industrial design portfolioTomon Sasaki

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design | May 2014Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VirginiaMagna Cum Laude

Vince Haley’s “Bread and Breakfast Workshop” | November 27, 2012Dissected a product to redesign it with a “name brand” influence.

Form Exhibits | 2012-2014Created introductory and educational banners for exhibits in Blacksburg and Arlington, Virginia. Traveled to Norway to set up an exhibit for the “Making” conference in Nottoden, Norway. Designed a travelling exhibit through the 2013-2014 academic year, with the exhibit displayed through April 2014 at Virginia Tech. Design work was displayed in each exhibit. www.industrialdesign.arch.vt.edu/program/2ndyear/formstudio.htm

Folditure | Internship | Summer 2012Fabricated products and packaging among other projects to help the company’s start up process. Researched and developed ideas through sketching and prototyping in wood, metal, and foam, including arc welding and metal stamping.

AnalogExperienced with prototyping and modeling in wood, metal, and plastic. Proficient in sketching and rendering with pencil, pen, and marker.

DigitalProficient with Solidworks, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator. Knowledgable in other CAD softwares, Adobe Flash, Keyshot, Microsoft Office.

Tomon SaSaki

Education

SpEcial projEctS

dESign ExpEriEncE

SKillS

17 Braidburn Way, Morristown, NJ 07960tomon.sasaki@gmail.com | 973.349.2250

Owens Food Court | Student Employee | September 2010 - May 2013

Industrial Design Society of America at Virginia Tech | September 2010 - May 2013Invited a guest speaker and helped coordinate the event.

Japanese Cultural Association at Virginia Tech | September 2011 - May 2014Leadership: Event Coordinator | April 2012 - April 2013

Morris County Golf Club | Driving Range Manager | June 2009 - August 2011

Cafe Mekong | Waiter | May 2013 - June 2014

VT Asian American Student Union | September 2011 - May 2014Leadership: Visual Communications Chair | April 2012 - May 2014A university-tied governance and programming organization that oversees 12 organizations. Led the design and artistic decisions for the organization, including flyers, programs, posters, and newsletter.

Proficient in verbal JapaneseMusician, basketball fan, footwear enthusiast

othEr ExpEriEncE

Extra curricular

additional

formA study on form during the 2nd year of the Industrial Design program that serves as the foundation for the program that has also carried into creating multiple exhibitions in which the projects were featured.http://www.industrialdesign.arch.vt.edu/program/2ndyear/formstudio.htm

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As an introduction to industrial design at Virginia Tech, the students go through what is called Form Studio.” The pedagogy centers on a core concept, ‘form-matrix,’ which includes 6 divisions of form and how they intersect 3 modes--Line, Plane, and Solid and 3 behavioral genres—Flow (fluid), Tecto (tectonic), and Roto (rotational). The projects span 6 different form exercises (linear flowform; planar flowform; solid flowform; planar tectoform, solid tectoform, rotoform) and 4 different form products (platter; hand tool; vessel; citrus juicer).

inTroducTion

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line

ro

To

plane

Tec

To

Solid

flo

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form STudieS

Developed after the flowform exercises, this scooping tool can easily scoop out all of the smaller pieces of food or sauces and such out of a bowl.. The gradually changing curves of the scoop edge allow the tool to match the sides of different bowls. The single hardline that runs through the design not only drives the function but also improves the ergonomics of the design by creating a well for the thumb.

hard edge provides function

fluid curves appeal to the human factor

Handtool

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Juicer

Developed after the rotoform exercises, this juicer was designed with the intent on finding an unorthodox approach to the task. Inspired by the intimidation gesture of punching your own hand or cracking knuckles, the form followed that motion. Holding the fruit in one hand, the user drives and twists the juicer with the other hand into the fruit. Depending on the angle, the juice can be made to drop down to a container below or trickle down the crevice created by the part line of the juicer and then drop to a container.

front half of design has radial symmetry

ergonomic handle

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exHibiT deSign

FORM | Line-Plane-Solid is a traveling exhibition examining the critical role of ‘form’ in product design. The exhibit features 200+ projects (the previous projects included). The modular, aluminum architecture and graphic collateral, designed and fabricated by the undergraduate exhibit team I was a part of, usher visitors through the chronology of the form-matrix, explaining the prompts for each exercise and how they expand in complexity.

