Tuesday 14 May 2013

Monday 13 May 2013

I endeavor to undertake an in depth look at ‘Graphic Design’ as a discipline, and as a tool. I will consider questions such as the following: How has this subject evolved over thepast two centuries? And have the transformations been desirable or have they inadvertently acted as a means of weakening the prestige and standing of this renowned field?

Although the original disciplines of text and pictures – typography , illustration and photography, are key and fundamental to Graphic Design as a subject, the recent incorporation of other methods and types of design and information technology have added to the pool of possible materials a graphic designer has recourse to. This should be seen as a positive addition to this field of study, in my opinion, since it prevents Graphic Design from becoming out-dated and therefore less reputable.

I consider that the changes made in the study of Graphic Design, however radical and all-encompasing they may seem and be, are merely byproducts and reflections of the radically and swiftly changing world in which we live in. In order to survive in an environment where development is consistently shaping the way we live our lives, all fields of study will undoubtedly be affected in greater or lesser degrees. Since Graphic Design can be classed as a form of ‘art’, it is naturally more susceptible to change in order to best accommodate the needs of its clients. As competition between companies and organisations intensifies, we see a need for graphic designers to be increasingly more creative, talented and skilled; the more so, the better.

Some may argue that with its pan discipline approach, graphic design may have over-extended itself and become a ‘jack of all trades with no real mastery of anything in particular’. Although this may seem to be the case when one takes an overview of the methods and techniques used, on a closer investigation, this may not be a negative criticism at all. Maybe we have to start thinking outside the box. Maybe a graphic designer with command of numerous procedures and methods such as 3D design and virtual imaging is not someone who has ‘no real mastery of anything in particular’ rather, is someone with mastery of many tricks of the trade. And in a world where innovation and creativity have become key to success, this is surely an advantage to an aspiring graphic designer, rather than an unwanted shadow looming over the profession.

My notion of graphic design encompases a constantly adjusting discipline which embraces innovations and advances in design, technology and art that take place as a result of human development and progress. The viusal communication and presentation of a graphic designer’s work is the aim and purpose of any venture, and of course, they may chose to employ whatever means necessary and appropriate to achieve it. Do I believe it is an immaculate and finished product? I think that would be too much to ask of any given discipline, and I do not believe that any field of study, beit artistic or scientific in nature, is completely polished and perfect. For instance, law, which governs people’s relations and actions, money and livelihoods is far from complete and so we cannot conceivably expect perfection from other disciplines. Graphic Design has undergone many modifications, and I feel that this has been for the best because it means that graphic designers are better equipped with dealing with the creative challenges they will face in industry.

Our Homes Are Mirrors of Ourselve

Introduction:

Domicile is first condition to fulfill a life (Bevan 1999). For why I’m going to describe about my domicile which is student’s accommodation? Where my time line of my life is related in here my sensible nuance always works for. And now, I’m going to describe my entire nuance about my accommodation which seems to my mirror.

Picture: My Room My Mirror (Fischer and Nakakoji 1997)

Description:

