas helped keep Webster’s for the most part relaxed distinction. Having two
plazas also kept us away from having to build one huge mall which would clash with the smaller business shops on main street. Also
because of the population, and size of this town, it has two high schools on the east and the west. Much like the two plazas having
two schools helped keep Webster from getting too congested in a certain area. All this building planning helped give Webster the
uncrowded open feeling it has today.
http://townmapsusa.com/d/map-of-webster-new-york-
ny/webster_ny

12. 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?
Pruitt Igoe in St. Louis is the iconic image that comes to mind when thinking of urban housing project failures. Many blame that the
architect who "created a breeding ground for isolation" yet others blamed the people and the conflict of this era. Despite these
uncontrollable, the planning that goes into the building could have been done differently. If I teamed up with Kent Larson and Emily
Talen, our building would be much different than the one of the past. The first thing I would do differently is build this building in a
different area that offered more commodities. The area around Pruitt Igoe was considered an "amenity desert" with little access to
transportation jobs and food. It would only make sense to build a large housing complex near these essentials. Emily Talen is all
about diversity so right of the bat she would NOT make this building segregated. She would also want the building to be built with
more diversity. She believes a building that looks "garish" is not diverse but homogeneous so She would help the building look more
enthusiastic and colorful than the old Pruitt Igoe. Lastly, Kent Larson would help by make the building able to fit a bunch of people
through his implementation of robotic walls. This makes it so you don't need as many rooms as one room could serve multiple
purposes. He also talked about how because of this people could design how their own
home looked like. They define their needs and values and can get a room that
accommodates that. I would like to run another idea off his where people with
similar needs and lifestyles would be built near each other so that people
could mesh better with those around them which would be much better than
the isolation of Pruitt Igoe. These few changes I think would make this building
much more enjoyable and easier to live in.
http://www.pruitt-igoe.com/urban-history/

13. 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?
The reason Frederick Law Olmsted thought that Buffalo
was the best planned city in the world was because of
mostly its park layout but also other factors such as its
streets and canal. The broad streets went off in all
directions but came together in Niagara Square compared
to that of Capitol hill. Also the Erie canal supplied good
transportation and connection along with the streets. His
notion of the "city within the park" however is what set
Buffalo apart from all other cities. He planned three
separate parks that were all connected throughout the
city which is what allowed people to access the city
anywhere. He even helped mesh the Hospitals and
cemetery's openness that meshed with the park that made the city seem even more of a park. It was this connectivity that made
Buffalo special. He would not be as pleased today as Buffalo has become modernized and the parks have gotten taken over in parts.
However, there is still lots of preservation going on in the Niagara Falls and there is even a Olmsted Park Conservation organization
that was created in 2004 which are trying to carry on his legacy.
http://www.olmsted.org/

14. 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? (Either written or visual descriptions are acceptable).
The Triad of Investigation approach to a project often bases work in one of the areas which are the everyday and
mundane, commemoration, and life ways. It brings one of these together with the areas culture often in a way that is ubiquitous or
unnoticed. If I were to memorialize something in my hometown it would have to be relevant and be displayed in the proper way. I
am from Webster which is a pretty spread out area that is relaxed and quite for the most as long as you distance yourself from the
bustling plaza at the core of the town. It is located right on the edge of Lake Ontario East of Irondequoit bay. The memorial I would
make would be in commemoration of the firefighters that were shot in 2012. The memorial wouldn't be anything extravagant as this
wouldn't fit into the culture of Webster. Instead I would make a plaque on the end of the pier near where the incident occurred that
way the memorial would have more meaning and is in a well-traveled destination so many could appreciate it. Being on the pier
where the waves gently crash would give a calming nostalgic sense that would help people reflect on the past and this would also fit
Webster’s relaxed culture. Here is a picture of the pier and the lighthouse the plaque could be placed on.
http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc34822.php

