HARSHI RAMBHIA Por tfolio 2017
CONTENTS 01
I ndi e g e n e
05
Collaborative project with artisans 10 sessions
02
A part chair Open Source Furniture 15 sessions
03
Essence Inspiration From Cultural Background 6 sessions
04
So lar Co n t r o l Solar Powered Device Team Project 5 sessions
Note Product Semantics (Key Holder) 4 sessions
06
explorations Miscellaneous Projects
01
indiegene Collaborative Project with Artisans 10 sessions The aim of this project was to create a hand crafted product by collaborating with craftsmen, highly skilled and experienced in the wood carving craft. India has a rich heritage of crafts and a database of skill sets needed to work with a wide range of materials and techniques. It is a great opportunity for designers to collaborate with these skilled craftsmen.
About the craftsmen The craftsmen, Ayub and Sameer, are originally from Saharanpur, the biggest location for the craft in India today. They have migrated to Mumbai and own a workshop in Mahim. Their products and skills have traditional and cultural roots. They are mainly involved in making furniture by order on a small scale.
design intent To make a bag, using the material and the craft technique to an advantage. The focus was to retain the cultural roots and make a product that would have a contemporary aesthetic. User Profile: 21 - 35 years old, likes to have a collection of bags.
m o o d b o a r d / i n s p i r at i o n
fusion of traditional & contemporary
bohemian
adaptive
kerfing
i d e at i o n
final concept The rigidity of the material does not compromise on the flexibility of the bag. The bottom of the bag flattens and expands and thus adapts according to the contents inside and the way it is held by the user.
fa b r i c at i o n
Wood carver’s workshop at Mahim, Mumbai.
Bag maker’s workshop at Nagpada, Mumbai
final prototype
02
A Part Chair Open Source Furniture 15 sessions This project explores the world of open source products and digital fabrication technologies. It has a heavy emphasis on material exploration and manufacturing processes.
design intent A chair for young adults, living independently in temporary spaces. It would create a homely environment through comfort and a sense of ownership and belongingness.
u s e r s t u dy
KEY INSIGHTS 1. Time at home is spent to eat, sleep, relax and refresh, NOT WORK. 2. They do not spend too much on furniture since the space is temporary. 3. Shifting the furniture is very expensive. 4. Many are excited about personalizing the space. 5. The apartment is mostly shared. 6. Furniture includes only necessities. 7. The stay is temporary, for 1 - 4 years.
So what exactly makes a space homely? It is the comfort, the familiarity of the objects we use daily and our habits of engaging with them or simply its permanent nature.
moodboard
mobile
homely dynamic
fun
i d e at i o n
packaging
origami
swing
stuffed
rocking
cushion
slit floor chair
fold
interlock tessellation
polypropylene
cardboard
rexine
one piece
d e s i g n s tat e m e n t “ A lounge chair made out of laser cut polypropylene, that uses objects from the surrounding environment to provide cushioning.” While shifting, the objects can be removed. The chair flattens and is refilled after shifting, with objects from the new surrounding. The idea is to make something comfortable and useful, but also affordable. To have something constant in changing “homes”.
dimensions
Source: http://www.core77.com/posts/43422/Reference-CommonDimensions-Angles-and-Heights-for-Seating-Designers
Testing
SCALED MODELS & material
Scale: 1:4
Scale: 1:4
Scale: 1:4 (laser cut)
laser cut experiments
Scale: 1:2 (laser cut)
Material: Polypropylene
Final Concept
48.00
final prototype
48.00
96.00
Speed: 12
Power: 55
(cut through out the material)
Speed: 45
Power: 55
(cut partially through the material)
CAD file for laser cutting
03
essence Inspiration from Cultural Background 6 sessions Cuisines are cultural and contextual manifestations that are often specific to communities. There are varied cultural experiences linked to food preparation, serving and consumption and an ecology of artefacts are used for this purpose. This project takes inspiration from personal culinary experiences and background.
