Philadelphia University
BUILD03 Book / Art Direction: Josh Owen Photography: Clint Blowers Graphic Design: Marta Kosseva Introduction: Laura Kellner
INTRO-
It is my great pleasure to introduce the 2009 Philadelphia University Industrial Design, School of Design + Media class taught by Josh Owen and Jason Lempieri and their work for Build03: The Kikkerland Design Challenge. This ambitious group of future designers demonstrated their passion for design with innovative and unique submissions and stayed true to the Kikkerland Design philosophy that: “where creativity runs rampant and even the most utilitarian gadget becomes a delightful discovery”. Every step of the process of product design, from concept, development, production, packaging and finally appearing on a retail shelf was explored in this challenge.
contributions to this project’s success. Ultimately this opportunity was made possible by Jan van der Lande, founder and president of Kikkerland Design who has provided a place for designers to have fun by pushing the limits of consumer product design, make it affordable and available around the world. I wish all the students the best in all their future endeavors, and may they continue to learn the most important aspect of design – perseverance. Laura Kellner, Director of Communications, Kikkerland Design
This project was made possible through the combined efforts of many dedicated and talented people. I would like to especially thank Kikkerland Designers David Kucharsky and Jay Lee for their extraordinary commitment and tireless
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It was an honor to work with industrial design professor and spearhead of this project Josh Owen and assistant professor Jason Lempieri. Their guidance of the students and expertise in the area of product design will be evident as you flip through the following pages.
ABOUT
Industrial Design at Philadelphia University
Philadelphia University’s Industrial Design curriculum is collaborative and experiential in nature. It is also interdisciplinary. Before interdisciplinary project activities begin in earnest, we make sure that our young designers understand what the core values are that they bring to interdisciplinary activities. Acquiring this insight is often a very introspective process and we work to impart this selfconfidence by the end of the sophomore year. Throughout the curriculum, whenever it is in support of our teaching objectives, we involve industry in our studio activities. It is vitally important to us that our students develop a good understanding of their future client’s priorities. Of course it is difficult to find an industry sponsor that would support our mission in the sophomore year: a sponsor looking for value through design; someone who commits to a collaboration with such young students and is willing to demonstrate how the company’s MO affects the final outcome of a designer’s work. When Josh Owen approached Kikkerland Design for an
industry sponsored project, their design brief wrote the perfect ending to our sophomore year. The students designed for a real client. They studied the client’s market, culture and preferences and they presented design proposals. The students witnessed the development steps that followed to put one design proposal into production. Generating sophomore work that demonstrates the required rigor for production is a very rare thing in design education. It is something to be proud of. We are grateful for Kikkerland Design’s dedication to design education and for their friendship. Götz Unger, MDes RCA Associate Professor/ Director of Industrial Design School of Design + Media Philadelphia University School House Lane and Henry Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19144-5497 Tel: +1 215 951 2109 www.philau.edu http://www.philau.edu/ind
BUILD
The title for this catalog and corresponding exhibition is reflective of the initiative in that it implies that what has been done from an educational standpoint imparts a deeper understanding of the process by which the discipline of industrial design investigates methods in order to promote innovative problem-solving. As with it’s predecessors, Build 01; Manufacturing Education, and Build 02; Exploring Materiality, this latest project once again suggests that education can be a vehicle which is reproduced on a scale that allows for the repetition of certain initiatives and interests partnered with industry, while bearing new, exciting fruit each time. In this exploration, the course operates by exposing students to the realities of massproduced consumer product. Summary Initiated in the spring semester of 2005, and running each spring semester since, the “Build” series of projects is at the time of the publication of these results, currently running for the fifth, consecutive spring semester (Sp 2005 - Sp 2010). The collective output of the first two trials (Sp 2005 + Sp 2006) were chosen to participate in
ICFF 2007. For that first public presentation of the research we attempted to reveal a selection of the process and products of these two groups of students collaborating with industry partners in an effort to explore ideas meant for the furniture and housewares marketplace. The second, public presentation took place in the Spring of 2009 at the ICFF where the Wilsonart project was shown. The results of the Kikkerland project are being shown at the ICFF of 2010. We are currently hard at work with Urban Outfitters in the development of Build 04. Educational Objectives / Context This course is strategically integrated into the educational sequence of the sophomore year of the industrial design program at Philadelphia University. At the conclusion of the course students should know how to: - Identify variables which are to be balanced for the optimal resolution of a given design problem - Explore and evaluate alternatives by building feasibility models - Understand the concerns of a manufacturing entity as they relate to the production of a product - Understand the concerns of a retail entity / promotional environment as they relate to the presentation and distribution of a product
