A Ways of Making – Translating Form

Part 1: 1 : 1 Scale lamp group work

Our first task this week was to replicate the Tizio Micro lamp by Richard Sapper. Through out the time we spent making this model I have learned about the importance of weight ratio and how it effects products as a whole. My group was effecting in working together, we decided to split the lamp into three parts: the top, middle and base. We would later come together after lunch with our finished pieces and assemble them together. Most of our model was made from foam board as it was the most sturdy and supported the weights well. The lamp aspect was made from cardboard which was lightest therefore more effective (or so we thought). We were asked not to use a ruler to complete this project in case the light was scuffed so we held up pieces of foam board and card to measure it accurately, we also used the dimensions given to us in the small booklet. Once we had cut out all the pieces, we used hot glue to attach it all since it is quick and effective. We didn’t anticipate on this part going wrong. We thought we had used the materials given to us in the most efficient way possible having the heaviest things at the bottom and on either sides of the “arms” to counterweight each other. The foam board arms ended up buckling under the weight of the lamp and counterweights meaning we had to add supports to prevent them from flopping. We eventually decided when we had half an hour or so left of the day that we’d glue the model all together so it wouldn’t move/fall apart. Honestly, that was the best group decision we made all day!

We would have done a lot better with this activity if we made smaller prototypes testing the counterweights before cracking on with the main lamp. I think we did well though seeing as it still stands!

 

Part 2: Product redesign – Individual work

Our second task is to create something inspired by the Tizio Micro lamp – it doesn’t need to be a lamp itself. I first started drawing sketches and looking on pinterest for some ideas, this helped me determine what I should make. I have chosen to design a tape dispenser as I didn’t want to design anything too complex as time is precious. The lamp and tape dispenser both have two arms which are important parts of the structure, they are strong and are able to support the functioning parts of each product without fault.

The Tizio Micro lamp has been created using aluminium with a matte black finish. I wanted to look at making my model with raw/hard materials too so I looked into concrete as a base for the tape dispenser. This would then allow people to use it with one hand if they are also holding pieces of paper down. I used cardboard to create a prototype which only took around half an hour or so since my model is a rather simple shape. I created a quick model of my design on Google Sketchup to demonstrate my idea in a more efficient way.

To create the concrete block I needed to use a mould made of a material that will not absorb moisture. I experimented with an ice cream carton first to see if it was suitable and margarine containers to find the perfect suit. I used wooden dowelling create the “arms” needed for this design. These were then inserted into wet concrete at an angle to create the finished product. I made a small slit in the top of the dowelling to hold the blade but it ended up being too small so I chose to glue it on instead.

To attach the tape itself, I drilled a screw into the top of the dowel and secured a skateboard bearing to ensure that it would spin, the bearing was actually too small for the hole in the tape so I wedged in a piece of cardboard to stop it from slipping.