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/