The vice shown in this Design Exhibition in Switzerland has really captured my imagination and fueled the possibilities for ‘beautiful tools’
I would love your speculation about what this is made from. If its steel, how did they get it red like that? Seen something similar?
After speaking with Dr Sam Allen, of Loughborough University who specialises in Biomechanics. In short Dr Allen explained that for a skill to be developed 2 inputs are necessary these are. 1. Repetition, and 2. Feedback. Interestingly Dr Allen was critical of the idea that constraining the user into a set action would be beneficial to the learning process. Its clear that if my project is going to suceed the product must somehow provide feedback to the user which encourages a better pattern of use.
Are there any suggestions or examples of scenarios where this type of feedback occurs?
I tried making a simple toy car. Using a found log, Saw and Hand Drill. Doing this brought all the memorises of failed summer holiday projects. The toxic mixture of boredom and frustration.
Do you have a similar story you could share with me? I would love to hear it!
In summary I think I thought of 8 or 9 Potential Projects by this stage but didn’t have the conviction to pursue any one whole-heartedly. Finding direction and Impetus proved very difficult.
Having established the theme of material Scarcity within urban settings I wanted to find projects which addressed this topic. The RCA was a plentiful supply of Inspiration.
The Well Proven Chair is an attempt to utilise the waste from American Hardwood Processing. Mixing the discarded shavings with Expanding foam makes a robust material which quickly makes beautiful chairs.
Studio Swine began at the RCA with the Sea Chair project which uses reclaimed plastic from the sea to build furniture. Can City is there latest project in Sao Paolo which uses aluminium cans and open source design to capatalise on the informal waste collection system in Sao Paolo. I Began to investigate informal waste collection in London having lived in Leyton (East London) I began to picture shopping trolleys full with scrap metal being wheeled to the local merchants.
By chance I was given some Tin Ingots and decided this was a great opportunity to start experimenting with casting. Fairly academic as Tin will happily melt in a Laddle with a blow torch. Regardless it was hoped the process could be progressed onto denser metals.
Ezio Manzini’s frame work of future sustainability being ‘small’ ‘local’ ‘open’ and ‘connected’ I began to imagine small communities of informal makers, a natural progression from scrap collection to utilisation. It was difficult to imagine how this could manifest itself as a suitable project.
Sven Ladiges who is currently a RCA student kindly agreed to meet with me and discuss my project. I took my tin cutlery I cast and my Logbook. His feedback was much appreciated and he encourage me to focus on how the process could empart knowledge or value.
I Began my project Research in May 2013. During this time I was working for PearsonLloyd. I then went on to work for Tom Cecil and Finally Peter Marigold for the duration of the Summer. All of this experience is having a profound effect on my work.
Attached are a few pages I kept in the beginning. 
Forma Fantasma’s Exhibition at Libby Sellers Gallery was breath-taking I hope it can have a significant influence on my final design. Primarily their scrutiny of materials and their properties
I was surprised to find the Economist, New York Times and mainstream tabloids in the UK writing extensively about Craft, Making and most recently Repair. Above is ‘Make and mend’ by Edwin Heathcote of the Financial Times and ‘Design for repair’ by Dan Lockton of the Guardian.
The Saatchi Gallery has a ‘Metiers des Hermes’ exhibition it was wonderful to see skilled workers practicing their craft. I was a little put out by all the nobility wandering around interested more in the price then the practice.
Richard Wentworth’s ‘Making-do and Getting by’ Project has a wonderful narrative about the hidden motives of people. My favourite is the image of the Jack Russel tethered to the ladies handbag, the caption reads “what’s in the bag and how protective is this small dog? Is the bag just heavy enough to keep the dog tethered or is the pooch indeed guarding it?”
Fiona Raby and Anthony Dunne continue to offer me substantial inspiration as a Designer. their Design for engaging the wider community about our possible futures is a moving and sometimes terrifying look at what life could be.
This is my first attempt at creating a Brief. it focuses on cutlery as a cultural conduit. I wasn’t convinced when I wrote this. I was looking for a reason to justify such a project and nothing presented itself. I hoped understanding manufacturing processes and exceptional stories would inspire me.
Meteoric Rocks, Inuit material scarcity were two themes which emerged from my research. Ultimately under the constraints of my obligation to university there was not enough to fulfill my final year project. Unwilling to give up completely I pursued the idea of material scarcity in an urban Environment. Something I had a first hand appreciation of having spent the year living in London.
I’m hoping you will comment and contribute to my project as it develops. I am now approaching the mid-way stage and more so than ever I want to reach out.
I hope this will develop a more thoughtful dialogue then can be gleamed from 10 minutes of lectureres or a 5 minute telephone conversation with friends.
please feel free to comment and criticise as you see fit! Visit often!
James
DIABLOGUE. - A Design Project 