- Develop methods for communicating with an outside vendor - Document design solutions objectively in traditional media - Present final designs in the form of functional prototypes Project Brief This project involves close contact between students and a real-world “sponsor”. The course was designed to engage aspects of design, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution that students will experience in their professional careers beyond the walls of academia. Kikkerland Design Inc. delivers a brief that challenges students to process the company’s philosophy and business objectives and propose creative solutions for product designs which celebrate the brand by creating emotive objects which answer their product development needs. Students assume the challenge of producing finished prototypes from vetted designs that, after rigorous evaluation by professors and representatives from Kikkerland, they deem the most worthy of answering the brief. The International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York acts as a the venue for the student projects in order to justify viability of their ideas for the consumer orientation demanded by the marketplace. One of the products was carried through to production in advance
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BUILD 03: In Production Josh Owen
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of this event and will be available for orders at the venue, closing the circle on design to distribution. Procedures Students begin the semester by investigating the manufacturer’s history and it’s capabilities. This process begins with an introduction to the company and a rigorous briefing about the evolution of product typologies examined from an historical as well as from a material / technological perspective. The students are assigned in advance into teams which will later share their findings with their peers in lecture format. These internal specialized groups provide “in-house specialty consultants” for the benefit of the entire class. Teams include all of the core competencies of the manufacturer as well as a variety of approaches to material exploration and mutation. Injection molding team, Laser cutting research team, punching and embossing research team, forming research team, surface finishing research team, and others. Students pay close attention to their specific assigned areas of interest and results are shared with the class in the form of technical studies performed on the material itself. Overlaid onto this research are further topics such as competitive market analysis etc. Each
team employs the use of a digital camera to document their experiments while taking extensive notes and asking questions of the company representative in order to inform their subject knowledge. Following their introduction to the culture of the company with whom they will be collaborating, students begin to develop full scale objects that fit the delivered criteria for project development. Following the introduction to the company, students begin to identify opportunities in domestic and/or work spheres to develop full scale objects that fit the delivered criteria for project development. The overriding theme of the project is for students to find a preexisting object from the past, bring it up to date and tell it’s story. This classification of object encourages economical strategies for manufacturing by conceiving of products in principal parts and value-engineering connections as much as possible with an eye towards efficiencies in shipping, packaging etc. Students are encouraged to follow this design language by refining their decision-making to include a “less is more” strategy. The project sponsors visit Philadelphia University at least three times during the semester to act as guides. In the first visit, the
manufacturer’s representatives help direct students during their initial ideation stages by guiding them in the format of the traditional design studio critique. During the second visit, the sponsors help refine student projects by going deeper into the issues surrounding viability for their markets. Students whose projects are chosen for development within the company and their manufacturing affiliates, are responsible for working closely with the manufacturer by providing guidance, drawings, samples as needed to complete the project in a timely fashion. Students whose projects are not chosen for manufacture complete their projects to the best of their abilities in the university shops and by using outside vendors as usual. Interestingly, the projects “not manufactured” are often indistinguishable from the ones produced by the manufacturer, attesting to the caliber of the group learning experience. Final deliverables Presentation Drawings Project Documentation (including design-control drawings) Professional Image Scans on CD Final Working Prototype Industry Collaborators Since 1992, the folks at Kikkerland Design have traveled the world in search of original designs for things
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that can make life more enjoyable. Clever things to intrigue you. Smart things that make everyday tasks easier. And gentle things that make you feel happier when you use them. It’s no wonder that Kikkerland Design continues to offer the world’s largest collection of ingenious items combining form, function, and delight in equal parts. You can find them in thousands of stores around the world, including museum and specialty shops. Or you can just stay home. Because if it’s inventive, witty, and smartly designed, Kikkerland Design will bring it to you. Just for the fun of it.
KIKKERLAND
PROCESS
STUDIO VISIT
Austin Braine
Whirly Aces BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 36
Materials: Injection molded plastic The Whirly-Aces are a fun and educational toy that references historical planes such as the Wright Flyer and the Red Baron.
