Forced Connections 2:

In the last lesson, we further explored the theories of Forced Connections. What it meant and how we could apply the idea of putting two different things together to come up with something which was worth much more and also, more useful. 

Given the task to create three different inventions that showed the idea of having forced connections input into it. We worked together as a group to come up with the three different combination of objects to make something even better altogether. 

Photos by Author 

Truth to be told, it really isn't easy when we first started. We took anything that seemed useful out of our bags onto the table but we just couldn't see how connecting any of them would make something of greater use. I learnt that we really needed the element of "thinking outside the box" to come up with some unique ideas. After much struggle, we managed to get our gears moving. 

Photos by Author 

Once the ideas started coming together, we began penning down everything that came to our minds and also drew out our ideas as visuals always speaks better. We came up with three different inventions, an Umbrella with a power bank and retractable USB Cable, the combination of a lipstick and a portable perfume bottle and lastly an electronic eraser with the addition of lightbulbs. 

Photos by Author 

When we were done we put them into powerpoint slides for a group presentation in the next lesson. Below are some parts of our slides.

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I've learnt that the term, Forced Connections knows no boundaries. It could be anything, for anything. The combinations are endless and we could do a lot with this. Things become more useful in one way or another when we combine them, they enhance each other's abilities. It's like getting the best of two objects to work together. 

Forced Connections:

The very meaning of forced connections is to combine two items that are of no relation whatsoever. When combined, these two items should come together to form something of greater value or use to the community. They should have chemistry and should also make sense when put together. 

Take for example, a pair of Roller Skates, they are a combination of a pair of shoes and wheels of 2s or 4s. When combined, they form a contraption that is able to provide a form of transportation or enjoyment to the user. One very popular method to create something new with the mixture of two completely unrelated items is to use SCAMPER. This method is especially useful to designers. 

SCAMPER stands for:
Substitue,
Combine,
Adapt, 
Modify,
Put to other uses,
Eliminate,
Rearrange. 


Photo by Author 






To Substitute is to take the original item but replacing it with something of similar characteristics or of something completely different to the original but able to carry out the function of the original. 

The Combination of two or more items to come up with something of even greater capacity that has a certain type of use to the community. The items can be of similar characteristics or two completely unrelated items.

The ability to Adapt to something or to a situation is a very valuable skill in the society. For example, if your new invention proves to be difficult to accomplish, you look around it. Look for a different way to solve the mechanical problem instead of changing the idea itself. 

To Modify your creation or idea may seem impossible to many of us at the first glance. But as designers I feel that we should have a more flexible mind at hand, learn to twist the solid solution into many different dimensions and you will come to realise that everything has more then one solution to every problem present. 

When your design or idea is Put To Other Uses, you are able to come up with different scenarios to put your creation in. Is your design able to be used in other functions etc. 

Eliminating unnecessary parts of the design may help you when it comes to the production of it. Also, it may help to improve the design itself, sometimes simplicity is more important. 

Look for the chance to Rearrange something original. Many a times, we do not see it on the first glance but rearrangement can cause something mundane to change into something completely different and of more interesting stature. 

To allow a better understanding of what it is, the following are some examples of Forced Connections:

With the combination of a pair of shoes and wheels, you get a pair of roller blades.
Note` Transportation & Enjoyment

http://www.vectordiary.com/isd_tutorials/054-roller-blades/image-41.jpg

Combination of a pair of shoes and blades, this gets you a pair of ice skates.
Note` Transportation & Efficiency 

http://cdn1.bostonmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/skating_main.jpg

This has the composition of Glass and Metal, it creates a portable piece of technology, a laptop.
Note` Efficiency & Convenience 

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DPKk3WL_vTY/maxresdefault.jpg

Putting together Glass, Metal and Plastics you get a mobile small and light enough to be transported around wherever you go. 
Note` Efficiency, Communication & Enjoyment 

http://static.tumblr.com

This has a combination of two items, a speaker and wires, creating a "earpiece". 
Note` Enjoyment & Convenience 

https://static1.squarespace.com

Combining the concept of a bag, box and wheels, you get a "luggage". Not only does it act like a carrier but also keeps your items inside safe from any potential damage. 
Note` Convenience & Ease 



https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e7/09/7b/e7097b5bbceb65148823a1087138df3e.jpg

The combination of Plastics, Wood, Metals and Wheels give you the creation of a Skateboard. Very much similar to a pair of roller blades. 
Note` Transportation & Enjoyment 

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/24/bf/59/24bf59733a2e2b6c64ad081554264c13.jpg

An umbrella is made up of fabrics/plastics, metals & woods. This invention has come to be very useful to people. 
Note` Efficiency & Convenience 

http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr

This has a combination of leather, glass and metals. Putting time into something definitively smaller than a clock to get a "portable clock", a watch. 

http://data.whicdn.com/images/82182231/large.jpg

Combining Rubber/Plastic with the concept of a shoe, you get a pair of flippers. Great for underwater sports. 
Note` Transportation & Enjoyment
http://sportsandfitnessparables.theblogpress.com/

The thought of Forced Connections bring many different ideas to mind. Most already invented and put into the market itself, but anything is possible if you think about it. There are no restrictions as to what you can or cannot combine into one item, what matters most is the rationale behind that particular choice of combination and how it can come to benefit the greater community. 

Analogical Thinking 2:

It is considered analogical reasoning when your thinking has the help of analogy. Some ideas of Analogical Thinking. 

`The interconnection of ideas

`A great way to learn and grasp difficult concepts about something. 

`It is a form of a skill that improves with much practice. 

`It gives an enhancement to the creative cells. 

