Sunday 27 May 2012

A Sense of Place






Public spaces requires special attention in able to deliver rich public life experiences to the community. Many of them are lacking in comfort to offer. The number of benches or rest spots and the will of the individual to sit back, relax and communicate are somehow underestimated. Designing public furniture is another approach to enhance and renew public spaces and to give it a sense of place.

In the great western suburb of Woodcroft, Lake Woodcroft Park is known public space with good image in social enrichment particularly for family, teenagers, and older people. In spite of that it is still exposed in crime like malicious damage of public property. Lake Woodcroft is used by public from the area and neighbourhood suburbs.     

The Slugrest bench offers the public a comfortable rest and easy accessibility while promoting social interaction between individuals. Its design delivers simple, elegant and quirky aesthetic that harmoniously matches its surrounding and contributing to that element of “sense of place”. Unique use of materials is promoted, with neowood – plastic for the batten which is made of 70% recycled wood and cellulose plastic and anodised aluminium for the frame which promotes environmental awareness.  It can be easily installed and requires low maintenance against the weather and graffiti cleaning in comparison to normal wood benches. 

Thursday 17 May 2012

Who Killed the electric car?

“Who killed the electric car?” is a documentary that projects the life of the electric car as an alternative friendly solution in relation to that of normal petrol cars and its effects towards the environment and human being.

Electric car was created in the early 20th century and was phased out 100 years ago. It first appeared in California around the 90’s to 2006.  However, business competitors competitively dropped the price of gas/petroleum powered internal combustion engine (ICE). ‘Dropping the price’ sounded pleasant for the ears but worsening problems cause by gas/petrol cars continue to rise like smog, child asthma, CO2 emission and global warming.

Several companies tried to design and produced alternative solutions to run the car using alternative power source like General Motor’s ‘SunRaycer’, which is a solar powered electric car. GM expanded the production several years after in small scale production. Electric vehicles continuous production cased arguments between the car companies, the government and the consumer. Electric vehicles leases and won some rights in able to continue the production. However, when the leases expire they immediately crushed the left over vehicles and removed the records of their existence. Of course, member of the government who commanded this action were members or former members of oil and car companies.

It is interesting how ‘some people’ would choose and promote unsustainable and harmful products and options for their own sake compromising the environment and its effect to humans.  It is clearly portrayed in this documentary that the death of electric car is due to government and their connection towards the oil companies and not giving a chance to develop electric car further. Illustration of the use of alternative solution like solar powered cars to generate electricity is effective in reducing the carbon pollution. Designers must see this documentary in order to gain further knowledge about design and its relation towards the environment, government and consumers.

Saturday 5 May 2012

Packaging Concept





This concept is different towards the other sandwich packaging. The design is fairly simple which compose of two parts the top cardboard cover and bottom wax paper. To open it, you just need to pull the top part while holding the bottom area and after that elderly arthritis sufferers in hospital can eat straight away without a hesitation that they can open the packaging easily and therefore theres no starvation and malnutrition. In spite of simple design the aim to keep the sandwich fresh and sealed remains within it.

concept



The social issue is elderly patients with arthritis starve and suffer malnutrition cause of food is now individually sealed/ packaged for safety purpose like sandwiches which is sealed in plastic in hospitals. For that reason elderly with arthritis struggle to open or even tear the packaging for sandwiches cause of arthritis. Furthermore, asking help from the nurses are not an option for these elderly patients.

My solution is to design a packaging that is simple yet enticing that showcase the food and easy to open for elderly patients yet sealed and protects the sandwich.

My first concept is a sandwich packaging that is made out of wax paper (also used for milks) and the unique lid which is made out of wood (maple or orange wood). Wood is scientifically known releases an antimicrobial qualities therefore it is safe to use it. The lid can be easily lift up without the use of too much force and it will serve as a plate for the sandwich. Every materials can be recyclable the compartment can be thrown away the bin straight away but I thought MAYBE the lid can be sent back the hospital kitchen or the supplier which will have a quality sanitation. At the wooden lid can be recycled at the end of its lifespan.

My second concept is sandwich packaging made out wax paper for fresher food. The packaging will be sealed by a paper wrap round the middle section were all the labels will be printed on. This paper can be easily slide out the box. The half part of the box can be easily lift up. And on the side of the packaging I allocated a two sauce compartments for patients choice and they can just push the bottom part of the sauce to take it out. Also without the sauce on the side compartment, elders can use that as a holder while eating the sandwich on the packaging.

The last concept will be made out of again wax paper. It is simple to open just slide the lid out and again the lid will serve as a mini plate for the patients.

All of the concepts are designed simple which is the aim and main idea to help the elderly arthritis sufferers patients in the hospital to use minimal strength/force. The packaging have simple yet designed innovatively throughout and with unique material choice. With this packaging not only the elderly will benefit but every patients in the hospital.