Details of the exhibit can be found at: www.industrialdesign.arch.vt.edu/program/2ndyear/formexhibit.htm

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The urban dance community is a growing market that has not been given a successful product. The Orochi is a response, in the form of footwear, to a sport that sees a unique range of athleticism and aesthetics.

SENIOR THESIS + REwORKorochi

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what is urban dance?with a lack of an official title, what some people misinterpret as hip hop dance, and some regions call it commercial hip hop, the style of dance that is the focus of this project is most commonly referred to as urban dance. In the most general idea, urban dance is choreography. Urban dance is the melting pot of dance; it is a culmination of a wide variety of styles which all have their own backgrounds. As the popularity of it grows, more and more genres of dance are being incorporated into the scene. what was once only seen in pop music videos has blended with hip hop dance, which began in the streets, and gained enough popularity to influence pop culture. Now exists tv shows dedicated to dance as well as commercials that features dance and flash mobs, “spontaneous” pop ups of choreography.

inTroducTion

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why a footwear product?As something that didn’t grow on the stage of mainstream society the amount of companies that exist to cater to this community is minimal. when it comes to footwear, there really isn’t anything out there made for these dancers. However, urban dance is as tough on the body as any other sport and that becomes a case for why the people in this community could use more athletic products. Dance is a sport that requires only the body and thus footwear, being one of the few necessities, was chosen.

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what are people wearing?

reSearcH

Ethnographic research revealed that, while some shoes could only be found in either performances or classes/practices, the most commonly found shoe in both situations was the canvas sneaker popularized by Converse and Vans. These shoes have minimal materials and basic construction methods. However many of those sneakers were in bad condition.

performance1. Converse & Vans Pro2. adidas Lifestyle sneakers3. Nike Dunks4. Boots5. Dress Shoes

class/practice1. Converse & Vans Pro2. adidas Lifestyle Sneakers3. Nike Dunks4. Nike Free Runs

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what is out there?The closest thing in the market is the Reebok dance line. Though it is advertised as general dance shoes and all of the advertisement campaigns feature urban dance style movements, all of the reviewers use them for activities like zumba and cardio workouts.

In the industry of trained dances exists a jazz shoe that is also advertised as hip hop shoes. The interesting chracteristic of this shoe is the split sole that offers extra flexibility in the shoe. However, this type of shoe received many negative responses.

“I’ve never heard of those.”

“They’re alright I guess.” “Those are really ugly”

“I’ve worn those for Jazz, they’re really awkward”

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reSearcH

what is required of the foot when a person dances?FIguring out what the design needed to accomplish began with understanding the human factors and ergonomics. Looking at the anatomy of the foot and seeing how it moves when a person is dancing revealed that throughout a career:- The dancer’s foot is forced to create every shape possible. - The weight of the dancer is put on every and any point of the foot. - The forefoot, midfoot, medial side, lateral side, heel, and sole of the dancer, all make contact with the ground.

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basketball as a comparison. dissecting the shoes.Basketball is a sport that requires players to move in a similar fashion to dancing. Players need to be able to leap, be agile, constantly change direction, and move in a way that can take a toll on the feet. The major sport sees a wide range of products in the footwear industry. However, the modern basketball shoe is rarely seen in the urban dance scene, only the shoes designed in the 80’s and 90’s, the fashionable shoes, are found.

The modern basketball shoe is created with many materials and technological advances that could benefit dancers but are not found on the shoes they most often wear.

2 different foams

molded upper

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reSearcH

“Ideally I’ll pick a pair of shoes and then I’ll try to dance in them. So the first thing that pulls me to a pair of shoes is how they look.”

“I’ve worn skater shoes/vans before and honestly they were not good on my feet as I continued the pounding on my legs day after day of practice. I know those types of shoes weren’t really created to endure what we do.”

“Having grip on shoes is important, but in dance there is such thing as too much grip as sometimes we need to do glides, slides, etc.”

“In my opinion a shoe that can form to a dancer’s foot, but still remain stable is what would be great.”

