Definition of Include

Include
verb (used with object)
1. to contain, as a whole does parts or any part or element: The package includes the computer, program, disks, and a manual.
2. to place in an aggregate, class, category, or the like.
3. to contain as a subordinate element; involve as a factor.

What I learned about my object that I didn't really consider-

After all the mind maps and brainstorming and word lists, etc, etc. It's hard to find a quality about the little soy sauce packet that you did not think of before. When we made our prototype, we thought it was better in every single way. We fixed all the problems and kept the positives. Until... we conducted a few interviews. Our group had thought about the fact that the soy sauce packet was not reusable but we did not approach the idea and dropped it early on. One of the people we interviewed mentioned that she never used the whole packet really and she wished she could save the soy sauce again for another time. Since we had made this to-go packet which just naturally, we would want to throw away, we did not think about it. This idea is not too abstract, I'm surprised we did not try to approach it and take on the challenge of a resealable lid. I'll be sure to think of it next time! (;

My Storyboard Process Statement

The idea for our video was to showcase how messy and terrible the typical to-go soy sauce packet actually is. Mostly everyone has tried to use these packets, and miserably failed, so for those who do not know, watch our video. It starts with hands desperately attempting to open the soy sauce over their meal. They are at the table and ready to eat. They finally get it open and it spills everywhere because the person opening the packet accidentally ripped it too far. After getting frustrated, they finally decide to grab scissors and open the soy sauce packet that way. Since you cannot dip into the soy sauce packet, we showed what happens if you try to pour the sauce onto the plate. A disastrous mess. It flows all around the surface. At last, we show a fresh plate of chinese food on top of a white tablecloth - a daring move for one who is about to eat soy sauce - and simple soy sauce gets brought into the film. The person opens the sauce slightly with ease and pours a beautiful “S” shape over the rice. Then the person sets the simple soy sauce down, picks up the egg roll, and proceeds to dip gently into the sauce container. No mess, no problems. A very real reenactment of the common soy sauce battle.

Kitty's Prototype Interviews

Kitty: What do you like about the new packet?

Grace: I like that you can do both dipping and pouring.

Kitty: Dislike?

Grace: I miss the panda design.

Kitty: How would you compare it to the old packets?

Grace: It is way easier to use than the old packets.

Kitty: What would you use it for?

Grace: I would use it to dip sushi in.

Kitty: How do you feel about it being recyclable?

Grace: It's cool that it is recyclable but it's not the most important thing in the world.

Kitty: What is your favorite quality of the new soy sauce?

Grace: It is very easy to open and I love the hard part of the top.

____

Kitty: What do you like about the packet?

Shaina: I like that it is transparent.

Kitty: Dislike?

Shaina: I don't really like how small the pull tab is.

Kitty: What do you like about this one compared to the traditional packet?

Shaina: You can pour, unlike the old packet. I can pour it on my rice.

Kitty: How do you feel about it being recyclable?

Shaina: I love it.

Kitty: What is your favorite quality about the new soy sauce container?

Shaina: It is way easier to open compared to the old packet.

____

Kitty: What do you like about the simple soy sauce container?

Robbin: I really like the size of it.

Kitty: Dislikes?

Robbin: There's nothing not to like.

Kitty: How do you like it compared to the old packets?

Robbin: It's way easier to open than the old packet. It's prettier and works for any type of food. 

Kitty: How do you feel about it being recyclable?

Robbin: I think that aspect makes it awesome.

Ellie's Prototype Interviews

Ellie: How often do you eat Chinese? 
Sarah: I don’t really like Chinese, I only eat it when my friends want it so probably once every two months.
Ellie: How do you use soy sauce? 
Sarah: I put it on everything, I like how salty it is.
Ellie: What do you like about this packet? 
Sarah: I feel like this packet makes much more sense than the other packet because it sits on the table and doesn’t spill.

Ellie: What do you dislike about this packet? 

Sarah: Nothing.
Ellie: Would you prefer this packet or a traditional packet? Why? 

Sarah: This one because it just makes more sense.
Ellie: What do you wish this packet could do that it doesn’t? 

Sarah: I wish the lid was easier to open.

_____


Ellie: How often do you eat Chinese? 
Megan: At least once a week.
Ellie: How do you use soy sauce? 
Megan: I like to pour it on my rice.
Ellie: What do you like about this packet? 
Megan: It seems like it would be easy to pour.

Ellie: What do you dislike about this packet? 

Megan: I don’t use this much soy sauce usually and wouldn’t need it all.
Ellie: Would you prefer this packet or a traditional packet? Why? 

Megan: Definitely this, it wouldn’t get all over my hands like the other packets.
Ellie: What do you wish this packet could do that it doesn’t? 

Megan: Maybe make it easier to save the left over sauce.

College Student Interview Hannah

Me: What do you use the soy sauce on? 

Hannah: My chinese food. Especially rice.

