Design Autobiography Raven Day

My 20 Artifacts 1.Bible 2.Hiking boots 3.REI Backpack 4.iPhone 5.Car 6.Catalina Island Sweatshirt 7.Chacos 8.National Parks Pass 9.My Instagram 10.My Twitter 11. The Belmont Run 12. Engagement Ring 13. World Map 14. Ponytail Holder 15. Dog blanket 16. Hydroflask 17. Ale 8 Bottle 18. Happy Days Tree Farm 19. Lucky’s Market Apron 20. Agenda

Each of these artifacts fit into several themes, some even fit into multiple themes. These themes are: -Clothes -Outdoorsy/Adventurous -Media -Personal/Relational -School/Work

Clothes: Catalina Island Sweatshirt, Chacos, Hiking Boots, Ponytail Holder, Lucky’s Apron

Outdoorsy/Adventurous: Hiking Boots, REI Backpack, Chacos, National Parks Pass, World Map, Hydroflask

Media: iPhone, My Instagram, My Twitter

Personal/Relational: Car, Belmont Run, Dog Blanket, Engagement Ring, Happy Days Tree Farm, Ale 8, Bible

School/Work REI Backpack, Agenda, Lucky’s Apron

Tying the artifacts to this class: Design as representation of culture: My choice of clothes I think shows a representation of culture because they are in style and popular items (ex: Chacos). I think my generation also values adventure, and these items represent that too. Design as a process: Most of these items are all made incredibly well to be durable and last long. For example, my hiking boots are made for rough terrain, but made to last. Design as a form of media: iPhones, instagram, and twitter are all very popular forms of media. They give people a way to communicate what’s going on in their lives and do that every quickly. Design as a product of consumerism: I think most of the items I’ve bought are because I thought they’d look stylish or help define me as a person. I’m also a pretty cheap person so I love to buy things on sale. When things go on sale is when I tend to buy them. So consumer markets do really well when they do things like putting items on sale.

What these items tell about me as a person: These items show a variety of different parts of my life, and the things that are important to me within these parts of my life. The artifacts show that I am an adventurous person who loves the outdoors. They show I value relationships in my life. They also show that school and work are important to me and are big aspects of my life. They show that I also value quality of design in my items. Now to go on to why I chose these items….

Meanings of artifacts: Catalina Island Sweatshirt: I bought this on a trip to California with my senior class. I wear it all the time to remind me of the good memories I made in high school, plus it’s super comfy. Ponytail holder: I wear my hair up most days, and I only have ONE ponytail holder, so it’s basically my life. Hiking boots: I love to hike and travel, and these boots go everywhere with me. Lucky’s apron: I work at Lucky’s Market, and I work quite often, so this item is a big part of my life. Chacos: These are as important to me as my hiking boots. They, too, come with me everywhere.

Meanings of artifacts cont: Bible: My relationship with Christ is the most important relationship I have. Because of this, my Bible is important. REI Backpack: My best friend bought me this backpack on a trip to Colorado. I love it because it’s unique and has an old school patch on it. iPhone: Just like everyone, my iPhone is my life. Car: I got my Camry when I got my license and it has been my trusty partner since. National Parks Pass: I got this yearly pass last summer when I went on a cross-country road trip. I contains access to some of the most beautiful places in the country.

Meanings of artifacts cont: My Instagram: This is my favorite form of social media, it represents fun things in my life in a creative way. My Twitter: This is my next favorite form of social media. It’s hilarious but I also get a lot of my news from it. The Belmont Run: This is my apartment complex. It is the hangout every weekend for my friend group. Engagement Ring: I was very recently engaged (4/10/16!!) This represents my relationship with the best person I’ve ever met, and my commitment to him. World Map: This map is hanging in my room. It’s a daily reminder to explore the world and find the beauty in it.

Meanings of artifacts cont: Dog blanket: This was a christmas present from my mom and it’s the most comfy blanket ever. All my friends fight over who gets to use it when they come over. Hydroflask: This water bottle was a gift from a friend. It keeps water insanely cold and it reminds me of the important relationship I have with this friend. Ale8 Bottle: My friends and I don’t drink, so this is like our alcohol- a part isn’t complete without it. Happy Days Tree Farm: This is a farm in my family. The farm house on it contains millions of memories for my family. Agenda: This contains everything I have to do for school and couldn’t survive without it.

Hopefully now you understand me and why these designed artifacts help represent my life!