From idea to object - from object to product.
Workshop description.
The workshop deals with the design of desirable, attractive intriguing objects, made of simple readily available materials and means. Clever use of recycled materials, readily available components and accessible technologies .It addresses recycling, secondary use and reuse of products, materials and parts, in order to produce low volume, special, attractive personal objects or products.
It explores means and ways of idea generation and creative, innovative personal thinking through exercises in actual materials, and first hand experience in making the objects. It aims to introduce the beauty and value of discovery and playfulness in the design process.
The workshop is also concerned with the notion of the designer entrepreneur, the designer creator, exploring possibilities based on clever intelligent design, introducing an alternative way of operating outside the boundaries of established industry.
Key issues
Fun humor and playfulness in the design process.
Trial and error in the design process, discovery and innovation through experimentation.
Minimum intervention, maximum effect.
The added value of design and manipulation of available resources.
Desirability, attractiveness and appeal of products.
What makes us desire an object which is of no intrinsic value ?
The designer maker, first hand experience in production and pricing of a product.
Methodology
The workshop includes presentations and lectures on relevant issues, discussions, case studies and short fast practical exercises, exploring ideas generation process from different starting points - idea, personal expression, raw materials, technology, function, content etc .
Duration.
"From idea to object" is a one week workshop - 5 full days.
"From idea to product" is a workshop of similar content, expanded, which is a 2 weeks workshop. Besides more in-depth explorations and enlargement on key issues, the main addition will be the final exercise - batch production of one object by each of the students (or group of students), in a quantity of at least two dozens. The products are produced and priced, and set up for a "sale", to experience a full cycle - from idea to product, from production to the "market".
The two weeks could be spaced in time - one week of introduction, and then, later on, one week of final design, production and "sale".
The students - Students who are comfortable with materials and basic technologies, with the desire to work in 3D.
Facilities - Access to work space and workshop with basic "model making" or "production" facilities in wood/metal/plastics.