Friday, November 20, 2009
Richard Seymour and Dick Powell: Designing dream machines
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Upclycling Unwanteds - Snooker Balls
The task of upcycling is where waste materials are transformed into new products that are both functional and appealing. This has great importance in today's society because of the excess waste in our society. For my project I have chosen to use billiards balls. My rationale behind this is as follows, there are hundreds if not thousands of bars and pubs which have billiard tables, and a common occurrence is for balls to go missing (commonly stolen by lowlife scum). From my research it is not possible to replace a selected ball. Instead an entire set needs to be purchased. Thus, the remainder of the balls become redundant. Similarly balls get chipped and scratched requiring replacement. Furthermore there would be manufacturing defects unsuitable for use.
Billiard balls are made of Phenolic resin (Bakelite) which is essentially a very hard and strong resin. In the past there have been no options for recycling this material other than incineration. Thus these 'waste' balls would be nothing more than an environmental burden.
In coming up with my final design of a bowl I explored other ideas. The first being jewelry, in particular rings. There were two reasons that I did not do this. Firstly, I felt that perhaps I could find a more economical use for the balls, as there was a great amount of wastage. Secondly, after further research I discovered that someone had already made something similar. It was at this point that I decided a bowl could be quite charming.
I made the bowl by slicing the balls into discs using a bandsaw. I then sanded and polished them. I experimented with several construction methods, the first being strategically chamfering the edges of the balls so that they could be glued together to form a bowl shape. I then experimented with using wire jump rings and rivets. Neither of which worked. The final result was to join the discs with aluminium straps and small bolts with dome nuts. Whilst I am happy with the way that the final product turned out, more time for refinement and tweaking would have improved it. Be that said, this is just the first prototype and which should be considered.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Yves Behar - Creating designs that tell stories
The video explores the fact that design is not only about making a product look pretty but future design is about creating a beautiful product from the inside out. The video shows that there is no point having something that looks good if it doesn't have the internal function to match. The video also highlights the fact that design is not just for the wealthy and that it can also bring technology to parts of the world that previously had no access. Similarly, the video conveys that idea that all aspects of a products deign must communicate to the user the products function.
The video discusses the responsibilities that designers have. This can be whether or not they will advance society, better life or promote health and healthy living and this is accomplished by designing from the inside out to create a product with a soul rather than merely a function.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Postal Presents - Flat Pack Watch
The recipient receives the gift in a plain envelope with no idea what it contains. After opening the envelope the recipient still has no idea what it contains until the lid on the flat pack is lifted of. Once opened, there is a strong visual stimulus which aims to create a sense of excitement and expectation.
Assembly is fun and simple, resulting in a funky, fully functional watch which aims to be a conversation piece. It is nevertheless practical and durable for on-going everyday use. No tools, other than the screw driver which is included, are required to assemble the gift.
The "I ♥ Flat Pak" watch has been designed to be laser cut out of simple sheet material, - metal or even plastic. However, the prototype as presented was constructed by hand from nickel silver sheet due to time and cost constraints.
The mass production method of stamping out the various layers is simple, quick and inexpensive. Therefore a highly profitable sub $30 gift is envisaged. The watch mechanisms are a standard item and may be acquired in bulk for less than $1 per piece.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Ross Lovegrove - Organic design
Lovegrove defines 'fat-free' design as being 'lean and efficient' where the material and form are reduced to what is the minimum requirement to obtain the specific requirements of this item. For example the spiraled stair case in his studio which takes its inspiration from DNA structure is a beautiful minimalist object.
The use of the structure of DNA for inspiration exemplifies Lovegroves philosophy and process by using what has been developed by natural evolution. Lovegrove chooses nature for inspiration as he believes that through evolution all parts which are unnecessary have been removed.
Similarly the DNA stair case in Lovegrove's studio is an example of how only through the advances in technology have made it possible to produce such things. For example, the stair case has been formed from a single element with a carbon fiber handrail.
Lovegrove demonstrates to the viewer the necessity to find suitable inspraration for design and he stresses the power of nature through design and how beauty can be very minimalist and somewhat ‘plain’.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Bad Design - Dualit Toaster & Sandwich Cage
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Experience Enrichment - Fixed Gear Fixer
Your typical fixed gear rider is either a bicycle courier or someone who attempts to mimic that particular style of cycling, - often seen darting between cars in the city. Both of these groups of people share the same persona as quirky, fun-loving, somewhat eccentric and unique individuals. The norm is not of great interest to them, and similarly nor is it your typical spanner . Thus I have developed my “Fixed Gear Fixer” which aims to capture this niche and offer ‘fixie’ riders a tool that is fun to use, appeals to their quirky taste and is a great conversation starter amongst fellow riders. It is also safer to use than a normal rigid spanner.
The “Fixed Gear Fixer” is a flexible silicone encased spanner and lock ring tool. It is flexible as this allows the user to bend the body/handle of the spanner out of the way of sharp points while using it. If a normal rigid spanner were to slip whilst using it, this could cause serious injury to one’s hand. With the “Fixed Gear Fixer”, the silicone body provides the user with a comfortable and ergonomic handle with which he/she can apply maximum tightening torque easily and safely by bending it away from sharp edges. The multi-coloured silicone aims to appeal to the fun and quirky nature of the typical ‘fixie’ rider.
The “Fixed Gear Fixer” has a core consisting of a hardened steel socket for the wheel nuts and a hardened steel lock ring spanner. These two ends are joined by a section of bicycle chain encased inside the silicone handle. This allows for the tool to be flexible in one direction (left to right) but when bent in the other direction (up and down) it remains straight and strong, allowing the tool to perform as a normal rigid spanner would. The body of the tool is cast “RTV Addition Cured” silicone with colour pigments added. This product was used as it has good colour vibrancy with the addition of the pigment. It is also very strong with great stretch properties for a long lasting product.
