Designing a Better Immigration Experience

The State of Israel is unique in that if you meet certain criteria you can gain citizenship immediately upon arrival in the country. Obviously this isn't automatic. There are forms to fill out, red tape to wade through and a whole host of interesting characters to meet.

As someone currently undergoing this process (I moved to Israel two weeks ago) I do feel blessed not to have to take any tests or wait a few years or any of those other lovely things some countries make people do, but I can't help but feel like this process could be redesigned.

For one it takes four days from the date of arrival to be registered in the system. This means you can't open up a bank account or get a phone or anything for at least four days. As well there are to many different offices to visit. Why can't things be more centralized?

Even sillier is what happened to me today. I had to go to the local absorption office. I was told the office is at 31 Shazar Street. Now remember, I am a new immigrant. I have spent a total of five days in my new city of residence. This means, I pretty much have no clue how to get anywhere. Luckily though, I have a map in my apartment. I manage to find the street no problem, but where is number 31? There is exactly one street number I can see and it is on building number 1. It just seems nuts that a place catering to new immigrants would have no street number, sign or other marking to indicate "you are here." After walking up and down the street in about 36 degree heat (Celsius) calling the place a few times and asking random people I eventually found the building. Needless to say this is just the most recent example of how this process should be redesigned.

Warning!!!!!

This isn't so much design pondering as it is a warning to all users of imacs out there. iLugger carrying cases, while handy, can give you a rash! Observe...

Something to consider

Stores that give out paper bags that aren't actually paper and therefore cannot be recycled. The look of paper the environment destroying properties of plastic. Wonderful!

Just Because Something Is Recycled, Doesn't Make It Green

I was just reading this article on Fast Company's website discussing "green" bikinis, it is after all the bikini's 63 birthday today. I put green in quotes because I don't actually believe anything about spending $100 on a tiny scrap of material is green. I mean I am no tree-hugger, but I do think sustainability is crucial and I don't think recycling is the key to living a sustainable lifestyle. I think that excessive consumption, much more than unwise resource choices, have landed us in the position we are in now. If fashion houses truly want to be green they should try to create long lasting pieces and eliminate short lived trends.

Obviously if you are going to buy it is better to buy something that was made responsibly, I just hope these pieces have also been made to last.

Advice

Where do you go when you want some solid design advice?
Fast Company's Expert Design Blog. More about impact than art, Fast Company's experts are really insightful.

True Blood

I have yet to see the show True Blood. This is somewhat surprising when I really think about it because not only am I kind of addicted to TV, but I have always had a thing for creatures of the night such as vampires and the like. That being said the fact still remains I haven't seen it. What I have seen though are the brilliant and super-sticky ads that promote the show. Last seasons energy drink ads were great:

This season the show goes even further and places ads directed at vampires by real companies such as Mini and Harley Davidson. Check out Fast Companies take on the campaign here.
I really do have to watch the show at some point. That is if I find the time between this season of Weeds and So You Think You Can Dance and Corner Gas and Dexter...

Repo! The Genetic Opera

Just for the record it isn't that I have been ignoring my design blogging it is just that I have been giving my brain a rest after the 4 year design-intensive. Yoga is very therapeutic by the way. Back to design though.

A friend recently recommended the movie Repo! The Genetic Opera to me. While I was skeptical, I checked out the trailer, and then became obsessed with the idea of the movie. I mean only the most ingenious movie could pair Sarah Brightman and Paris Hilton. That is just a side point though. The art direction on this thing is incredible. It meshes Sin City and Moulin Rouge. It is dark, it is graphic, it is beautiful.