“A room is any distinguishable space within a structure. According to Chackbarti and Bligh (2001) usually, a room is separated from other spaces or passageways by interior walls; moreover, it is separated from outdoor areas by an exterior wall, sometimes with a door. Historically the use of rooms dates at least to early Minoan cultures about 2200 BC, where excavations on Santorini, Greece at Akrotiri reveal clearly defined rooms within certain structures” (Cheng and Kvan 2000).My room is maintaining this definition and as I am going to describe about my accommodation, this project is all way related to my domicile. In where, I have taken help from a “Google Sketch Up” to create my design (Fischer and Nakakoji 1997). That is it, when I arranged my room in first time; I also used this to make my room as my mirror. In that time, I tried to make this happen by Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Quark Express and etc. But it was quite impossible to work with these to make my room as I want to.Before using Google Sketch Up I also become acknowledgement about one helper or tool by which I have been satisfied. (Jeng and Eastman 1998). For why this project is really become related to me and my life. From bed to bed or brush to brush my room gives company with me. Because, when I need to sleep, it’s my room which shows me the way to do it. After my waking up, I do my brush, have my bath, take my breakfast, change my cloths, go for class or sit on my PC, do my thinking, take rest, do my study etc. and last go my bed again for recharging my Brain and my body. For why, my time line of my life is fully approximately related to my room. My room is placed with my classmates which is actually students’ accommodation. I take my meal to the table where I study and work in other times. In my room there is two different kinds of chairs. One is for my study which is folding chair and another one is for my other activities like work. Between them, study chair is my favorite one. Sometimes I see many kinds of movie in my PC like Hollywood Movies & Some Irene Movies. Among all movies which I have seen from the beginning to now, I like the Disney Movies⁵. And in book site, I always like to read and the favorite book becomes “How to Win Friends and Influence People”⁶.I leave my brought up place. Now I stay with my class friends in a student accommodation where my friends always try to share one another feelings whatever it’s good or bad, which is the reason to make comfortable with life Though I always miss my parents, my younger sister and elder brother,. There are many kind of difference between these two places, one is quite easy for live and another is not. One gives me my parents love and another gives me friends company. One is bounded by parents order and another is bounded by own orders. But the main difference becomes I was with my parents in my brought up place, but now I am with my friends. And now I always miss them from my bottom of my heart. From the beginning of my life I am very much expert to mix up with different kind of atmosphere. For why, when I have changed my accommodation I was not worry at all. And now I am living my room which is my mirror, its environment is my energetic for me.

My room is the best room for mine. In my room I feel very comfortable. First of all, my room is Single room which is just for me. It has everything what a student had to have and it makes my room ‘A Complete Satisfied Room’. My room is very quiet and that’s why most of my complex works are done in here sometimes which are useful and sometimes which are not. All of my personal duty has become true in here. It has no window that’s why it is very good for studying. The spaces of the room give anyone the refreshes so the feelings will be great in staying here. There is actually everything for me in this room. My room has a very decent single bed in its corner, when I feel tired I took a short nap in my bed. There is also a study desk, in the desk there is a bookshelf in it where I put all sorts of book I like to read a lot books in my room. In my desk I do lot of work. There is a window in front of which the garden can be seen. A little breeze comes from the south so that the inside feeling is so much invigorated by the weather. There is also an attached bathroom which is also well decorated. The roominess of the room gives me extra relax and refresh (Rubin 1994). I study, read different sort of books above all kind of books I like the science fiction most eat my meal watch movie, drama, anime as well as do my regular assignment with my laptop. There is also a guestroom and a lounge for the guests. There is a closet in the corner shelf. My important things will be kept on that shelf. The view from the room is very important for me. There is a huge Locker under my bed, in that Locker I put my entire important thing and lock it safely. There is a very beautiful clock in my room. I always try to keep my room neat and clean. Because of all this furniture the room looks very gorgeous. My room also have an attach bathroom so it’s very easy for me to get fresh whenever I want. I can surely say that my room is the complete room for a student. All over the things I just know that Satisfaction is most important thing for anything. Someone gets it from whatever they have and someone’s not. And here comes twist for me cause I always satisfies with what I have. For why I am also satisfied with my room.

Conclusion:

“The pleasure to be found in travelling round one's room is sheltered from the restless jealousy of men, and is independent of Fortune” ⁷. (Ngor 2001) states the quotation has a valuable message about one’s room in which I also have trusts. I may lie before about this fact and so am I. Because, anyone should fervently conjure and beseech that they also want their room not only neat and clean but also updated. I do hereby declare that I have discovered many hidden things from my room which is now encouraging me to go forward. The precious thing I also discovered is my room is surely my mirror (Schon 1983). I have to say that this assignment may for one time but it gives me some life time acknowledgement. It also gives rhythm feelings about my room: “Like An Angel Passing through My Room”⁸.

References:

1. Bevan, N., 1999. Design for usability. In Proceedings of HCI International,Munich, August, 22.P.10e.

2. Chakbarti, A. and Bligh, T. P., 2001. A scheme for functional reasoning in conceptual design. Design Studies, 22(6), 493-517.

3. Cheng, N. and Kvan, T., 2000. Design collaboration strategies. In Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Design and Decision Support Systems in Architecture, p. 62-73.

4. Fischer, G. and Nakakoji, K., 1997. Computational environments supporting creativity in the context of lifelong learning and design. Special Issue of International Journal of Knowledge-based Systems, vol.10, 21-28.

