Tag: Jessica Swanson

A Ceramic Exploration of Simplistic Forms that Blend into Daily Life

Presenter: Amanda Kibbel

Mentor: Jessica Swanson, AAA Ceramics

Creative Work Presentation: C2 (Gumwood Room)

Major: Product Design

This ceramic exploration started with the parameters of tableware and developed from one of three unique form tests. The intention for the final set was to create tableware whose form and glaze was unobtrusive in the kitchen and could be used for most dining experiences. The work was inspired by Dieter Rams’s “10 Principles of ‘Good Design’” and an urge to create minimalistic pieces that did not lose their ability to relate to the user because of an unapproachable aesthetic. Each piece was created using of an electric potter’s wheel, with the handles of the pitchers and lidded

forms shaped by hand. The resulting product was a thick layer of white matte glaze to add to the roundness of each object along with rounded approachable forms and thin bare-clay handles that were sanded down to be soft to the touch. Possible future improvements include: a redesign of handles to be wider for more surface area between hand and handle; a taller foot on each piece of the set to give it a “floating” appearance to add to its harmony in the living space; and making the bowls and cups easier to stack on top of each other. The future of design lies in designing products that work in conjunction with our lives and stepping away from products that consume our attention.

Project Bamboo

Presenter: Alex Caves

Mentors: Jessica Swanson and Trygve Faste, Product Design

Creative Work Presentation: 10

Major: Product Design

What is a natural material that has a comparable tensile strength to steel, can be used as a primary structure for a multi-story building, has antimicrobial properties, and is the most sustainable material to harvest? Bamboo. Most
of us know bamboo as a privacy hedge for your garden, but bamboo can be used for so much more. In Asia, Bamboo is used for construction for buildings furniture, and can even replace rebar in concrete; it is used to make toys, cooking or eating utensils, things that need to be sanitary; it can be made into baskets; it can be processed into wool to make amazingly soft clothes; and in Japan the shoots are served as a delicacy. I have researched some companies who are now experimenting with bamboo and its fibers to create composites that has the potential to replace harmful materials like fiberglass, and plastics. My goal with Project Bamboo is to change the perception of bamboo as just a gardening plant, and to show everyone the potential of bamboo as a natural alternative to plastics. I have two types of wall mounted hangers made from bamboo so far with several material study samples, and will present these and others at the Symposium.

Umbrella Stand

Presenter: Daisy Yen

Faculty Mentor: Jessica Swanson, John Arndt

Presentation Type: Poster 90

Primary Research Area: Design

Major: Product Design

Douglas Fir trees are usually used as the material for furniture, poles, and flooring in some buildings, which usually consume a large quantity of wood. Since people are now more aware of environmental issues and how long it takes for a tree to grow a certain size, the wood industry has begun designing and producing smaller home-goods products. The umbrella stand represents the smaller furniture and home accessories that are made out of Douglas Fir. The top and bottom pieces are each made from three layers of thin slices of fir, which were soaked in hot water for thirty minutes, then bent individually around a mold to achieve the round shape. They are then glued together after shaping and drying them individually. The four sides are also each made out of three thin slices of fir, which were placed on top of the mold and formed their shape in a vacuum bag for up to ten hours. Through bending the fir, I found out that certain density and colors of grains are easier to bend in certain directions, so choosing the right part of the wood for a specific part is essential and can affect whether the slices are able to bend successfully. Learning how to work with fir requires first getting to know its characteristics so as to be able to work around those instead of forcing the wood to conform to shapes that are not suitable.

No More Plastic Water Bottles: A Inquiry into Sustainable Packaging Design

Presenter: Cara Murray

Faculty Mentor: Jessica Swanson

Presentation Type: Poster 29

Primary Research Area: Design

Major: Product Design, Clark Honors College

Packaging design is the discipline of creating the container, graphics and visible exterior of a product. While extensive time, energy, and billions of dollars are devoted to this field each year, virtually all packaging ends up in the trash. While the field of packaging design has traditionally maintained a “throwaway” mindset, the past decades have introduced a more sustainable trend. Given the extreme waste associated with packaging it is important to consider how it can be made more environmentally friendly.

Beyond the fundamental functions of product protection, transport, and identification, I examine the greater purpose of packaging design: who does it serve, what purpose does it serve, and who/what does it impact? Using these questions as a initial framework, this research explores the related materials, processes and applications, as well as the cultural relevance, of sustainable packaging design.

After investigating the past, present and future trends related to sustainable packaging, my research then touches on some more theoretical examinations of how packaging design can be used to encourage sustainable consumer habits. I address here how packaging can remain attractive, functional, and cost-effective, but also incorporate increased environmental consciousness.

Research methods include examination of primary and secondary sources from expert designers in the packaging design field, as well as personal exploration of existing packaging, user interviews, and survey based data collection. Ultimately, my research aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the current field of sustainable packaging, identify cultural relevance of these products, and raise theoretical questions regarding the ethics of our existing consumption habits and waste cycles.