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Jason Coon
Bubble Pump BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 38
Materials: Injection molded plastic The Bubble Pump is a new and cleaner way to make bubbles. After mixing the proper kitchen ingredients, children can make bubbles by simply dipping the end of the pump into the bubble solution and pumping the handle.
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Marshall Dreiling
First Ladies Card Deck BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 40
Materials: Card stock Deal with the women behind the most powerful men in the world. Unshuffle the back room secrets of Washington. A gift for the presidential lover.
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Brenden Feucht
Gas Can Money Bank BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 42
Materials: Ceramic or sheet metal People complain about the money they spend on gas. This iconic gas can shaped coin bank makes a direct connection between the money you save and the gas you use to fill up your car. On the front of the gas can is a window so you can see your money go from empty to full.
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Daniel M. Fichter
Salt and Pepper Ringers BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 44
Materials: Wood on spun aluminum with bell Inspired by classic hand bells, the Salt and Pepper Ringers are a fun way to reference the past. Each ringer makes a classic bell sound while releasing salt or pepper from its bell. Internal mechanisms keep the salt and pepper from dispensing when the ringers sit on the table and each ringer can be refilled by unscrewing the wooden handle.
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Alex Hasselberger
Striker Cheese Grater BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 46
Materials: Injection molded ABS plastic, acrylic & stamped aluminum The “Striker” cheese grater recalls the motions of playing air hockey. As the cheese is finely grated, it collects into the container below the handle for best measuring. The “Striker” also serves as a convenient serving device, as the cheese can be either shaken over the meal, or it can simply be pinched and sprinkled.
Mike Gallaher
Dog Chew Toy BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 48
Materials: A hard but flexible plastic, similar to Zogoflex The dog chew toys are meant to be a controversial item for the owner to have their dog playing with. The chew toys are designed to not only function as a toy for the pet but to intrigue the owner and friends with their uniqueness as the pet interacts with them. With various original designs the chew toys are an excellent discussion piece for any pet lover to own or give as a gift.
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Eric Forster
Needles in a Haystack BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 50
Materials: Multi-colored fur yarn over packed sawdust with magnet Give the perfect gift of a pincushion that resembles a haystack. This magnetic Haystack is used to pick up pins and act as a pincushion.
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Jon Hart
Firefly Night Light BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 52
Materials: Plastic, suction cup, solar panel, LED, rechargeable battery This night light brings the light of the firefly indoors. Stick it on a window to solar charge, push the head down to open its wings and have the firefly glow.
Mike Hummel
Pentachments BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 54
Pentachments are a unique product line that attach to the back of a common pen or pencil. They are useful accessories and fun toys that aid or entertain the user. Since there is such a wide range of different Pentachments, they can sell to a wide demographic from kids and teens to adults.
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Will Kellogg
Spray Paint Shaker BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 56
Materials: Stainless steel This martini shaker references the action of using a spray paint can as well as the sound it creates while shaking. It comes with built in strainer, calibrated cap, and recipes for over a dozen cocktails to enjoy with company.
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Sean Kennon
Wobbly Alarm Clock BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 58
It is more than just a classic double bell alarm clock. When it’s time to wake up, it wiggles back and forth on its springy legs and rings. The numerals also appear to vibrate.
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David Lang
Carrot Cutter BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 60
Materials: existing Kikkerland jar, lid/blade cast metal Add a little flavor and enjoyment to your carrots with ease using the multi blades Carrot Cutter. Use the middle cutter to trim the carrot size, then garnish it into one of the ten shapes, or be creative and cut it into multiple shapes for a one-off carrot. All of the carrots are caught in the jar for easy collection and cleanup.
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scOOPS!
Ray McCue
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Materials: ABS colored plastic, various attachment materials scOOPS! organizes loose clips and brushes away chips, highlights important quotes and stamps urgent notes. Its retro form embodies an iconic shape with common functionality that is sure to liven up any home or office desk while its interchangeable parts make is just right for any user.
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Dylan Mellinger
Bedtime Stories BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 64
Materials: ABS plastic, rubber The Bedtime Stories Flashnight envokes interaction between parents and their children. Using a rotating head in interchangeable slides, this flash-night allows children to not follow along in all their favorite bedtime stories by projecting images from the story on the walls and ceiling.
John Modestine
Bell Hop Expandable Jump Rope BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 66
Materials: Wood handles, spiral phone cord The Bell Hop cerebrates the fun times you had as a child jumping rope, while also incorporating nostalgic references to the bell telephone. The spiral cord allows for versatility in length, allowing the user the ability to jump alone, or stretch the cord out to jump with a group of friends... So grab a Bell Hop and jump into the fun!
