Choose a design field or industry, and select 2-3 theories that have led to the field becoming what it is today
Design field or industry: Product Design
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Product Design: Shaping the Future through Innovation and User-Centricity
Introduction
Product design is a vast and dynamic field that involves creating innovative and functional products that enhance people’s lives. It encompasses various industries, including consumer electronics, furniture, automotive, and fashion. Over the years, several theories and concepts have influenced the development of product design, shaping it into the field it is today. This essay will explore three such theories: human-centered design, design thinking, and disruptive innovation.
1. Human-Centered Design
Human-centered design is a theory that places people at the center of the design process. It emphasizes understanding the needs, desires, and behaviors of users to create products that address their specific challenges and provide meaningful experiences. This approach involves conducting user research, gathering insights, and iterating designs based on user feedback.
The theory of human-centered design has revolutionized product design by shifting the focus from technology-driven solutions to user-centric solutions. It promotes empathy, collaboration, and iterative prototyping to ensure that products are intuitive, enjoyable, and meet the needs of users. Human-centered design has led to the creation of products that seamlessly integrate into people’s lives, enhancing their daily experiences.
2. Design Thinking
Design thinking is an iterative problem-solving process that designers use to approach complex problems and find innovative solutions. It involves five stages: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. Design thinking encourages multidisciplinary collaboration, creativity, and experimentation to uncover user insights and develop user-centered solutions.
The theory of design thinking has significantly influenced product design by providing a structured framework for fostering innovation and creativity. It encourages designers to question assumptions, challenge conventions, and explore a wide range of possibilities. Design thinking promotes collaboration between designers, engineers, marketers, and other stakeholders, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered throughout the design process. This approach has led to breakthrough product innovations across various industries.
3. Disruptive Innovation
Disruptive innovation is a theory that describes the process by which innovations create new markets or significantly alter existing ones. It challenges established norms and traditional approaches by introducing new technologies or business models that offer unique value propositions. Disruptive innovation often starts in niche markets and gradually gains traction, eventually displacing incumbents.
The theory of disruptive innovation has had a profound impact on product design by encouraging designers to think beyond incremental improvements and envision entirely new possibilities. It has driven designers to explore emerging technologies, business models, and user behaviors to identify opportunities for disruption. Disruptive innovation has led to the creation of groundbreaking products that have reshaped industries and transformed people’s lives.
Conclusion
Product design is an ever-evolving field that thrives on innovation and user-centricity. The theories of human-centered design, design thinking, and disruptive innovation have played crucial roles in shaping the field into what it is today. Human-centered design ensures that products meet the needs and desires of users, while design thinking provides a structured approach for creative problem-solving. Disruptive innovation challenges established norms and drives designers to envision new possibilities.
By embracing these theories, product designers can create products that are not only functional but also meaningful and delightful to use. As technology advances and user expectations evolve, it is essential for designers to continue exploring innovative theories and concepts that push the boundaries of product design to shape a better future.
