mayo.

very stressful. i put a lot into this project so i was disappointed in myself that i didn’t have more to show. i’d planned on making a better board -very dramatic and more narrative – but the models had become so important to finish that my board (and verbal expanation) really suffered. my pesentation didn’t go very well, but i really learned a lot from this project and im still going to continue refining it.

the reviewers didn’t really seem to like any of the conceptual projects. there was a good range of reviewers though, and for most of other kids, they all were able to give some kind of relevant feedback. i liked how the russel fellow got into the technical aspects of the projects. the elderly care lady had a lot of energy and really liked [man]handling the models. i kept thinking she was going to break them >.< she gave some useful feedback from what a senior’s perspective might be, but she seemed to be stuck in the mindset that they couldn’t care for themselves/had to be ‘babied.’ i also appreciated how the creature lady was very honest and how the guy from boston looked at form and materials and how he related to the metaphors of the projects. i really liked kate and carolyn’s boards. they did a great job telling the story of what their problems were and how they went about solving them. wes’s model was probably my favorite — you could draw on it : ) – and i thought that sarah had some awesome craft going on. even though i want to continue with my project, i’m pretty relieved that the review is over now, presentations always stress me out…

who are the players and why would they want to be involved?

public sector: elected officials. government programs. state-sponsored programs. take [public] action. gain support. get more votes. get more information. knowledge.  -> action.

private sector: grocery stores. plastic bag manufactures. commercial retailers. fashion designers. artists. patrons. marketing. more advertisement. the whole green trend. more support. more people. more sales.

nonprofit: housing providers. soup kitchens. donation centers. a connection to. save people. save animals. save the environment. save the world. [...save/sustain]

homeless: to know someone cares. an object for comfort. for need. for sustanance. to reciprocate.

consumers: care. support. give. buy. consume. be in.

side note on the system…one of my objectives is to reduce reuse recycle and upcycle when possible, and this product system does all of that

there is a nation wide database called HMIS that is used to collect, analyze, and better understand homeless people and homeless issues. this would be good to incorporate as the system gradually grows (it would be a better way to collect data on homelessness than the current method of collecting info on the stree (<< + more incentive for the government to participate) than the method of collecting info on the street. more consisten. more descriptive), the redemption center could also be a point of contact to connect to support services such as those for housing…

some pros of using plastic bags as my main/only material:
- made from recycled/repruposed materials
- reusable, strong, very durable
- doesn’t tear
- waterproof
- lightweight
- gives more padding than cardboard (as a pillow)

‘Plastic bags are made from non renewable petroleum resources. they can be recycled but not as easily as glass, alumninum, or paper. of the problem of recycling plastic bags stems from the fact that bags may be made from one of several plastic types, which makes separating plastics for recycling difficult. The plastic industry has begun to address this problem by coding plastics with numbers to help consumers and recycling processors identify the type of resin used in production. Some plastic bags have resin codes imprinted on them.’ (each ‘hobo bag’ would be composed of one type … ‘type 4 hobo.’ ‘type 2 hobo.’ for easier future recycling, either the redemption center would sort the bags before shipping to the processing center or the procesing center would sort them as they arrived….im thinking it’d be better for the redemption center to do….)

“In addition to not being easily recycled, plastic production and processing require the use of toxic chemicals. Many manufacturing plants that produce these chemicals also produce hazardous waste and pollute the air. In 1986, the EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, ranked the 20 chemicals whose production generates the most hazardous waste. Five of the top six were chemicals commonly used by the plastic industry [propylene, phenol, ethylene, polystyrene, and benzene].”

