Team Project
Our group was tasked with de-construcing the form and function of the iconic Tizio lamp, designed by Richard Sapper in 1972. Using only given dimensions and visual interpretation, our group had to assemble a 1:1 “recognisable” model of the lamp using simple prototyping materials such as cardboard and foam board.
Our team used white foam board for the base, arms and legs of the scale replica, and cardboard for the lamp head and curved counterweights on the end of the cantilever arms, and wooden shafts were used to create a pivot points.
Our team succeeded the task in that we produced a visually accurate to-scale replica of the classic Tizio lamp, however we learnt the importance of effective time-management and planning, as due to the time constraint of the task we were unable to construct the replica in such a way that it could independently support itself.
Redesign Challenge
Design development & sketches
The Redesign Challenge consisted of, using our previous experience creating the replica Tizio lamp and taking inspiration from the lamp itself, creating a new concept for a product, and then building a prototype. This prototype could be inspired by any part of the form or function of the lamp. Personally I was inspired by the shape of the head of the lamp, specifically the parallel lines and uniform angles.
I decided to design a modernist tap, taking inspiration from the geometric shape of the lamp head. Idea generation, development and experimentation with different methods of water distribution and control can be seen in the sketches below.
As this product uses very geometric shapes and specific angles – the parallel 45° angles in the lamp head altered to 30° angles – I sketched the specific dimensions that I used in the final prototype. As I took a more planned approach for this project (compared to the group prototype) the components of the final prototype could be individually created, then assembled.
Designing and prototyping mechanisms
I took into consideration designing for accessibility in terms of the taps controls, as this is a particular interest of mine. I took inspiration from the cantilever mechanism used in the Tizio lamp itself, and used a small wooden stick for the prototype mechanism.
Prototyping/construction
The initial prototype I made was cut from a solid cube of blue foam, I used this prototype to test the material itself and the proposed form of the initial tap (with six holes for water to water to flow from, as shown in initial sketches). From this prototype I not only discovered that blue foam is very difficult to cut precise geometric shapes from, but also that I wanted to take a different approach to the form of the tap. The second rapid prototype I made using corrugated cardboard, this was closer to the form of the final prototype, and this model was used mainly to visualise the size and scale of the individual components. The corrugated cardboard was easier to work with than the blue foam, but not quite as strong or visually appealing. Each prototype was made using a set of stencils dimensioned then cut out of paper, to ensure an accurate representation of the final prototype.
Final Prototype
For the final prototype I chose to use to use thick cardboard which was not corrugated, as it is strong enough to hold different forms but easy to cut and work with. Each individual component was cut from the card then assembled using magic tape, so that I could be sure that no dimensions were incorrectly calculated or measured. This gave me the opportunity to alter some of the components which were slightly out of proportion, and consider the structural strength of the model; including hidden components that created a more rigid, firm structure.
After altering the components of the model I used a hot glue gun to construct the final prototype. I have had very little experience with hot glue guns or prototyping in general, but I found the final construction very rewarding and enjoyable.
The following images show the final prototype tap in a sink, showing that the scale and size of this model is appropriate for it’s function: I aimed to make it a 1:1 scale replica. It is worth noting that although the levers do move the mechanisms are not as functional or visually appealing as they would be in a final product, due to limited materials and time.
Although in the video the tap is quite unsteady – as I failed to incorporate a base for the product, assuming that it would be installed like a regular tap – it is clear that the prototype is well-made, functional and built to an appropriate scale. Overall I am incredibly pleased with the final outcome; learning from time-management and planning mistakes in the initial group work task I was able to organise my thinking and create a finished prototype within the time and material constraints that I am very happy with.