During class, we were given a quiz that revolves around the ideology of "analogical thinking". It made me think out of my comfort zone and the answers were not like the obvious ones that I thought of. The answers that I chose at the beginning were mostly incorrect. In a way, we have to look at the opposite to what is in front of you. Similes and metaphors were being brought into the lesson to better explain the use of analogical thinking to the students. 

Below are some examples of similes: 

http://areasoflearningjps.weebly.com/uploads/2/0/4/4/20442177/6171334_orig.jpg 

http://mrswarnerarlington.weebly.com/uploads/6/9/0/0/6900648/5186985.jpg?177

http://images.tutorvista.com/cms/images/143/similes1.jpg

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/nextlesson-images/cover-thumbnails/5d1b6ffb46beb693c132d5ca5d707247c9de8a8b93da316f79c35e46

https://www.smore.com/external_image?url=http://www.mywordwizard.com/image-files/similes-for-kids.jpg

The following are examples of metaphors:

https://cdn.brainpop.com/topics/similesandmetaphors/screenshot2.png

http://codropspz.tympanus.netdna-cdn.com/codrops/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/trentwalton.jpg

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/sites/default/files/styles/insert_medium/public/images/807/mixedmetaphor.png?itok=4VYTS66h

At the end of the day, we should come to realise the differences between a simile and a metaphor. They are two very different concepts, but many get the misconception that they are the same thing. 

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/uoSBVNUO2LU/maxresdefault.jpg

http://image.slidesharecdn.com/lexicology-150315155807-conversion-gate01/95/metaphor-and-simile-17-638.jpg?cb=1427520947

From the quiz, there were some words that I didn't understand the meaning of. Below are the meanings of some of them . 

Deltoid - A thick triangular muscle that covers the shoulder joint. 

Frond - A leaf od a fern.

Jaundice - Yellowish decolorisation on the whites of the eyes. 

Elation - To fill with great joy. 

Decorum - An appropriate behaviour or conduct. 

The words' meanings were all searched from thefreedictionary.com  

Analogical Thinking:

There are 4 components to analogical thinking, personal, direct, symbolic and fantasy analogies. In class, our lecturer explained the difference in the four and showed us many examples. Things can be seen with facial/physical expressions even when not planned deliberately. 

We were tasked to show the different emotions of inanimate objects. Given 6 objects, we had to choose 3 to express 5 emotions per object. It was hard at first and I couldn't think of any way to show expressions without the help of facial features. But I managed to come up with different ways to express emotions through these objects, below are what I came up with. 

                                            

Photo by Author

Photo by Author

Photo by Author

Below are some of the many examples that I have come across on the internet that expresses how analogical thinking can be used to look at different objects. When you input the idea of "analogical thinking", you can see what's beyond the surface of something and even expressions on inanimate objects. 

http://9bytz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/objects-with-funny-facial-expressions-6.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b9/78/f4/b978f48bfd73b60a27d4a1d0b27c0c42.jpg

http://www.webpulp.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Anthropomorphic-Objects.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/7b/83/e7/7b83e75b80c6183e05ef93f55922bae4.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/03/27/article-2590553-1C9B7FFB00000578-341_964x722.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/67/e4/ed/67e4edbc345069ae3080cab5f7cf459b.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/0b/45/ec/0b45eca9eaec82dbe20d2d54684ea017.jpg

Challenging as it was, I had a lot of fun coming up with different ideas and drawing them out. As things all look and seem different to everyone, others may not agree with what I came up with but I feel that there is no right or wrong in such situations. 

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To propose 10 inanimate objects with human characteristics: 

(Visit to SAM/8Q)

The assignment given to us was to take a visit to the museum and snap pictures of 10 of the art works that seemed as if had human characteristics to them. 

Below are the 10 objects I chose and descriptions of what I see that is a representation of human characteristics to me. 

I feel that this Art work has a physical expression of being very calm and collected. The lighting also contributes to this effect. 

Photo by Author

This Artwork is a combination of many wooden figurines. In this picture please focus on the figure closest to you on the left, it looks as if the figure has it's hand on it's head along with a very baffled expression. 

Photo by Author

In my opinion this structure has a shocked facial expression. Focusing on the two holes as it's eyes and the big piece at the bottom left hand as it's mouth. It looks to be in shock. 

Photo by Author

This Art work that has been painted on the wall accompanied by the lighting makes it look as if it were carrying a very sad expression. To me it looks very gloomy and sad.  

Photo by Author

This is from the same Artwork as the one  shown above. Focusing on the figurine on the left, it has it's hand over it's mouth with a very surprised expression. 

Photo by Author

This Art work seems to have a very happy expression to me due to the way the pair of slippers are placed side by side as if they were eyes. And both are being light up by the colour yellow making look like a happy face to me. 

Photo by Ting Jing Yi

The expression present on this Art work looks as if it were very shocked. The two photographs on the wall look just like eyes with a mouth wide open, the alter. 

Photo by Ting Jing Yi 

I feel as if this three pictures come together to be a face that is upside down. The two larger circles at the bottom being two big eyes with the smaller circle at the top being the mouth.

Photo by Author

I feel as if this Art work is made up of many people dancing together. They all look very happy and seem to be enjoying themselves to me. 

Photo by Author

This has many dolls that come together to create one large Art work altogether. Every doll has a very happy expression on it's face. I feel very pleasant when looking at it as well. 

Photo by Author





















When given this assignment, I wasn't sure as to how to look at an object to get the "expression" in it. As these were mostly objects with no facial expressions you can't really tell what kind of an emotion it has unless you look really hard at it. I feel that the Artists who made this pieces wanted to express something through them as well and it is up to us to decide on what that is. As everyone has a different perspective of things.