materialization

Universal and inclusive thinking, as applicable to all disciplines, is an integral part of the design process.  When a product is designed inclusively, it not only provides access to those with various limitations, but also provides everyone with the opportunity to interact.  Our cultures and communities thrive on human interaction and communication; our senses playing an integral role in informing the ways in which we interact and formulate discussions with one another.  As a designer, I seek to be a vehicle for communicating the stories of vulnerable people.  Through a process of observational research I have come to understand a small taste of the diverse ways in which people with varying limitations communicate with one another.  Whether this is through the use of sign language, braille, a Dynavox, or an article of computer aided technology, each of these tools share both a functional and aesthetic value. Through exploring the integration of sculpture, technology, and jewellery I hope to develop a series of meaningful studies that will contribute to the development of wearable communication devices.

accessible brass closures

heat bending wood (birch)

head bending wood (birch)

fimo clay interactive buttons (potentially use porcelain)

fimo clay interactive buttons; each button is made to fit the fingers of the person wearing the button, when one's hand is pressed into the porcelain form, a sensor activates a brooch that assists one in communicating with others.

fimo clay interactive buttons; each button is made to fit the fingers of the person wearing the button, when one's hand is pressed into the porcelain form, a sensor activates a brooch that assists one in communicating with others.

"language" "communication" brass braille template

porcelain braille buttons

Bespoke Innovations

Bespoke Innovations was

This style fairing is all about the bike. The front can be cleaned easily, and the polished metal looks at home next to the motor.

Bespoke Fairings™ are specialized coverings that surround an existing prosthetic leg, accurately recreating the body form through a process that uses three-dimensional scanning to capture the unique leg shape. But Fairings not only return the lost contour, they invite an expression of personality and individuality that has never before been possible.

This style fairing can be modular. In this case, a single nickel-plated rear fairing can be combined with different front fairings for different effects. Shown here is the Sara Lace #1 pattern, which is lightweight and easily washed. Because of the polished metal rear fairing, it weighs more, and is not suitable for sports, though it looks amazing from any angle.

The honeycomb grid Sport Fairing is ideal for the outdoor lifestyle. It’s durable enough to stand up to sports, lightweight (though the additional durability does add to the overall weight), and easily cleaned. This one features a custom tattoo—the wearer's name and number, straight from his soccer jersey.

Ceramic 3D Printing

Ceramic 3D Printing, Unfold Design Studio

PaperPhine

Underwater Quillings: Coral Bracelet, PaperPhine, fine white paper, yarn, wire 

thee beginning of all things thesis

I have not been writing all too regularly these past few weeks but I'd like to get in the habit of doing so, especially as I begin to further develop my thesis into something tangible.  At the university, one's thesis work can embody a variation of thoughts, ideas, mediums - regardless of the program one is enrolled - as long as the process and finished components seek to provide an answer to a question/ problem posed at the beginning of the term.  The subjects I am most interested in exploring are accessibility, communication, language, inclusive and universal design.  Through the translation of these interests into object form, I'd like the work I create to evoke themes of dignity, fragility, and vulnerability while remaining sensitive to the ideas I am addressing.

In its most simple form, communication is most often referred to as the interchange of information through the form of language, speech, writing or signs.  Our cultures and communities thrive on human interaction and communication; our senses playing an integral role in informing the ways in which we interact and formulate discussions with one another.   Communication depends on rhythm; both in terms of the ordered arrangement in which we convey our thoughts, to the actual reoccurring intervals with which we communicate.    I have become seemingly interested in how we communicate with one another as humans and people of various cultures and abilities. I am curious (and excited) to see where these thoughts might progress over the next few days/ weeks/ and months. 

Marion Delarue

Imprints, Marion Delarue, China, wool, 2010

Deafinite Style

Providing a solution, Design Affairs Studio of Germany has device a hearing aid concept called the “Deafinite Style” that doubles as jewelry for the trendy. Featuring the brand new TriMic system, the stylish accessory allows just perfection positioning of the microphones, making the hearing aid more effective.

Maureen My Ngoc

Recent London College of Fashion graduate Maureen My Ngoc created a collection of highly conceptual jewelry and fashion accessories. She created three-dimensional patterns using origami techniques that made the pieces fluid and flexible on the body. The goal was to create works to wear for aesthetic purposes but also as a means of protection or armor for the body.

