::designing surfaces for the restroom::

Here is my prototype for a design solution for bottle placement in the restroom.

As well as the rest of Group B's initial prototype, by the way our first group proto is going to be a huge hit.

PEN(DENT) PROTOTYPING

PD370: MOAI + PEN

OBJECT ANALYSIS:

play or preformance::function= human body decoration (jewelry), aesthetically pleasing to user.

Handmade pure silver>qualities of craftsmanship

Conversation piece.

Heart & Soul:: It was collected by my uncle in late seventies-spent most of its life in a n attic. until he gave it to me when I was eighteen.

I have lost it on several occasions seemingly for good and it always comes back to me. (knock on wood)

Expresses my character and infatuation for old things.

form::cultural-Easter Island MOAI tiki bust.

MOAI+monolithic human figures carved from rock on polynesian island of Easter Island, Chile

1250-1500

Minimalistic Style.

Moai CANNON=

Deep elliptical eye

Heavy Brow

Elongated broad noses (fish hook nostrils)

Lips protrude in thin pout

Oblong ears usually rectangular

Elongated jaw line (stands out against truncated neck)

Torsos are heavy, Collar bone subtly outlined

Arms are carved in bas (low) relief

Disproportionate head usually 3/5 the entire statue.

Historical Context::Expensive to craft and transport, oral histories say people used devine power to command the statues to walk because it was a mystery how they could move them, considered a remarkable intellectual, creative and physical feat.

OBJECT TO DESIGN::

Notes from I MISS MY PENCIL

To create emotion connection between user and object.

-create stuff that has value

-can there be an emotional reaction to a pen?

-recreate an emotion

-capture love for a physical object

HOW OR WHY DO I LOVE THIS OBJECT??

It's...a family heirloom

has historical references

handmade original

vintage-one of a kind

PEN=

-simple product

-ubiquitous

-we al know and use pens (a variety of them)

-retractable, capped, fountain, colors

-average pen=5.5-6 inches long, .375 inch wide

Design Brief::

End User Demographic (who is it for?)

18-30 Well read, historically inclined, higher price point, premium pen,

^anyone interested in easter island history and the importance of Moai, rarity of artifacts

Tell a Story

"vintage" collectors-attracts broad spectrum these days, its trendy to have vintage

Valuable art, antique collectables reflects society and culture

Idea of traveling back in time

Having a piece of history

Narrative Pen

Context and culture (when/where/how it is used?)

Pen for formal & informal

Functional yet Ornate

Used now-contemporary

Fragile (like the stone Moai of Easter Island)

Erodes at a slow pace (needs extra care)

Requires a protective case (creative an of era case similar materials to time)

Make Comparisons

Historical Precedent study CHECK

PREMIUM Pen Manufacturers::

Sheaffer (american)-innovative filling systems and nibs

Parker (american)

Montblanc

Waterman (american)

Wahl-Eversharp

60's

Parker began good quality ballpoints-very nice high end pens in the middle to high end price range for GIFT MARKET=pens became more of a gift item than ever day writing tool.

Early days.... like the Ford Model T you could have any kind of pen as long as its black

Now.... you have the same pen in four colors.

Internet has done more to introduce people to vintage pens and distribute them.

NEXT UP....PROTOTYPES

Observations of Restroom Surfaces

R & O on Personal Objects In the Restroom

I covered three IDEO method cards to focus my research and observation for this project.

Interview with Molly Rogers a handicap user.

A few other students I interviewed yesterday....

Project 2

Group two met over the weekend at Full City cafe we have decided to focus our design objective to an object for carry ones items, whether it be for a cup, jacket, glove, pencil or bag all of the things we carry into the restroom with us lack a home or resting place inside or outside of the stall.

OBJECTIVE=A resting place for personal possessions inside the bathroom stall.

Focus=simple, congruent form with environment, functional, easy to clean, appears sanitary, inviting and use is obvious to user, THE FORM LENDS TO THE FUNCTION always.

Sink/Mirror

Here's a visual update of my progress on my midterm sink assignment. The idea is that it is a sink that is the mirror. One should feel drawn to the sink with the absence of any hanging mirrors in the bathroom. Once I have drawn you to the sink are you just going to stand there and stare? Most likely you'll wash your hands and enjoy the beautiful visual of light and water dancing across the face of this convex dome and your reflection.