“There are shapes that we need to create with our feet: pointing your toe, flexing your foot; times we have to be light: jumps, footwork; but yet times we have to be heavy and grounded: stomping, krumping, lots of hip hop.“

“[Dance] is the number one thing on my mind when I look at shoes, even dress shoes.”

“I definitely sacrifice a lot of comfort for look when it comes to shoes I have to perform in.”

insightsInterviews and surveys were conducted to gather information on what dancers thought about the shoes they wore and what they would find in their ideal pair of dance shoes.

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findingS

what does it need to accomplish?

Unrestricted movement

Fits in with all sorts of outfits - Less athletic, more fashion

Be able to make quick movements

Reduce harm from landing and hard hits

The cheaper the better

Withstand all of the usage

Good traction but can still slide when needed

Stable and accommodating for arches and weight shifts

Staying comfortable during long hours of wear

Active sport requires airation

More like a second skin

durabiliTy

flexibiliTy

grip

ligHTweigHT

SupporT

aeSTHeTicS

cuSHion

proTecTion

coST

form fiTTing

breaTHabiliTy

While some factors were only a concern to certain styles of dancers, there were a few points that almost everyone desired in a shoe. Combining that data with the prior observations, the goals for this design were prioritized.

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referenceS

can fashion suggest function?It is no surprise that dancers, aiming to create stunning visuals, care about how their shoe looks and how it works with their outfit. Among various fashion trends, animal prints stood out as a potential starting point. Could replicating snakeskin in a different way give it more function beyong aesthetics?

Though many shoes were looked at, the only snake like feature on a shoe was the skin applied for aesthetic purpose.

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biomimicryThe fact that a snake is flexible and can create all sorts of shapes is common knowledge, but further research would show that the legless reptile could provide solutions for this design. The overlapping scales on a snake is attached to a skin that expand immensely due to the minimal amount of structure in a snake’s body. This idea of a flexible armor became the main factor in the ideation phase.

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developmenT

ideation TestingSketches explored various concepts, with and without biomimitec influences. Ultimately the snake inspired concepts seemed to be the most promising.

Dancers were given jazz shoes to wear during classes to get feedback on the split soles. Inspired by the Nike Free Run soles, the soles of stiff shoes were cut in various ways to find a balance in aesthetic and flexibility. Dance socks were bought and tested to develop a grip pattern. Fabrics and plastics were also adhered together to validate a flexible and protective concept.

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prototypingAs the design developed, prototypes were made to better visualize ideas. Foam and fabric mock ups transitioned into more accurate materials. A rubber was poured into a scale pattern mold and then fused to a stretch fabric. The results validated the concept for a final design.

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firST deSign1

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1. BOA TECHNOLOgy LACINg HARDwAREThis system creates a tight fit and releases with the push of a button2. ARIAPRENE & 4-wAy STRETCH FABRIC FUSED wITH TPU MOLDED SCALESThe fabric allows the upper to stretch and expand while the TPU protects the shoe3. TPU FILMThe thin material provides durability while still remaining flexible4. SyNTHETIC LEATHERThe leather allows the shoe to slide on surfaces5. EVA FOAM MIDSOLE (UNDERNEATH)Acts as a cushion and support, absorbing impacts and providing comfort6. MOLDED RUBBERThe textured rubber ensures a strong gri

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feedback

I received a response that was similar to my self critique. I felt that the concept was strong but the execution wasn’t quite there. with a lack of satisfaction from the final design of this project, I decided that I would revisit the project. with the feedback from my professors and a few people I sent the project to, I had a sense of a direction I could take with this project.

analysis

“i like the biomimicry approach too. it really translates well into the upper. i think you could take the same approach to the midsole/outsole.”

“The pages after that left me a little underwhelmed with the final solution”

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reTHinking

revisiting the conceptThe first step to the rework was to figure out what needed to be changed.

Simple conSiSTanT ergonomic

Visually, the first concept was overwhelming..

The design languange needs to be more consistant. The biomimicry story needs to be told throughout the shoe.

Improve on the human factors so that the shoe is most flexible where it needs to be and more supportive where it needs to be.

