D & T - Create

Hi year 9,

As part of your research and investigation, you will need to look at existing designs of cardboard furniture. Complete the following activity and include it in your portfolio.

Choose four designs and examine the ways in which the designers have exploited the properties of cardboard to create strong furniture. Specifically look at:

• Structures and shapes used
• Methods of joining
• How the ‘grain’ of the cardboard (the direction of the corrugation) is used

Make sure you choose designs and techniques that interest you and which you think will influence your own design.

Here are some sites to get you started:

www.designboom.com/cardboard.html

www.treehugger.com - Search for cardboard furniture

http://www.returdesign.se/

www.valcartonne.com/REALISATIONS.htm

http://www.compagnie-bleuzen.com/vignette1.htm

You need to include images of the designs that you have researched or that have inspired you.

Watch this incredible video from BMW on their new concept called GINA (Geometry and function In N-Adaptations). Check out the new concept car:

Here are some innovative Ottomans that take multi-purpose furniture that one step further.

Starting with the “Half Way Sofa”

Then there is the geometric inspired “Meander” ottoman, or chair, or stool.

Click on the images for more information about these designs.

More pictures of the meander can be found here http://talusfurniture.com/furniture/meanderPhotoshow.htm

Year 9,
Here is your homework , it is due next lesson (Tuesday).go to :
http://www.designboom.com/contest/winner.php?contest_pk=20
1.Pick the 3 graphics you think are the best
2.Describe the symbols used, in each of the 3, and how they relate to the idea (concept)
3. What type of images have they used? E.g. realistic, abstract, simplified, silhouette, etc
4. Looking at all the designs, which symbols appear more than once?
5. Explain why you believe your 3 choices are the best.

Here is an example of a simple shape tween that has been used to give the illusion of the butterfly’s wings flapping.

There’s a cool graphic on the Web that show the progression of some of Apple’s main designs.  They refer to them as Form Factors.  Because you’re involved with design and Apple has been one of the leaders for years, you might learn a few things by studying their work.  Click the graphic to see a large graphic from the first Jobs/Wozniak creation to the iPhone.

You can place a flash animation in a post this way:

1. Log in
2. Go to Write - to start writing a new post
3. Upload your .swf file via the upload panel below the text entry field
4. Once the file is uploaded, click on the browse tab
5. Click “send to editor” - this will put the Flash animation in your post.
6. A link to your uploaded .swf Flash file will appear in the text editor panel. It will show as your real animation when you publish the post.

Have a look at this exciting project! One laptop per child. The designers have really strived to consider and address all the factors affecting the design and the needs of their target market (children in developing countries) to create the best outcome possible. Of particular interest are the design specs for the laptops, including lower power usage and the alternate energy sources they have integrated.