15. 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? What are the possible reasons for these differences?
(Consider the three assessment principles mentioned in the article to help you: a technology of vision, an instrument of empathy,
and a symbol of control.) (NOTE: Limit your response to less than 250 words.)
I see this picture to be representing a close white family all together on a camping
trip in their Snuggies. This was actually in a Snuggies commercial, and for those who
are unfamiliar with this product it is a warm blanket/robe. This commercial was
trying to convey a close family who seems to be perfect and cohesive with
everybody smiling and high fiving each other. Much like the Snuggies the family is
warm and comfortable. I believe they used a white family because the assumption is
that white families are usually perfect and stay together. Anyone watching this
commercial including white people will start thinking of this as the perfect family
image when any race could have been used in this commercial. I grew up in a white
family where everything wasn't perfect and I have many white friends who have
divorced parents and a tough family life. I don't think that just because someone is
white you can assume that their home life is perfect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeM4GMGWInY

16. 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. (Use the beliefs or principles that are most relevant to your critique rather than all of them.)
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a museum is true to its name and covers all of the triumphs of
African American history as well as the hardships. EquityXdesign's core belief number 1 which is Learning to See: historical context
matters is all about showing who we were and who we currently are. This museum brings us through the entire American History
through the eyes of the African Americans until this current date. I don't think there would be any change that would need to be
made under this core belief. Belief number 2 which is "Be seen:radical inclusion"
is also in my mind is also almost perfectly incorporated into this National
Museum. This belief is all about bringing people of different races and
backgrounds together and building the community. One of the four
pillars on which the Museum was built was to "Serve as a place of
collaboration that reaches beyond Washington to engage new
audiences". The museum wants to show everybody the success
we've obtained through history as well as the challenges we still
face which brings me to EquityXdisign's third core belief factor,
"Foresee: Process as Product". The museum through its goals of
bringing people together to see where we came from and where
we need to go strengthens relationships across difference and
definitely shifts people’s positions or mindset on African American
history. I think this Museum was a great idea to include in
Washington DC and I wouldn't critique anything.
National Museum of African American History and Culture.
January 01, 1970. Accessed May 03, 2017. https://nmaahc.si.edu/.
http://www.mymcmedia.org/tag/national-museum-of-
african-american-history-culture/

17. 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?
Both sides of my family came to America around four generations ago and have married to different European ethnicities so I don't
have any major ethnic background at least none over 25%. I do know that both my mom and my dad have an Italian background
especially on my dad’s side and because of these family dinners are very important to us. This is why our dining room I would
consider our ethnic place in our home. We don't get take out often and all need to be at the table for a home cooked meal where we
talk about our day and also pray. My mom was Presbyterian and my dad was catholic but both were Christian so we all pray together
every night. When establishing my own home even though it’s not really my ethnicity I'd like to continue to have a traditional Italian
Dinner setting to keep the family close.
As for my hometown which is Webster New York, it has a historical background of
being mainly English and Scottish immigrants which is seen by the fact that 90
percent of my high school is Caucasian. However, I have noticed several other
cultures forming in Webster while I lived there which is nice to see and one in
particular is the Ukrainian culture. I was good friends with a couple of
Ukrainians on my soccer team which opened up my eyes to their culture and how
tight nit of a group they all are. Their culture is definitely worth preserving and
they are doing that as they have their own Ukrainian bank, church, and even
restaurant that was right across my street that I never even noticed. By staying
together like they do they will surely be able to preserve their culture. http://stressfree.recipes/no-dinner-table-no-problem/

18. 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?
In most cases I feel like it’s appropriate as the name represents a cities
culture and there is no derogatory meaning behind them like the Fighting
Irish, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Braves. But the term Redskin I do believe to
be derogatory as it doesn't represent a cities culture and the word itself is
focusing on the skin color of American Indians. Even though I think it is
offensive I think it should be up to our Native Americans because they
are the ones being named. If they are ok with it then it's not worth the
money to change the name of a team which has been a football team
since 1937. A lot of products and sportswear would need to be altered
along with the logo which people have been wearing for a little less than
a century.https://twitter.com/redskins

