Australian Design Awards Review - Pebble Modular Ottoman

 

The Pebble Modular Ottoman designed by Schamburg + Alvisse Design are Eco designed seating which come in 3 sizes, inspired by the Australian landscape being that of “a series of geometric river stones worn and rounded with time” . They have been credited for “GECA rated, Green Building Council Australia compliant (100% green star points), and FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certified”. This design was awarded ‘Good Design’ because of it’s creditability for being green wash and independently environmental.

Whilst studying this one design, it displayed an array of pros and cons.

Pros:

• It is to innovative in its form and ability to shape up to be a furniture piece.
• It is a well thought and positive contributor to furniture design.
• It is aesthetically pleasing through is proportional’s and minimalism structure.
• It s five sided geometry is seen to be a natural ordering and thus sees that Australian inspiration within the shape.
• Handcrafted touch stitching rather that the mass-produced and outsourcing manufacturing relates to its value and quality trust.
• It’s geometrical structured communicates sturdiness and durability whilst complying with the Australian standards.
• The usability of the fabric – leather has added a roundness and softness welcoming to the ottoman seating. Thus hinting its comfortableness and purpose of relaxed furniture whilst being user friendly.
• It is able to pursue playfulness through the rearrangement of the piece and childish playfulness.
• Its shape and size highlights its proportional balance, strength and natural smooth memory.
• ECO FRIENDLY – “uses less carbon, local manufacture, and chiefly renewable resources (100% FSC certified timber).”
• Its production includes “water based glues, FSC certified timber, and GECA approved foams.” And no need for metal construction thus reducing the co2 footprint and degradability through the productivity process.
• It is recommended that PEBBLE is 100% ‘eco preferable status’.

Cons:

• Is the use of the 5 sided geometrical shape economical compared to a four sided shape?
• Could the use of its Eco productivity plans be used for a 4 sided ottoman?
• Through the inspiration of the Australian landscape doesn’t fit with majority of the marketing sector as not all homes have the same contemporary decor.
• Its large size of a 5 piece set constraints the usability within the room.
• Its ability not to line use straight may cause discomfort and cluster within a room.
• The solid shape could provide more purpose than just to sit on but to keep that contemporary visual appeal this could be embedded within the design.

 Suggested improvements:
 Idea 1: It exhibiting how the idea of a stone being eroded by the river flow of water can be more economical as a 4 sided shape. It demonstrates below how one shape can be versatile (turn up side down) to create the dynamic Australian water flow of a river. It creates the possibility of the shape to be lined up and more space saving through its fit in structure  in a smaller area. As shown and annotated below images the possibilities this shape explores keeping its original Eco structure and inspiration.

This is the inspiration for the below improvements:
(Noting that the colours for the Ottoman are deep reds, brown and white)

Idea 2: This idea articulates how every rock erosion is different, there is no identical rock. Through devising 3 different shapes which can be placed together to create a connecting Ottoman which keeping the context. IT can be seen from the below drawings the multiple variations on collating the shapes together. Seeing these possibilities it is assumed that the possibility of adding repetitious shapes is possible. I have tried to resolved more compactability for a smaller space whilst keeping that organic natural vibe the ottoman brings with the assistance of the colours being variations of red, brown, black and white.

This is the inspiration for the below improvements: 

 

PROJECT 2: CONTEXT OF USE - BABY FOOD JAR

The jar having a flat bottom creates stability on the production line through mobility techniques used.  It helps when in use by a mother who is able to place down the jar with no worry of breakage. This also allows ease in shelving with the addition of the lid having a circular indent in the centre, it being deep enough is able to provide stability whilst stacked on shelves or being transported in the box. In comparison to existing baby food jars which don’t incorporate this. With the lid, mothers are able to place this underneath like a cup and saucer technique, hence increasing the stability and rolling of the jar, as children movements are unpredictable.

Thinking ergonomically the firm form of the jar, being smaller at the bottom allows more grip whilst untwisting the lid thus easy re sealing ability.

PROJECT 2:PACKAGING ON SHELVES

It brings a simple shape with personality. The organic form is different to all existing baby food glasses. This has enabled when put on the market shelves more attention and appeal to the target market compared to competitive brands. Its shrunken down shape will be an eye catching feature above the common elongated ones.

The shape reflecting compatibility and travel capabilities through the way it is stacked, it gives the customers a reason to buy the product. The gentleness posed by the shape and colour, no harsh edges attracts mothers to thinking the products safe through food and quality of manufacture. It reflects the delicateness and softness of a baby conveying a hidden meaning of the product doing the same, creating a trustworthy product hence profitable.

PROJECT 2: COMPARING LABEL/JAR TO EXISTING

It can be seen through the uniqueness of shape and difference of graphics to that of the ones that are existing.

LIDS

The colour of the lids was used to distinguish between a fruit, dessert flavouring (lime green) and if it’s dinner/lunch mixture (soft yellow). This is a different approach to the existing market as Heinz uses colour in terms of food preference towards age although all foods can be eaten by above a 4 month old baby. It was decided that a 2 lid system makes it easier to distinguish rather than concentrating on reading the label to see the combination.