5. Jeng T. S. and Eastman, C. M., 1998. Database architecture for design collaboration. Automation in Construction, 7(6), 475-483.

6. Ngor, A., 2001. The prospects for using the Internet in collaborative design education with China. Higher Education, 42(1), 47-60.

7. Rubin, J., 1994. Handbook of usability testing: How to plan, design, and conduct effective tests. Canada: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

8. Schon, D. A., 1983. The Reflective Practitioner: How professionals think inaction. San Francisco: Basic Books.

A disaster waiting to happen part 1

Disaster

Korstanje (2011) Wide level of hazard is happen by the substantial radical change to the environment, loss of life, physical injury or destruction is regard as a disaster which may be the natural or man-made or technological. Earthquakes, catastrophic accidents, floods, explosions or fires are causes of disaster happen. Barton (1969) Disaster can happen in the damage of property, social, economic and cultural life. When risk is managed inappropriately then disasters are seen. In developing countries, the consequence of disasters has the greatest costs and more than 95 percent of all deaths are happen for the disasters. Developing countries suffer about 20 times greater than the industrialized when natural disasters are happen.

A disaster waiting to happen: The changing climate and a warming world

Miletiand Fitzpatrick (1992) in global average air and ocean temperatures is the cause of warming of the climate system which is unambiguous and also the cause of pervasive melting of snow and ice which increases the global average sea level. It is previously happened the ‘Unequivocal’- ‘climate change’ which sends a clear message to the scientific community as well as the world. Phillips (2005) The greenhouse result at work in our world's climate structures is the natural dynamic force after climate change. Without entering the atmosphere about 30 per cent solar radiation reaches the earth from the sun, and is reflected back into space. Wilson (2010) The atmosphere absorbed Another 20 per cent is immediately and 50 per cent reaches the Earth's surface which was the remaining. Much of solar radiation is absorbed and the rest reflected back towards the atmosphere. Maintaining an energy balance is happen if the amount of solar radiation the amount reflected is about equal to that reaches the Earth. To sustaining life on Earth and the environment would not be favorable without this greenhouse effect. Beck (2006) By two components of the atmosphere is now being altered this energy balance. The first element is the greenhouse gases (GHGs). The energy reflected from the surface of the earth is apprehended by the greenhouse gases (GHGs) and it keeps energy in our atmosphere and warming the earth. Second one is aerosols - miniscule particles. Quarantelli (2008) Before reaching energy to the atmosphere, Aerosols - miniscule particles reflect solar radiation back into space and suspended it as well as cool the Earth. Paul et al. (2003) The long-term, natural climate deviations are the impacts of human actions which are now outpacing. Human activities have unconfined greenhouse gases and aerosols into the atmosphere to the agricultural revolution of the 18th century and the natural greenhouse gas process were at a small scale. Barton (1969) Until the turn of Industrial Revolution in the 20th century, it was not trapping more greenhouse gas emissions and our actions increased dramatically. More heat in the atmosphere causing human-induced climate change.

Changes in greenhouse gases

Miletiand Fitzpatrick (1992) 13 per cent of discharges are made by the agricultural and transport sector. Methane and nitrous oxide emissions are the main provider to the agriculture. From The biomass decomposition, methane digestion processed and it is produced from the livestock like cows. Phillips (2005) Due to excess nitrogen emits nitrous oxide, soil and manure produce chemical reactions. Over a 100 year period as a greenhouse emission, methane of about 25 times that of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide.

Figure: Global emissions: Share of global emissions in CO2 equivalent, 2004.

