Thoughts on Branding/Sealing

Today I’ve been thinking about the branding of the bin and how this will affect the way people think and interact with it. To go along with the bin I’ve decided that it would be good to include some sort of information explaining the concept and possibly how it was made and the effort that’s gone into it. This would hopefully help to emphasise in the users mind the wasted resources going into the food which they are throwing away.
Some sort of leaflet/booklet or printed packaging could be included. The branding and over all look of these would be extremely important, influencing how the user sees and interacts with the product.

I’ve also been considering how important it is that the bin is sealed and thrown out after use. I like the idea and the critical point that it makes when the whole product needs to binned after use. But would a well crafted and beautiful object be enough to encourage people to waste less food on its own? Still making the same point – equating the effort of producing the food with producing the bin – but without such an overtly critical tone.

Do I want my end result to be so overtly critical/an impractical object?

Making Mark 1 – Part 3

So my mark 1 prototype is off the lathe and the chipboard has been sawn off.

Testing some different waxes/oils on spare segments to see what they look like on the walnut and sycamore.

Decided to make a quick base for it from some 6mm birch ply (would probably have preferred to use more sycamore but the birch will do for the mark 1).
Gluing the base on.

After that, it was a case of a bit more sanding and applying some Danish oil (the oil that I decided suited best).

So thats the main body finished bar a few more coats of the Danish.
My main decision now is what do to for a lid. I’ve been thinking about how important it is, especially for the mark 1 prototype, for it to be sealed so the user can’t get the food waste out once its in.

Making Mark 1 – Part 2

Continuing to make my mark 1 prototype.

Gluing the seven layers together with the chipboard on each end to attach to the lathe. Using all the clamps the workshop has to offer.

Turning.

Beginning to take shape.

Finished turning, ready to saw off the chipboard and sand.

Making Mark 1 – Part 1

Over the last couple of days I’ve been planning and making my first major prototype. I’ve been taking time over each step of the process to ensure that the end result communicates the amount of effort and skill involved as this is an integral part of the project.

Started out by getting my two bits of wood cut by the technicians in the workshop into pieces of equal dimensions.

Then spent a few hours cutting and sanding these strips into exactly equal segments with 22.5° angles on each side.

Gluing and clamping each of the seven layers.

Once these dry they’ll be ready to be glued vertically and have the chipboard attached to the top and the bottom in preparation for being turned on the lathe.

Beginnings of a Mark 1

Today I took the first steps towards what I think will be the mark 1 prototype. After drawing up plans for the food waste bin and having a conversation with Malcolm in the workshop I decided that it was probably best to practice making parts of the prototype with cheaper wood rather than jumping straight in with the stuff I got at the wood mill.
And although its only the mark 1 prototype I do feel its important to make it out of reasonably high quality materials as part of the project will be seeing how people interact with the object and what message it communicates.

Basically the bin will be made up of 7 disks of wood each with alternating light and dark segments (these will then be stuck together and turned on the lathe). Technical drawing and first attempt at creating the segments. 

The first attempt at making one layer was not bad but some of the angles were off – creating slight gaps that would be problem when turning. I made another, more carefully measured this time which was better (less gaps) but its still pretty difficult to cut and sand 8 identical pieces of wood all with a perfect 22.5 degree angles. So for tomorrow I’ve made some MDF templates for the segments which I can draw round and cut – making them all (hopefully) identical.

Phase 2: Desk in need of a tidy.

Ideas from Grandad

I’ve decided to move forward with a prototype in the style of one of my Grandad’s handmade lamps (see last post). In light of this I’ve done a few quick sketches of ideas and also purchased some nice wood from The Old Sawmill in Dunkeld. I’m planning on using a two different types of wood which will give a contrasting effect. So I got some American Black Walnut and some Scottish Sycamore.

Quick renderings showing two-tone.

The wood.

I’ll update when I have more solid plans/have started making!

Form, Materials and Initial Prototyping.

This week I’ve been looking into what shape my food waste bin will take and what kind of materials will be used. In order to get people to value the bin and be aware of the effort exerted while producing it, I’ve been trying to use shapes and materials that would give it a a real ‘craftsmanship’ type feel. Something handmade but not tatty or sloppy – made by a skilled hand.
I’ve also been trying to think of ways that the user will be able to put food waste into the bin without any way of getting it out again (i.e. sealed so the whole thing must be discarded once used).

On the craftsmanship side I’ve been taking inspiration from a variety of sources as well as looking at some of my grandad’s work – he used to make wooden table lamps (amongst other things) that I really like and think communicate well the amount of skill and effort involved.

I’ve been taking inspiration from these, especially the chequered one with the light and darker woods.

Some quick initial idea sketches.

Some quick sketch prototypes – playing about with different forms using blue foam. Two done on the lathe and two just using hand tools. (Obviously they are at different scales!)