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new reSearcH

materials mechanismsThe second phase of research began with a study in materials in other athletic markets. Protective undergarments and padded suits developed the idea of changing the materials of the original design.

Looking again at snakes and similar things, lattice hinges and the skeletal structure of the snake would become new concept drivers.

patterned breaks in stiff materials allow flexibility

structure that is flexible

padded biking shorts provide soft protection

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developmenT

ideationTurning the original design into bootie, the concept began to evolve into a more complex system. The challenge was to keep it simple at the same time. A better story in the design was necessary.

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prototyping

A fabric with foam on the inside that is cut to give shape is wrapped around a last.

Mocking up the design led to a better understanding of how the upper would respond to different movements. The lattice hinge inspired breaks in the upper were fine tuned through prototypes.

gaps allow the shoe to bend where the foot bends

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refinemenT

ouroboros

padded bootie/sock

all layers need to be able to stretch and expand

needs flexibility towards ankle

bone inspired brace with elastic connection

attaches through the fabric lining

design resembles snake trails

upper can stretch with the foot

toe guard and upper material allows for pointe

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upper materials allow shoe to slide on floor orochi

open grooves increase flexibility

elastic band over tongue secures foot

toe guard and upper material allows for pointe

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final deSign

1. MOLDED OR 3D PRINTED SOFT POLyETHER TPU1mm-2mm thickness - The elastic is thinner where the most flexibiliy is needed. This upper is durable while being able to still stretch and move.2. 4-wAy STRETCH NyLONActs as a lining that can move with the shoe, fused to TPU.3. NEOPRENE SOCK wITH POLyURETHANE PADDINgThe foam within is made so that it can be flexible while still providing cushion and protection.

upper

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1. MOLDED HARD POLyESTER TPUThe elastic ribs function to secure the foot but still have a bit of flexibility. It does not attach to the upper except for the elastic band (not shown).2. SMOOTH LEATHERThe bit of material acts as a slippery surface, located only in a spot on the foot that is commonly used to pivot. Held by a smooth EVA disc.3. MOLDED EVAA standard material for outsoles, the EVA provides appropriate amounts of grip.4.TPU FOAM MIDSOLEThe foam acts as a cushion and support, absorbing impacts and providing comfort

Tooling

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final deSign

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Flexible but protective. Lightweight but durable. Athletic and fashionable. This shoe is the performance footwear for urban dancers. Whether your style is breaking, krumping, or housing, this shoe will help you acheive maximum performance in the studio and on stage.

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orochiflex on the dance floor

Currently, professional hockey players wear little to no protective equipment for the face which results in many injuries. Dreadnought is a helmet that provides the extra protection that is absent in the game without hindering the perception or performance of the players.

drEadnought

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Starting with the 2013-2014 season, the NHL has required all new players to wear a visor, creating a safer game. However, visors do not protect the lower half of the face leaving players still prone to injury. It also complicates the fighting aspect of the game which has disappointed both players and fans. As this rule only applies to new players, those who were active before rule was implemented are not affected and therefore many continue to play without any facial protection.

Marc Staal was hit in the right eye by a deflected puck that resulted in a retinal tear and an orbital fracture. This led to a debate and eventually created the new rule.

THe problem

nHl players do not need facial protection to play.

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1. Hockey began with minimal equipment. For decades the sport was played without any head protection. Along with the amount of aggressive contact, this created a “tough guy” image. Protective equipment can be a hindrance to this characteristic and many players would rather tough out the pain than to deal with equipment.

2. The offered equipment, metal cages and plastic shields/visors, have visibility issues that players do not want to deal with. 3. This sport also allows players to fight and having any form of protection over the face makes the duels difficult. with the new season, referees stop fights when the helmet falls off so the fighting has been reduced which has disappointed many players and fans.

why don’t players wear the proper protection?

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The design needs to accomodate for sweat, heat, and breath.

The less work it takes the players to quench their thirst the better.

The design should not reduce a player’s vision in anyway.

To hold a “tough guy” image but add protection, the form has to have a certain perception.

Helmets have to change with the new rules of fighting to allow fights to happen while protecting players.

There should not be a struggle to remove it in case of emergencies.

