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/