*very few plastic grocery bags are starch based.

plastic bags are high in fuel energy if they are burned, but they emit harmful gases that must be prevented from entering the atmosphere. this still would contradict my system but it’s also possible to recycle the bags into plastic lumber. << tiertiary product of sytem…bags that can’t go through the cycle or maybe to gain more capital…

homelessness is a very difficult issue to deal with.

the government has poured millions into the homeless problem; they’ve set up entire departments to deal with the issue. yet it still persists. some experts estimate that anywhere between 10,000 and 20,000 people become homeless each day. with only 2,600 shelter beds available in Atlanta, several thousand homeless have nowhere to sleep at night. and it’s getting worse. something needs to happens.

don’t give in to common stereotypes

there is no “one face,” or even a handful of reasons for homelessness. there are hundreds.
- eroding work opportunities: unemployment/job loss in a growing economy that people cannot keep up with.
- decline in public assistance: because of the welfare reform act, those who are truly struggling to make ends meet no longer have the that assistance to get by.
- lack of affordable housing: limited resources for housing assistance contributing to the housing crisis.
- lack of affordable health care: many individuals and families cannot afford health care so when an unexpected situation arises, they are often left with huge hospital bills.
- domestic violence: women who decide to leave an abusive relationship often face the hardships of finding shelter.
- mental [and physical] illness: often results in limited opportunities in the workforce.- drug and alcohol addictions: (combined with financial instability)
- natural disasters, laziness, little to preparation for life, having children [early], poor companion choice.
-veterans: dealing with the horrors of war

i can’t solve the problem completely. but i can give a better option.

no small task….

isolated

homeless people need a connection, comfort

they always have cigarettes.

a radio/cigarette box? …entertain/comfort/keep

hygene in a box? a cigarette (like) box..

some kind of shelter.

maybe it would have to filter down.

or would they make it?

how would they get it?

everyone wants to be able to provide for themselves. but for many it is a seemingly impossible struggle.

t’s so easy to say that “someone else” should help the homeless. to point fingers at the government. to say that they’ve “got what they deserved.” that they’re responsible.

why can’t we live in a way that betters the lives of not only ourselves but also those of others?

what could i create that wouldn’t bring meaninglessness into the world.

something that is worthless. it could be thrown away. but wouldn’t.

give value to worthlessness.

we’re all aging.

plastic isn’t.

polythylene.

people used to collect soda cans…but they’re not worth much now. and there aren’t as many…

there’s so many plastic bags…an island in the middle of the ocean

develop an incentive program…it would keep up with infation.

the government has poured millions into the homeless problem; they’ve set up entire departments to deal with the issue. yet it still persists. some experts estimate that anywhere between 10,000 and 20,000 people become homeless each day. with only 2,600 shelter beds available in Atlanta, several thousand homeless have nowhere to sleep at night. and it’s getting worse. something needs to happens. something different.

to provide or offer to provide help would you or should you have to “sort them out?” the ‘bad’ homeless vs. the ‘good’ homeless?

everyone needs help now.

inspire people to be human. Encourage them to think they are.

understand that homelessness can affect anybody at any given time.

there is community wide responsibility to aid in solving this growing problem.

“Homelessness results from a complex set of circumstances that require people to choose between food, shelter, and other basic needs. Only a concerted effort to ensure jobs that pay a living wage, adequate support for those who cannot work, affordable housing, and access to health care will bring an end to homelessness.”

homelessness is not helplessness.

you want to sustain yourself.

“As bad as it is for the 13% of homeless people who have jobs and can’t escape homelessness, climbing out of homelessness is virtually impossible for those without a job. For those with limited skills or experience, opportunities for jobs that pay a living wage are very limited. In such a competitive environment, the difficulties of job seeking as a homeless person can be almost insurmountable barriers to employment.”

not so much the product, but a new way to earn…an ‘occupation’

soft. easily transportable.

a product that would comfort. to keep/collect.

cycle.

close the loop.

…precedents

What does it mean to be a designer?

What is the nature of this life?

What does it mean to be here? to value?

                               to be human? to change?

how can i answer this question without more questions?

why am i here?

to experience.

to understand.

to give.

.