If the design is more comfortable than the current products it is more likely to be used.

Talking to and hearing teammates on the ice is crucial and should not be hindered.

BREATHABILITy

COMMUNICATION

ACCESS TO WATER

VISION

AggRESIVE AESTHETIC

FIgHTINg ACCOMODATIONS

EASILy REMOVABLE

COMFORT

primary

Secondary

with the current helmets, every facial feature is vulnerable to injury. These parts need to be protected. However, other factors play a part in the design and these needs should be met.

deSign needS

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1. Bell Rogue helmet 2. Halo 4 armor design, gungnir (game) 3. Alienware M14x Laptop4. Mortal Kombat character, Scorpion (game)5. Lamborghini Aventador6. Metal gear Rising character, Raiden (game) 7. Tron Legacy character (show)

referenceS

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The initial exploration began with a mask that could be worn under current helmets. Looking at different ways to secure the design to the user led to the idea of a design that is incorporated into the helmet. The challenge then became to create a completely new helmet.

use straps like a chin guard? attach the design

to the helmet

predator mouth

medieval

mortal kombat

air mask

make it a part of the helmet

SkeTcH developmenT

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predator mouth

bmx like?

attach the glass to the helmet?

make it detachable

rotating parts?

silhouette has tolook cool

stretchability = more comfortable

opportunity to change shape of visor

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final deSign

1. The shell is made from a high density polycarbonate and is lined with an elastic film. On top of that is a vinyl nitrate foam padding to protect the head from impacts.

2. Vents located at the front and back of the helmet will allow air to flow through the helmet, keeping the player cool.

3. The helmet shape was altered to allow for a bigger visor so that a player can see more around them without having the helmet come into vision.

4. The polycarbonate visor is coated with an anti-fog treatment to ensure clarity at all times.

5. The vent in front of the mouth is large enough to allow the tip of water bottles and straws to fit so the player does not need to remove the mask to rehydrate.

6. An elastic backing allows the jawline portion of the mask to move around to remain comfortable.

7. with the push of a button on either side of the mask, the lower half of the design can be removed from the helmet portion, including the visor.

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I’ve thought about the arena and the blinding lights...

...the hits...

...and the fights......the first faceoff when the puck drops.

They always did say the first game is the hardest.

It’s a whole new league now...

But I am, and I’ve always been, ready.

I’ve thought about it all.

dreadnougHT

How can modularity improve the experience in the kitchen? Muto looks at different aspects of the kitchen to improve upon in each of various situations a single kitchen may encounter. By allowing the space to transform to fit the user’s needs the kitchen can become more efficient.

muto with Dan Duminuco and Holly Inners

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A kitchen will come across many scenarios and ideally would be able to efficiently function within each situation. whether the kitchen is used to prepare a family meal, host a holiday feast, or open up to entertain a large crowd of people, the things in the kitchen need to be able to fit each situation in the same way a single Tetris piece can fill in a variety of different spaces.

THe opporTuniTy

There is a need to change and adapt.

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The main functions in a home kitchen are carried out between the stove, the sink, and the refrigerator. These three points and the imaginary lines between them, make up what kitchen experts call the “work triangle”. The idea is that when these three elements are in close proximity to one other, the kitchen will run efficiently.

If the kitchen triangle could change and adapt, or if multiple triangles could exist simultaneously, efficiency could increase in different situations one may come across in a kitchen. It would also potentially allow more people to work in the kitchen together.

The “work triangle”

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inSpiraTion

The direction taken for this project was inspired by the growing trend of creating micro-apartments, transforming spaces that address the lack of living space as population grows. One exhibit that looked at this issue was Making Room exhibited in the Museum of the City of New york, where the need for better living spaces has produced many micro-apartments. with transforming furniture and hidden features, these pieces make the most of a 325 square foot apartment.

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referenceS1 2

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1. Inwin Matrix Computer Case2. Apple Mac Mini3. LaCie Porshe Design Hard Drive4. Canal+ +Le Cube5. Zofa Lounge Chair6. Phil Cuttance weld Vases7. Mobiado grand Touch Aston Martin

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THe concepT

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This concept was designed to fit into new apartment buildings where the floor plan, plumbing, and materials could be influenced by this project.

