Postal Presents - Flat Pack Watch

The flat pack "I ♥ Flat Pak" watch, has been designed as an unusual, fun, inexpensive gift which can be sent through the mail in a standard C4 envelope.

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.

Ross Lovegrove - Organic design

Ross Lovegroves video on organic design highlights the need for 'fat-free' design, and he discusses the way in which he uses nature as inspiration for his designs.

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’.

Bad Design - Dualit Toaster & Sandwich Cage

The Dualit toaster and sandwich cage has a design flaw as the cage when loaded with a sandwich for toasting does not fit in the slot of the toaster. The result of this is that you can damage the toaster by trying to force the cage into the slot or your sandwich can fall out. This both makes a mess and is wastefull.

My attempt to fix this is to simply increase the width of the opening on the toaster. Thus allowing for the sandwich and cage to easily be placed inside the toaster.

Peer Comments

• Christopher Hui
• Fiona Lee
• Jennifer Widjaja
• Fanru Wang
• Chelcie Nielsen