19. 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. Cite the source.
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?
This is more of a stories in data as it shows the certain percentages of women positions in certain important legislation jobs. It also
has a little get the idea with the unequal balance on the top to emphasize the inequality in this area. I think the picture does a pretty
good job conveying its idea that women haven't been given the same opportunities as men in the parliament, senate, or ministry.
However, it doesn't have a eye catching title on the top which is the first thing I would add to help get the image ringing in people’s
heads. Also it has an empty slot with a question mark next to the women figure in the chart. I'm not 100% what it means or if it can
be interpreted in different ways. The way I interpreted it was that there are other positions(president) that women have or don't
even hold a percentage in. Overall it gets the point across.
https://philebersole.wordpress.com/tag/income-
distribution/

20. 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?
At first glance I thought this law was unreasonable as every person is allowed their own decisions and if they are comfortable using
the bathroom opposite their birth sex like a trans gender. Forcing them into a bathroom they do not relate to would
undoubtedly make them uncomfortable and this is discrimination which we as a nation have been aiming to banish the past several
centuries and this would be a step backwards. Then I thought about it a little more and I can see how some people using bathrooms
opposite their birth sex could make everyone else around them uncomfortable. Some people could even feel threatened which is in
my opinion much worse than people feeling uncomfortable. In the end either way some people are going to be left unhappy
whether that is trans genders or the general public.
The way I see it is if the law forces trans genders into specific bathrooms there is not really a way to make them suddenly be ok with
that. However, if we can convince people to feel safe in bathrooms through informative statistical data and not repeal the anti-
discrimination laws, we will be taking a step in the right direction when it comes to discrimination which is something very important
in American Ideals.
http://lgbtweekly.com/2015/02/19/a-restroom-
pictogram-that-sends-the-wrong-message/

21. 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.
This first image are the pillars next to lake la salle on UB North campus. This is a mix of a
slippery and crusty area because of the fact that it is off the sidewalk down by the lake so
it’s not super easy to reach and if you are not from the area you might not know you can
hang out and study on this area. Also to walk up on the pillars you see behind me you
need to be physically able to climb a 4ft ledge which I would consider a structural barrier
that excludes people with physical disablement's. This is why it also fits the crusty
definition.
This is student union at UB North Campus which is Jittery because of its openness and also has security
cameras. This area reminds me of food courts at malls with the amount of cameras It might be hard to
see because the image is sideways but there are two black security cameras over Putnams where
people could potentially leave without paying for food.
Photographs taken by myself and a kind pedestrian

22. Response to People Like Us
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?
Once Tammy took herself off the welfare her job wasn't good enough to pay the bills which are usually almost all housing
costs. Without having the money to pay for housing Tammy would be unable to chase her dream of going to college and getting a
better job. I would address this problem of people getting stuck in poverty by trying to get those housing costs lower which would
allow savings and eventually a college education. The housing I was thinking of was much like that of a failed building we learned
about in week 5 called Pruitt Igoe. I would use my team to help build the housing differently based on the failures of this project but
the goal of the building would be similar which is affordable family housing. The first step I would take is putting the building in a
location that has adequate public transportation is close to the city
and has essential businesses around so that people living there are
satisfied with their needs. Secondly I would use some of the collapse
able walls that we learned about to save space and therefor money
to make this project possible and fit more people in
Tammy's situation. Lastly the housing would need to be more
closely maintained to keep the residents happy and motivated to
break out of poverty. The policy designer would come up with a way
likely involving residents (save money) to help keep the building in
ship shape. One reason that the money gap keeps growing is
because up and coming people like Tammy can't afford an education
and affordable housing like this I think would make this education
possible.
http://www.politicususa.com/2013/11/25/wage-work-rebellion-finally-bring-poverty-
rate.html

