American Diversity and Design

1. University at Buffalo – State
University of New York
ARC 211 - American Diversity and
Design – Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Brenden Dake

2. • Thread 1: Introduction
• Top of Form
• 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 Brenden Dake. I'm not sure if anyone will see this because it's late. I
added, dropped, and then added it again in the middle of the week and missed the deadline for
these postings obviously. I live in Alden, which is about a 40-minute drive from UB. I'm a second
year business student here at UB as well. I was originally in Aerospace Engineering but decided it
wasn't for me. A fact about me is that I love everything to do with hockey. I also played it for about
11 years, stopping at the start of college. I also like to play video games and watch movies.

3. • 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 out-dated information, which put them at a disadvantage.
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• The innovation that i would like to discuss is the cellphone. The cellphone, in my opinion, is potentially the
greatest invention made by humans so far. I say this for multiple reasons. The first reason it is an amazing
invention is because it can help you solve many of your daily problems. For example, if you were stuck on the side
of the road in the middle of nowhere, you could easily call someone to help you using your cellphone. Another
reason why it's so great is because it can also help you with daily inconveniences such as writing your shopping
list. With a cellphone, you can just type out what you need in the notes section and they would be there easily
accessible at the store.
• This invention most likely gives an advantage to everyone using it, not a specific group. In regards to negatively
impacting groups, i don't think this invention would qualify. Potentially at the beginning of its release it could have
negatively affected the poor because they were so expensive, but in the present, almost everyone has a cellphone
even if it's a Tracfone.

4. •
• Thread 3
• 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.
•
• 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.)
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• One design that was impacted by a diversity group was the need for disabled entrances to public places. This is especially noticed at schools, In
schools today, many of them have elevators for disabled people to go up and down the floors easily. Before these elevators were installed, it would
have been very difficult for a disabled person to do this task. Also, this helps many disabled people at restaurants. Basically every time I go to a
restaurant i see someone (especially old people) using the ramps that they have in place instead of the stairs. On a personal level, my cousin has a
disability where one section of the left side of her brain needed to be removed basically at birth so it's especially hard for her to move her right arm
and leg. Without these implementations at schools and other places my aunt would have a very hard time getting her from place to place.

5. •
• Thread 1: FROM: Chapter in Media/Society and TED Talk Photos that Changed the World
• 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 think these images would go under the "media message or product" category. As you look through the images
while you hear Jonathan Klein talk, basically every one of them was most likely taken to show a message. The
sailor kissing the girl after World War Two is an iconic photo and the message sent was that it's a cheerful time
that the war is finally over. In addition to the cheerful photos, there were an overwhelming amount of vulgar
images. One of those images is the photos or the dead victims of the Holocaust at a concentration camp. These
images illicit very powerful emotions in people. It shows how evil humans can really be to each other and that the
Holocaust was possibly the most inhumane event in human history, in my opinion.
• The photo I would like to use as my example for this question is the photo after the World Trade Center building
collapsed with the American flag being raised. This is a very powerful image because it shows many things.
Basically all of my life that I can remember the United States has been at war with radical Islamic terrorism. From
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to 9/11, both have an impact on all of our lives even today. This photo especially,
communicates the destruction of 9/11. The photo is symbolic because the firefighters raising the flag provides the
thought that even with this catastrophic event, the United States will rise above it and grow stronger even after
the effects of terrorism.

6. • Thread 2: FROM: “Fashioning Protest for the Women’s March on Washington” and “The Worst Design of 2016 Was Also
the Most Effective”
• 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 two hats represent the candidates of the 2016 election for president. The red "Make America Great Again" hat being
Donald Trump's and Hillary Clinton's supporters wearing pink "pussyhats". In the article about Trump's hat, it said mostly
that the hat was a bad design that resonated with Middle America. In mine, and many other people's opinions, this hat was
a big reason why Trump won the election. The design and logo of the hat was so simple and easy to say that many
people even kids in grade school were saying it. This allowed the slogan to be easily communicated across social media and
just regular talk with friends. In my opinion the simple design of Trump's hat was intentional. One reason why is because
how much the campaign spent on producing these hats. They obviously knew they had struck a good design. Another
reason why I thought it was intentional was because of the campaign's focus on Middle America. This basically won him the
election because many of the people in Middle America were tired of the same old politics that weren't working well for
them. In regard to Hillary's design, this article also stated that Hillary's hats with her logo were better designed and that the
people who voted for her would most likely be doing so because she would continue President Obama's policies. This is
probably true but it just shows that even a design as simple as Trump's can be enough. In the second article, the
pussyhats were the focus of the discussion. They were made in a sort of protest to what Trump had said on a hot mic behind
the scenes of Access Hollywood in which he said the comments about the woman's genitals. Despite them very looking
different from each other, these hats are both similar in that they each support a position that their respective candidate
also supports. They are also very different from each other. The pussyhats were made for a reason that wasn't a political
slogan but rather as a protest to what Trump said. Trump's hat differs because there is actual writing on it and it was his
political slogan. Both of these hats were effective in the point they were trying to make.
•
• Thread 1: Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and "The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI" by Maurice
Conti

