Research-
Research for this assignment included communication with my mentor, looking up quotes, looking into different materials, the required readings, class discussions, and brainstorming gift and package ideas.
Collection of quotes
Collection of quotes part 2
All quotes were found at the following links:
https://www.luxdeco.com/blogs/styleguide/inspiring-interior-design-quotes
https://www.invisionapp.com/inside-design/design-and-creativity-quotes/
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/design-quotes
https://www.swatchbox.com/blog/Top-Interior-Design-Quotes-Design-Quotes-from-Interior-Designers-2021
Exercises:
Excercise 1-
Exercise 2-
Iterations-
Concept Statement-
In designing a gift, I based my object off of the quote, “Design is intelligence made visible”, spoken by Alina Wheeler. The gift, two tiered hanging pouches, reflects intelligence through abstractions of the brain and neurons embroidered on the pouches. It functions as storage while visually adding to the aesthetic of the recipients environment. Additionally, it invites viewers to interact with it both conversationally given the abstractions, and through touch as a result of the raised embroidery. The pouches feature a neutral color palette to match that of the recipient’s environment as well as textural elements which tie in with other objects she chooses to surround herself with. The size of the gift is meant to fit comfortably in a desk setting without taking up too much space, and the pouches are different sizes to reflect the hierarchy between brain and neuron with neuron abstractions sewn on the smaller pouch while the brain is seen on the larger pouch. The packaging is made from Bristol and embroidery thread which is used to connect the edges of the Bristol forming a drawer style box. The thread is also used to depict the recipients name as well as mimic the abstractions featured on the pouches in order to provide a sense of anticipation for the gift.
Production-
The iteration I settled on was of a three tier pouch depicting abstractions of neurons and the brain to connect to the quote, “Design is intelligence made visible.” I began exploring production by making a model of the pouches out of paper and hemp string in order to get a feeling for my desired scale.
Next, I focused on abstraction. I did this by drawing out potential abstractions, and then by prototyping them with embroidery thread.
After playing with abstractions, I decided to do two pouches instead of three both to save time, and because i had not found a synapse abstraction I was satisfied with. Abstractions finalized, I began piecing together my pouches. I also decides to make one of the pouches smaller to play with the hierachy of neurons vs the brain. The top pouch was 6×4 and the bottom pouch measured 9×6.
After cutting out my fabric pieces, I had sewed them together and sewed down any rough edges. Then I began embroidering them.
The next step was connecting the pouches with ribbon along the back, at which point i ran into a stability issue where the pouches gapped forward. As a result I used paper to test whether adding ribbon on the front would remedy my structural error.
Satisfied with my solution, I sewed the ribbon in place and tied the ribbon at the top on either side.
Once finished with my gift, I began working on packaging. The first step was to test with paper different shapes and ways to conceal my gift. I explored an envelope shape with paper and later with fabric, as well as tested a half cylinder packaging idea with Bristol which ultimately failed.
My final packaging idea was a drawer style box held together with embroidery thread and embroidered with my recipient’s name and the abstractions I had used on the pouches. I also attached a tag with my quote written on it.
Reflection:
Throughout working on this project, I found myself challenged on an entirely new level. Working with a recipient pushed me to think outside of myself and what would please my teachers, and instead think about how my gift would fit into my recipient’s everyday life. It also pushed the limits of my pre-existing idea of what it means to design for someone else. I had previously been hesitant about the concept as a result of believing I had to abandon my own ideas, interests, and desires simply to make someone else happy. Working on my gift increased the confidence I have in my ideas and talents as well as improved my capacity to compromise on my own style as a way to tailor my design to someone else’s aesthetic.
Giving Of The Gift:
