Seymour Powell: Designing Dream Machines

An informative look into the design process from idea to creation. Seymour Powell are able to expose the skills and processes that are required in the industry setting and encapsulate what is required for a successful answer to any brief.


In the conceptual stage, a brainstorming session that excluded any "impossibilities" due to lack of technology allowed for an extensive listing of possible products for the Tefal brand. It is here that research and a broad spectrum of thinking that allows small ideas to develop into big outcomes.


The modeling stage exposes problem areas in the 2D to be resolved in a 3D arena. In terms of the Tefal food processor, a heavy evaluation on the shape and functionality of the final form allows assessment of problematic hinging and exposes a smaller then required bowl unit. This stage highlights the extensive nature of resolving form and function to create a fully working final prototype. This is further explored in the BSA Bantam body exploration in clay, where an easily manipulated medium allows for immediate change in form determining a successfully resolved bike.

After approval of such form, SeymourPowell highlight the heavily warranted attention to detail and relentless effort undertaken in a fully successful exploration model. This stage, although not requiring the conceptual skill of the designer, becomes the most critical as it is here where the client will decide whether the product is acceptable in the market and much more importantly, where the designer will get paid.

Such a well choreographed process displayed in this excerpt holistically displays the thorough attitude expected of a successful designer and provides a firm base of "basic steps" for us. A blunt and straight forward look into the ups and downs of the designers life.

Star Lamp: Product Rationale

What is it?

Star Lamp is an oil burning unit constructed of sheet aluminium in order to provide a flat packed form later able to be transformed into the final shape. Here, everything down to the candle is included in the set comfortably fitting in it's C4 mailing parameter.

The Target Market



Exploration into the young newlywed market exposes the lack of, not only quality wedding gifts, but gifts with character and story behind their form.

• Newly Wed couples
  
• 20-30
• DIY
• Chic taste in decor

Form

Governing form were the constraints placed upon the project of the market wants juxtaposed with the material properties of the chosen material. Rigid construction and heat and fire concerns determined this material as the most appropriate, given the mass production application targeted.

From the target market involved heavily with a hands on aspect within their lives, an allen key/ screw system was used to not only suffice the markets tactile wants, but to give a permanence to the final product.

Finish and peripherals were formed to suit the aesthetic of the target market, where the distinct appeal of polished aluminium grounds the Star Lamp form and gives a luxurious feel to the overall composition.

Included Instructions


Manufacture Diagram

Annie Leonard: The Story of Stuff

An eye opening inquiry on the world's most hotly debated topic. Leonard is able to expose the inner workings of the linear system of production and its true cost to society. Here, we can truly understand the impact of design in terms of global health. With such a throw-away take upon products, the true extent of power of the design world is able to use to govern societal trends becomes apparent.

Leonard induces a deeper understanding of the production cycle where she highlights obsolescence as one of the key strategies forced upon consumers to keep industries alive. From here, the flow on effects disperse throughout subsidiaries of the process, affecting the labourers and environments in the immediate location of production. Such an insight poses questions of guilt and blame, not only for the minds behind this movement but more so for the naive public who's lifestyle has unwittingly been determined by it.

We are now able to grasp the reality of the situation and allow this evidence to truly be encapsulated within our works and theologies that govern them. Where society stands at this time may seem grim, but our role as conscientious people with the ability to better the world's health and environment has potential to save us.

Citrik: Product Rationale

What is it?

Citrik is a fruit/ vegetable knife system that aims to provide both an ergonomic solution as well as a more organic form to the standard kitchen knife. The ergonomics involved within the product stem from an uninterrupted curvature compounded with a fruit inspired form. Heft and precision of the product have been dealt with through the use of ceramic for the knife blade, a much harder and wear resistant material incorporated with long wearing silicon for the handle.

The Target Market

Considerable, through observational studies, is the frustration and unnecessary strain that is met on a regular basis for family women coming into retirement:

• Female
• 60-70 years old
• Active social and family life
• Relative dexterity- able to hold, grasp etc but are affected by age
• Finds pleasure in cooking and gardening

Experience Enrichment

Citrik has been established to provide an alternative to the standard stainless steel knife and all of it's standard intimidating traits. Stainless steel and wooden handles, great for dextrous cooks, dominate current designs and Citrik hopes to provide a more curvilinear, colourful experience to cooking. Comprising of ceramic and silicon found in washing machines, Citrik is durable and has a malleable form able to adapt to the user.

Form has been determined by the needs of the target market where a backbone of silicon reassures the factor of safety to the user, a common prerequisite when choosing a knife.

Form also has the ability to act as a reminder to the user, where subtle cues in the product point the user toward healthier food alternatives rather then otherwise. Here the consumer is creating their own satisfaction aided by the product by both eating healthier compounded with a satisfaction in preparing their own food.

Project Posters: