Video reflection: Who killed the electric car?

The video to me highlighted one of the many sad truths where money, powerful industries and organisations combine to force what could of being an idea of great benefit towards the future. In this case it was the electric car but there probably are a great many more bright and sustainable ideas out there which were diminished by organisations securing their own profits as well as many other colliding interests.

Featuring the General motors’ EV1 model electric car the film walks views through a glimpse of its success to its unexpected and unbelievable disappearance. This idea of running our private transport really did seem to have enjoyed a slight hope of success and helping society to be more efficient and clean. The interviews individuals throughout the film really showed that such idea is realistic and not just a dream concept. Although arguably during the Ev1’s time technology wasn’t so forgiving and did in many aspects was not able to suit the needs for all people. This however wasn’t the main obstacle this alternative design was confronted with, more so with colliding interests of the government and the oil industries.

It is no news to the general public that these organisations would do anything to secure their profits, utilising its monopolistic market where fuel would be the only scarce and sole choice of how we roll. Argued to be easier to process at the same time generating more power for the engine, fossil fuels unfortunately have been the choice to explore and develop upon much more than any other method. The video shows various other possible or plausible sources of fuel such as Hydrogen cell and hybrids etc. These however were proven expensive and again constantly challenged by external organisations and consumers. However today as fuel becomes more expensive and also as society grows and becomes more aware of pollution and global warming these electric and cleaner energy sources increasingly becomes apparent and important. It sounds there is almost no great intrinsic issue for most who live and work in short distances within the city to be driving an electric car. As our battery technology improves and fuel prices go up, there should be no reason why anyone would want to stick to this primitive and polluting fuel. Being able to charge at home is also ideal compared to waiting for best fuel price days on a weekly basis. There are many more advantages to it, the main problem for now is its development and service availability (due to the fact much of the population have yet to accept it.

This story depicts the demise of only one green idea, there could be a great many more. In fact in recent years many more eco friendly designs have emerged throughout the world; they’re success really depends on widespread consumer acceptance. Essentially it seems the key to living more efficiently and sustainably the problem for us isn’t so much technological capabilities but more so the collusion with interests and profits alongside with reluctance or ignorance of the general public. An idea is really up to consumers to accept and spread, only once any government or organisation allows it to be. 

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Cormack project 2012 peer comments

Patrick Luwia:
 http://pluwia.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/cormack-submission.html

Anastasie Panagopoulos

 http://stasiep.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/final-week-packaging-project.html#comment-form

Aryetta Pazpinis: 

http://z3333129.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/rationale-dinovites_9.html

Sheena Huang: 

http://whereisthecake.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/playtime-submarine.html?showComment=1347276553982#c1664610502146581282

Andrew Bae:

http://baejin.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/cormack-innovation-awards-normal-0.html?showComment=1347276889934#c6036917061305100790

2012 Cormack Legs Eleven packaging design

This Shampoo bottle packaging design is based about fresh user interaction and problem resolution in shampoo bottles. Key focuses are fun, affordance and simplicity. Starting fresh on the market shelf is vital in capturing attention and raising target market awareness. For this project the target consumer (end user) are children around the age of five years above, this highlights a stage in the child’s life where independent bathroom training becomes more relevant.

The design aims to capture a very basic and intuitive squeeze action common in most bathroom packaging. However introducing new user feedback, implementing a flexible silicon valve controls the quantity per squeeze also adding some fun each squeeze.

Though on top of that is the risk of children having too much fun; the slim bottle shape restricts and extends time taken to air to re-enter ready for the next output, this ultimately reduces chances of over squeezing at once. This silicon mouth also stops any content especially one viscous such as shampoo without squeezing. This enables the shampoo bottle to stand in a different orientation (in a way which content will sink and collect near the mouth) therefore reducing hassle near the empty stage. ­­­the design also eliminates the need for screw cap, or living hinge, this objectively simplifies manufacturing and material required. Having only two components this shampoo bottle design also minimised assembly costs, simply able to clip together (no moulded threads required).

Hygiene is also an evitable consideration; where many bottles are simply placed on the shower floor if not on a shower caddy. The areas of contact are prone to mould growth and contamination. To prevent such the design recesses the mouth which protects intimate mould contact (whilst the silicon valve acts as a tight seal).

Doi’s (custom brand) shampoo bottle design for kids also comes in a playful colour range and flavours. A fresh shape and unlike many ordinary shampoo packaging which traditionally rely on graphics to be child attractive. A frog theme was used to set a context of use within a wet environment, also aims to add fun and interest to children. The shape however is kept slightly subtle and not over featured (frog-wise) to still facilitate within the product language. ­­ In essence, Fun, Simple and hygienic. 

Chieh-Min Lee