Refrigerator led by Tomon Sasaki

Cabinet and Counterled by Tomon Sasaki

Modular Island led by Dan Duminuco

Sink and Wall led by Holly Inners

Peninsula Counter led by Holy Inners

THe SySTem

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THe refrigeraTor

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developmenT

features to consider- Mobile- Small- Drawers- Lightweight- Temperature Control

- New Tech- Doors- Stackable- Plumbing - Countertop Surface

A few key features drove the design of this unit, while the visible functions determined the aesthetics. Mobility and a drawer system stuck through the development process from its early stages. Having drawers would allow cold air to sink back into the compartments which is not capitalized on standard refridgerators with doors. This would also allow an unplugged unit to stay cooler for longer, thus promoting the idea of a mobile cooler.

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The design is intended to be small, lightweight, and mobile. It encourages users to have multiple units as that increases the flexibility of the design. Drawers are used to preserve temperature better when in use.

1. Hinged cover provides overhead access to top compartment.2. Each drawer compartment has an independent control for temperature.3. white Corian & Stainless Steel are used throughout the kitchen concept.a4. Low walls hide the casters to give the design a sense of floating.

The storyboard below shows the benefit of being able to unplug and replug a unit in a different location to make it an easier process to prepare food. For the user who frequently entertains guests, having a second unit would allow a mobile refreshment cart that would, when unplugged, act as a cooler that can be brought to the entertainment room.

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final deSign

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Temperature for each compartment is controlled by individual units found within their respective compartments. This allows one unit to act as a refridgerator, freezer, or both. Having two units would also allow a kitchen to have separate refridgerator and freezer units.

Each compartment can be accessed by push-to-open mechanisms. The top cover is able to be lifted open only when it is slid out. The drawers also have a soft, self close feature that, when the drawers are pushed in after opening, will gently come to a close.

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THe cabineT and counTer SySTem

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Having a cut out on the countertop allows for an easier access into both the oven and dishwasher.

The cabinet has a hidden shelf at the top that can only be accessed by pushing up the bottom which then drops the entire shelf, using the push-to-open system. This allows users to stowaway things that are barely used or that are kept in boxes, without visually cluttering the space.

The counters feature 2 ovens and 2 dishwashers. The idea is to have a smaller, main unit that is used frequently, while the larger unit is used sparingly. By doing this, the consumption of water and electricity is reduced compared to the standard appliances.

cabinets

counters

final deSign

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MUTOThe furniture that adapts to the user, producing maximum efficiency in the kitchen.

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A response to a second year project that required students to build a full scale, nomadic seat for a public space that also provides a surface and storage. The work Horse is designed for the purposes of presentation, discussion, and work. “It’s a workhorse.”

with Riley SixtaWorK horSE

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problem

The Kiva is a multipurpose space found inside the Industrial Design studio at Virginia Tech. However, the space doesn’t have enough seats, especially when the space next to the Kiva is also being used.

An open space that was designed to be used for discussions, presentations, and working, the Kiva lacks any dedicated surfaces to hold work and documents.

The kiva

no place to put projectslack of seats

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referenceS

1. wood Casting by Hilla Shamia2. wassily Chair3. Rotin Furniture Tamburil coffee table4. Also Chair5. Terra Cotta exhibit

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final deSign

METAL FRAME

WOODEN PANELS

CASTERS

ASSEMBLy

Push caster pin into the wooden legsInsert fasteners through the steel frames on either side into the panels

Take apart the casters by removing axleGrind mounting plate down to sizeCreate a threaded pin and cap to put everything back together

Join and plane 13/16” poplar woodGlue halves together and join and plane again to a 10 3/4” wide 4/4 boardCut the board into the nine required panelsChamfer the edges for the seat and handleDrill holes into the sides of the panels and on the legs for the casters

Laser cut 1/8” low carbon steel sheetsTap and countersink premade pilot holes

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5.6.7.

8.9.

10.

11.12.

