HANDLES.

These are some pictures from a Handle project conducted alongside IZE handles. I designed a range of handles for the Kitchen- an area that the company had yet to move into. I decided i wanted to design handles that were extremely functionally orientated and that were tactile and honest. The cupboard Handles are small and sit upright on the cupboard door making them easy to wipe down . They are based on the relationship a user has with the door as we generally only use a few fingers to open them. The door handle follows the same priciple and is a reduction in size in terms of more common handles. It gives a more natural feel and tactile nature to the handles giving the user a comfortable experience.
I think it is interesting that we do notice the feel, weight, and strength of a handle and its mechanism- and this contibutes to our experience.
The final product would be Cast in Blackened brass to give a Matt look, and an honest and manufactured/ Crafted look to the products.
IZE has expressed some interest in taking them on I believe although I havent heard anything directly yet so fingers crossed.

Travel and sustainability Project

Got a new project at university about sustainability in terms of travel and transport. I am unsure of the direction I am going at the moment but from some initial research I find it amazing how different cultures travel, and how that people in the UK are far more sceptical and unwilling. People drive to the local shops to get a pint of milk, and drive to the gym to go for a run? Its baffling- but these are areas that need to be addressed- however I could find that these are cultural patterns, and an overall shift in attitude and lifestyle maybe needed.

I find it amazing how in Africa, Asia, and the Far East people who don't have the luxury of individual cars travel. They undertake there days activities using the most basic and organic (natural) transport methods.

A big problem is energy- and i think there needs to be a movement into where a person needs to create energy in order to get some back- turning perhaps kinetic energy into stored energy that can then be used as power.

I also find it amazing the example that Holland are setting. I understand it is a flat nation but they have a similar culture and similar lifestyle and similar weather patterns to the UK yet the use of bicycles in Holland is far greater than in the UK. They are a great example of sustainable nation in this respect. I am finding the way people travel in different cultures inspiring.

Product meet up & design museum:

Last night met up with some of my course mates and a few new guys that our joining this year. Was fun and had a catch up- we got talking about the workshops at our uni being removed to a much smaller capacity. I have been thinking about it alot, and was considering going elsewhere this year. They have apparently removed all the bigger machines, large saws, lathes etc which completely limits the products we can design and make. To be honest it has really pissed me off because I think it is extremely important to get an understanding or materials, and working with different materials and manufacturing techniques. I understand they are looking to new technologies and rapid prototyping methods- but I think that making models in a range of materials not only benefits each project but also increases my understanding of how to make things and material properties. Guess I will just have to see what happens and then make a decision- who knows it could be a positive move?

Then today I headed down to the design museum to check out the "Design Cities that changed the world", exhibition. I have to say I really enjoyed it- It was a exciting incite into the way design has developed, and how these different cities could be attributed to the design industry as it is today. I particularly liked Paris, Los Angeles, and London 2008. I found it extremely exciting that London is being considered at the present time is a hub for creativity throughout the world. They had loads of Eames furniture there and also had the Samsung Phone by Jasper Morrison- never seen it first hand and even though its old now I want one. So beautifully simplistic and sleek.

I also found it interesting that the Eames Furniture, Le Corbusier chairs (swivel armchair), Marcel Bruer Wassily chair, didn't seem to have dated whatsoever- these pieces still are completely relevant and would fit seamlessly into a contemporary space- much like I feel Jasper Morrison's furniture and Industrial facilities products for example will do in the future. Its this under styling and simplicity matched with beautiful craftsmanship and thought process that make the products timeless.

Also bought my mum the Azumi Snowman salt and pepper pots- as one of her Birthday presents-

I will force good design on my family if it kills me!