Source: State of the World 2009, Worldwatch Institute

Climate changes

Paul et al. (2003) The Earth was warmed over 0.7°C in 1901. Our actions in the short and mid-term are heavily dependent to the warming in future. Beck (2006) The Earth's climate systems are weakening for the anthropogenic emissions. This is generating positive reactions in the climate which directly distresses to the air and ocean temperature, rainfall and extreme weather events. Quarantelli (2008) Global average air and ocean temperatures will rise due to more heat confined in the atmosphere leads to raising the sea level, ecosystem deviations, melting ice and snow at sea. More clouds are resulting for more evaporated water that cans warmer air temperatures. Increases the albedo decreases the amount solar radioactive energy of the Earth. Alexander (2002) A recent study found that the effects of climate change for the carbon dioxide lasting more than 1,000 years while existing and forthcoming actions will not deter the 0.1°C warming to decrease emanations and it can stop further heating. Hilhorst (2003) The quantity of hot days and hot nights are on the upsurge while the quantity of cold days and cold nights in most of the world has a 90 per cent of lessening. Heavy rainfall which can subsidize to flooding will make more regular appearances due to upsurge the Heat waves. Barton (1969) Based on each exclusive location and ecology these changes will have unequal influences on areas of the world. Sub-tropical counties are projected to accept less rainwater whereas tropical Countries further anticipated experiencing heavier rainfall. Alexander (2002) The world could warm by 1.8-4.0°C by 2100 according to an international scientific body: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Sea level will rise and attainment of the one meter for the upgrading of warming air temperatures and ice sheet melting. Paul et al. (2003) For reference, changing coastlines of fluctuating levels of all countries will see high coasts. On the other hand, Low-lying coastal countries could witness flooding of large portions of their land and populated heavily to these areas. One meter of sea level rise is the cause of flooding of 14,000-30,000 km2 or 10-20 per cent of total area in Bangladesh.

Current impacts

Miletiand Fitzpatrick (1992) Glaciers and sea ice are already melting at increasing rates. The ice loss during the 1996-2005 is twice than the previous decade ice loss. Beck (2006) Due to increase in the warming temperatures of sea surface and ocean acidification, an indicator of ocean health and stability Coral reefs dying off at an alarming rate. 20 per cent of the world's coral reefs had been destroyed in 2008 due to increase the warming temperatures of sea surface and ocean acidification. Hilhorst (2003) All coral reefs are at risk of extinction which should taking into consideration. Paul et al. (2003) Land impacts for the recent climate changes are quite diverse. Severe heat waves, Expanding ranges of pests and more frequent flooding events are three examples of Land impacts for the recent climate changes. Warmer winters have had devastating effects on forests and higher temperatures stressed drought conditions. Phillips (2005) these forests are important carbon sinks which take greenhouse gas emissions up. In 2007 alone 4 million acres of forest were killed in the western United States.

Figure 2: Freshwater vulnerabilities: Examples of current vulnerabilities of freshwater resources and their management

Source: IPCC (2010)

Paul et al. (2003) Weather climate change would increase the strength and sternness of extreme events which is considered normal for these events. Anthropogenic emissions rise and the quantity of weather-related disasters and temperature changes are anticipated to play a significant role in these events globally. Wilson (2010) Average 300 weather-related disasters and risks are like winter storms, hurricanes, flooding and wildfires in a year which is supposed to rise to 480 in the 1990s. Weather-related catastrophes have increased to 620 in the last decade. Meanwhile, as a result of an intense hurricane season, $214 billion (USD) economic losses occurred in the worldwide in 2005.

Future impacts

Phillips (2005) On the human vulnerabilities and Earth, future influences could be numerous of climate change. More annual rainfall will be happen in some regions of the world and the water resources will go rise and below ground will also be strained in many regions of the world.

Figure 3: Future water vulnerability: World map of future water vulnerabilities

Source: IPCC (2010)

Quarantelli (2008) Regions dependent on groundwater bases might also experience difficulties by the climate change as water for boosting aquifers decreases. Many aquifers are being excavated for water at an unmaintainable degree. A weakening in rainwater resources could generate waves of unpredictability in both accepted and human systems, impacting agriculture and food safety, ecological unit and biodiversity, human health, settlements and substructure, the economy, health, and of course the water source. Miletiand Fitzpatrick (1992) Climate change will pressure food security in the human system which to effects on natural systems will be increased soil erosion. Sub-tropical areas are projected to accept much less rainfall to seasonal heat which is very sensitive to the agricultural productivity. Barton (1969) To attain or preserve food security, vulnerable communities and the sub-tropics and tropics will become the norm by the next century and the average temperature will exceed during season. The task of protecting and improving human health becomes increasingly unwieldy as ranges for vectors that carry diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and osmosis extend further in latitude and altitude to regions that were previously protected by their cold winter conditions. The intensity and seasonality of vector-borne disease outbreaks are projected to change as well.

