Day 1
Finally today I started working on a project connected to my field of interest. Of course we are designing a chair because behind every Product Designer there is a chair. (LOL)
I find myself, in most of the times, while researching subjects and artists, thinking about lots of ideas that I can't connect to a source or reference. I don't know if it is a good thing or not but when I hear about the subject of a project my mind start working automatically to any direction it can and ideas just pop out.
When I started thinking about ideas to my chair (under the concept of movement) I thought about the user I want to serve. I decided to design a chair for elderly as for them movement is important but in the same time they need to take more rest breaks. So I thought about an idea that will give them the chance to sit whenever they need while waking in nature.
The concept of movement take place in two aspects of my design. First, you actually carry the chair with you to places (Mobility), and second, it folds from a chair to something you can carry.
I visualize my design in nature, walking slowly in-front of the view of the landscape, taking breaks drinking wine and reading a book.
I think that my biggest challenge in this project is to combine comfortable and efficient mobility with aesthetic and practical design.
This is just the first module and there is a lot to consider and improve.
Day 2
So today we kept developing our chairs.
We had a small part about materials that I think it is really important to learn about. I am researching about materials that are relevant to this project but I hope that in the future Ill be able to learn about the diversity and qualities of different materials as I find it super important for the design process and the product.
I like the direction my chair is developing because I think it is simple shaped with interesting function and very practical. This chair gives a good answer for the main user it is designed for (elderly) and the theme of taking a break in nature is beautiful to me.
The challenge I am dealing with now is to prevent the chair from bumping on the user while walking. I am thinking about fixation, or mechanizem that pull the chair higher on the back and drop it down when the user wants to sit. That Ill start researching and hopefully Ill find an answer.
It is important to me to keep the design simple while leaving this "don't need to take off" kind of bag/chair I am designing.
Directed Reflection
Day 3
Today was very informative. The first part of the tutors explaining about what to do and not do when we arrange our portfolio sheet helped me understand what I need to pay attention to and they gave the corner stone of learning how to do it right.
Later on that day we built 2 sheets as examples of how we are aiming to arrange our work on paper and than we were walking around the classroom to view other students work. It was really helpful to see the mistakes you should avoid and also some very interesting and good examples of methods I might want to use.
In the end the tutors gave feedback about some works and explained the way it should have been done.
I feel much more confident of doing it now as I am sure it will become better and better as the course will pass on.
Day 4
So today we viewed the A2 sheets of each other and there were so very good examples and ideas that I liked and I hope I will use in this project or in the future.
I felt kind of stuck at first with my idea. I do like it and the development of it but it feels like something is missing and I cant tell what.
It feels a bit that the practical idea of mine make it harder on the process to make in two weeks and I might have needed more time but hopefully Ill be able to achieve a prototype I am pleased with. I did today more thinking that practical things but I feel it putted me in the right direction. Our PDC group set together to help each other on ideas and we had some good references to each other.
After today I think I am pleased with my development and design and I just need to think about the technicalities, color and materials. I am thinking about adding some small features which Ill research in existing backpacks and chair .
So far I enjoy the project very much and I am happy to touch directly the field of my interest.
day 5
First time in the metal workshop and it was so much fun! I love crafting things on my own and bringing my visions to real life (smaller at this time, 1:5, but still). It is a bit weird that hundreds of students suppose to use the same workshops while it is only possible for 25 people to use it simultaneously.
I knew what I need to do so I jumped straight away to work. Made lots of research after the right materials for the backpack/chair I make and the small details that will perfect it hopefully.
After spending long time in the metal workshop I realized that I made something that I don't need but Eventually I made a nice model only to present my idea in clearer way.
I feel good about this project and the process of development I had, I learned a lot from the tutors and for experimenting. I actually think that my idea can be a real product that people might use and that was my goal! It is practical and new.
Day 6
Final day was really good. It was informative to learn methods of how to build presentations and explain your project, and give and get critic for our work.
I enjoyed looking at works from different fields and listening to the interesting ideas. It is very important to give and get critic from colleagues but it feels like some people don't take this course really serious and they say things that doesn't help to improve, they say something because they need to and not because they care.
I am very pleased with my work and the outcome and the critics were very positive which gave me the confidence that other people could understand the idea of my design.
Quick Summary
I don't think that I have never enjoyed practicing something as I enjoyed dealing with this project and thinking design. For good and bad, I couldn't stop thinking about it and even in the last minute I had some new developments. For a long time I knew that I want to study product design but the further this year goes the more I feel the urge to learn about it and to design and develop new ideas. I find myself looking at objects in a different way, judging the design and thinking about improvements.