design intent A tool to facilitate preparation of small quantities of herbs and spices and encourage fresh consumption. Freshly prepared ingredients have a much higher nutritional value and richer flavours. For instance, the intense flavour of freshly minced garlic cannot be replaced by refrigerated garlic paste. But most modern tools like a blender do not allow preparation of small amounts of ingredients and dictate the user to prepare extra and refrigerate for later use.
market research/design criteria
KEY OBSERVATIONS
1. No tool apart from the mortar and pestle gives complete control over the consistency of the food. 2. Certain modern tools are difficult to clean. 3. Tools with too many blades cause more wastage as food gets stuck in. 4. Tools made of plastic most often have residual smell and flavour after washing.
DESIGN CRITERIA:
1. For small quantity of food (e.g., 3/4 cloves of garlic) 2. Maximum control over consistency 3. Suitable for cooking for family of 2-6 members 4. Easy to dispense and clean 5. Minimum wastage
i d e at i o n
The concepts take inspiration from the mortar and pestle as it gives complete control over the consistency of food being prepared and allows for the natural oils to be released which enhances the taste and aroma.
mockups & prototype
rocking motion
flat surface
Final Concept • Increased wall contact and friction • Use of rotating motion to achieve the consistency of a fine paste rotating motion
• Round bottom compliments the shape of a spoon making collection easy and minimizing wastage • Material: Granite/marble
FA B R I C A T I O N / f i n a l p r o t o t y p e
04
solar control Solar Powered Device Team Project, 5 sessions With the ever-growing usage of batteries, their disposal issues have come to occupy the centre stage due to their deteriorating effects on human health and environment. This is an initiative to power a Tata Sky remote control with solar energy in order reduce the consumption of disposible alkaline batteries.
fa c t s The Environmental News Network reports that we throw away 10 billion alkaline batteries every year, globally. A large percentage of these batteries are used to power television remote controls. 1.42 billion households in the world own 1.6 billion T.V. sets. India has 78.74 million D.T.H. (Direct-to-home, Satellite Television) subscribers as of September, 2015. Out of this, 15.74 million are TataSky subscribers.
Approach
Approach
Add-on Targeted to existing Tata Sky customers. It would enable them to adapt a solar system to their old remote controls.
Built-in Targeted to new Tata Sky customers. The focus is only to adopt a solar charging system to the remote control. The keypad has not been redesigned.
#1 add-on This approach is targeted to existing Tata Sky customers. Modifications are made to the battery cover. A solar panel is attached to it, which would charge the rechargeable batteries inserted to the existing remote. Thus, the user would have to buy just the cover and not a whole new remote.
how it works
Working Mockup
A 6 volt solar panel is wired with copper plates at the end. The first time installation would be done by a Tata Sky service provider at the time of purchase. It involves wiring the solar panel to the battery compartment of the user’s existing remote control.
# 2 b u i lt i n This approach is targeted to new Tata Sky customers. The form of the remote reminds the user to keep the surface with the solar panel facing upwards, when the remote is kept aside. Thus exposing it to sunlight to recharge the batteries.
D E TA I L S
Iterations
Final Concept
05
note Product Semantics 4 sessions The brief for this project was to design an object with dual function, with a focus on product semantics. I chose to make a key holder. Making connections between two not obviously related entities helps bring new stories to objects which relate back to the designer ’s unique experiences and style. The attempt has been to translate such a connection to a key holder.
design intent People tend to forget where they left their keys. Whether they took it before leaving the house or whether they hung it back in place when they got back home. This “musical� key holder would make a sound every time a key is hung or removed. Hence, the audio feedback would help the user remember where the keys were kept.
I n s p i r at i o n / m o o d b o a r d
kalimba/thumb piano
percussion
entry way hooks
play ful
walls
i d e at i o n
final concept
Material Specification
The final concept was inspired by the form of the Kalimba/Thumb Piano and a carabiner.
• Teak Wood (sound box)
A very simple mechanism is used to create a sound whenever a key is hung or removed. The similarity to a carabiner allows intuitive understanding of the function and operation of the product.