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The work Horse is a workhorse. It provides a seat, storage, and a table surface. It is easily transportable with casters and a handlebar. The design allows it to be a dynamic display shelf, showcasing work on two levels. It can also cat as a traditional saw horse.

storage

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final deSign

chamfered handlebar

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chamfered for more comfortable seating

The Battery Conservancy invited design professionals and students to design an iconic, moveable, outdoor seat for The Battery, the 25-acre park at the tip of Manhattan, which welcomes six million visitors each year.

with Alex Barrette4-al

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• Moveable seats that are suitable for outdoor use and a range of activities (eating, lounging, sitting)• Stackable seats that can be easily stored and locked• Seats to be suitable for people of different ages, sizes, and abilities• Seats that incorporate sustainable practices• Seats that are friendly to the grass-lawn surface of the Park• Seats that fit into the Park as a whole• A Radio Frequency ID tag (RFID security) on each seat• A discreet place for a donor/sponsor recognition on each seat• Beautiful, comfortable, and durable seats that are economical to manufacture• Seats that work well alone or in groups; modular seats are acceptable.

EntriEs should rEflEct considEration of thE consErvancy’s nEEd for:

compeTiTion brief

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locaTion

Battery Park is located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island in New york City. This green space that co-exists with industrial skyscrapers easily inspired a direction for the feel that the design would ultimately produce. within the many locations of the park are structures that also influenced the materials that the project would incorporate.

How can the project connect with its home?

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ideaTion

For the ultimate portability, as a user may have to carry the product across the park, the driving component of the design was making it collapsible to reduce bulkiness. This idea sprouted further developments such as modularity which becomes a standout feature.

collapsible

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SToryboard

A family visiting the park approaches a kiosk. There they swipe a credit card or a unique ID for the park as a security measure for the chairs. Then they grab three of the chairs which are now associated with the swiped card. The family carries it over to a spot where they set up and spend the afternoon with the comfort of the chairs.

renting...

using...

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final deSign

The 4-AL is a modular furniture that opens up to become a chair, bench, table, and more. Made completely of aluminium, the design is durable while remaining lightweight and can take on the weather.

4-al

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The hinge system that connect the panels are the focal point of the design. The adjustable locking hinge is unlocked by pushing in the button and then the panels can be rotated to the desired position. Each hinge can be set to 16 different positions which leads to over 500 possible combinations.

The mechanism

early sketch of the mechanism

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21. PUSH BUTTONColored to easily identify, the button also has teeth to push the other pins into place.2. CONTAINERHolds the joints, pins, and springs together in place with only enough room to disengage the pins from the slots.3. JOINTSAttached to the panels, it contains the slots that allow the design to adjust.4. PINS AND SPRINgSThe pins and springs work together to lock the device into place.5. AxLEThe axle keeps the furniture from warping and also allows the button on each side of the piece to be activated from one side.

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final deSign

4-alfor everythingfor everyone. for all.

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with Gregory Catron and Brandon Fearing

A study in felt sponsored by The Felt Store. How can felt be used to shape space in a way that supports and enhances the user experience of a multi-use space such as the third floor of the Johnston Student Center? Design and implement spatial interventions using felt that enhance a user experience.

Wooly pad

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THe inSTallaTion SiTe

The site is full of couches and small tables, providing spaces for students to lounge and study. However, learning from observation and interview, the space was not fully utilized as, often, people had the tendency to take up more space than necessary. A person that decided to sleep on the couches would take up the space of 4 or 5. It was also common to see gaps between two people that would never be filled, suggesting that people wanted to respect each others space.

The goal became to build something that would create another space that would be a little more private.

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exploraTion

With felt being the one parameter for this project, the ideation process was done mainly in scaled, physical form. Understanding how the material responded to different structuring was critical in developing the final idea.

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The process of making the design was a task that was deceivingly daunting. with such a large concept, only so much of it could be done with machines and so hand-sewing was heavily involved. Each section of the piece was stuffed with polyester fiber to create a more comfortable environment. With each section, the patterns were designed to provide structure in the proper form, whether that was to hold up the piece or to semantically suggest user interaction.

fabricaTion

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final deSign

For the most part, there has been great feedback from those using the installed piece, receiving statements that it is rather comfortable and a nice addition to the space. However, structurally it still has its kinks to work out as the piece begins to sag every so often, depending on how it is used.