Project Three: Upcycling Unwanteds

Concept Poster and Rationale

I started off this project with picking out my materials before thinking of my product, rather than the other way round.

After having chosen plastic film reels and car tail lights from reverse garbage, the idea of a hand or foot powered fan came to mind. However, this idea was quickly dropped due to the complexity of gears involved.

I then experimented with various configurations and decided that the main elements i would extract from my chosen materials would be the circular form of my film reels and the bright orange quality of the tail lights.

With these elements, i came to the conclusion that they could be combined to create something that could cast shadows as well as have light shine through it.

A screen or room divider seemed like an appropriate choice as it could exhibit the properties that my chosen materials had to offer.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of materials, i had to cut the film reels in half, resulting in quite an unstable base and also i did not manage to get quite as much effect out of the tail lights as i liked to. I also would have liked it if the divisions of my product were taller and of equal heights.

The reels are held together by nuts and bolts, with the sections of tail lights attached by epoxy, and each portion is hinged onto another.




Illustrations

Peer Comments:

http://robotronblog.blogspot.com/
http://gregshar.blogspot.com/
http://danielletaouk-ides1031-2009.blogspot.com/
http://stanleywong1.blogspot.com/
http://ninaharcus.blogspot.com/

Video Reflections 6: Seymour Powell: Designing Dream Machines

This video provides an enlightening insight into the design process from idea to creation. Seymour Powell are capable of uncovering the skills and processes that are required in the industry, while also managing to capture what is required for a effective solution to any brief.

Seymour Powell highlight the attention to detail and relentless effort undertaken in a fully successful model.

Such a well choreographed operation displayed in this snippet displays the methodical attitude expected of a successful industrial designer and provides a secure base of steps and processes for us to learn from.

Image sourced from:

http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/DCImages/Case%20Studies/Aqualisa/R_Seymour_&_D_Powell_Sm.jpg

Video Reflections 5: Annie Leonard - The Story of Stuff

From its extraction by means of sale, use and discarding, all the objects in our lives have an effect on communities at home and overseas, yet most of this is concealed.

Annie Leonard's video uncovers the relations between an immense amount of environmental and communal issues, and urges us to generate a more sustainable and moral world.

Leonard has been continuously spelling out the idiocy of our disposable society to many for decades. While her mastery of precision is admirable, it is ultimately her fervent approach that transforms dreary facts into controversial stories that pressure you to take action.

Leonard's video brings to mind the thought of needs versus wants. It serves as a wake-up call of sorts to designers to be aware of the amount they take from the environment and whether they use what they take to its full lifespan and capacity, reminding us to be environmentally conscious and responsible.

Image sourced from:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1841778_1841781_1841805,00.html

Link to Annie Leonard's video:

http://storyofstuff.com/

Project Two: Postal Presents

Flattened 2D view



Upright 3D view



3D view filled with candy



Different 3D view of rubber-band mechanism



Cutting diagram


Rationale

This multi-purpose holder has been targeted at those hoping to reduce clutter in their spaces. It can be flattened with ease and takes shape with an automatic pop-up, eliminating the need for tedious assembly.

It functions on an easy-to-squeeze method of collapsing, with an internal rubber-band mechanism. Squeezing the holder releases its contents, while letting your grip go causes it to spring up and inflate, allowing it to house its contents.

Peer Comments:

http://julianides.blogspot.com/
http://yhsggool.blogspot.com/
http://ides1031ewhite.blogspot.com/
http://claudiaides.blogspot.com/
http://jenjunzhu.blogspot.com/

Video Reflections 4: Ross Lovegrove - Organic Design

In years to come, Ross Lovegrove will certainly be thought of as a designer ahead of his time. Lovegrove has constantly been accountable for converting an infinite vision of shape and materials into astounding and thought-provoking yet functional products.

His appreciation of skeletal forms and obsession with organic design has opened a new realm of possibilities for designers. The idea of using nature's design to appeal to the instinctive appeal of humans while addressing comfort is brilliant.

Lovegrove has exceptional observational skills as an artist, but lacks the designer's common sense of when an organic design is most appropriate, often unnecessarily injecting it into his ideas.