23. 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?
The new and "improved" Regent Park had three main flaws which
included the separation by income, social hierarchy reestablished,
and intergeneration integration was made nearly impossible. The
reason it was nearly impossible was because there was a
designated senior building. It's tough to form intergenerational
integration when most people from a certain generation all live in
the same building. They did this so that necessities such as
groceries could be made easier for the people in this building as
they could shop right at the bottom of their building. However, I
think integrating the elderly and family’s half and half in the same
building would help make life more enjoyable for the elderly as
they could make relationships with younger families. This would
also allow for the seniors to get help with physical tasks like groceries for example or any other overlooked actions we take for
granted. Before when it was all seniors, they couldn't really ask another senior for help but now they could ask younger generations
to help which would help them connect. I think it’s important for this intergenerational integration because this is how the past can
be preserved and brought into the present as we have learned. We will be able to preserve traditions and stories that are valuable if
we make these buildings half seniors and half families.
https://www.torontohousing.ca/regentpark

24. 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?
Biotechnology, prosthetics, gene code and changing actual human cells are all things that are being improved and researched that
could alter the human body to live longer. Changing a person’s lifespan will have a huge effect on the way we design the way we
live. This first thing that pops into my mind would be living space. We would need to design more intricate networks of
transportation, and housing would need to be more space efficient as cities grew. This structural design will be tough as we would
like to keep the standards of living the same. This might mean more community areas such as pools, gardens, parks as we have less
room for people to own these themselves in the areas we call the suburbs now. Also, another problem would be food and water.
More people and less space means more food needed and less space to produce it. This means we will have to further our
biomedical technology or think of new places to grow crops like the tops of
buildings. Many countries are already low on food and water which means
we will need to start helping them now so that in 50 to 100 years when these
problems come up we will hopefully have helped them enough so that they
can self-sustain and we can try to focus on new problems we have. There are
lots of other challenges that will most likely arise but I think through design
we will be able to maintain the same quality of life.
https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/growing-old-49/

25. Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
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.
These two different TV remotes fall under the category of "simple and intuitive use". The first one is a negative example of a remote
with a bunch of buttons with limited labeling and even the labels it includes are not descriptive. For example there is a button that
states "shift". Someone who doesn't use many TV remotes might not know that this means shifting the brightness. Other buttons
that are not labeled have different colors or symbols a first time user might not understand. The second remote is a
positive example as instead of leaving the buttons blank and small it has them big and labeled with words so the user knows what
they mean. The big buttons make it easier to click on the button you want for people with big fingers or not the best hand eye
coordination when it comes to button pushing. Lastly it even includes some braille to help people that cant see and read the
information on the buttons. I think this is a really good way of breaking those societal barriers that "make" a person disabled. They
are really not disabled if society is also formed for them.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-
508949/Gadgets-Why-complicated-electronic-devices-
driving-mad.html
https://marthets.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/the-tv-and-
the-remote-control/

26. Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
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?
These technologies for the most part I believe are positive as it
will prolong life and help people stay healthy and fully
functional. For example, people who lose or are born without
limbs or other body parts can get fully functional artificial
ones. This will help people be able to do the same things as
everyone else. On the other side, being able to design our
bodies to better ourselves at sports and other competitive events brings up
an ethical question as it would be cheating in a way similar to steroids. If we
are thinking about reproductive technologies the majority of us wanted
similar traits such as male or a height of around 6ft. If we could choose what our children were the population would become more
and more similar which would decrease diversity which I see as a major negative. Also as stated in last weeks TED talk with healthier
people comes the negative of needing more space and food and water. He brought up the ethical dilemma of altering our bodies to
help survive in different environments. Although I think this is down the road a bit, it does seem like it would be wrong to not evolve
which would lead to our extinction. Overall it seems like the positives will propel people to start using these emerging technologies
and we will need to create innovative solutions to help negate the negatives that will come with these technologies.
https://www.forwardmotioncareers.com/your-long-term-
employment-survival-kit-part-1-of-3/