• Spring Steel (tines)
• Rosewood & Stainless Steel (bridge)
refined form
420
100
25
50
measurements in mm
06
explorations Miscellaneous Projects This section contains short projects involving exploration of materials, manufacturing processes, and full scale prototyping.
paper weight A paperweight is a table top accessory that makes a space personal to its user. This paper weight takes the form of a spinning top, a very popular childhood toy that many of us connect to and have memories attached to. As a paperweight, it can engage well with the user. The use of brass makes it feel precious, elegant and something that the user would treasure forever and have even more memories attached to.
(360 gms)
(260 gms)
Spectacles The brief for this project was to design eye-wear of any kind, customized for my face structure. The aim of the project was to make quick 1:1 models and prototypes to test the form and comfort and explore the processes of CAD modelling, laser cutting, etc. To customize the glasses for my face I decided to make them delicate and lightweight to suit my small sized face.
counter stool To design a stool for the billing counter of cafĂŠs. (Team Project) The seating for the cashier, requires to be something that one can partially rest on, high enough to match the eye level of the customer and portray an welcoming posture while attending them. The form of the stool is inspired from an inverted cold coffee glass.
bamboo chair This chair was made (in a team of 2) during a three day workshop at the Bamboo Centre, Auroville under the guidance of master carpenter, Walter. The workshop was an introduction of working with bamboo. It involved, exploring the basic techniques like heat bending, splitting and joineries like the fish mouth joint.
resumé EDUCATION
EXPERIENCE
Junior College | 07.2011 - 02.2013
Internship at Ware Innovations | 7.2016 - 8.2016
St. Xavier’s Institute, Mumbai
(Ware Innovations is a Mumbai based design studio led by Yogita Agrawal.)
Subjects: Phsychology, Political Science, French, English, Maths and Economics.
HARSHI RAMBHIA
Product Design Student Indian School of Design & Innovation, Parsons, Mumbai (Third Year)
" I am currently looking for an internship beginning in June."
Foundation Course (Design) | 07.2013 12.2014 MIT INSTITUTE OF DESIGN, PUNE Completed three semesters of U.G. Design Diploma course.
U.G. (Product Design) | 01.2015 - present INDIAN SCHOOL OF DESIGN AND INNOVATION,
Involved in prototyping for various projects including a pair of leather sunglasses, ceramic dinner set and packaging for “SoaPen” to name some.
Collaborative Project with Aaraaish | 11.2016 12.2016 As a part of the “Design for Social Impact” elective course, held by UnLtd India, a range of gift bags were developed in collaboration with one of their clients, Aaraaish.
Currently studying in the sophomore year of the product design specialization.
Aaraaish employs women from slum communities in Mumbai to make paper bags with an aim to provide them a sustainable livelihood and reduce the use of plastic bags.
CONTACT DETAILS
B.A. (Sociology) | 04.2016 - present
Interests
+91 7773910235 harshirambhia@gmail.com behance.net/HarshiRambhia
MUMBAI UNIVERSITY, MUMBAI
(PARSONS, MUMBAI)
Currently in the second year of the distance learning B.A. programme with major in Sociology.
Design for Sustainability
Accessory Design
Design for Social Impact
Craft Based Design
workshops
SOFTWARE SKILLS
Photography | 03.2012 - 04.2012
3D Modelling
A 15 session certified workshop conducted by renowned Prof. J. B. Mistry, at Xavier’s Institute of Communication
Solid Works Rhinoceros Fusion 360 Keyshot
Bamboo Furniture | 03.2016 A 2 day certified workshop conducted by master carpenter, Walter Van Asshe at Bamboo Centre, Auroville.
Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Adobe Indesign
Bamboo Musical Instruments | 3.2016 A 3 day workshop conducted by visionary listener, Aurelio at Swaram, Auroville.
languages English Kutchi
Hobbies
Gujarati Hindi
Photography Nature Trails and Trekking Yoga
contact
harshirambhia@gmail.com +91 77739 10235
thank you