Materials and Technology: Letter Box Design

Inclusive Design

research poster: inclusive design principles

mood board: target market - 

regular sized family but should also include use from elderly or young users

images of final product

user instructions

ergonomics thought process

engineering drawings: orthographic views and side sectional view

2011 Australian International Design Awards

LifeProof Case for iPhone 4 

Designer: Outerspace Design

Pros:

LifeProof completely seals your iPhone4 against exposure to mud, sand, grit, dust and lint that which can cause abrasive damage to the phone and the device mechanisms inside it.

The LifeProof iPhone4 is also watertight which means it makes the iPhone4 waterproof to a rated depth of 2 meters. This allows the user to take their devices swimming, boating surfing or skiing and allows for underwater photography or filming.

The LifeProof case is made out of a tough polycarbonate frame that is highly shock and impact resistant and has been tested to military specifications.

Cons:

A high cost for the consumer would be expected with the materials used and the processes needed to produce the case.

The number of pieces the product comes in suggests that it could be difficult for the user to assemble it on to their phones by themselves.

The number of different pieces involved also suggests that there could be a low customization element in the product. For example, it would probably only come in one or two colours.  

Weighing at 28 grams, the LifeProof iPhone4 case also makes the phone 20% heavier. Also adding another 1.3mm to its thickness. 

Southern Cross Packaging Design Awards 2011

Chosen Brief: G

Chosen Brand/ Product: Vicks VapoRub

The ointment is squeezed out plastic tube like it would be in similar products but it would be dispensed in three single streaks. This is purposeful as the streaks can be easily spread on to the users’ skin easily with the use of the ellipse form of the tube.

The target market selected is rather broad as the product can be used on anyone aged older than the age of two. But it is mainly aimed at adults living at home with a family, as they have the greatest chance of buying it for themselves as well as for their children to use.

By eliminating the need to have contact with the ointment, the new packaging design solution provides the user with a mess-free way to consume the Vicks VapoRub.

wings.

wings. is a jacket/clothing rack aimed to be used by children aged four to eight but the target market selected is parents who have kids at those ages, since they will be the ones most likely purchasing the product.

materials/processes: acrylic, heat bending.

Upcycling Comments

Jimmy Iraheta

http://z3332715.blogspot.com/2010/10/protective-storing-sleeve.html

Anastasie Panagopoulos

http://stasiep.blogspot.com/2010/10/scrap-leather-table-runner.html

Rebecca Womersley

http://rebeccawomersley.blogspot.com/2010/10/project-2-upcycling.html

Stephanie Hutcherson

http://stephutch.blogspot.com/2010/10/upcycling.html

Henry Treloar

http://henrysdblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/upcycling-posters.html

Project Two: Upcycling

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.