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Michael Graves once said regarding a mens suit, You can buy a lot of cheap ones, or you can buy one great Armani suit. He was not just talking about tailoring. He was talking about time, and about the value of design that endures functionally, emotionally, and aesthetically long after the first moment of use. At Michael Graves Design, we have always believed that the best designs are not those that just capture attention for a moment, but those that quietly support you over years, as your life evolves. As we look toward the future of accessibility, this idea becomes more urgent. The truth is simple: Every body is either disabled, or not currently disabled. DESIGN THAT LASTS MUST ALSO ADAPT Accessible design is not a niche strategy. It is a philosophy of foresight. Just as quality design anticipates wear and tear, accessible design anticipates change. Our abilities shift over time: a disease diagnosis, a broken wrist, aging eyesight, a dimly lit room, or the fatigue that comes from multitasking. These are permanent, temporary, and situational disabilities that remind us that accessibility is not for some people, it is for every body, all the time. When you buy something thoughtfully designed, you are not only purchasing an object for today. You are investing in your future self. A well-placed grab bar or an ergonomically-contoured handle may seem unnecessary now, but design that is inclusive from the start ensures your environment keeps working for you as life evolves. That is not a limitation; that is liberation. THE BLUE SKY FALLACY Every designer learns that constraints fuel creativity. The most overlooked constraint is time itself. Great design considers not only how an object is today, but how it ages, how it feels after a decade, and how it fits into new phases of life. The products that endurethe teakettle you reach for every morning, the cane that becomes an extension of confidence, the accessible bed that becomes invaluable when you are pregnant, recovering from a sports injury or dealing with arthritisearn their place through empathy and endurance. Like copper developing a natural patina, they do not lose their shine with age; they gain depth, character, and meaning. Time reveals what is truly human in design: the capacity to keep serving, delighting, and belonging. When we prioritize quality over quantity, we move from consumption to connection. The inexpensive object may fill a need, but the well-designed one creates a relationship. It gathers meaning through use, through memory, and through time. THE 10-3-1 RULE: DESIGN FOR DISCOVERY From 10 feet away, a product should make a striking visual impression that draws you in. From three feet away, you begin to notice the finer details that make it beautiful and unique. From one foot away, you experience the tactile qualitiesthe feel in your hand, the sound of a lid closing, the subtle comfort of balancethat turn interaction into attachment. This layering of experience also connects design across time. The first impression creates desire. The first touch confirms trust. Over years of use, the subtle discoveries and enhancements continue to reveal themselves, deepening the relationship between product and user. When we design with this rule, we are not creating for novelty. We are designing for longevity, ensuring that the product continues to surprise and delight in small ways long after it is first used. The more you live with it, the more reasons you find to keep it. That is how great design resists obsolescence and becomes part of your life story. DESIGN WITH: CREATING FOR THE LONG JOURNEY Product designers often start with ethnographic research. It means we observe, listen, and collaborate with users to uncover product opportunity gaps that real life exposes. During this process, we create journey maps for all stages of use to ensure that, over time, the product continues to delight and exceed expectations. This approach turns empathy into strategy. When we design with people, rather than for them, we learn what they reach for first, what they avoid, and what frustrates them as time goes on. Designing with time in mind ensures that function and emotion evolve together. Products should not simply age well; they should grow more meaningful as users do. FROM TIMELESS STYLE TO SUSTAINABLE EMPATHY Design that lasts is also sustainable. Durability is the quiet partner of accessibility. When an object is built to last, both physically and emotionally, it reduces waste in materials and in meaning. A timeless product avoids obsolescence not because it resists change, but because it anticipates it. Michael Graves understood that beauty and practicality are not opposites. They are collaborators. His philosophy, that good design belongs to every body, was not just about cost or availability. It was about longevity. The most democratic design is the one that remains useful and dignified across the entire arc of a persons life. When we think beyond immediate needs to what those needs might become, we create environments that nurture resilience rather than replacement. DESIGN AS AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR FUTURE SELF When you buy an accessibly-designed product, whether a piece of furniture, a bathroom fixture, or a cooking tool, you are not only investing in quality. You are investing in your future independence, comfort, and dignity. As Michael reminded us, you can buy a lot of cheap ones, or one great Armani suit. The suit, like great accessible design, carries you forward. It becomes part of your story. It fits you today, and it will still fit, both metaphorically and emotionally, when your needs evolve. The fifth dimension of design is not about style that never changes. It is about care that never expires. Ben Wintner is CEO of Michael Graves Design.
