Rachael sigley: http://rachaelsigley.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/final-design-poster.html?showComment=1332767659841#c390656195931443652
Eugenie Barnet: http://studio1-bee.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/model-pictures.html?showComment=1332768180131#c5761226234750493581
Sarah Howard: http://sarahoward1031.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/plant-storage.html?showComment=1332768775552#c2328746979283199828
Christine Liang: http://mad-attic.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/rationale.html?showComment=1332769582089#c2578635655485631101
Max Glanville: http://maxglanvillez3333044.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/product-poster.html?showComment=1332770272225#c7722764031634938523
Monday 26 March 2012
Rationale: bioinspired design
Background:
“Biomimetic, biomimicry, bionics, biomorphism & bioinpiration are all terms referring to the mimicry of design models, forms from biological organisms & natural systems or a nonrepresentational form/pattern that resembles a living organism in shape or appearance that generates alternative solutions to design problems.”
For this assignment I decided to design a laundry basket for kids inspired by a sea bird—the pelican.
I searched for other designers for some inspiration in what they had designed that was inspired by pelicans. I found a French designer Marc Venot and his pelican bedside table. This is operated through a simple hand movement rotation of the container on a central axis which opens and closes the compartment and the fixed top acts as a table top. Having the base as a storage compartment is alike of a pelican’s bill.
Information on the pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
I decided to do a laundry bag as the expandable bill resembles a bag/basket. The main feature is the elongated bill with its massive throat pouch. The Australian pelican's bill is the longest of any bird, ranging from 40 - 50 cm long. The biometrics behind this idea is that the bill-bag expands when more clothes are added until its maximum capacity; which is like a pelican being able to expand, holding up to 13Litres of water.
Pelicans plunge their bills into the water, using their pouches as nets and are referred to as ‘scoop net’ for catching. It also acts as a short-term collecting organ.
More so the light weight of the laundry bag is derived from the light skeleton frame of the bird, weighing less than 10% of their total body weight.
The main material chosen is nylon for the laundering basket (the shape of a bill) because nylon is a stretch fabric which is suited to the properties of the pelican’s bill.
properties of nylon are:
-High resistance to insects, fungi, animals, as well as molds, mildew, rot and many chemicals,
-High elongation
-Excellent abrasion resistance
-Highly resilient
-durability
other materials:
-polyester boning to support the rim of the basket (acts as a frame)
-1.5mm wire (supporting the rim-to keep it in shape)
-Polyester /satin white stuffing + sewn on plastic googly eyes (head of the pelican)
-cardboard backing to support the back of the bill, for a flat surface to be placed against the wall
qualities of the pelican laundry basket:
-floor space saver-> hang on a wall
-easy to fold and put away when not in use
-easy to clean/wash when needed, just need to remove the cardboard backing
- Colourful, Playful bright colours- ideal for kids
-Comfortable handle –easy to carry to the laundry room
In comparison with other laundry baskets that are already on market, they do not have the qualities of being biomorphic and biometric; it either has the function but does not look like any organisms. For example a laundry basket can look like a ladybug but it does not obtain any of its qualities –just the aesthetics to be suited for a children’s product. While other laundry storages are larger in size, thus taking up more space which is inconvenient if living in a small apartment.
other laundry baskets used for kids aren’t as playful and childlike which does not attract children into putting their dirty clothes in the basket for washing. So the idea of making the laundry storage look more like a pelican (biomorphic) would attract them into enjoy putting their clothes away thus helping their parents. This would also make the parents more likely to buy the product.
References:
(book)The Life Cycle of a Pelican, author: Anna Kingston
bioinspired
progress/mock ups:
as seen in the images, I have made the pelican laundry bag and testing different sizes of goggly eyes as well as different fasteners for the lid/bill
1. orange zipper around the rim of the bill
2. magnetic strips (placed in 3 different sections-- front and sides of the bill)
3. velcro strips (placed at the front of the bill)
for my final I decided to go with the largest eyes--4cm in diameter as it best suited in comparasion with the bill. velcro was the best fastener out of the three because it does not wear off once it has been washed, however for the magnetic strip-it will not be as sustainable.
the reason why I chose the velcro over the zipper, was due to the fact that the zip can catch pieces of the clothing in the teeth when zipped up.
other details I later added included the removable cardboard backing--for sitting flat against the wall. or if unwanted can be detached by velcro.
