I Scream For Mass Production!

Of all the information from the film Objectified, something industrial designer, Marc Newson, mentioned resonated strongly with me. Newson stated, "Ultimately our job as a designer is to look in to the future." By this he meant that designers should create products that the user wants to keep and that will last a life time. He emphasized implementing non-disposable products instead of disposing products made with permanent materials. Objectified exposed the darker side of industrial design—once new products were quickly becoming obsolete and ending up in landfills. A common goal of the designers in the film was to produce sustainable and environmentally-friendly products.

One object that most likely everyone in the modern world has encountered at least once in their daily lives. It is simple, requires little to no packaging, and leaves no trace of its existence once its through being used. The object I chose to analyze is an ice cream cone!

image via somethingunexpected.tumblr.com

The ice cream cone has been in use since the 1800s. They were initially hand-rolled until 1912, when a machine was invented to make them and they became a mass produced object. The most notable characteristic of an ice cream cone is its form—that of a hollow cone. This allows the ice cream to remain inside the pastry, while the user can hold the cone without getting their fingers sticky. Also notable is the texture of the cone. It's distinct "waffle" texture not only adds visual appeal, but also assists the consumer in gripping the cone to prevent them from dropping it. it's color—typically a golden brown—is inviting and pleasant. Although it's not technically a design term, the cone's smell is also delicious.

The ice cream cone's most useful features include its portability and thickness. The cone can go virtually anywhere, which makes it easily enjoyed by consumers enjoying a walk through the park or playing at the beach. The hands-free eating is also a convenience. Another notable design feature is the thickness of the cone material. It is just thin enough to be lightweight and easy to bite through, yet just thick enough to prevent the ice cream from seeping through the pastry. Most notably, the ice cream cone eliminates the need for dishes and silverware, which require energy to wash, or paper cups and plastic spoons, which ultimately end up in landfills. Although many people don't realize it, the ice cream cone is extremely environmentally friendly.

Ice cream cones are one of many examples of the incredible amount of design that goes in to everyday objects.