What does it mean to be a designer?

to search. define. and create.

it’s too often overlooked.

fucking crazy.

i feel excitement. fear. doubt. confused. lost. sleepy. hungry. [dis]connected.

people treat me different.

there’s so many [false] stereotypes.

we need to fight.

the first night was pretty nerve racking.

and scary.

i had to throw myself into the situation.

wes gave me some change before i left. i couldn’t use it. i didn’t want to act under false pretenses. i couldn’t beg. not so much that i was afraid. but i didn’t want to con anyone. i didn’t want to take what i didn’t think i needed. i was hungry. but in the back of my head i knew i had a home to go back to. and people who cared. and i knew that i couldn’t fool anyone. but still.

i watched.

im wandering. the streets. downtown. northside. kroger. gas stations. state. walking. holes. shoes. socks. toes.

sleep. when i can. but not.

i’ve been thinking.

constantly.

how can i possibly help the homeless?

there are so many hardships.stereotypes.exploitation.need.

knocking on the door of unhappiness.

so many complexities. there is no one solution.
 
what can i do? there is a great need for social reform.

im aging [in place].

conversations.

‘what people throw away i can use. stuff that i can use i keep. & stuff i can sell, i sell.’

people need a connection.

the man with the bluest eyes, he said he was 50, looked like he was 40. an ex-marine man. “screwed” over by the veterans fund sytem. his pension was cut off. he couldn’t hold an idea. maybe there were just too many going on.  walmart. walmart. walmart. man was he a talker. and maybe a drinker. he kept pattin my shoulder. he had a construction hat and a bike. i think he lost his son. he asked me about the weather.

there were others.

they all seem to need to talk.

understand.  ?

i break the conversation with a cigarettoe & a goodbye.

everyone takes cigarettes. even if they don’t smoke them.
they trade them.

jesus is a con man.

they make me sad.

but so mad too.

cons.

why are they so angry?

what is the key?

sometimes it’s hard to ask questions – trying not to be rude. especially on the first day. when i felt awkward. there was a distance. you kind of have to give something. share a past.

what are the issues of growing old in a home?…what if your home is not a static structure?

regret.
responsibility.
habits.
needs.
hunger.
defense.
friends.
family.
love.
comfort.
vanity.
hope.
anger.
sleep.
attitude.

how do you continue to live independently? is there such a thing?

what makes you smile?

can you do without?

the only really close family you have left.

the urge is still there.

to provide.

compassion. enrichment.

denial.

excuses.

motive.

worthlessness.

guerilla welfare..

p.s.

im home tonight. i didn’t stay out until tomorrow like i had originally planned. i’ve been so tired. and i feel pretty dirty. i just want a shower & a soft bed. 2 days was no where near enough time to get into this and do it proper. i need to rest and figure out some stuff. homelessness is such a difficult issue to deal with.

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - - - – - – - – - – - – - - - – - – - – - – - – - -

***this stuff was mostly thoughts and notes from my exploration and research. i was going to edit this, but since i’m still looking for my papers with concept ideas and other thoughts i figure i’ll explain it all a bit better in a different post…more to come on that…

i’ve really been having trouble getting my thoughts together on this project. there’s so much going on and so many problems that we could address. i’m having trouble zoning in. i’ve been trying to narrow down possible directions to take on. theres a lot that already been done before, and a good bit that probably should not have been. i’d  really like to do something that’s different, that hasn’t been done before. but i don’t want to manufacture a need or create something that people would be indifferent too. idk…

this project has given me a lot of weird vibes and insights. i’ve been thinking a lot. confused a lot. and i’ve learned a lot. this has been like a terribly long search. a hunt. i feel like a treasure hunter. don’t know what im looking for but i know its gold <– hehe, that was pretty cheesy. but yeah im tired and i’m obssessed. hopefully i’ll eventually find a simple solution to this very frustrating problem. it’s like one of those search patterns that pilots and divers use. like the expanding square search. you start out facing north. you take 1 step forward. then you turn to your right and you take 2 steps to the east. then you turn to your right. and you take 1 2 3 steps to the south. turn to your right again and you take 1 2 3 4 steps and thats facing west and then you turn [again, right] and you face front and center on what you’re seeking. i can’t wait till i’m there.

sector search & expanding square search patterns

p.s.

maybe-possible directions?