I chose cardboard as it was cheap and a more sustainable material compared to plastic--which can be quite flimpsy.
the handle at the back of the head was also altered, having a more wider and comfortable grip for the parents to carry.
in the mock ups, I made it fold up (as seen in the first image) but non-corrosive wiring was added to the rim of the bill for a more stability.
the nylon fabric will expand as more clothes pile up--this mimics the pelican's bill being only a thin layer of skin but able to stretch and hold up to 13L of water. Also the lightness of the material is alike of the skeletal bird- (skeleton weighing less than 10% of the body weight).
as seen in the images, I have made the pelican laundry bag and testing different sizes of goggly eyes as well as different fasteners for the lid/bill
1. orange zipper around the rim of the bill
2. magnetic strips (placed in 3 different sections-- front and sides of the bill)
3. velcro strips (placed at the front of the bill)
for my final I decided to go with the largest eyes--4cm in diameter as it best suited in comparasion with the bill. velcro was the best fastener out of the three because it does not wear off once it has been washed, however for the magnetic strip-it will not be as sustainable.
the reason why I chose the velcro over the zipper, was due to the fact that the zip can catch pieces of the clothing in the teeth when zipped up.
other details I later added included the removable cardboard backing--for sitting flat against the wall. or if unwanted can be detached by velcro.
I chose cardboard as it was cheap and a more sustainable material compared to plastic--which can be quite flimpsy.
the handle at the back of the head was also altered, having a more wider and comfortable grip for the parents to carry.
in the mock ups, I made it fold up (as seen in the first image) but non-corrosive wiring was added to the rim of the bill for a more stability.
the nylon fabric will expand as more clothes pile up--this mimics the pelican's bill being only a thin layer of skin but able to stretch and hold up to 13L of water. Also the lightness of the material is alike of the skeletal bird- (skeleton weighing less than 10% of the body weight).
Sunday 25 March 2012
biodesign
concept posters: 1. the pelican laundry bag for kids 
2. scorpion tie/scarf rack
3. magnetic spiderweb board:storage of keys, scarfs, posters, office suppliers-clip hangers
Monday 12 March 2012
video blog: an inconvenient truth
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
http://ides2161-2012.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/video-inconvenient-truth.html
about: global warming-climate change, sustainability and the impacts on society.
time length: 1:36hrs
year: 2006
brief summary:
Former vice president Al_Gore shares his concerns of global warming in this documentary. Gore first became aware of the issues on global warming in the 1970s, and since leaving public office he has became a long-time environmental activist and a passionate advocate for changes in the laws and lifestyles that could help this crisis. An Inconvenient Truth shows Gore in a presesntation where he discusses the scientific facts behind global warming, explaining how it has already been affecting our environment/ecosystem. he also talks about the troubling consequences if the world's governments and citizens do not act soon, and shares what an individual can do to help preserve the Earth for us and our future generations. An Inconvenient Truth was directed by Davis_Guggenheim, a veteran documentary filmmaker who also has an extensive background in episodic television.
dot points of the video:
-less than 10 years time there will be an significant increase (off the charts)
-melting the glaciers, decrease the natural springwater that people rely on for drinking, which 40% of people rely on to get their water
-the relationship between Co2 concentrations and the temperature in the northern hemisphere, he looks at this through a chart where he states that in all the times of 65000 years co2 has never gone above 300 points per million except when you look at the temperature being increased (due to heat getting trapped in the atmosphere), the co2 today has increased dramatically and will continue to do so as the years go by. "in less than 50 years, co2 will rise-off the charts."
-as the temperature continues to increase, it plumets the thicknes of the ice caps, leading to extinction of some species or them being harmed by the bleaching of coral reefs.
-Polar bears have even drowned due to the cause of the melting ice, having to swim for kms and not being able to rest on the ice blocks.
-Gore also talks about his life experiences --his son which changed his perspective on everything, saying what will we leave behind for our future generations? and "what we take for granted might not be here for our children"
-provides statistics and events around the world that has impacted greatly on the environment. for eg: Japan's record of typhoons, Brazil having their first hurricane --rewrites history books, hurricane Denise --oil leakage--> problematic to industries and the ecosystem.
-altering the seasonal climates eg: birds and caterpillars are hatched in the same time in spring but due to the climate change, where the temperature becomes warmer before spring actually hits, they hatch before the birds do and so baby chicks find it more difficult to survive.
-more insects survive, leading to more damaged crops eg: the pine beatle -destroying pine trees--> decreasing resources to industries
-mosquitoes also expand in numbers and increasing diseases
-bringing in initiatives to decrease the amount of carbon pollutants through using more renewable resources and reducing the amount of water usage.
-Countries like China are producing higher mileage cars that meet the environmental standards.