Me: Where do you put it after you use it?

Hannah: Next to my plate.

Me: How do you open the packet? and is it easy to open?

Hannah: With my teeth and no, it's real hard to open.

Me: Do you normally use the soy sauce for dipping or pouring? How?

Hannah: Pouring because I don't know how you would dip it.

Me: What do you like about the soy sauce packets?

Hannah: I like the panda on them. He's cute.

Me: What do you dislike about the packets? 

Hannah: The opening process and your fingers get all nasty. It puts a damper on the meal you were about to enjoy.

Me: If you could change one thing about the packet what would it be?

Hannah: Make it easier to open and make it bigger because I have to use like eight packets to make my rice taste the way I want it to.

Out of College (Young Adult) Interview

Me: What do you use the soy sauce on? 

Luke: What don't you use soy sauce on?

Me: Do you use the entire packet?

Luke: Most of it.

Me: Do you use the whole packet at once? 

Luke: Yes.

Me: Where do you put it after you use it?

Luke: In the trash can.

Me: How do you open the packet?

Luke: With my teeth.

Me: Is it easy to open?

Luke: If it were easy I'd use my fingers.

Me: Do you normally use the soy sauce for dipping or pouring.

Luke: Pouring.

Me: What do you like about the soy sauce packets?

Luke: It's clear and it carries soy sauce and it can be put in the refrigerator. It is easily transported and it is free.

Me: What do you dislike about the packets? 

Luke: It's hard to open and it has a bunch of fake chinese on it. Well, it might be real but I think they just threw it on there cause it looks cool.

Me: If you could change one thing about the packet what would it be?

Luke: Make it easier to open and that it doesn't spill everywhere when you open it. Sometimes it spills all down the side so it gets everywhere.

Ellie College Student Interview

Ellie: Do you dip or pour your soy sauce?
Shannon: Pour mostly.
Ellie: How often do you order to-go food?
Shannon: I order from Jade Garden about one or twice every two weeks.
Ellie: What do you do with your soy sauce packet when you are done using it?
Shannon: I set it in the to-go bag my food came in but it leaks and spills from the bottom of the bag.
Ellie: What do you dislike about the soy sauce packet?
Shannon: It's hard to open and it opens into the packet which makes it hard to pour. It makes more of a cut rather than a rip and I can never really get it all out.
Ellie: What do you like about the packet?
Shannon: There is usually enough in one packet.
Ellie: What do you want to change about the packet?
Shannon: Make it easier to pour.

Ellie's interview of an Elderly

Ellie: Do you order Chinese food?
Molly: I normally don't order Chinese food. I'll go to the restaurant. I typically go about once a month.
Ellie: Do you like to pour or dip your soy sauce?
Molly: I always pour it on my rice but I also like to dip chicken in it. I normally don't dip because it gets all over the place.
Ellie: Describe the soy sauce packet in one word.
Molly: Hassle
Ellie: What do you dislike about the packet?
Molly: It is hard to pour. It is hard to open especially if I have eaten something beforehand and have greasy hands.
Ellie: What do you like about the packet?
Molly: I can save it for later.

Adult Interview

Me: What do you use the soy sauce on? 
Teresa: Rice and Sushi.
Me: Do you use the entire packet?
Teresa: Yeah probably generally during a meal. But I normally just use one.
Me: Do you use the whole packet at once? 
Teresa: No. And those packets are a mess.
Me: Where do you put it after you use it?
Teresa: I try to angle it somehow so when it falls over it won't make a mess on my table cloth.
Me: How do you open the packet?
Teresa: I rip it open from the top down. I try to get just the corner open.
Me: Is it easy to open?
Teresa: Yeah, most of the time.
Me: Do you normally use the soy sauce for dipping or pouring.
Teresa: Pouring.
Me: What do you like about the soy sauce packets?
Teresa: They furnished them with the food so you you don't have to get it out of your own refrigerator. They're easy to open but they are kind of a mess if they fall over. It adds flavor so it adds value.
Me: What do you dislike about the packets? 
Teresa: It's hard to set it down when you don't put it all on at once. It gets all over stuff.
Me: If you could change one thing about the packet what would it be?
Teresa: I would probably prefer it to be in a little cup packet like those cream packets, so they would be easier to open and they wouldn't spill so easily.

College Student Interview

Me: What do you like about these packets?

Gina: I like the colors, the design on the duck sauce. It’s neat. I like the way they feel. They’re squishy. 

Me: Have you ever eaten with these packages? And have you faced any problems?

Gina: Yes, the soy sauce. Whenever I tear it open it gets all over my hands or sometimes it doesn’t fully tear and I can never get it open.

Me: When you use the soy sauce, do you normally use the whole packet?

Gina: Yes, however, it’s decieving because it looks like a lot but I always need to use more than one packet.

Me: Have you ever tried to pour using it?
Gina: Yes. I have to find somewhere to put it and it gets everywhere.

