List this

I have devised a list of ‘rules’ if you like to guide me in design of my colander. If the design does not accomplish all of the rules I need to revise it. If it does accomplish all of the rules, I can then look for other benefits/uses. You could say that the 10 rules are the basis for my design, they are what makes the design unique and worth while.

The colander list

1. Acts as a vessel
2. Separates water from contents
3. Handles for holding/picking up/carrying
4. Handles for shaking excess water
5. Storage- hang/cupboard
6. Can wash and rinse. Together as one process or as separate process’
7. Can be poured- with components together or separate
8. Free standing- both components (together or separate)
9. Mess free- no water spill/overflow
10. Each component can be used separate from the other for different tasks

Dr.Scud

When speaking of things with holes in such as colanders, I have come across the Dr.Scud Fly swatter from Philippe Starck, produced by Alessi. This appears to be a normal fly swatter, however on closer inspection there is a face on the swatter. why? Philippe starck has a great way of turning everyday household objects into livig characters- he injects humour into his designs. This is something that I would like to do for my designs this semester- add some humour to make them memorable… make people smile/think/talk.

Charles Eames and the Lota

Lota (vessel) – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Soumitri drew my attention to the Indian Lota, which is considered ‘exactly right’ in design. Charles Eames comments on the Lota in his ‘The Indian Report’ and had the following to say about its design:

‘Of all the objects we have seen and admired during our visit to India, the Lota, that simple vessel of everyday use, stands out as perhaps the greatest, the most beautiful. The village women have a process which, with the use of tamarind and ash, each day turns this brass into gold. But how would one go about designing a Lota? First one would have to shut out all preconceived ideas on the subject and then begin to consider factor after factor’:

• The optimum amount of liquid to be fetched, carried, poured and stored in a prescribed set of circumstances.
• The size and strength and gender of the hands (if hands) that would manipulate it.
• The way it is to be transported – head, hip, hand, basket or cart.
• The balance, the center of gravity, when empty, when full, its balance when rotated for pouring.
• The fluid dynamics of the problem not only when pouring but when filling and cleaning, and under the complicated motions of head carrying – slow and fast.
• Its sculpture as it fits the palm of the hand, the curve of the hip.
• Its sculpture as compliment to the rhythmic motion of walking or a static post at the well.
• The relation of opening to volume in terms of storage uses – and objects other than liquid.
• The size of the opening and inner contour in terms of cleaning.
• The texture inside and out in terms of cleaning and feeling.
• Heat transfer – can it be grasped if the liquid is hot?
• How pleasant does it feel, eyes closed, eyes open?
• How pleasant does it sound, when it strikes another vessel, is set down on ground or stone, empty or full – or being poured into?
• What is the possible material?
• What is its cost in terms of working?
• What is its cost in terms of ultimate service?
• What kind of an investment does the material provide as product, as salvage?
• How will the material affect the contents, etc., etc.?
• How will it look as the sun reflects off its surface?
• How does it feel to possess it, to sell it, to give it ?

update

In class we have been discussing the various projects within our small group of 7 and how they sit within the real world. Several people are undertaking ‘art’ style projects where they are concentrating on aesthetics. Others are completing projects based on a more design studio system where they appear to be completing projects for a client. It was discussed that both myself and Brittany are completing personal projects which, in the long term could be the start of a design practice or individual design methods for working. Could I work on water saving projects for a sustained period of time? The answer is yes… I think anyway. So I have begun to look at my project as a business. For starters I am purposely not blogging images of my work as a method of protecting my ideas. Further more on this idea, I arranged a meeting with Marcus Powe to discuss patenting. Patenting, Marcus assured me, is a long, involved and expensive process. Instead of heading down the path of patenting, Marcus provided me with a confidentially contract, which will protect my ideas sufficiently for now anyway. This contract will be presented to any person outside of RMIT when discussing or manufacturing my prototypes. The Holey water cup is coming along well. At this present stage I am busy reflecting on the work I completed looking into anthropometrics, and combining this with the organic feel that I have approached this project with. From my research, including clay testing, I am now working on what I am naming my ‘Pattern’. The pattern is the ultimate design of the Holey and will be presented to the various areas of production- plastic, ceramic and glass. I am predicting that the design will change between each material due to material constraints and manufacturing process. The pattern can be used by both left and right handed users. Where the original Holey had an off centred hole, the pattern has a central hole accessible for both grips. The pattern has a continuous lip/rim on the opposite side form the hole to comfortably support the rest of the hand. The pattern is symmetrical I am not entirely comfortable with the pattern being symmetrical, however, I know that the outcomes will all differ- the glass pieces will be less symmetrical and exist as ‘one’ off art works. It is important that I start with a symmetrical and basic design so that each outcome will exhibit the ‘essence’ of the original. I am currently completing the CAD model of the pattern and will have the piece 3D printed as soon as possible. From there I will be approaching manufacturers for production. In regards to the Holey cup I am also looking at the Indian Lota. The Lota is regarded by many as very good design in terms of the way it is held and used. The use of a lip, makes the Lota comfortable to hold.