  

 

Noquvy

Isabella (rope necklace) by Sarah Spiridou, 21cm x19cm ( 8,50inch x 7,50inch), 100% Cotton, 100% Viscose, Hand Painted

Michael Kukla

“By drilling and grinding out cellular-like structures, I try to create an organic surface that seems naturally transformed.”

Stunning for their intricately woven caverns as much as their perceived natural appearance, according to their sculptor Michael Kukla these forms are inspired by the act of nature and time upon natural materials. Going beneath the surface the patterns are acheived through grinding and drilling out material – slate, marble or plywood – that changes our perception of it. A Czech born New York resident his pieces illogically interlock growth and decline and play off each other – the different materials only arouse more curiosity for a process that seems to have affected them all.

Richard and Thomas Ellenson

Tango is a communication device that was designed by Richard and Thomas Ellenson

The Tango’s small, lightweight size and innovative look means there are no physical barriers between communicators. Instead, the design lets people devote their attention to the message being shared, rather than the speech device being used to share it. The six-button layout of the Tango means faster communication with fewer distractions. The structure speeds up the selection process, helping you quickly say just what you want to – the way you want to – in no time. Tango’s symbols were developed by animation illustrators from the education and entertainment industry, making them especially appealing to children and young adults.

Johanna Van Daalen

 

Communication aids are not a neutral technology or transparent medium.  Alongside the message they transmit, they inevitably send out other signals themselves.  Their physical design, interactions, voice qualities, and intonation or lack of it all communicate something too.  How important for these signals to have been considered as part of the design process and for the person using the device to be supported by these layers of communication, not undermined by them.  

 

In order to communicate with other people, Somiya Shabban uses a dialogue book, in which she points to words or images.  This is versatile, but it can be laborious.  When Somiya was still at school, 

Johanna Van Daalen from the design group Electricwig worked with her to help her to express herself more fully.  In particular, Somiya wanted the freedom to express frustration more spontaneously, so together they designed a badge she could activate using a switch next to her head, whenever she wanted to.  

 

When she does this, the badge lights up with the words "Somiya says SOD OFF."

 

This message is wonderfully direct and disarming, and yet the badge expresses so much more besides this information.  It also communicates that she is the kind of person who will use this language; that she is the kind of person to whom this is important enough to dedicate a button to; and that she doesn't mind who knows this.  - Graham Pullin, Design Meets Disability, pp 175-177

When I'm working on a problem, I never think about beauty.  I think only how to solve the problem.  But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.  - Richard Buckminster Fuller

Mia Pearlman

Voluta, Mia Pearlman, paper sculpture

Maelstrom, multi-level mobile, 2008

Gyre, paper, india ink, tacks, paper clips, 2008

Mary Huang and Jennyfer Kay

Dandelion, designed by Mary Huang in collaboration with Jennyfer Kay is a wearable that captures energy from wind and human movement. Inspired by the theme of climate change, Dandelion which was made with 99% salvaged materials explores the ideas of personal, mobile power generation and kinetics. 

When walking or standing outside on a windy day, the windmills turn. Small individual power generating circuits transfer the rotational energy into usable voltage. In this prototype, the power generated turns on white LEDs, but the energy could be used to power mobile devices or stored for later use. - Mary Huang, Rhyme and Reason Creative.

The windmill circuit consists of a dc motor + joule thief + white LEDs

Ute Decker

minimalist arm sculpture, Ute Decker, sterling silver

curvature arm sculpture, Ute Decker, sterling silver

arm sculpture, Ute Decker, sterling silver

Tracy Featherstone

Wearable Structure: Inner Core, wood, collage, 32”x26”x32”, 2011

Wearable Structures, by Tracy Featherstone, materialize our daily struggle between control and chaos. The balance is precarious and can tip one way or another in an instant.  Building materials traditionally used to construct living environments or other architectural securities are used in a frenetic fashion.  Quickly, and maybe hopelessly trying to impose order on a situation that is moving out of control.  The traditional role of structure or stability becomes mobile when placed on the figure allowing the individual to indulge in the illusion of stability.  The mobile/wearable element of the work further subverts attempts of control and order.  Similar to the way water will carve a new path around an obstruction, participant finds new ways to move about daily routines in ordinary fashion.

Wearable Structure: Side Bump, wood, 3’x2’x16”, 2010

Wearable Structure: Head Organized, wood and fabric, 2’x3’x16”, 2010