7. • 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?
•
• There were many social consequences to Ford's assembly line. Perhaps the biggest change was to how people
worked. Before the assembly line, workers in a factory built all of their products one by one. With the assembly
line, they realized they could make the same products much quicker and cheaper than before with everyone
working on a special part of the product. Another social consequence was that many people's lives were benefited
because of the assembly line. With Ford making so much more money, he could afford to pay his employees more
money than what they were already getting. In turn, the entire US economy got a boost because with their higher
wages, people could afford to buy things that they couldn't before. The changes of the world from the assembly
line still benefit us today because without it, wages for unskilled work would probably be low.
• I really liked this TED Talk. It was so interesting because of what kind of aspirations Maurice Conti has for the world
in the next 20 years. In contrast to Maurice Conti, I don't think the manufacturing process will change that much in
the next 20 years. I don't believe all of the things he was talking about at the end of the video are going to
happen. One thing I do see potential for is self driving cars. As many people know, major car companies are
already putting in tons of money into their automated car projects. In regards to the manufacturing process, there
might be a few more machines implemented in factories and such, but i don't think people will take too kindly to
losing their jobs to machines very quickly. If the manufacturing process does change though, I think people won't
be very happy about it. One reason for this is because humans as a species are very resistant to change. There
would be a big societal change because those relatively unskilled workers will have to find another "unskilled" job.

8. •
• Thread 2: Response IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
• Top of Form
• 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? Do you know of any products that embrace Cradle-to-
Cradle design? If so, please describe.
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•
• The product that seems to defy the Cradle-to-Cradle concept is the HP Omen gaming computer. This is an easy observation because basically all
electronics have a relatively short lifespan for multiple reasons. A reason for this is that the lithium ion battery on mostly all electronic devices slowly
loses it's charging capabilities after many charges. Another reason for their short lifespan is that another newer and better model comes out so
people usually buy the newer device. The problem with these devices is that some of the parts can't be reused, especially the battery, which makes
the product not be considered a Cradle-to-Cradle product. After doing a bit of research, I realized that cleaning products are a perfect Cradle-to-
Cradle product. This is the case because the cleaning products now are mostly safe for the environment and the plastic container they come in is
recyclable.
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9. • 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.)
•
• For my sensibilities about the present building, I chose the Victor Gruen mall design. Also, for the past sensibility I
am going to choose the Dulles Airport.
• The Victor Gruen mall design came about because Victor was concerned that people wouldn't socialize anymore
and just have their own private lives. The video said he was a socialist and that's the reason he was concerned
about this problem. This connects to the present because we are in an age where everyone is on electronics and
face-to-face social interaction has decreased due to these advances in technology. The shopping mall brings
people together for at least a little social interaction. This has led to malls being created all around the country for
people's shopping needs.
• The Dulles Airport was a great innovation made for the new form of transportation, jet aircraft. Having jets means
there needs to be more space at the airport because of their size. The design of this airport was unique because
Dulles wanted to create an airport that didn't have people walking so far to get to their flight. An innovation that
came with this airport to help with this problem was the mobile lounge that took people to their planes from the
actual airport itself. This is no longer needed because the planes are parked at the walkway to the plane and it's
much faster to get around inside the airport nowadays.

10. •
• 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.)
•
• Ballantyne and Zumthor are similar in that they both have found a deeper meaning to architecture. For example,
Ballantyne’s ideas about buildings are all about what you're going to be doing in the building. He goes into this a
little more in the "Background" section of his article. Zumthor is similar in that he memorizes a lot of houses on
the inside and takes that into consideration for his upcoming designs.
• One way Ballantyne and Zumthor differ is both of their personal philosophies about architecture. For example,
Zumthor, in his piece talks about how his memories “contain the deepest architectural experience that I know."
Before that, Zumthor was talking about how he always remembers his aunt’s house and all of the senses that he
felt when he was there. Ballantyne's philosophy about architecture is different in that his ideas about architecture
all have to do with habits. He starts out his work by talking about how the buildings in our lives are in the
background, but are involved in our system of habits. He also goes into this at the end of the article about people
leaving their homes and negative effects of habits.
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• Bottom of Form
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11. • 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?
•
• Olmstead's claim that Buffalo is the best planned city is because of the Urban Park System. This is a type of system
in which the streets and ways to get around are built in a park like fashion. So instead of driving through a bunch
of huge buildings everywhere you go, you're driving through nature in its purest form. He also wanted to protect
one of North America's natural wonders, Niagra Falls. He saw that the changing times due to industrialization were
inevitably going to be an issue concerning the Falls so he wanted to keep it as a "wild" area. As the woman said in
the end of the opening to the video, the Falls are beautiful from the Canadian side because of Olmstead's actions.
I think that Olmstead would still think that Buffalo is one of the best designed cities in the world. I believe this
because of the simple reason that nothing has changed much. The parks around Buffalo are still set up so that
you're driving through them, leaving the nature part into the experience. Another reason why his claim would be
true today is because of Niagra Falls. When you go to the Falls today you still get the feeling that you're walking
thorugh pure nature all the way to the actual Falls.
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• 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

