.Bombay Sapphire

Last minute entry....
Bombay Sapphire Discovery Design Award @ Object Gallery, Surry Hills

Woven Structure Stool (european beech veneer) by John Quan
.inspired by Japanese origami & textiles


Kissing Pendants Light (pressed aluminium) by Trent Jansen
.i quite like the concept behind this one, there's a story to it .... the lights hang separately when not illuminated, but when pushed towards each other they are held together by magnets and light switches on simultaneously, reflective of the intimacy between two people lip locking/kissing......how romantic!!


Listen & Record: wallpaper in Braille (non-woven paper, flocking) by Ilias Fotopoulos
.mould growth patterns, cell division, Braille & naive weaving techniques used to create unique patterns, connecting with the audience by inviting them to touch and observe. i suspect the wallpaper also tells a story.


Pregnant Chair by Trent Jansen
.like a baby in a mother's womb, the chairs dependantly co-exist highlighting the emotional and interconnected relationship between the two.


Plexa#1 Forms (cardboard, plywood, plyboo, polypropylene, stainless steel) by Christina Waterson










Serving Set (american walnut, walnut veneer, rare earth magnets) by John Quan


...and outside the Object Gallery were pretty lavenders

.Introducing la zinc coaster

Rhino rendered 3D drawings




Product model:


Placemat:

Illustrator renderings - used as a portable cupholder/coaster

Placemat

.Zinc coaster concept development

I felt the zinc coaster had more areas of expansion in terms of product development. Upon speaking to the tutors, I should apply multiple uses to the zinc coaster as its a bit "2-d" in form.

one of the ideas was to possibly follow through with the flower design and use the petals as a cupholder by bending them upright against the cup. also i could make multiples of the coaster to combine them together creating placemats for bowls.

.Searching for the material
class mate gave me a "zinc" sample which was a soft, extremey flexible metal strip
i went to bunnings but could only find zinc steel, which is too hard to work with.
called up a metal manufacturig company in rozelle and they told me they had pure soft metal zinc, however when i got there the sample they gave me was ideal to work with my idea but not for making the presentation model. it came in sheet thickness of 1mm and in rolls. and the strip i was holding turned out to be poisonous lead! eeeek!


.Searching for manufacturing process
whilst searching around i found interesting techniques:
1. electroforming
metal part is fabricated through electrodepositing of metal (in electrolyte solution plating bath) onto a mandrel/base which is removed after metal skin is built up on the surface.

2. Chemical-etch stenciling
Stencil is created on photographic paper which is then adhered on to a clean surface of the sheet metal. Acid is used to dissolve unwanted sections.

Initially I opted for the electroforming process but this would be more suitable for 3d objects. However I called up a Chemical-etching company in QLD and was advised that waterjet cutting would be more suitable for sheet material of 1mm thickness and easier and more economic to mass produce.
3. Waterjet Cutting
water of high velocity and pressure combined with an abrasive substance (eg. aluminium oxide) is used to slice metal. An autocad drawing/dwg file is required to control cutting of the design.


.Final Design


and oh i was told to look in zarf cups which decorative cupholders from turkey:



Unrelated side note: RIP my watch, lost somewhere (possibly in my room) and unable to find :( a dear friend bought it for me from moma store in NY. i am quite saddened and hopeful for its reappearance in near future.

.Concept

1. Pop out coffee table
Coffee table with extrusion of the negative spacing of a pop art. Coffee tables are often of high use and would therefore come in contact with things like magazines, remote control, drinking cups, human hands etc. All this surface contact would result in "weathering" to the table top, enabling a patina effect to occur over time. This individual touch finish would create a textured and darkened surface on the extruded pop art.

(used with examples of extruded blocks)

Extruded pop art (for surface of table)


2. Zinc Coaster
Coaster is made of pure zinc. Contact with condensation produced from cold drinks creates patina effect. and also protect table top surfaces.

.Second

Project 2. Material World

Task is to design a product made of a certain material and use the material's characteristics & properties to serve as functions. The material I have to work with is zinc (allocated from the Materials and Tech asssignment, not by choice!)

Zinc facts (after thorough research)
- metal & mineral
- soft metal
- often used to galvanise steel and iron to prevent corrosion (rust) and as a sacrifical anode for cathodic protection in salt water
- casting alloy used in industries such as automotive (car body parts vulnerable to corrosion) and buildin & construction (roofing & cladding)

- produces a patina finish through weathering. the metal becomes dark grey and textured, antique looking

.Final product > G.Pants

Design criteria/brief:
- product should reflect yet not imitate the lifestyle and interest of the target audience
- product's design is abstract and extrudes the notion of freedom; self-expression yet remains as a composed item
- product can be recognized to belong to a family; through form, shape and decals
- product's design in both form and graphics must remain to be an interest of purchase to the user even after a period of years
- product should be durable and sustainable for everyday wear, over a long period of time

My response:
Graffiti artists are always on the run/move carrying belongings with them and dress to seamlessly blend in with youth crowds to prevent attracting too much unwanted attention. My idea was to combine both function and fashion, modernising cargo pants to create a more slim, fitted and less baggy look.

Features:
- elasticised pockets > expandable for room
- metal fasteners > easy to open & close though they dont pull apart easily
- diagonal seams > creates illusion of slimming look, more comfortable
- extra long back pockets > to hold larger items like spray cans
- expandable fabric under the back pockets > expands when in use, flattens when not in use so it doesn't bulk
- narrow leg > modern look, closer fit but with room around the bottom/thigh area
- classic waistband & fly > simplified/clean look, easy to use
- black cotton polyester fabric > detracts attention by blending in the dark at night, "animosity"; fabric has stretch and is inexpensive, durable, lightweight and provides comfort
- red stitching > distinctive touch

.Concept

Modernising cargo pants.

Cargo pants are worn by graffiti artists as it is both comfortable and handy to discreetly hold small objects whilst on the move.
Currently, the general fashion trend are clothes that are fitted, well tailored and sleek.
My design is to modernise the cargo pants, combining both style and function.

concept drawings of Graffiti Pants
(includes comments after consultation with tutor)

.Styleboards

1.
graffiti artworks -
bright bold colours, words, pictures, messages, individual self-expression, intricate, detailed, contrast



2.
graffiti artist lifestyle -
accessories, clothing, banksy, night, unique

Graffiti Artist: Banksy

I first heard about Banksy when Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt bought $1million worth of his art. His stencil technique style is quite impressive and interesting, conveying messages to the public. Although he's well known in Britain, his identity still remains unclear.

.First

an extremely belated first entry (due 3 weeks ago!). this blog was created solely as an online visual diary (and also to receive my 5% mark :) documenting ideas, research, inspiration and sketches.

First project, entitled 'Urban Tribes' is to design a product for a particular subculture. Initially we form a group and choose a subculture, but we have to individually design a different product that belong in a "family" of products from fellow group members.

Subculture: Graffiti Artists.