Designing with Recycled Materials

During the course Form, Space, and Order at SCAD, two other students and I were required to design a piece of furniture from all recycled materials for our final.  It was relatively hard to come up with a concept or great idea because everyone had their own opinion.  However, we could all agree that the recycled material we wanted to use was cardboard from old boxes etc.

From there, the idea to build an oprable shelf using cardboard and wine bottles was our final concept.  We then created a small model to help us visualize.  Furthermore, we gathered shoe boxes, shipping boxes from stores, and wine bottles of different sizes. 

The small model

To began our shelf we contructed a layout of where the shelves would be and created a template so that every layer of cardboard would be the same.  Several layers were carefully cut, placed, and glued together with a hot glue gun.  Next, the cardboard shoe boxes were glued shut with the top and 2 inch radius circles were cut in the middle of them. This allowed for the wine bottles to be placed and glued through these holes in which the wine bottles could be used to hang scarfs or small sweaters.  Afterwards, the shoeboxes were fitted and glued to the shelf.  To keep the recycled effect of the appearance none of the materials were painted. 

When the shelf was finished, it was tested to ensure it could hold objects such as magazines, shoes, and scarfs.  The recycled shelf idea for the final was terrific and a great success in the class.

Optical Illusions in Design

Can you find the hidden man???...

One evening I was about to log into my yahoo account to check my emails, but before I could even type in my user name I was caught by an article about optical illusions.  After glancing through a few of the pictures that showed examples of optical illusions, I then proceeded to think how cool it would be to use this element in design.  Therefore, I searched "optical illusions" into Google and discovered that this element is currently being used and applied to interior design. Here are a few examples...

 Before you are in the right position to view the illusion this is what you would see.

Now you see the random paint lines turn into colorful borders in the window frame. This reminds me of the oil painting Red, Blue, and Yellow by Mondrian.

This concept could easily be used as a branding feature in a space like shown above. I really imagine this in a Target corporate office or headquarters.

These painted designs that seem so random could also be used for wayfinding through a space for users.  It becomes a memorable location and direction into the next space.


The addition of these optical illusions to a space really gives it a true uniqueness, adds character, and becomes a focal point for the space that will always be discussed by guest.   Here are a few more examples of optical illusions...

Exploring Carbon Fiber in Design

The material carbon fiber is widely known for its use on high performance race cars, boats, bicycles, and airplanes.   Carbon fiber is basically composed of epoxy or plastic based material reinforced by a graphite textile, with one fiber alone that can consist of about 90 percent of carbon.  Characteristics of carbon fiber include exceptional strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and thermal usage.  The strength of carbon fiber reinforcements was tested against steel reinforcements in the construction of a structure.   In result, the carbon fiber reinforcement proved to have seven times more strength and weigh fifty percent less than steel which also allows cost savings in shipping.  

Not only is carbon fiber advancing from the automotive design world to architectural design but also now being explored as a new material in interior design.  Such usage of carbon fiber material includes counter tops, tables, chairs and even toilet seats.  One of the most common and affordable chairs of its time during the 1940s was the plastic Eames shell chairs.   Currently today, it is still such a very popular mod piece of furniture due to its construction with carbon fiber.  Resulting in a more durable and sustainable chair less likely to break or crack from any damage. 

Also because of the thermal characteristics of carbon fiber, its further usage in interior design could be explored as a new floor material, ceiling panels, or partitions.  Even new furniture design could be explored with carbon fiber due to its ability to convert to any shape or form.  Discovering these new innovations and ideas using carbon fiber would make a new direction in interior design.

Examples of unique carbon fiber furniture that I found...

Carbon fiber cocktail table

Carbon fiber lounge chair

Carbon fiber Eames chair 

Carbon fiber desk (very light weight)