Me: What is the main thing you would change about this product?

Gina: Sometimes they are absolutely impossible to open. There needs to be a slit or something to help you open them.

Interview with Worker

Me: What do you like and not like about the soy sauce packets?

Worker: I don’t like how they squirt out everywhere. It’s messier and you have to get it all out. It’s easier to dip it into a container or something.

Me: Do you find it hard to open?

Worker: Not normally.

Me: What type of packaging do you use at this restaraunt?

Worker: We use small plastic containers with a removable lid. We normally give one container per to-go order, but I’ll give as many as they ask.

Me: Why do you use these containers rather than the typical plastic ones?

Worker: Honestly, to save money.

Commercial Example

Doritos Super Bowl Commercial
My dad loved this commercial. It was either the highest rated super bowl commercial from last year or one of the highest. The coolest thing about this video, is that it cost under $20, they claimed. Great idea, so simple yet genius. Love it.
- Rachel

Project Brief

For this project titled, "Make It Better! Design for Five Bucks," we were instructed to find three objects of bad design that each cost under five dollars. After picking out objects, we did five sketches of each object for a total of 15 sketches. In class we were put into groups of four where we shared with our group our objects and sketches to decide on a final object we would like to redesign. The object my group chose was the typical to-go soy sauce packet. We observed the packet, made a mind map, word list, and discovered the pros and cons. We did interviews and came up with refinement idea sketches. We worked together on a poster to display our object and our redesigned object. We developed a prototype that was tested and used to conduct more interviews and we created a movie commercial that promoted our prototype and made it look convincing. Finally, as we completed the project, each person in the group created their own individual Process Book. The Process Book worked as a documented timeline of our work on the project through reflections, pictures, descriptions, info graphics, and much more.
-Rachel

Objectified Movie Reflection

This movie was really pleasant to watch. I especially liked one of the first objects that the movie talks about, the sticky note. When we were instructed to choose objects of good design, I chose the sticky note. It's simplest design, yet perfect design attracted me. Everything object we see or use is designed. We often overlook that the object is, in fact, "designed" per say, but we immediately make judgements on the object based on the design. For example, the chair in the very beginning of the video, the narrator gives a few example questions of what one thinks upon immediately viewing the object. "What is it's purpose? How will I use it? What is it made out of? How much does it weigh? How much should it cost?" etc. These are just few of many question each individual subconsciously makes when they are faced against design. 
One quote that stuck out to me in particular was the quote by Henry Ford, "Every object tells a story." I find this to be so true. It is something that I recognize so much more now that I am actually pursuing to be a designer. My friends always notice me commenting on certain object's designs which they find so different and strange. They do not exactly think the same way I do, but they appreciate design more because of me and the fact that everything is designed or tells a story. They enjoy watching and listening to me dissect objects of good and bad design.
Being able to see the designing of the shell of the Mac computers was very interesting for me, being such a big Apple supporter. There are all these multiple parts needed in created the shell of the computer, and mac discovered a way to merge all these components into one and simplify it. 
There were so many great ideas in the video and great design advice, especially from Dieter Rams. That man has so much talent in design. I enjoy watching and learning from him.
- Rachel

Our Team's Concept Statement

In redesigning the soy sauce packet, our group found through research that both people who pour soy sauce on their food and people who dip their food into soy sauce have concerns with the packaging.  The idea behind our prototype was to make something that is more accessible, environmentally friendly and has more volume.  Our new prototype has as much sauce as three of the old packets, is easier to open and get all of the sauce out and has an recyclable bottom.

Writer's Toolbox Reflection

After reading Writer's Toolbox, I have to say that I agree very much with the statement that writing helps us to form better communication, makes us more comfortable, strengthens our skills, and ultimately, enhances our creative processes. I think simply jotting down ideas, the smallest amount of writing, can make a big difference in gathering ideas, train of thought and work ethic. These mind maps that we have been making for class really do help us get a better understanding of the project and the qualities of the subject we need to cover. The mind maps, I have noticed, also help me to think further outside of the box than I normally would have if I would not have used them. Another thing the article mentions is involving the use of color in mind maps. When we were given sticky notes of various colors when we created the mind map, it helped me sort, group, and synthesize the different notes and qualities. Concept maps, though very similar to mind maps, I feel are easier to understand by a viewer's opinion, however, it is more complex to create and does not allow time for your mind to relax and think outside the box. For this same reason, I enjoy freewriting. "Allowing your thoughts about a subject to flow on paper, without any judgement, promotes an energetic discover process." I completely agree with this sentence from the article. I find that freewrite helps me get all my wildest ideas down, which sometimes are my best ideas. Brainwriting is something I have never heard of before reading Writer's Toolbox, but I feel like this is a great method for making sure each person has gotten an equal chance of sharing and contributing their ideas within a group.
- Rachel

Team Bonding