The colander is also advancing nicely. After finishing a complete metal concept I became frustrated with attempting to accurately complete a CAD model. It then occurred that I needed to explore the design further- I have locked in the fact that:

a) The colander will exist in two pieces

b) The method of using (the ways in which the holes are arranged)

I had previously been locked into constructing the piece from spun metal, however after discussions with Soumitri, I am now exploring mixed materials. A large problem I had with a complete metal piece was the way in which the two components will connect. I am aiming to have a simple outcome and this includes no screws, glues or fixings. It was suggested to me that there are two options:

Originally I had only eyes for a minimalist approach: The entire piece completed solely from spun metal. The two components would joint together via male/female connections.

I am now looking towards a Migration approach and have begun to explore ways in which ‘things’ joint together. In particular, I am inspired by the way simple coffee plungers connect- the plastic base contains the glass ‘cup’ and the two stay together via the friction between the two materials. I have found many occasions where two components are ‘joined’ together via their differing material properties.

dam baby… i mean baby dam

This device alows you to block of an appropriate sized area for which to bath your baby in. Realistically a baby needs very little space and water for bath time. This device saves water and saves you from buying an ugly baby bath. I would raise issues of bath size variations- does the dam fit all baths?

Hidden water saving

Eco Water Saving « The Bathroom Designer

This is another example of what I call ‘hidden water saving’. I guess there are two ways to get people to save water- make them care, or trick them into it. This bath tricks people into saving water. It is made from many layers of fiberglass that acts as a kind of insulation. This means that the bath keeps the water temperature within the bath warmer for longer, meaning that users will not continuously add more hot water when they get cold.

please no!

Google Image Result for http://www.re-nest.com/uimages/re-nest/081209-wash02.jpg

So I’m designing a colander- no secrets there. I found this on a blog and just about had a heart attatck-

Ten Unusual Uses for a Colander.

1. Grease splatter reducer.
2. Warm a serving bowl.
3. Berry storage.
4. Bathtub toy scoop.
5. Play accessory.
6. Craft template.
7. Bug tent.
8. Wind chime.
9. Lamp shade.
10. Holiday display.

I wonder if I should be consider making my colander bath freindly, bug compatible, splatter reducing and kid friendly. Argh. I guess its a common thing for a designer- the dismay of finding how people use your design and not how you intended it. I guess you can never really design to adress these things, they will always happen. Prehanps this raises the need for a bath toy that resembles a colander, a grease splatter protector based on a colander or a berry storage device…

plant dish drainer

Google Image Result for http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m275/jogi21/random/save-water-drainer.jpg

So the design world has discovered that draining dishes into a plant of some description is pretty cool. Agreed. I am pretty amazed when I come across another concept that appraoches this idea and does it with a different twist. This idea is more basic that the others I have found, I enjoy its simplicity. It’s so great to find people adressing the small instances or ‘micro events’ of water wastage in the design comunity. It reminds me that what I am doing is relevant and current.

Candles that save water by Oon

Google Image Result for http://normblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/rocking-glass-candle.jpg

This candle helps to save water. Not literally infront of your eyes. fact: 1 litre of oil pollutes 1,000,000 litres of water per day. oon has come up with a concept for a household device that converts used/waste oil from the home into candles. The candles can  be made in various shapes, sizes and scents. nice.

smart sink

Clever Sink Design Saves Water and Time when Doing the Dishes : TreeHugger

Much like the investigations I competed into Therbligs and Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, this sink looks at streamlining the process of washing dishes. In doing so, the user is encouraged to use the sink in a practical way and requires less water to complete the process. It would also be nice to see the water that drains of the dishes to be re-used in some way like many other sink conepts I have found.