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All in all I think my groups project was a success. I thoroughly enjoyed going over the reading Distinction and Form in detail. Upon reading the article several times alone I was still a bit confused by Ole Thyssen’s main argument. When I met with group members it allowed us time to discuss in detail the main elements and key points of the article. While discussing it we found that we all took very different reflections of the given topic. By discussing it at great lengths we found that our given back grounds as psychology and design majors we interpreted the reading in a different light. Jeffery and I certain were on many of the same pages as we both read the article form a designers point of view. Anikka’s psychology background allowed her to digest the material perhaps more accurately. She was familiar with referenced writers and seemed to see the thesis clearly. We decided as a group that the thesis being that our society functions within underlying systems that shape the decisions we make on a daily basis and how these decisions are a direct result of given systems. We learned that every distinction is arbitrary and that each distinction is equally possible among the next. History is an integral part of the distinctions we make and culture a shaping element.

I understood the design and function element of the article best. Within the art system art is the only thing that can be created. When discussing this matter with the class many students made relevant arguments that while art is the only thing to be created within the art system, art can be a tool of social change or promote movements for the betterment of humanity. I find that art can be an outlet for expression and also the artist has the ability to impress upon the public their point of view on given subjects. I agree that design is a separate umbrella within the art system. I strong feel that while art can be subjectively good or bad however design the quality of design can be objective. If a design does not function properly to the task it was created to fulfill it is merely a piece of work. Design is a tool for betterment of life quality and equally can be a tool of social change as art can. I think that the designer has a choice to be a tool within the art system and also the art system can be a tool to the designer. While we may all be “Cogs in the machine” designers do serve a critical role in improving the quality of life for all. I feel that I will continue to design because it is a way in which one becomes a significant part of society. Though I may never develop my own school of design as large as the Bauhaus I hope to make my mark on society. Perhaps design is a tool for leaving ones mark on the world once the designer has deceased. If I can become a party of history, or even a fingerprint in the large umbrella of history I chose to do so.

Our presentation quality could have been better. I feel that while our presentation was thoroughly thought through not all members of the group worked well together as a team. I give Jeffery props for humbly accepting rude interruptions. We were concerned we wouldn’t be able to interact with our classmates; however we have several participate in discussions and stir the conversation. I think we had room for improvement in our cohesion of thoughts presented to the class. To put it bluntly, while we agreed on many things before the presentation it did not come across that way while we were presenting. I think out discussion in general at least gave myself, my group members and the class a thing or two to consider in the future as our roles of artists and designers mature. I think the topic was very thought provoking and I’m very interested to see how my classmates reacted in their notebook assignments.

I am I suppose not ready to conclude that I agree with all of Thyssen’s points. I feel the general mood of his article was a bit pessimistic about the roles of Designers. I hope that while all things may have been done once before, or all that is to be created has been created, with my unique points of view and creativity I can add a spin on what has been done before. While my identity as a designer has room to mature I hope my cultural background and person beliefs will be read clearly through my design. I suppose I chose to be optimistic in that I feel design has a very important place in society and that as stated before, design shapes our every decision…how can what I do as a designer benefit others? I’m not sure yet. It seems a tangible goal to put my park on society and share pieces of my history with others through the designs I create. I am looking forward to discovering how this article and discussion piece will lead into a semester of design studies. I think Thyssen gives all readers a lot to consider. Consider I will do.