Rationale
When it came to project two: upcycling, I had difficulties finding the appropriate materials to upcycle, while choosing an interesting product to design at the same time. My first ideas were focused on smaller everyday objects such as an iPhone case made of denim off-cuts and a pair of optical spectacles made from MDF off-cuts. These ideas were okay but they lacked a certain level of depth and meaning behind them.
My final idea that I decided on was to design a fruit bowl made from Wine Caps (screw tops) that were on their way to the landfill. I also decided to link the designed form of the fruit bowl to the original purpose of the bottle caps, thus having a water splash-inspired form. The splash shape relates the fruit bowl to the liquid element from the bottle caps, which brings deeper meanings and purposes to the product’s form. The shape also brings movement to the piece. The splash-inspired form differentiates ‘Splash Bowl’ from traditional fruit bowls because of the element of movement it has in its form.
The bottle caps were collected from wineries and local bars and restaurants. One piece of ‘Splash Bowl’ uses approximately 75 bottle caps. Around 15 bottle caps were acquired from a local pizza restaurant to collect bottle caps from customers for a week. Wineries in wine countries such as Hunter Valley, NSW, would have a few hundred or maybe up to thousands of bottle caps thrown away in 1 week. This means during manufacturing, the bottle caps can be sourced in large quantities from business such as these. In about 1 week, roughly 2000 bottle caps can be acquired from a total of 5 restaurants, 5 local bars, and 3 wineries. This would mean 2000 bottle caps diverted from the landfill each week, which transforms to nearly 30 ‘Splash Bowls’ each week.
‘Splash Bowl’ stimulates and reminds the user about environmental issues by keeping the bottle caps’ original forms but transforming them in to something new. The interesting and meaningful shape of the product would also draw attention to where the bottle caps have come from and remind them of where they would have gone if not upcycled.
When I first saw the picture, I thought it was beautiful. Even when it's not being used and just sits in your house, I think it will become a nice decoration. But I think that you didn't play with the material enough, as it's still clearly seen as a bottle cap. You should probably more playful with the form of the material.
ReplyDeleteVery smart use of your chosen material..you've definately captured the essence of the splash motion. It's sleek and simple, a definate talking point in any room of the house. If there was anything to suggest, maybe just that the base be a bit smooth to avoid scratching the furniture its placed on. But aside from that.. excellent job! keep it up
ReplyDeleteWes you know i think your stuff is great looking and functional, i would only changes a few things to really make it a excellent product, the rough edges could be cleaned up and perhaps rolled into the middel to give a more delicate look, and paints could be used more effectively, suchas using white to symbolise white agitated water and a calm blue to show still water. but other than that i love the splash you made today
ReplyDeleteI like that this bowl looks alive, especially with the fruits in it... They really look like they are making the bowl 'splash'
ReplyDeleteI'd grade the colouring on the bottle caps to increase the dynamics and add that little bit extra. It could also perhaps be a touch bigger.
I really like this bowl, I like how the idea came from water drop, and from how you explained from the presentation that the water drop emphasis the bottle caps are from wines.
ReplyDeleteI think what this product can be improved on is the wires, as the way it's designed right now, connecting wires will have to be done by hand and will not be as good for mass production.
Wez, I think you bowl turned out really nice. If it was scaled up just a bit I think it would make a really cool studio piece.
ReplyDeleteI very appreciate your idea and your product is greatly creative and fashionalbe. I like it very much. The shape of 'Splash Bowl' is excellent. There is one more thing can be improved is the practical function. It may be designed larger using more bottle caps, which is linked to the idea of 'uncycling'.
ReplyDelete