On our visit to the Nissan Factory in Sunderland we got to see Nissan Leafs and Qashqai being manufactured. (excuse the Photo of jukes, we weren’t allowed to take pictures in the factory so I found this on google!) It was a great experience seeing all these robots put together cars, felt like science-fiction in a way. In fact 90% of the production of Nissans cars were automated. Human hands were needed for parts that a robot could not reach or parts that needed a bit of jiggling.

I guess most high production cars are manufactured in this way. You could definitely tell the cost and quality measures that have been cut to produce such high quantity. For example the lack of under seal and galvanisation of the metal bodies after welding. The ‘marriage’ of the engine, gearbox and suspension with the body was surprisingly simple especially for the Leaf in which the electric motors were just pushed into the bottom and bolted on with 4 bolts.

The one thing that did make me sad was the quality of life for the men and women working there. I understand that most factory jobs are similar, doing one thing all day everyday, and at least the Nissan workers got to rotate jobs after every break. I felt bad but realised I was lucky to be in university.

 

Colour is amazing. I remember the first time I saw a high definition TV, I was stood in front of it for ages blocking up the walkway in the John Lewis technology department. What I learnt from Ben Craven in his lecture about colour is that each and every one of us see colours differently.

I love this! I’ve wondered since I was pretty little, ‘Do I see what you see?’. This individuality makes so much sense for the old question of ‘Is this jumper navy blue or black?’ when you’re shopping with your mum. Turns out it could be both depending on the cells in your eye.

This lecture really inspired me and it has made me look at colours in a completely different way. Perhaps this contributes to the different attitudes we have with life, everyone literally sees things differently.

I have found some further reading into the science of colour. It gives some inside to how artist perceive colour. Link is below.

[stag_button url=”http://www.fastcodesign.com/3027740/evidence/the-fascinating-neuroscience-of-color” style=”light-blue” size=”small” type=”round” target=”_self”]The Fascinating Neuroscience Of Colour[/stag_button] [stag_button url=”http://bencraven.org.uk/” style=”light-blue” size=”small” type=”round” target=”_self”]Ben Craven’s Website[/stag_button]