Target: How its Made: Socks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bBFuyrLSvE

Above is a link to how socks are made. Super interesting.

Rapid Prototyping SL, SLS, FDM, LOM

Rapid Prototyping, the ways of the future. Everyone can be an inventor and an entreprenuer with this $2,000 at home 3-D printer. People all across the world, of all ages have been using this device as a means to make money, creations and numerous amounts of product. This will soon become the way of the future using many intellectual's minds to their full potential using this easily accessable and progressive device.

Mongolian Nomads- Life & Yurt building

Communication is not only a verbal skill, but rather a means of passing a message through any form in any given situation. May's Journey into the deserts of Mongolia proved this fact true as she met and stays in contact with many Non English speaking Nomads. Children were helping to take pictures and May was able to learn about the materials and processes of the Yurt Building lifestyle. It is truley amazing what can be accomplished when one keeps an open mind. Progress of the future and knowledge passed.

A. Zahner

A. Zahner is one of the worlds leading design, production and processing companies when it comes everything metal. Experimentation is their middle make and it is something they are very proud of, especially because when it comes to engineers they are not exactly the "creative type". Producing projects all over the world Zahner is the leading company world wide for what they do. Natural metal is their primary material but they also love experimenting with new materials, evolving their designs with each and every project. One of their reciently more well known completed projects is the Famously known, Kauffman Center.

El Dorado INC.

El Dorado INC was probably the most impactful fieldtrip yet. The founder of the company was gracious enough to take us through the facility and give us some well needed advice on the job market today in the field of design. He advised us on some helpful tips that would make us stand out from the rest of the applicants applying for particular jobs and also let us know about some experiences coming up that we as students would be able to get our hands on.

The work envoirnment is very collaborative and that is something that the company prides themselves on. Communication and collaboration is key to their success's and that is how they continue to be the leaders and innovators that they are.

El Dorado INC. is located in Kansas City and is a hole in the wall type of beauty. At first glance the outside of the building is nothing special, and once entering the building your whole experience changes. With the branding color being the shade of green it is, this carefully selected interior makes for a creative and positive working envoirnment.

Hallmark

Hallmark, Everyone knows Hallmark. It has not only become a form of communication, but proper etiquette as well. Currently the worlds largest of card production Hallmark has three major production facilities, soon to be two due to the closing of their Topeka, Kansas location where all workers will be moving to the Lawrence, Kansas facility.

As you can imagine, Hallmark goes through an unfathemable amount of materials. Thankfully, One of the things that the company prides itself on is their motivation and persistance in recyceling as much as possible. They take pride in knowing that they are not adding to landfills and activly selling their scraps to many countries, and toping that list of the biggest buyers of those scraps surprisingly has consistantly been Italy. Who knew?

Lawrence Paper Company

Lawrence Paper Company, Familiy ownced since 1882. The name says it all. Generation after generation of families have been committed to serving this company and that is something that this company in particular holds near and dear. Owners seemed to know just about all of there workers, and not only that, but about them personally as well. Where they are from, how many kids they have, who worked there before them, how many years of service they have with the company ect. This company is family owned and proud of it. With their primary work being in packaging design and production there is just about nothing that this creative staple can't create and produce. With almost all custom machines they bring true qualitiy and purpose to every design they produce. A real qualitiy company.

Star Signs LLC

Star Signs, Another sadly hidden Gem. This company has reached eyes never expected. Their products have a wide range, from high way signs, to seeming to be "paintings" (which are actually graphic 'stickers' in the Cheifs stadium). The Star Signs LLC is a company that is a 'One stop shop'. They can build and/or create just about anything you bring to the table which is why they have such a prodominant and positive reputation for being one of the best in the business. Located right here in Lawrence, Kansas we do not realise the beauty and resource which lies in our own backyard.

Home Contained

Debbie Glassberg is not only an amazing raw foods chef, and a known genius in the field of toy design, but she is also the incredibly interesting and creative owner of "Home Contained". Although she was not the first to come up with this ingenius concept, she is one of the very few to introduce the ways of contained living to the United States. Visiting her home (also her test project for the container homes) was to only be discribed as moments of awe. Her house if full of color, inspiration, texture, space, and light. She has planned through the container process just the right way to live, using only the necessary amount of space (by condensing  the essentials) and drastically shrinking the average home costs just simply by being smart. The container house is naturally heated by the sun and the earth. Under the house is a hole that is 150 feet deep to reach the heat. This shrinks costs down to a bare minimum. She really has thought of every single aspect of not only a home but how users and consumers use their homes and implimented that into her designs. She can only be discribed as a genius. Hopefully in the near future we will be seeing a lot more of these container homes when she begins to build for others the wonderful home experience she now resides in.

