Meeting with the Race Directors

This past Thursday, I met with the race directors of the Detroit Free Press Marathon to inform them of my project and ask them questions that would help in the development of my project as well as understanding different aspects of the race, I might not have known otherwise.

In preparation for my meeting with them, I created a rough presentation that defined the race, the objectives I hope to accomplish, my inspiration, and a couple versions of preliminary designs in order to show them in what direction I plan on heading.

Here is what I presented to them on Thursday:

The insight that Rich and Brian were able to provide was very interesting and will be very helpful as I continue the development of this project. Here are some key things that I learned during the meeting:

• Current Promotion: Created race program and sent it out to past participants, sent it to running stores all over the countries, handed out at other race expos. They sent postcards to states that were farther away. One huge promotional benefit they have is having the Detroit Free Press and all of its products at its disposal. They can also use ad space in other newspapers (like USA Today) at a discounted rate.
• Capacity: 21,000-21,500. A couple things that restrict the number of participants are the use of the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel; This is because there will ALWAYS be construction on the bridge and they need to reopen the tunnel at 10am. 
• No International: Not exactly sure of the reason for the drop of international but don't feel like it is necessary to have it in the title. Already established as an international race. Over the last couple of years, they had been experiencing an identity crisis. People weren't exactly sure what the race was called. They are trying to establish a sense of place (Detroit) and cohesive branding. 
• Fastest Growing Race: Stat was specifically about the Marathon distance. Not necessarily the fastest growing still.
• Detroit's Bad Reputation: It affects the race somewhat. They mentioned that they hear people say that they won't run Detroit because they don't want to get shot. 
• Destination Marathon: As we talked, it seems like they share my views that Detroit can, if it already isn't considered, become a destination race. It has all the elements needed to be considered a great race.

Here are some other aspects of our discussion I found interesting:

• Race is continuing to grow but the current goal is to create a sense of urgency. Make people want to sign up early. 
• They try and treat everyone the same. All runners get the same benefits.
• Runner's World voted the Underwater Mile (through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel) one of the 26 Most Interesting Miles.
• Competitor's magazine voted it the "Best Marathon for First Timers".
• Race has ability to showcase city.
• Most downtown stores and attractions embrace the race.
• It seems to always be a grass-roots race and that it what is so great about it.
• The race is an ambassador for the city, a part of its renaissance.
• Create a sense of place, sum up Detroit, make it all about the city.
• Event is organized around "just finishing".

It was a great experience to talk with them about the race and hear a different point of view than what I am use to. I have run so many races, it was nice to understand the thought that goes in to putting something like this on. I believe the information I have gained from meeting with them will prove very beneficial in the coming months. 

Goals for Week of 11/8 - 11/14

• Use insight from meeting to continue to sketch poster ideas, develop campaign guidelines.
• Research Diego Riviera and Olympic Posters.
• Continue to research Detroit, Windsor, Marketing strategy, and early 20th century design.

Tables pt 2

The weekend was spent mostly doing nothing... but somehow my eye infection got into the rest of my body. Being sick at least allowed me to figure out a new use for a table... a very uncomfortable pillow.

Anyway, at Olive Garden today I again was led to a booth that literally could have sit 10, when there were four of us, while the groups of two were sat at tables of four. Cool.

I spoke with Shaun and Marientta about modular furniture. I found some really cool examples...

although I did find them interesting, I am not quite sure modular is what I am going for. However, I re-read Ellen's post and her comment of atmosphere. I really liked this idea of creating atmosphere with a dining table.

This is a direction that I'm interested in pursing:

(Including what I had previously learned...) I want to see if standing upwards can a table create a comfortable/casual dining (or whatever) experience, yet when transformed (somehow) can it create an atmosphere of intimacy for dining (or whatever) for two? Let's go from there.

Codeine + Cough Syrup = GREAT NIGHT SLEEP FINALLY. :)

Getting Started

Project brief:

The advancement of technology has dramatically influenced today's design processes, giving way to an innovation-driven field fueled by computer-aided design. While technology presents new possibilities in material use and manipulation and inject further creativity into modern design, many of these methods are only conventionally utilized. As an effort to break away from the sterilization of mass producible design, I plan to develop a series of custom made tables through diverse material selection and digital technology exploration.

Process:

To begin the process I need to get into the shop and make something. Inspired by a previous project, an urban wood and acrylic coffee table, I decided to further this idea by pushing the boundaries of material use and manipulation even further in terms of design.

Last week I went to John Hailing's urban lumber yard to select an urban wood slab. Here were the contestants:

Urban lumber requires much manual labor, and is relatively expensive. Each of these slabs were over $400. Needless to say I did not leave with one of these slabs, especially since this is only design one. I then visited Ullman Urban Lumber, and purchase a smaller more affordable walnut slab.

Images coming soon...

Inspirtation for Collin

 

So basically with the idea of seating.. this is a new restaurant in Sydney Australia, where the tables fold up into the walls. Maybe this can be spark an idea with your questioning of the seating/number of people. Some of my own questions for you: How can we get the most out of the spaces we dine in?  How can we create a dining atmosphere that is comfortable for 2, 4, 6 or a group of 10?

Tables

It's funny where you find inspiration from. I saw one of the most hideous tables while researching where to take my IP project. I don't remember where I saw it, and instantly passed by it thinking, "I would never make anything like this in my lifetime."

Last night I went to Chili's on Washtenaw Rd. for dinner with my best friend. Our server took us through the sea of different table sections, I noticed something that most would pass up. All tables when in increments of two. You have the table for two, four, six... then the mammoth that seat however many asses you can cram in there. However, our server sat us at a table for four. Why? There was only two people, we didn't need a table for four. In fact, there was a table for two across the isle from where we were sitting.

What does it mean to for a table of two, vs. a table for twenty (besides size). I instantly looked back at the hideous table I originally saw and decided to use that as a jumping off point.

I got this idea to create a bench seating table (unlimited seating... depending how many asses you can fit on each bench... so when you're skinny... that means A LOT.) yet if you turn it, or flip it, it becomes an intimate seating for two.

I made a model. Don't judge my model. It's heinous. All I have is a jewlers saw, cardboard, Elmer's glue, and an eye infection... but I think it will work once I work out some details.

Just a few things,

I'm designing a bicycle trailer for urban based commuters for anyone who doesn't know. I've been sketching and surveying users (thanks to all who have given me responses!). Below are a few bag sketches. The bags will attach to a blank trailer and will accept up to several bags at once (one bag dosen't fill the entire thing). There will be three bag sizes, small, medium, large and each size will be customized for certain types of objects or tasks. For example, the small bags would be placed so they are easily reached and hold small, more valuable objects (wallets, keys, phone, iPod, babies). So far, I've just worked on the outer forms of the bags and haven't delved into the interiors yet.

A few small, upper bag ideas are what I present here.

This bag is more in the vein of the large bag, designed as a large cargo volume bag for carrying groceries for example. Basically anything big goes in here.

A few sketches on the over all form, these sketches in particular are only with two bags. The trailer would accept up to three small bags is my thinking for now.

After a tip from Shaun to check out push/pull golf bag carts I visited Miles of Golf and got the low down from the sales guy. Interesting things, pretty impressive how small they can fold up. I don't think I'll take allot from the carts in terms of holding the bags, but more from the structure and how they fold.

I have been making a lot of great progress lately and am very excited about my project.
I have my own site where I have written about each step so far.
I am calling it Mixed Messages.

I am currently working on an audio clip from my recording of my answers to the questions I wrote for my interviews.
This will be my next post.

More to come..
Love.Much
Amariah.Noelle