-the people in the US are aiming to step on the band wagon as they are the largest contributor to carbon emissions
-Gore further discuss that we have done many damage to our Earth and we need to start immediately to preserve what we have left, work as a community to help make our environment a more livable place not just for us but for our future generations to come.
http://ides2161-2012.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/video-inconvenient-truth.html
about: global warming-climate change, sustainability and the impacts on society.
time length: 1:36hrs
year: 2006
brief summary:
Former vice president Al_Gore shares his concerns of global warming in this documentary. Gore first became aware of the issues on global warming in the 1970s, and since leaving public office he has became a long-time environmental activist and a passionate advocate for changes in the laws and lifestyles that could help this crisis. An Inconvenient Truth shows Gore in a presesntation where he discusses the scientific facts behind global warming, explaining how it has already been affecting our environment/ecosystem. he also talks about the troubling consequences if the world's governments and citizens do not act soon, and shares what an individual can do to help preserve the Earth for us and our future generations. An Inconvenient Truth was directed by Davis_Guggenheim, a veteran documentary filmmaker who also has an extensive background in episodic television.
dot points of the video:
-less than 10 years time there will be an significant increase (off the charts)
-melting the glaciers, decrease the natural springwater that people rely on for drinking, which 40% of people rely on to get their water
-the relationship between Co2 concentrations and the temperature in the northern hemisphere, he looks at this through a chart where he states that in all the times of 65000 years co2 has never gone above 300 points per million except when you look at the temperature being increased (due to heat getting trapped in the atmosphere), the co2 today has increased dramatically and will continue to do so as the years go by. "in less than 50 years, co2 will rise-off the charts."
-as the temperature continues to increase, it plumets the thicknes of the ice caps, leading to extinction of some species or them being harmed by the bleaching of coral reefs.
-Polar bears have even drowned due to the cause of the melting ice, having to swim for kms and not being able to rest on the ice blocks.
-Gore also talks about his life experiences --his son which changed his perspective on everything, saying what will we leave behind for our future generations? and "what we take for granted might not be here for our children"
-provides statistics and events around the world that has impacted greatly on the environment. for eg: Japan's record of typhoons, Brazil having their first hurricane --rewrites history books, hurricane Denise --oil leakage--> problematic to industries and the ecosystem.
-altering the seasonal climates eg: birds and caterpillars are hatched in the same time in spring but due to the climate change, where the temperature becomes warmer before spring actually hits, they hatch before the birds do and so baby chicks find it more difficult to survive.
-more insects survive, leading to more damaged crops eg: the pine beatle -destroying pine trees--> decreasing resources to industries
-mosquitoes also expand in numbers and increasing diseases
-bringing in initiatives to decrease the amount of carbon pollutants through using more renewable resources and reducing the amount of water usage.
-Countries like China are producing higher mileage cars that meet the environmental standards.
-the people in the US are aiming to step on the band wagon as they are the largest contributor to carbon emissions
-Gore further discuss that we have done many damage to our Earth and we need to start immediately to preserve what we have left, work as a community to help make our environment a more livable place not just for us but for our future generations to come.
Wednesday 7 March 2012
examples of other laundry baskets
examples of other laundry baskets for kids in the market:
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/491125253/Cars2_style_kids_pop_up_laundry.html?s=p
an idea by Martha Stewart
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/491125253/Cars2_style_kids_pop_up_laundry.html?s=p
an idea by Martha Stewart
studio 2012: bioinspired project
background:
biomimetics, biomimicry, bionics, biomorphism & bioinpiration are terms referring to the emulation of design models, forms & orocesses from biological organisms & natural systems to generate alternative solutions to design problems.
Brief:
Your task is to develop a bioinspired domestic storage system by asking "what would nature do here?"
-focus on storage of food, clothing, books etc.
-learn from the storage systems in local plants, animals & ecosystems.
-incorporate bio-inspired design techniques in your design process.
I decided to do a laundry basket for kids which is based on a pelican -their large pouched bill/peak, (the Australian pelican's bill is the longest of any bird) the expandable bill reminded me of being able to store things when needed and expand to its maximum capacity.
I am thinking of using nylon as my main material for the laundering basket (the shape of a bill)
properties are:
biomimetics, biomimicry, bionics, biomorphism & bioinpiration are terms referring to the emulation of design models, forms & orocesses from biological organisms & natural systems to generate alternative solutions to design problems.
Brief:
Your task is to develop a bioinspired domestic storage system by asking "what would nature do here?"
-focus on storage of food, clothing, books etc.
-learn from the storage systems in local plants, animals & ecosystems.
-incorporate bio-inspired design techniques in your design process.
I decided to do a laundry basket for kids which is based on a pelican -their large pouched bill/peak, (the Australian pelican's bill is the longest of any bird) the expandable bill reminded me of being able to store things when needed and expand to its maximum capacity.
I am thinking of using nylon as my main material for the laundering basket (the shape of a bill)
properties are:
- High resistance to insects, fungi, animals, as well as molds, mildew, rot and many chemicals,
- High elongation
- Excellent abrasion resistance
- Highly resilient
- durability
other materials:
- polyester boning to support the rim of the basket (acts as a frame)
- felt + cotton stuffing + plastic googly eyes (head of the pelican)
- cotton? as the webbed feet
qualities of the pelican laundry basket:
- able to hang on a wall to save floor space
- easy to fold and put away when not in use
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