Dimensional Innovations

Dimensional Innovations. This company was by far my favorite to visit thus far. It was so much more then I could have imagioned. They had every design and engineering job possible working for them. The company has only been around for 16 years, started in Kansas City and built up from the ground. It it truly amazing the growth they have experienced in that short amount of time and still manage to remain one of the most successful design companies in the country. They stay true to midwest pride by hiring a lot of K.U. K-State and Mizzou Graduates and have plenty of on the job training for programs not learned or experienced through said universities. This remarkable company has its employees wearing many different "hats" which is something I personally have always been drawn to when looking at potential future companies. Workers are friendly, respectful, happy and dedicated. Really opened my eyes to the potential Kansas City has in the field of design and engeneering.

Sketches of Frank Gehry (Film)

This film has recently, easily become, one of my very favorites. 

Frank Gehry, the leading, most amazing, outrageous, interesting architect in the world has changed my life. 

His journey leading him to his many accomplishments is something I will never forget. Pushing through his experience with Anti-Semitism in college, and his own personal fears of his work, Mr. Gehry, in my opinion, is one of the most remarkable, human beings to ever live. 

Gehry's designs are not only incredible to look at, but they are monumental in every way possible. His view on the world, creativity and architecture has shaped and formed more then you can even imagine possible. 

From his personal, one of a kind creative process to his final product, surprises are always found. Gehry has truly paved the path and any who follow are bound for greatness. 

This is a film I can watch time-and-time again, and each time learn something new and interesting. Simply outstanding. 

Mardi Gras (Made in China) Film

China, not a country known for improving the world, that's for sure. As investigators traveled into factories (or, as seen on this film, sweat-shops) I was shocked at the story that these brave reporters discovered. 

Making hundreds upon hundreds of Mardi Gras beads per day, these workers are abused, used and stuck. Stuck in the worst working conditions I personally have ever seen. Underpaid and Over-worked, these uneducated, impoverished Men and Women are so brainwashed, they are actually grateful for their situation. 

Many workers actually drop out of the education system to work and live at these factories. While only aloud to sleep 3-4 hours a night, with no sick days and only Sunday's off, these facilities, only running due to the "American Way" have sickened me. 

The Chinese government, and the factory owners have taken advantage of these poor individuals for years and no one seems to be doing anything about it. As a few of the workers were interviewed by the investigators, the secrets began to unravel- of course denied by both the Chinese Government as well as the factory owners, both benefitting from the mistreatment of these workers. 

This film, truly opened my eyes to just how awful the Chinese government is and how lucky I am to be in the situation I am in, living in the country that I do, attending the school that I do. It is such a terrible thing to know that so many people have to (unknowingly) suffer, due to the selfishness and stupidity of the majority of Americans. 

The Reuter Organ Company

The Reuter Organ Company, is remarkable. The amount of work that goes into making just one of their quality, one-of-a-kind Organs it truly impressive. Each Organ has a lifetime guarentee which makes The Reuter Organ Company one of the leading Organ Companies in the world. From Churches to Universities this company does it all. Quality work and craftsmanship is used when assembeling and repairing each work of genuis. Who knew Lawrence his so many talented craftsman. Truly outstanding.

Cell Phone Dissection

Time Piece Project

Huhtamaki

Huhtamaki. A hidden gem of the great state of Kansas. Usually only noticed while in passing, driving back to and from the City of Lawrence and last week I had the privilege of investigating this mystery of a company. In passing, Huhtamaki is commonly mistaken for a Japanese company based off of the name itself, when really the name is European.

Huhtamaki, is an amazing company. The facility itself is so big that they have entire freight trains unloading directly into their facility. Huhtamaki, is one of the leading paper and plastic product companies in the world. With well known companies such as Blue-Bunny, Wendy’s and Wal-Mart being their leading clients/customers you can imagine the amount of production that happens within the facility. 

Although there were some faults found, investigated during class discussion, in my opinion this company is on its way to great things. With custom machines being made for the production of their widely used, well known "comfort cups “one could only assume that we have not even begun to see the peeking point of what this company can do. 

Tape Dispenser Project

My Manifesto

Never let failure be an option. If it is to begin with and you think you might, you will.

Change is inevitable. Things will always be changing, and there is always room for change, don't fight it, look for it and embrace it. Change how you think of feel. Maybe it's not the "situation or frustration" that needs change but rather your view towards it.

There are always different ways of looking at design/life. It is always about perspective. Change may need to come to your realm of possibility and projected outcome.

Anything is possible. It is caring enough that makes the difference. You alone are the only one that holds the shovel creating your path to success.

Each and everyday there are lessons to be learned. Always be on the lookout for those lessons. Take those lessons and apply it to whatever your struggle may be at the time, whether it be your design or a personal problem and apply it. Figure out not only how it applies, but how and why it can be beneficial.  

Don't forget your lessons. Write them down, and continually learn from them.

Finally, and most importantly..

ALWAYS look at the world with an open heart and an open mind.

Be curious. Work hard, and be GREAT.