- memories. what if i could somehow embed the processes of search patterns into the elderly so that they would always be able to find what they were looking for simply by going through the steps of the search. like some awesome force of habit. a stretch? maybe…
- clothing difficulties. there aren’t a lot of options when it comes to clothing for people with difficulties getting dressed. + you have to order online from cheap quality vendors. and also, the clothing that is more nicely tailored is super expensive. why should you have to buy a whole new wardrobe when you get older/develop disabilities anyway? what if there was a product that would allow user to easily alter personal clothing for easy use even as they age and develop disabilities.
- stereotypes. how could i break the steryotypes of growing old? of smell? of age? of fear?
- what about the homeless? not everyone is so fortunate to have enough savings or a family to provide for them when they age. what if it was better to live on the streets than in an insitution that mistreated you? what if you didn’t want to be a burden on your family? on society? what if no one cared? what if you never had a ‘home’?

What is home? associations?

home is a place of..

Sleep = bed. couch. floor. carpet. rug. pillows. blankets. feathers. nightlight. sheets. mattress. boxspring. pajamas.
Hunger = food. refrigerator. plates. utensils. cookware. cabinets. appliances. sink. water. freezer. grocery store. milk.
Release = toilet. paper. book. music. love. water. sink. food. drink. vitamins.
Cleanliness = soap. shampoo. water. shower. tub. tiles. towels. curtain. cleaner. sink. vanity. sponge. vacuum. duster. trashcan. plastic bags. washer. dryer. clothes line. clothes pins. hair dryer. brush. hower head. floormats. mop. broom.
Laughter = friends. family. children. games. television. books. toys. comics. newspapers. magazines. crafts.
Movement = clothes. shoes. socks. exercise. equipment. vehicles. bikes. scooters. walkers. grab bars. reachers. play.
Growth = plants. nutrients. food. soil. tools. children. grandparents. seeds. pets. water.
Seeing & Hearing = books. television. words. text. pictures. memories. voices. telephone. cameras. computers.
Care = friends. family. love. emotion. flora. pets. bandaids. tea. hot coco. chocolate. medicine.

.

To be independent. & to lead an active and productive life.
Body = being able to get up in the morning. get out of bed. bathe. get dressed. move. get to places.
Mind = recognizing yourself and others close to you. feeling. reasoning with your past and present.

.

?s.Answers.

.

from Ms. Lin, friend and caretaker of Ms. Audrey, 87:

Does Ms. Audrey have any physical difficulties?

Yes, very much with reaching and bending. Every morning she says how she had so much trouble getting out of bed. She has to turn onto her side and try hard to push up, even a little. This is also why she needs someone to help her bathe, as she has a great deal of trouble getting into and out of the bath-shower and also with being able to reach the removable shower-head.

How is her mental state?

Ms. Audrey is a very lovely lady, most of the time; but, she does suffer from dimensia occasionally. Suddenly, she’ll go from being very sweet to being quite abrasive.

How does that affect others?

It can be upsetting. But fortunately [for now] it does not happen very often.

What activities do you see Ms. Audrey, needing the most help with?

I help her with the television and light housekeeping — vacuuming, dishes, and laundry. In the mornings, i make her coffee and breakfast. She has someone come in for any heavy chores and cleaning though. As well as to give her baths and help with getting dressed.

.

from Mr. Arthur, widower, 76

‘What is your ideal living situation?

I don’t know exactly. Something independent, yet affordable. Umm, with a bit of charm, of course. No lead based paint. Oh, something by the park, that would be lovely. Or dare I say, the beach. But a view at the very least. I would really enjoy getting to know the neighbors and i would seek out any opportunity for community involvement. Public transportation, nearby, that would be a convenience. However, i’m saying if i had to choose between them, i think i would prefer someplace nice to walk. 

Wooph! is that all?

Umm no, uh, a washer and dryer, in the building, that would that would really come in handy and uh I would hope that it came furnished with a tub and a shower, and of course a refrigerator and stove. i think i could do my own dishes in the sink. i don’t think i would need anything more than a murphy bed but i have to say i have fantasized about having a water bed.’

- taken from a conversation during an appointment with a nurse at a home for seniors. duck.

Mr. Arthur was three months past rent on his apartment at the time, he does not receive assistance and he has bad credit (from paying medical expenses for his late wife). He still has his health, though he was not accepted into the home.

what can we do to prevent physical pain? mental anguish? financial hardship?