Ways of Making – Translating Form

Component 1: Tizio Lamp Model (Group Project)

Within the one week project, the first task was to work as a team to construct a 1:1 scale replica of the Tizio lamp by Richard Sapper out of cardboard, foam board and dowel. The task provided the extra challenge as well of not using rulers to measure the lamp itself up close (due to a fear of paint chopping); to oppose this, a quantity of makeshift rulers and 1:1 scale drawing of smaller components were made in order to create a more accurate design.

Through 3 hours of working with the lamp, the team quickly got to work creating the replica. This setup definitely assisted us in achieving a fully functioning prototype in the latter 3 hours with little concern or stress (on both the creation and creators) despite challenging setbacks found in the counterweighting of the handles and base which were resolved through the use of hot glue and painstakingly cutting out 12 cardboard circles to construct the base. This built upon the idea of using impromptu design throughout the prototyping process and how important problem solving is in a design environment, which should ready us to deal with sudden issues in further projects.

The component in its entirety served to place an emphasis on the importance of teamwork, debate and properties of materials throughout the prototyping process and served as further assistance in the second component.

 

Component 2: Redesign Challenge (individual)

Sketches

Following the initial intriguing experience of copying a product came the task of utilising either an aesthetic or practical characteristic of the lamp to create a non-existent product.

Interested by the use of weights to hold the position of the lamp itself and the use of free moving hinges over ratchet joints (which would be a preferable, more stable option) I began thinking of the creation of a weighted/stabilising leg orthosis.

However, due to be a complex design to realise I also worked upon a weighted lamp system based on counterbalanced yoga exercises as a backup before realising the true potential and appearance of the orthosis on an out-of-hours shopping venture, yet I continued to work on both until the prototyping phase due to insecurities with the outlandish leg orthosis idea.

Idea of Orthosis

Being used to assist in physiotherapy for those suffering with leg injuries/trauma to stave off muscle degeneration (by providing light exercise, similar to astronauts running in space), the longer arms extending from the knee are weighted which can be swapped out/added onto due to the additional pocket.

The smaller handle found at the top of the thigh would be in storage, swap-able with the larger weight and used to restrict the movement of the leg itself by either being placed close to the front of the knee or by , to reduce injury/fatigue; allowing the product to be an assistant in immediate care and aftercare.

 

Prototype

To test my orthosis idea, I worked with card, paper fasteners and post-it notes to work on movement possibilities and the addition of external accessories (the attached weights) and attachments inspired directly by the weights of Sapper’s design; this allowed me to discover the most effective way to manufacture base design on a larger scale without wasting material and to, surprisingly, test the comfort of the fit.

 

In retrospect, I spent too long on creating this prototype and working mainly on its extras and therefore forfeited time I could’ve spent working on further prototypes and further development of the final product which is evident in some aspects of the final design (the constant redesign of the foot area, the redesign of the straps to contain buckles.).

Final Outcome

When it came to constructing the final orthosis, I placed a greater emphasis on the legibility of the leg being inspired by the lamp itself which lead to a greater use of techniques and skills I learned or observed whilst creating the lamp being used in the orthosis’ creation (as can be seen in the handles slits to allow for the bending of the foam board), using the prototype as my only frame of real-life reference for measurements and design which I could then build off of (this included the development of adjust thigh and shin straps and an additional toe cap to ensure the orthosis is secure to the foot.). 

 *vibrant socks not included.

Reflection

Overall, I was successful in creating my more outlandish idea of a functioning leg orthosis which will assist me in my future projects to work against doubt in my design process and to work on stranger design concepts and to borden my horizons.

In future endeavours however, i will try to focus more on prototyping a quantity of adjustments and designs quickly and efficiently before constructing the finalised version in order to avoid unscripted design efforts which often waste time and require extensive adjustment.