27. Response to Titicut Follies
Should Wiseman have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility? 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 have no problem with this being filmed as it was in the end
beneficial to the inmates. People didn't have a clue of how
these people with mental health issues were treated and this
film helped shed some light on that. For example, the security
constantly bullied Jim who of course couldn't fight back. Many
of the people in this institute were often naked and lived in a
cell with nothing in it because this will definitely solve
someone’s mental health problems. The film would help speak
for these people that can't represent themselves because of
their mental health issues. All the different designers could look
at the struggles these inmates were facing and they could
develop solutions that could maybe help break these people
from their mental health issues. For example, the architects
could make more thought provoking interesting cells and social
designers could help the people interact better from what they
learned in the video. Even if they can’t figure out how to cure
these inmates they could make life more enjoyable for them.
Ebert, Roger. "Titicut Follies Movie Review & Film Summary (1968) | Roger Ebert." RogerEbert.com. N.p., 08 Oct. 1968. Web. 17
May 2017.
https://mubi.com/notebook/posts/ghost-meets-the-man-frederick-
wisemans-titicut-follies-1967

28. Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
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?
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?
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”?
After the first scenario I would be ok with that as I have personally got to know some intellectually challenged adults and they are
awesome people. I would be excited to get to know them and welcome them to the neighborhood. People shouldn't judge others
before they get to know them. After hearing about some of the patients habits I would be a little concerned with a few
characteristics such as public masturbation, but other than that I would like my kids see them as a regular person. I feel like what
makes people think of mentally disabled people as different is they don't see many people like that because they are excluded from
society. If you grow up with them as your neighbors, then you won't see them as different which is what I'd want my kids to think.
The main concern I'd look into is if they have had any physical altercations or problems of that sort because I wouldn't want my kids
to be in harm’s way. This doesn't have anything to do with their disabilities it would be the same for anyone moving in nearby. I feel
like moving a group like this in a neighborhood is the best way to give them the same basic human rights. The task would be to find a
group of neighbors that are ok with it like I am.
http://eastpdxnews.com/events-fairs-fun/outer-east-portland-neighbors-
celebrate-national-night-out-in-record-numbers/

29. Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning by David Engwicht
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?
I worshiped at a church called Webster Presbyterian church which is a branch of Christianity. There are multiple small churches like
this that really help younger kids interact with older generations. Through these interactions the town is able to learn traditions that
help make Webster a more diverse place. We also do a lot of community service trips and projects; these help rebuild different
communities as well as our own. I feel like fifty years ago everyone went to church and now it’s mostly older generations and then
its maybe 10% younger generations, at least this is the case at my church. I'm guessing religion and worship does not play as big a
role as it once did. However, it still helps bring the community together for a good cause and will continue to do this as long as
parents keep bringing their kids to church. Every year we also go on a mission trip where we help others and try and spread our faith
which will help continue the positive effects on diversity and design of multitudes of communities.
http://www.websterpres.org/

30. Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design
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?
I am looking to become an environmental engineer. There are many problems that we need to tackle which all deal with limiting
waste that could harm the environment. This means creating clean energy making things more sustainable so we don't have to
remake them which saves natural resources. I love the outdoors and am talented in the math’s and sciences so that is why I became
an environmental engineer. One of my favorite things to do is fish so I'd like to focus on waste water treatment or municipal water
supply. This way I can insure lakes can get cleaner and continue to improve as they have been over the past decade or so. In my job
I'd like to be able to bounce around to different areas to test the water and be able to travel to different parts of the world even. I
also would like to broaden my job outlook to hydroelectricity which is one way of creating clean energy and also has to do with
water. This would be the best of both worlds because I could tackle problems to save the ecosystem in that area as well as limiting
air pollution that is occurring from creating energy through fossil fuels. I think we can make more hydroelectric dams to help solve
the problem of us running low on fossil fuels which we are supposed to run out of in 60 years.
http://www.ecofriend.com/good-bad-ugly-
hydroelectricity.html