Choosing colour for each lid, it was decided that choosing the pastille and tone down, non primary colours for the lids was different to the existing markets using the bold, punchy primary colour palette.
 It was thought that using a more sophisticated and soft mother like colours would enhance reliability rather than the brand name. Also it seems that the primary colours are more a child’s choice for toys but this food is aiming for the older women to purchase, it should be a colour eeflecting them.

The pastel palette reflects the gentle and delicate feel that they want for their child whilst having nutritious benefits and freshness of food. The colour choice adds value and quality, a somewhat sophistication to baby food.

Why the colour SOFT YELLOW?
For the lunch and dinner originally the colour red was considered but it was seen when actual food colours were put in the jar, the lid drained out the foods delicacy creating a bad representation hence hesitance in buying. So yellow was able to brighten up the darkness of the food, lifting the weight that the red posed on the food making it attractive to eat.


Why the colour LIME GREEN?
The lime green reflects the fruity sweet desserts that the jar contains. When this colour was put with the different food combinations it was seen to complement the food. With the use of these colours it attracts more attention and appeal, catering for a more sophisticated and reliable market.

PROJECT 2: DEVELOPMENT LABEL

BRAND IMAGE:
When approaching the labelling of the jar it was a necessity to know the brand image wanting to be conveyed. The design of the label had to say:
-  Nutrition
-  Healthy
-  Wholesome
-  Reliable/ Trustworthy
-  Appealing
Delicate and gentle child’s touch
Also reflecting the target market. These aspects were reproduced through the choice of font, images, placement, layout and nutritional labelling. It also has been emphasises through the shape, colour of lids as mentioned above.


BRAND NAME:Naming the baby food minor MASH it reflects it being for a junior infant, baby and mash meaning the delicate structure of food to be eaten. Through the use of alliteration it was able to retrieve this clever and straight forward approach to recognise the substance of the food and its direct user. The play on words provides a child like feature to the food.The choice in font – minor – teenage angst and mash – aka Dylan provided a visual reference to what the words mean. Also the food combination was in the teenage angst font shown, gentle and delicate yet freshness the food is capable for children.

IMAGES

When considering the images placed on to the baby food jar it was decided that through consultations with people’s opinions, using the real fruit image targets provides a sense of security that there is no preservative in the food but is fresh, nutritious and wholesome for their children. It creates a sense of trust to present the types of quality foods that are blended within.

PROJECT 2: ENGINEERING PLANS

PROJECT 2: Hero Shot

The chosen form being quite cylindrical, starting small then enlarging at the top enables easy grasping and a firm cup feel of the jar creating more stability for the mother. Its shape acts as a cup in the mother’s hand. The short shape of the jar holds approximately 110g – 170g.

The widened opening and curvature interior allows an easy usability as the spoon is able to capture and access all food required without strain. This hence doesn’t waste food trapped in corners. See engineering drawings.

The extremities of the glass shape provide that required manufacturing feature where there is minimal touching surface between the jars whilst on the production line. This shape has the possibility to suit the press and blow technology techniques.

PROJECT 2: Target Market

The Target market which my glass food jar is aimed is:

• Middle aged, young working women between the ages of 25 – 35 who want the best for their children and family.
• Their time is limited due to excessive work hours during the week and on the go weekends so having time and capabilities to cook the best quality food for their child is limited.
• Yet they are family orientated when not working so having fun and being childish or a mum with their children is a necessity.
• The idea of balance is reflected in their lifestyle through work and family, similarly to healthiness and exercise.
• They love the outdoors as picnics and on the go activities are done on a regular basis’s. So having easy packaged food and transportable safely can be a lifesaver.
• There care in health and fitness is the key to enjoying life, mentally and physically, which is reflected through brands they buy of value and eminence, quality of food bought – freshness, organic and nutrition option and the open life the live.
• Their homes have a homely, cosy, family love through the contemporary style of living. Yet they like organisation, structure and practicality for their safety of their child/children.
• The vibe of happiness, openness and life within their living is because of their care for the wellbeing of others, being the mother figure in the house hold.
• Their wants and needs aren’t always self absorbed but their trust in products needs to be established through the brand recognition and values it provides in reference to their child.

 

PROJECT 2: INITIAL IDEAS

These are the inital drawings followed by finalised 3 concept drawings and models.

INITAL DRAWINGS

 CONCEPT 1:

  

 CONCEPT 2:

 



CONCEPT 3:

PROJECT 2: 26th Southern Cross Package Design Award Project

The aim of this project was to identify and design an appropriate solution for current packaging issues.  We were to :

• " identify and define user needs in specific contexts and environments of use.
• To develop your own design process and time management skills and to develop a working model approach to designing.
• To practise and implement the presentation techniques learned in IDES2163 Industrial Design Communication C"

To do so we were given a chioce of 9 brief - A to I. From that we had to pick the one that most appealed to use to design for. Each havign their own unique requirements listed.

I chose BRIEF F - Baby Food in Glass which involved redesigning a glass jar containing 110g to 170g of baby food which is different to that on shelves, have shelf appeal but a possible to shape to be made by the 'Press adn Blow' technique. With the addition of a unique label graphic and name. Final product didn't need to be out of glass but a more accessible material.