Lovegroves's ideology will be one which inspires industrial designers in the future.

Image sourced from:

http://www.stylepark.com/db-images/cms/designer/img/lovegrove_320_336-1.jpg

Link to Ross Lovegrove's youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWqkKYwvTNw

Task 4 : Bad Design: Salt Dispenser

Project One: Experience Enrichment

Mood Board

Context Poster

Rationale:

My knife sharpener has been planned specifically for an elderly war veteran. He delights in collecting knives and usually uses a sharpening stone to grind his knives. However, in his old age, it has proven to be too dangerous for his usage. My intent was to come up with a device that is safe, yet without compromising the idea of a sharpening stone. My knife sharpener still uses the same motion one would use as with a sharpening stone, however, it incorporates a handle grip as well as a knife guard, for added protection. It features two slots for first grinding the blade, followed by the tip. Blue and yellow were my colours of choice as they too are the preferred colours of my user.

Peer Comments:

http://arezziguida.blogspot.com/
http://jonathanbiet.blogspot.com/
http://hyo-jucho.blogspot.com/
http://julianides.blogspot.com/
http://glenaldyjantoides1031-2009.blogspot.com/

Video Reflections 3: Yves Behar - Creating objects that tell stories

Yves Behar opens with memories of his childhood and speaks of how objects tell stories.

After having gone to design school, Behar felt a calling towards Silicon Valley.
However, he was not satisfied with being a colourist or a stylist, just designing skins.

He wanted to work on important stuff, the entire human experience.
He focused on human needs and new experiences for users.

Behar stressed on the different values which are pumped into the products we make and how they in turn give value to the object.

Behar reminds all viewers of this video of the value of objects and how they each tell different stories.
He drives home the point that design goes far deeper than just aesthetics, and that functionality and the feel of the product are key aspects.


Image sourced from:

http://images.ted.com/images/ted/42635_254x191.jpg

Link to Yves Behar's youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGn8F4j6pH8

Video Reflections 2: Don Norman - Emotional Design

Don Norman sums up three components that define the emotional response that people subconsciously and consciously have with regards to the design of products - Visceral, Behavioural and Reflective.

Throughout the video, Norman informs of his new-found longing to create products centred around the concept of fun.

He drives on about a point of fear and how it pairs with anxiety to paralyze one's mind and in some ways, forces one to focus. However, he counters this point by stating that people do tend to work better when they are happy.

This video will teach designers to not just concentrate on the functionality of their products but the form as well, so as to appeal to the emotions and minds of their users.

Image sourced from:

http://www.cathyshive.net/images/don%20norman%20DWELL%20faucet%20expert.jpg

Link to Don Norman's youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlQEoJaLQRA

Task 3 : Good Design: TummyTub

TummyTub is a functional as well as aesthetically pleasing product for parents with newborns. However, TummyTub not only beneficial to parents, but it also provides an all-encompassing experience for the baby.

On the whole, this Good Design task has taught me to be more attentive to details and forms. It has shown that it is possible for a single product to cater to more than one target user at a time.

Video Reflections 1: David Kelley - Human centred design

With time, comes the development of technology and the progress of mankind, hence the changes in wants, needs and desires of these people that make up the market. New ideas often turn to fads in mere moments, resulting in designers cracking their heads for innovative solutions.

I viewed David Kelley speaking of the concept and philosophy of human centred design as an alarm to alert designers of the change in times. Every detail of the design process is now evermore focused on the needs and wants of the consumer.

Kelley stressed that designs of today are based on the human participation and the consideration of emotions and human thoughts, instead of just their bare functions.

This video serves as a reminder to designers to keep their design in check and up to date. It informs as well as inspires industrial designers and laymen alike, providing insight into a new form of thinking and viewing the design process.

Image sourced from:

http://www.iconaircraft.com/dl/advisors/David_Kelley.jpg

Link to David Kelley's youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXndL3TNCmo

Task 1 : Shape of a Scent

Full-bodied.
Pungent.
Flowery.
Mature.

Top to bottom: Mock-ups, Final form side view, Final form top view.