Global response

Wilson (2010) For the global community, climate change is an immense challenge to breathtaking and makes a sustainable development in the climate and also preserves the food for the future. Undertake to alleviate the causes of climate change and adjust to climate change are the two option for the globe. Best option of sustainable development in the climate for the globe has to be found out by the world’s people. To a positive degree of short- and middle-term actions in the change will continue and adapt most of all countries. Deteriorate climate change susceptibilities with poverty and food uncertainty makes the countries in a great sufferings. Mitigation actions must be taken in all countries. Developed countries have contributed the majority of historic emissions which have brought the world to where it is now, but many developing countries are catching up in emissions very quickly and some are even surpassing developed country emissions levels. In 2007, China took the lead in total greenhouse gas emissions, displacing the United States. Preceding environmental difficulties responses to the world's different climate change in the late 1980s and to eliminate ozone-depleting substances from public use the global community militarized environmental difficulties. The belongings of these struggles will take longer to originate a similar united response to the Climate change. Paul et al. (2003) To defend their well-being and their living environment, the scientific community prepared the connection between acid rain and nitrogen pollution and sulphur. To limit or remove these discharges through national and local efforts, people responded to make the way of environmental safety, food security, reduction of pollution, balance the use of chemical, reduce the use of dangerous components, balance the bio-diversity, increase the natural resources and safe the natural resources for better Climate change in the world. However, greenhouse gases can blanket the entire planet if it will mix into the atmosphere by emitting from their sources.

Reference

1) Barton A.H. (1969). Communities in Disaster. A Sociological Analysis of Collective Stress Situations. SI: Ward Lock

2) Catastrophe and Culture: The Anthropology of Disaster. Susanna M. Hoffman and Anthony Oliver-Smith, Eds.. Santa Fe NM: School of American Research Press, 2002

3) G. Bankoff, G. Frerks, D. Hilhorst (eds.) (2003). Mapping Vulnerability: Disasters, Development and People. ISBN 1-85383-964-7.

4) D. Alexander (2002). Principles of Emergency planning and Management. Harpended: Terra publishing. ISBN 1-903544-10-6.

5) Quarantelli, E. L. (2008). “Conventional Beliefs and Counterintuitive Realities”. Conventional Beliefs and Counterintuitive Realities in Social Research: an international Quarterly of the social Sciences, Vol. 75 (3): 873-904.

6) Paul, B. K et al. (2003). “Public Response to Tornado Warnings: a comparative Study of the May 04, 2003 Tornadoes in Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee”. Quick Response Research Report, no 165, Natural Hazard Center, Universidad of Colorado

7) Kahneman, D. y Tversky, A. (1984). “Choices, Values and frames”. American Psychologist 39 (4): 341-350.

8) Beck, U. (2006). Risk Society, towards a new modernity. Buenos Aires, Paidos

9) Aguirre, B. E & Quarantelli, E. H. (2008). “Phenomenology of Death Counts in Disasters: the invisible dead in the 9/11 WTC attack”. International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters. Vol. 26 (1): 19-39.

10) Wilson, H. (2010). “Divine Sovereignty and The Global Climate Change debate”. Essays in Philosophy. Vol. 11 (1): 1-7

11) Uscher-Pines, L. (2009). “Health effects of Relocation following disasters: a systematic review of literature”. Disasters. Vol. 33 (1): 1-22.

12) Scheper-Hughes, N. (2005). “Katrina: the disaster and its doubles”. Anthropology Today. Vol. 21 (6).

13) Phillips, B. D. (2005). “Disaster as a Discipline: The Status of Emergency Management Education in the US”. International Journal of Mass-Emergencies and Disasters. Vol. 23 (1): 111-140.

14) Mileti, D. and Fitzpatrick, C. (1992). “The causal sequence of Risk communication in the Parkfield Earthquake Prediction experiment”. Risk Analysis. Vol. 12: 393-400.

15) Korstanje, M. (2011). "The Scientific Sensationalism: short commentaries along with scientific risk perception". E Journalist. Volume 10, Issue 2.

16) Korstanje, M. (2011). "Swine Flu, beyond the principle of Reisilience". International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, Vol. 2 Iss: 1, pp. 59 – 73

A disaster waiting to happen: The changing climate and a warming world

Submitted by: Abdullah

Contents