12. • 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.)
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• This is a very concerning image by the white supremacist Nick Bougas and his pen name "A Wyatt Man". This pen
name is supposed to mean "a white man". After doing a little more research I figured out that his images a
frequently found on 4Chan and they have gained a following. I think it's pretty concerning that people feel this
way about a race in general and I find this picture to be a horrible representation of black people. It's literally
saying that when you're around a black person don't let your guard down because more likely than not, they are
prone to attacking you. I can't even imagine what a black person seeing this would think. I would imagine there
would be some disappointment and anger that another human would think that about their race even though all
races commit crimes. Tris differs from my opinion about it because it doesn't directly affect me. I know for a fact if
I were a black person, I wouldn't be very happy that a substantial amount of people think this about my race and
are spreading more than just this picture online.
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13. • 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? (Limit your response to 250 words.)
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• The only thing i can think of that's in my house that can be anything close to representing my ethnic
background is my mantle. The mantle has many things on it and it changes from season to season.
My parents are moderate Roman Catholics so they have their Jesus statues and that kind of thing. It
gets more in depth with Jesus when Christmas comes around as well. We also have an American
flag on there at all times too. In regard to the place in the community having a place for
underrepresented groups, we have none. The place where I live is more of a bunch of
country/farmer types and old people.
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14. • 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?
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• Many people on here will probably disagree with me but, yes I believe they should be able to use
ethnic references. I believe this because I think it's a relatively overblown "problem". It would be
one thing if the team names were something actually offensive but, every team name that I've seen
wouldn't qualify as being offensive in my opinion. Also, even if you're offended by one of the team
names, why even pay any attention to it? You're only making it an issue because you want to in my
opinion (albeit, an unpopular one probably in this forum). Maybe because I'm white it just doesn't
effect me like it does other races but, I don't think it's much of an issue at all.
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15. • 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?
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• In my opinion, yes, I believe people should use the bathroom of the gender they are born
with. Some people may not like this viewpoint, but it is the correct one in my opinion. One of the
reasons why I agree with the law is because going into a bathroom that isn't for the gender you
were born with just creates more problems than it should. I don't understand why people have
such a problem with what bathroom they are allowed to go into. In my opinion, it shouldn't really
be an issue. On the other hand, I do understand the opposite situation. One example of that would
be if you were born as a gender that has the opposite genitalia. I feel like this is one of the only
situations where I would think it would be acceptable to go into the bathroom of your choosing.
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16. • 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?
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• First off, I'm not sure advancements in technology will increase our lifespans. I tend to
believe humans have reached basically the peak of our lifespans. If you look at the people who
actually live that long, they are pretty much brittle and need help to do everything. So that is the
reason for my belief. For the sake of the post, if lifespans were increased by the amount
Enriquez hypothesizes, there would be many changes in the world. One change that would
probably occur is expansion of cities. As more people are born, and more of them live longer, there
needs to be more housing so skyscrapers would needs to get even larger. Designers might have
trouble getting skyscrapers to get larger in size because it could be dangerous if they're too
tall. Similarly to today, as the Babyboomers continue to retire and go into nursing homes and such,
there needs to be more nurses and doctors going into the medical field. Instead of just needing
more nurses and doctors for a "boom" in retirement, there would need to be an increase of people
in the medical field at all times instead of one special period of time.
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17. • Our 2017 Design-A-Baby survey yielded the following characteristics as indicated by a majority of you:
• Sex: Male (47%)
• Hair Color: Dark Brown (22%)
• Hair Texture: Wavy (33%)
• Eye Color: Blue (26%)
• Race: Caucasian (36%)
• Height: 5’-10” to 6’-1” (45%)
• IQ: 131-140 (20%)
• Memory: Excellent (43%)
• Athletic Ability: Excellent (43%)
• Weight: Average (79%)
• Disease Carrier: None (85%)
• Beauty: Somewhat attractive (46%)
• Empathy: Very empathetic (38%)
• Creativity: Very creative (37%)
• Sounds like an all-around lovely person!
• 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:
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• I think we should learn that it might not be an easy adaptation for some people in terms of others making the kind of child they want to have. For example, when abortion was introduced
there were many people against it and there still are. Eventually, there was a Supreme Court case ruling on it that declared it legal. Now it's probably safe to say that most people are pro-
choice. I bring this up because it could be the same situation with people choosing the type of baby they want. If I had my choice i would probably want to be able to choose the type of
baby i was going to have. I think it's an amazing idea to literally be able to choose what your baby will look like and what its characteristics would be. Although it might be a little weird, I
think it'd benefit a lot of people. Especially people with a history of diseases in the family, I don;t know exactly how the new technology would work but if scientists could eliminate that
gene or whatever it would work very well.This type of birth might not be okay for some people because of the element of surprise when having a baby. Many people probably have the
mindset that your child should be totally random and you should accept whatever it turns out to be. Either way, I think being able to choose your child's characteristics would be a great
thing.
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18. • Image came from google images