The following are outputs of two different courses dealing with product design and material exploration.
Aesthetics of Reuse - Laser Lamp
In this course, we looked at practical upcycling and using waste along with technology in creative ways. My final project was a laser lamp.
1) I rescued this grill column from college trash, which I gave a coat of paint.
2)Then, I picked up some waste pieces of broken mirror from a mirror shop and later got them cut to tiny rectangles.
3) After sketching, prototyping and playing with placement of the mirrors, I fixed the mirrors on different bars of the grill. This was done at particular angles, such that if two laser pen lights were fixed the base at a particular angle, the light beam would bounce off each alternate mirror and converge at the top.
4) I made stands to fix the lights at these angles.
5) To make the beam of light more visible, I attatched a motor fan with an electric switch connected to the side of the lamp. The motor fan was under a stand covered with soft chiffon, on top of which I'd put powder. When I switched the fan on, the powder would go up flying, making the beam strongly visible.
4) I made stands to fix the lights at these angles.
5) To make the beam of light more visible, I attatched a motor fan with an electric switch connected to the side of the lamp. The motor fan was under a stand covered with soft chiffon, on top of which I'd put powder. When I switched the fan on, the powder would go up flying, making the beam strongly visible.
6) I covered the top with a piece of screen printing fabric I picked up from an old, tattered screen printing frame.
7) And I covered the entire lamp with a thin white cotton fabric piece.
Final product
Material Exploration
For the final assignment of our material exploration course, we had to make a product according to the needs, tastes and likes of our 'client', ie. our partner, who in turn made something for us.
My partner was an 18 year old boy who wanted a practical, but artsy looking bag big enough to carry basic supplies to college in.
1) I made a few sketches, to get his approval of the basic design.
2) I bought a brown printed jute fabric. I kept the size of bag medium, opted for a sling bag, and made provisions for a pocket in front (for pens and brushes).
3) I also made a small pouch inside padded with sponge and sections cut in it to keep charcoal sticks, as he liked to use charcoal but wondered how to carry around loose sticks.
4) I chose a synthetic lining so that the bag was water-proof and easily cleanable.
Final product
