Monday 17 October 2011
Rationale
The use of the recycled posters (polypropylene) and the process of Flat pack packaging were the two focus points of this project, hence I wanted my final solution to utilised, and emphasized the materials key properties but also have a successful minimalistic packaging technique.
I wanted to show that this particular material is ideal to be applied to lighting, and also show that no other material could be used to make this particular light, I feel I accomplished this by goal by utilising the materials ability to hold a folded edge, its memory which allows it to spring from flat packaged form to constructed form and its white side which effectively displays shadows cast by its own structure, the white side’s Soft matt shine also picks up and reflects ambient light which is a gorgeous effect. Rigidity is another key property of this material; I wanted to play with this quality by contrasting it with the softness of cotton thread to create interest within my design.
As this material has so many great qualities I wanted to really ‘show it off’ by using a vast surface area. These large surface areas allowed the posters coloured side to be illuminated through the white side and become a dominate feature. This vast use of material also allows a glow of the posters inside colours glow out the bottom of the lamp.
I didn’t want my design to fall in to the cheap category of lighting for example the flat packet lanterns that can be found in cheap shops or markets which are relatively disposable. I wanted my lamp to be a high end product, that is kept for a long period of time becoming greatly loved and sentimental ect. From researched I found that many of these cheaper lamps were greatly based on origami folding methods and only utilised the single material. This mainstream trend pushed me toward alternate techniques such as fabric manipulation and the introduction of cotton thread as a second material. By straying from the mainstream I hope that my design, though mass produced will have unique essences which will allow my design to stand out from its competitors.
From research I identified a key problem with existing flat packaged products including lights was that they were too complicated and/or time consuming for the consumer, which lead to many consumers having to hire a tradesperson just for assembly. Another problem which I found was that many flat packaged products were near impossible to dismantle and re construct after the original construction. Hence I had a great desire to create a successful, simple packaging process that took up limited space and gave the consumer ease in constructing, deconstructing and re constructing the lamp. This desire lead to the final design being a single component design which through simple folding is easily transformed from packaged form to a constructed light and back again.
Friday 30 September 2011
what is design : Bill Moggridge
This gives us a detailed view into the world of design including the process, the different components of design, the change of the way we design and possible design aspirations in the future which have the ability to educate the population and shape our future society.
Bill starts by showing that everything is designed from the buildings we live in, to the equipment we use to do daily tasks to our gardens, emphasizing the world around us is manmade and reflects our society.
Bill identifies one of designs key components; collaboration. Pointing out collaboration between design components eg physical and digital design and human and subjective and technical and objective design sectors are vital in the creation of successful design. These sectors must play off each other to ensure the design that is being produced is both of a high aesthetical and functional value which will enhance our society. For example graphic design would not be possible without the computer engineers who create the high tech computer programs and buildings which push the limits would not be structurally possible without construction engineers.
The importance of educating the younger generations on design is emphasized through the clip of the first lady. He emphasizes the value of good design and its ability to transform our world into a better place, through educating people (eg. the smart technological globe) or enhancing the ease of tasks (eg. the no change banking system ). In contrast he recognises bad design and its ability to make our life complex and unbelievably frustrating.
The design process is shown and a particular focus is put on the importance of target market research which will ensure the designs we are creating are a reflection of the consumer’s desires. He shows that it is not important of the ordered of the design process (the process is flexible depending on the type of design being created), however it is vital that all components of this process are covered to ensure a successful design is created.
Bill shows that the sky is really the limit when it comes to design. That technology is excelling at an extremely high rate allowing us to create things that were once impossible. These wide boundaries allow us to design systems and products to enhance our society eg the self proscription eye glasses.
It is also shown that Design is changing to a system and technological dominated creating process eg the no change banking system. Also society is becoming increasingly conscious of our imprint on the world hence sustainable processes and material are being more and more used in the modern design process.
Thursday 15 September 2011
Wednesday 14 September 2011
tools project: scissors
I have altered traditional scissors by replacing the handles with a squeeze mechanism which feels much like squeezing a stress ball. The handles of traditional scissors are a great stress point to the user. Traditional scissors handles are restricting (not everyone’s finger fit the holes) and lack of hand support causes great jarring in the palm are hence are highly un-ergonomic . The Squeezing mechanism which I have employed removes the holes allowing no restriction of the fingers and the squeezing mechanism distributes the stress over the entire palm which removes the jarring hence enhances the ease of cutting. Due To the dynamic action of the handle's nylon loop attachment these scissors are ideal for those who have hand problems such as arthritis, weakness or thumb injuries but are also ideal for children learning to cut who cannot manage the finger holes of tradition scissors. By removing the traditional scissor finger holes also means they are not left or right hand specific, allowing for a larger non discriminative target market, this is greatly beneficial as organisations such as households, offices or schools will not have to purchase different scissors for left hander’s.
Besides from the function benefits this product is pleasurable as a result of the incorporation of design element and principles. This includes contrast of smooth silicon organic body shape the sharp ceramic blades, these two elements also highly contrast in colour and texture. Radiation from the sharp point to the volumous bulb forces the eye to move down the design hence create movement which allows the design to have an interesting aesthetics. Also adding interest is the unsymmetrical vertically axis and the unbalanced symmetry of grips creates interest. These grips along with the screw are points of dominance the grips and the screw are interest point which catch the eye.
The squeezing mechanism and bright, soft aesthetic, is appealing as it adds a quirky, funness to cutting, which engages the consumer and stops the feelings of duty or obligation to perform this task.
Materials Used
Ceramic is used for the blades as this material stays sharper for longer. This material is harder then stainless steal hence it can hold an edge longer. Ceramics also retain their like-new appearance better than stainless because they don't pit, rust or corrode, and are lighter than stainless steal.
Silicon rubber is used for the outer shell and also the hand grips. Its soft matt finish is non-irritating on the skin while its high flexural strength, ease of manufacturing and shaping, high tear strength is ideal for the movement of the squeezing mechanism. Polyamide is used for the inside loop as it has good flextrual strength, high resistance to wear and abrasion, good compression strength, good crack resistance.
Premium high density foam; this foam is highly durable being used in many applications that require prolonged use of heavy hence would be ideal for the repetitive motion used in the cutting mechanism.
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