- Motivated, high energy and goal driven.
- Like to be noticed for their quirkiness
- The fixie rider is trendy and quirky with passionate focus on their hobbies, clothes and other lifestyle choices.
- They have a preference for instant gratification and do not like to wait for anything.
- Young, active, fit and energetic
- Conscious of their carbon footprint and awareness of the need to be eco-friendly.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Yves Behar - Designing objects that Tell Stories
In recent times the company’s projects have installed humanistic sense in them. The point of this is to create different relationships between “work and world”. This is because designers bring value to business and users. However the value that they put into the objects that ultimately creates the greater value. This is the balance of function and beauty often involving environmental issues, sustainability or lower power consumption. But it is the designer which brings all these elements together.
It is Yves Behar’s belief that designing is no longer about merely re-designing skins of technology. But about designing from the inside out, and then applying small tweaks with hand drawings or computer modelling. It is this that means that a designer’s work is never complete. As you can always improve the packaging, the website. This ultimately means you have to keep in touch with the user.
The ultimate message Yves Behar is conveying it that design is able to create a conversation or breaking the ice.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Don Norman - Emotional Design
There has been research done which has proven that people are much more emotionally attached to products which they feel some involvement with. Thus personalised/customised products make a huge difference as to how users interact with the product. Similarly people have a much greater emotional attachment to product which they carry with them all the time for example; mobile phone, wallet or MP3 player. Coincidentally Don Norman identifies that it is much easier to give rules for the design of usable products than for the design of pleasurable products as there are technical specifications which underpin how the object works or functions. Thus there is a large amount of grey area in regard to what makes a design emotional. Thus there are no set guidelines for emotional design. Rather there is a framework to understand the impact that emotions have on design.
Don Norman highlights the point that economic measures are essential for the designer to understand. This is because if a product is unsuccessful, or if it is not economically viable to produce and therefore no company will make it, then it doesn’t matter how well it is designed, as nobody will ever use it and it will be a comercial failure. This being said artists on the other hand can ignore the business side of their work as they are purely interested in the aethetic quality of the design. Hence, a successful product wherther it be desuign from an emotional or technical standpoint must have a sound business model.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Good Design - Izona Cooktop
The Good Design task involved analysing a product featured in the Australian International Design Awards (see www.designawards.com.au) and creating an A3 sized poster. The goal for the poster was to focus on the aesthetic quality of the product and not its functionality and technical aspects.
The product I assessed was the Izona cooktop by Fischer and Paykel. This is a revolutionary design which fuses gas and ceramic cooktop technology. Similarly the introduction of fan forced gas for even heat distribution, retractable pan supports and elegant black ceramic glass are all a testament to why it won this prestigious award.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
David Kelley - Human Centred Design
Design has been focused on developing products or objects using new technologies to revolutionise the way we live and work. However, in doing so it has removed the humanity from products leaving many people emotionally disconnected from today’s products. For this reason nowadays there is not as great a need for “better” or “bigger” products but rather products which return the human to the centre of control.
David Kelley’s video The future of design is human-centered highlights the need for people to be able to touch, feel and interact with products which is being accomplished by building a behavior or personality into products. This is even evident in the design stages as there have been changes to the design process. This is 3D renderings and models being replaced with videos demonstrating the objects in motion and how they will be used. Some current design projects discussed in the video which have directly addressed this need include a new Prada retail store in New York, H2EYE’s Spyfish and Approtec and are using this new method to convey their use.
The Prada store in New York is revolutionizing the clothes shopping experience by removing the mundanity and frustration one often experiences and replacing it with efficiency and enjoyable experience. This is achieved through the scanning and display system so buyers can instantly see what sizes and colours are available and how they looked on the runway. Similarly the liquid crystal glass front for the change rooms for instant privacy and the ‘magic mirror’ so you can see how you look add to the revolutionary and enjoyable experience the new Prada store accomplishes. This example puts into direct view the importance of customer service in the retail industry.
The Spyfish by H2EYE is a great product which is making the experience of scuba diving available to more people who perhaps do not want to scuba dive or are physically unable to do so. By means of what is essentially a remotely controlled underwater video device. Since the product aims to put the user in the centre of control and is not harmful to what is under the sea I believe it is a great product which will bring a lot of joy to many people. Spyfish has also pushed the boundaries of technology primarily with the ultra thin umbilical cable. This has reduced the size of the machine making the user feel less disconnected from what is happening under the sea than if it was a large cumbersome connection.
Approtec is a non-profit Kenyan organisation started entirely by one man which is taking Kenyan entrepreneurs and creating small businesses which address many pressing needs. Including the creation of jobs and opportunities and producing products which allow for a greater standard of living for many Kenyans. For this reason I believe Approtec has been great in achieving products as simple as a hand operated pump which emphasises the needs of user. Approtec is a great example of what one person can do to better the lives of so many all from one mans great idea, generosity and deication.
This video is critical for industrial designers as it shows the direction that design is taking for the future, this being the issue of returning the pleasure of interaction between objects and users to products being designed. Thus human centered design should be a serious consideration when one takes on a design project and should be thoroughly investigated to ensure the greatest chance at success.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Week 1, Shape of Scent
The challenge was to create a shape which showed both the initial harshness and later the softness of the scent which are quite conflicting. I decided after some experimentation to create a base heavy form to represent the robustness of the initial smell as it was dominating and use small balls to show how when air moves through the molecules of the scent it creates the more appealing and natural top notes.