Channel Your Annoyance
Keiley Munsterman
When I began to consider the objects in my life that annoy me, I automatically looked to my right and spotted the lanyard where my very own Whitworth ID and dorm key reside. Maybe it's strange to think that the keys to my new home are obnoxious, but it isn't how they appear or what they represent that brings me annoyance, it's the sound. When I have my lanyard swinging from my neck, the ID and the key feel this unnecessary desire to give each other a high-five for every single step I take. Ching. Click. Clack. And that constant rhythm of noise is most definitely NOT music to my ears. In fact, that noise makes me cringe. So instead of silencing this noise by holding my lanyard in my hand, I decided to design a rather simple solution that reduces the noise without prohibiting my ability to actually use my key and ID. My design includes changing the material used to protect my ID card. Currently, my ID is encased by hard plastic, but if the material were rubber or leather instead, then the key would be giving a high-five to a softer surface and, therefore, would make a much quieter sound. And with the ching, click, clack, sounds reduced, my annoyance for my lanyard would no longer exist! I chose this activity because I decided that I would rather create a solution to a problem that bothers me than to constantly complain about said problem. And when out in the world, complaining is much more exhausting than using your inner creativity to design a simple solution. 
I love that the reason you chose this activity was because you would rather find a solution than complain! I agree that the sound of metal on plastic is mildly annoying, and wonder whether you find the jangle of keys equally obnoxious. Personally I like the sound of metal keys, because the sound of my dad's keys doubles as a homing beacon and because if I hear my own keys it means I haven't lost them. Your solution would be easily accomplished and therefore I applaud you. However, I wish someone would design and distribute one card for everything on campus, including unlocking dorm rooms! It would certainly make for less things to keep track of, and it would be completely quiet.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, immediately when I saw the picture of the lanyard I thought of the clanging the key makes as it hits the plastic on my own lanyard. I never used to carry around my keys on a lanyard. Now that I do, I've had to take some time to adjust. I also enjoyed that you came up with a solution to the problem. Maybe it will be a solution to my problem too!
ReplyDeleteYES! I love it. Today I saw somebody who kept their ID in a leather case and then stuck it all on the back of their phone and it reminded me of your idea! I love the last line of your post as well, about how using your creativity to fix something is actually a lot easier than complaining about it. I really appreciate how simple yet extremely effective the design is, I will have to try to make one for myself!
ReplyDeleteI love the practicality and simple aspect of this design issue. Something that would make manufacturing costs lower in a profit loss report and look nice to a left brain thinker, results in substantial design issues which affect the consumer. This makes it clear to me why a whole minded approach is important.
ReplyDeleteI adore the simplistic and effective design you came up with. However, I kind of like the sound of my keys hitting the plastic. Maybe it's just me but I find the noise kind of calming, but I see where you're coming from.
ReplyDeleteI loved your playful tone throughout this post, which made it seem less like complaining and more like telling a story, albeit a slightly vexing one. I totally identify with this problem, and I would love to see a design like the one you created. You should actually make one, and I would be your first customer. In addition, your use of onomatopoeia perfectly communicated the sound of the keys; it made me smile. I think it's time someone took action and changed this design.
ReplyDeleteI loved your playful tone throughout this post, which made it seem less like complaining and more like telling a story, albeit a slightly vexing one. I totally identify with this problem, and I would love to see a design like the one you created. You should actually make one, and I would be your first customer. In addition, your use of onomatopoeia perfectly communicated the sound of the keys and made me smile. I think it's time someone took action and changed this design.
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