Category:
E-Commerce
You came, you ate, you sat through Uncle Bob’s crass jokes. Youve earned yourself some alone time. If the holidays prompt you to research “solitary retreats near me,” or if you find yourself utterly bored with dinner table conversationhow are we still talking about Wicked?!here are four games you can play on your phone or computer. Heads-up: The last one requires a minimum of two people, so save it for when you’ve recharged your social batteries. [Image: The New York Times] 1. For those who are sick of Wordle Domino fan? Sudoku fan? If you like either or both of those games, youll love Pips, a new logic puzzle game from The New York Times. The rules are simple: Place your domino tiles on a game board to meet a set number of conditions. Some regions must have the same number of pipsthose dots that make up the face of your domino tile; others must add up to a certain number. You have to satisfy all requirements in order to win. If one puzzle doesn’t scratch the itch, you can play two more on the same day, though you have to pick a different level of difficulty. If you’re looking for a Wordle alternative, or want something more numerical that’s not good old Sudoku, this one’s for you. [Screenshots: Neal Agarwal] 2. For those who want to fight a machine You know that really annoying CAPTCHA puzzle you have to sometimes complete to prove you’re not a robot? Well, game designer Neal Agarwal has turned it into a mischievously addictive computer game. I’m Not a Robot features 48 puzzles that become increasingly difficult as the game progresses. One minute, you’re checking boxes with stop signs on them; another, you’re trying to park a Waymo with your keyboard’s arrow keys. The action culminates in a frantic Dance Dance Revolution game, but its so difficult that only 1% of people had reached that level within a month of the game launching. If you find yourself sucked in, and your family keeps growling at you for being antisocial, just tell them youre on a noble mission to prove your humanity to a machine. [Images: courtesy Colin Miller] 3. For transit nerds (or those who loved The Sims) Are you old enough to remember SimCity, or progressive enough to find public transit cool? Then youll love Subway Builder, a new simulation game that lets you design, build, and operate subway systems in more than 20 cities across the United States. But here’s the best part: Unlike other transit games, this one uses real-life data to map where residents and workers live, as well as building foundations, road layouts, and existing tunnels that may impede construction. The game gets so realistic you have to contend with signal failures, broken down trains, and operational costs in a way that might just help you gain an ounce of sympathy for the folks who run the actual subway in your city. Transit experts believe the game could start a transit revolutionso hop on quick. [Photo: Hasbro] 4. For those who hate being the Banker Do you still carry cash? Hasbro, the maker of Monopoly, figured you’ve upgraded to mobile banking, and decided to make a version of Monopoly that meets you where you are. Meet: Monopoly App Banking, a version of the classic board game that eliminates both paper money and the dreaded role of the banker, instead delegating transactions to a free mobile app. In this case, the app is both the bank and the banker! The app-assisted game promises faster, fairer playno more power grabsand augmented-reality enhanced mini games you unlock every time you land on Free Parking, Jail, or Railroad spaces. Don’t worry, though: The board itself remains.
Category:
E-Commerce
The holiday season is merry, bright, and hectic. Its hard to cram every moment of cheer into just four weeks and keep your sanity. If you find yourself behind and needing to grab last-minute presents, run errands, or pick up a stick of butter on Christmas Eve, know that you are only human. After taking a couple of deep breaths, read on to see which stores are open and closed on the night before the big night. Are banks open on Christmas Eve? Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday, so most banks are open. Some may choose to have reduced hours, so it is a good practice to check with your local branch ahead of time to save you the potential headache. If you missed your window, dont forget that online banking and ATMs can come to the rescue. Is mail delivered on Christmas Eve? Yes, mail is delivered on Christmas Eve. The U.S. Postal Service is operating, although some branches may close early. Is the stock market open? Yes, you can buy and sell on Christmas Eve. (Perhaps to stuff the stockings with stock?) Both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq are open for business, but only until 1 p.m. ET. Which stores are open? Here’s a cheat sheet for grocery store hours this year: Trader Joes: Reduced hours; open until 5 p.m. Aldi: Reduced hours; check your local store for details. Whole Foods: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Publix: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Kroger: Store closes at 8 p.m.; pharmacy closes at 5 p.m. Safeway: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. And here’s one for popular retailers: Walmart: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Target: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Costco: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kohls: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. TJ Maxx: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Macys: Closing at 7 p.m. Starbucks is open but with reduced hours. Check your local store for details. Are pharmacies open on Christmas Eve? If you’re feeling under the weather on Christmas Eve, you can turn to CVS or Walgreens. Both major pharmacy chains are open, though they are expected to close early. Check in with your local store before heading on a run for cough syrup. The bottom line Never fear. Most stores are open on Christmas Eve with reduced hours. Double-check the hours at your local shop so you dont waste a trip. And try not to worry. Everything will get done and be holly jolly.
Category:
E-Commerce
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