Category Archives: school

experience economy

Posted on August 27, 2009 by Daniel Erwin

The basic idea of the experience economy was in my head soon after I got to ID, but I am only now reading it firsthand. The 1998 HBR article seems to be an excellent blueprint for creating a design consultancy … Continue reading →

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invasive species

Posted on April 23, 2009 by Daniel Erwin

Henry King (of Doblin) makes a widely-recognized observation that the recession will lead to innovation. He takes it one small step farther: as the economy picks up again, we’ll see emerging new business models and unexpected fast-growing players in many … Continue reading →

Posted in economics, geopolitical theory, school | Comments Off

presenting

Posted on March 4, 2009 by Daniel Erwin

I’ve been unsure the last couple of days about my end-of-quarter presentations. I don’t have that sharp, clear feeling that we have achieved the level of simplicity and deep insight that I normally associate with success. Yet it seems that … Continue reading →

Posted in communication, meta recursion philosophy loa, school | Comments Off

Alexis vs Klinker

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Daniel Erwin

A fascinating article contrasting the ID “sellout” viewpoint of design with the Cranbook “artsy-fartsy” viewpoint: http://www.cranbrookdesign.com/index.php/topics/more/design_versus_innovation_the_cranbrook_iit_debate/ I’m pleased and surprised how little Apple came up in this discussion, but I find it amusing that Jobs and Ivy have purposefully kept … Continue reading →

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Bottom, Middle, Top of the pyramid

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Daniel Erwin

A project I worked on last semester parallels work that is being done at google.org – my project for Larry Keeley’s class (dqe1.com/files/juncture-proposal.pdf) focused on creating an ‘opportunity engine’ that connects various NGOs like Kiva, Grammeen Bank, and Heifer Intl. … Continue reading →

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beautiful decay

Posted on December 10, 2008 by Daniel Erwin

Here’s my favorite part of my systems project. It kinda goes against the positive, generative mood I’ve been learning to focus on to the exclusion of my usual gloomy self, but I’m really enjoying the thought of it right now. … Continue reading →

Posted in art, attention, planning, school | Comments Off

Artificial Intelligence

Posted on September 4, 2008 by Daniel Erwin

Professor Owen recommended a pretty good book I’m now reading: Engines of Creation by Eric K Drexler. So much to say about it – hopefully you’ll read the systems project and get the gist – but this is the most … Continue reading →

Posted in philosophy of science, school, theory of knowledge | Comments Off

design futures

Posted on September 1, 2008 by Daniel Erwin

I’ve been reading a report on NASA’s “Exploration Technology Development Program,” the agency’s plan for implementing Bush’s ambitious “Vision for Space Exploration.” Fundamentally, it says that there isn’t enough money to do the job right an on schedule. But reading … Continue reading →

Posted in design method, philosophy of science, research, school | Comments Off

green architecture

Posted on August 25, 2008 by Daniel Erwin

I ran a research project this summer focusing on the use of remote collaboration technologies (like phone and email) among young architects. I learned that one of them is building a water-neutral building in Seattle. This means it will reuse … Continue reading →

Posted in infrastructure, research, school | Comments Off

new language

Posted on August 18, 2008 by Daniel Erwin

School starts tomorrow but I just installed Maya and I want to stay up all night playing with it. Maybe if I go to sleep now this tonsil infection will go away before there’s any real work to be done?

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