AB Portfolio
About Me I am a second year student studying BA Furniture and Product Design at Nottingham Trent University. I am an enthusiastic, hardworking and committed second year student. I enjoy designing a wide variety of products, furniture, packaging and conceptual ideas. One of my main inspirations is material investigation and research and then the application to my own work. I am especially interested in sustainable materials that have unique and innovative qualities. For this portfolio I have selected highlights of my work from a broad range of design briefs completed in my first and second years.
Skills
Education
Hobbies
Contents Donkey Evolution Product Development PDP Part B Online Furniture Retail
Donkey Evolution The Brief: To design and manufacture and high quality prototype; a portable freestanding piece of furniture – as typified by the Penguin Donkey by Isokon Plus. The design must also be produced through CNC routing. Focussed research must be undertaken into the Isokon brand, relevant materials and manufacturing techniques, as well as appropriate target markets and user scenarios.
Model Development
By taking the brief literally I wanted to develop an actual ‘Donkey’; a child’s seated storage. With sketch models, it allowed me to develop the concept widely. Changing the structure at full scale, it helped establish the correct proportions, that A4 books could be stored and that a child has enough room to sit.
I developed the face of the Donkey multiple times trying to make it less Bull like and so it would also suit the structure of the storage compartments. By producing a full scale model in cardboard, it helps understand how the product will potentially be used before going into manufacture.
Concept Animal shaped children’s storage Donkey, that allows a child or children to sit on the Donkey whilst reading their book or playing. There are several compartments to store several various sized books and magazines and children’s toys. It is made from 9mm and 12mm thick Plywood which are fixed together with housing joints. The face and back of the Donkey are painted with black chalkboard to allow the child to customize their Donkey to suit their personal preference; drawing a face, writing notes etc.
Final Prototype
Product Development The Brief: To design an innovative, complementary product for one of three brands. By identifying the brand, deep understanding of the target market, profiling of this brand, analysing current trends and evaluating competing companies needs to be conducted. Followed by development of initial ideas to create a final product.
Sketch and Model Development From my initial and development sketches, I explored different designs with some sketch models made from cardboard and other various materials. This helped me gain an understanding of how a design would look, work, feel, sit on a models head and see if it is the correct proportion.
Sketch models don’t take long and various mock-ups of designs can be generated quickly thus helping to produce a final concept and design.
With the cardboard models I created a full scale blue foam model (brief requirement). I did have some difficulties getting the desired shape due to the texture of the blue foam but with practice and development I produced a final outcome. The headband is attached with aluminium rods, which hold the structure together with split paper fasteners.
BEOPLAY S1 Introducing the S1 in Aqua. A new slimmer wireless headphone with added comfort and grip. 20 hours of wireless playback. £299
PDP Part B The Brief: PDP Part A involved researching into emerging sustainable and environmentally friendly materials and products. Using the research, design a new piece of furniture or collection of furniture or product range for a selected brand. End result must consist of at least one material researched.
Sketch Development
Beginning with initial sketches, I focused on my research and the structure of a mushroom, which influenced my initial ideas. To develop my ideas and sketches further I explored different shapes, heights and widths. With developing the final design, I needed to decide on the correct shape, design, colour and that it is in the correct proportion.
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Front Elevation Side Elevation Cross Section Plan Elevation Detail 1
Storyboard
First purchase the Grow Ecovative First purchase the Ecovative it Grow which It Yourself, which Yourself, contains a dehyrated mushroom containsmixture. a dehydrated
Next, mushroom mixture Next, the the mushroom mixture needs to be needs to rehydrated rehydrated withbe water and combined with with flour. water and combined with
The mixture left bag The mixture is left inisa bag for in fouradays to for four days to and grow grow to produce a white fluffy to textured material. produce a white fluffy textured material.
After the material After the material has grown, has it needs to be grown, it needs bemore flour broken up and mixed withto some before it is transfered a mould. some broken up andto mixed
Allowing the mixture to dry out between Allowing the mixture to dry five to six days, it is ready to be shaped out between five to six into the desired days, it object. is ready to be
To the light, a bulb and cord also Tocreate create the light, a will bulb need be purchased. andtocord will also need to
Then insert the bulb and bulb cord to and the light Then insert the and it is to done!the light and it is cord done!
Once thethe light islight done itis candone be hungitup Once and be used in any cancanbe hung updesired androom. be
mushroom mixture.
shaped into the desired object.
flour.
be purchased.
more flour before it is transferred to a mould.
used in any desired room.
Online Furniture Retail The Brief: Research the online market and choose a brand to be a client. Considering the market, price point, manufacture capabilities, current ranges of products. To design a new piece of furniture, or collection of furniture or product range for selected brand.
Sketch Development
Beginning with initial sketches, I focused on geometric chairs and stools. To develop my ideas and sketches further I explored different shapes and sizes. When finalising my idea I explored where the arm rest will be placed and leg types.
Light Flow Bar
Dimensions
Height 1250mm Seat Height 810mm Width 480mm Depth 450mm
Materials & Finishes Seat made from 10mm thick blue fluorescent Perspex and 20mm diameter brushed steel rod legs.
A fluorescent light passing bar stool with contrasting textures. From shinny Perspex to brushed steel, its transparent qualities allow light to pass through and highlight the blue Perspex. It is suited to a variety of surroundings, including cafes, restaurants, bars and the home.
ÂŁ270
Contacts Thank you for your time to view my portfolio.
Amy Buchanan Email: amybuchanan@blueyonder.co.uk amybuchanandesign Adobe certified associate in Visual Communication Using Adobe Photoshop