The Scratchbook
Christopher J. Skodi
The versatile clipboardnotepad is inspired by a book of matches. The Scratchbook’s elegant design has a full width integrated clip to accommodate 8.5”x11.0” sheets of paper and writing utensils.
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Materials: Vinyl bound sheet aluminum
Spinners
Kevin Hannon
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Materials: acrylic, vinyl decal Spinners are rotary dimmer replacements that allow you to add color and personality to a room with little effort. Available in many different shapes and designs, spinners are affordable, have a clear shiny look, and are much more attractive than contemporary dimmer knobs. Spinners are extremely easy to install, simply sliding on over the dimmer rod, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
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Colin Stief
Glow in the Dark Message Board BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 70
Materials: plastic This reusable message board is great for anyone! Not only is it small and compact, but it also glows in the dark so that your message is sure to be seen. With a perforation at the bottom, this Glow in the Dark Message board can be folded so it sits up on a flat surface, or just simply flipped upside-down and hung on a wall.
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Joseph M. Wengloski
Retro Bicycle Lights BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 72
Materials: Molded ABS Plastic, Transparent Red Acrylic Plastic, LED Configurations The Retro Bicycle Lights are safety headlights and taillights designed based off of 1950s automobiles. Urban bikers will find these as great means of tricking out their rides, and making them stand out in a crowd. Bicyclists will stand out at night while the lights are in use, and during the day as distinctive forms of the late 1950s.
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Tim Wikander
Icon Sticky Notes BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 74
Materials: Paper, sticky notes These sticky notes demand attention. Inspired by the strong visual language of computers, Icon Sticky Notes create a fun way to leave notes in the office or home. Write a message on the back, address the front, then stick it. Each sticky notes has a different application.
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ReMemo
Marilyn Wolfe
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Materials: 5.0”x7.0” glassless metal picture frame, plastic, pleather fabric, cardboard, paper, wax adhesive. The ReMemo is a reusable memo board in a sleek desktop frame that is reminiscent of drawing toys. Write your message on it with the included stylus. When you want to erase and start over, slide the top handle upward and the surface “magically” erases and is ready to use.
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I-Ting Yang
Toilet Dog BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 78
Materials: MDF & steel The dog plays an important role in many cultures around the world. The dog is considered as “Man’s Best Friend.” Therefore, using dog image to design a toilet paper holder which serves everyday you need. The Toilet Dog is in a practical size so that it is able to fit in between the toilet and the sink or toilet and bathtub. The Toilet Dog’s mouth can hold a roll of toilet paper. Also, it is easy to replace paper from the side. Magazines can be placed at the back of the Dog.
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Will Rhoda
Nutcracker BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 80
Materials: Wood This is a wooden nutcracker designed and built by Will Rhoda.
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Kurio Candle
Greg Sundermann
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The Kurio Candle appears to be a typical candle, but it contains a secret. That secret is slowly revealed through the process of melting. When the candle has reached its end, the figure is left standing.
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Vlad Anokhin
Factory Humidifier BUILD03: IN PRODUCTION 84
Perfect for your workspace or bedside table, the Factory Humidifier improves your environment instead of polluting it. The traditional “dirty” factory form comes to life when refreshing cool steam emerges from the smokestack. Whether you’re environmentally conscious or just would like a little fun with your gadgets, the Factory Humidifier is an elegant personal accessory and a showpiece for your desk.
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DESIGN CHALLENGE WINNER
KIKKERLAND
One student’s project was selected by Kikkerland Design as a winning design and was mass produced.
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Brenden Feucht
Gas Can Money Bank
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CREDITS
Studio Professors Josh Owen The work of industrial designer and educator Josh Owen is at once simple, practical and creative. Although typologies that Owen creates are commonly described as refined, iconic or minimalist, he defines function in humanistic terms, combining clarity of purpose and functional efficacy with emotive and tactile qualities chosen to align strategically with industry. Owen is the president of Josh Owen LLC in Philadelphia and is an associate professor of industrial design at Philadelphia University where he holds the title of Craig R. Benson Chair of Innovation. His projects are produced by manufacturers and have won many awards. Owen’s work is included in the permanent design collections of the Centre Georges Pompidou, the Denver Art Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Chicago Athenaeum. His work has been featured in major exhibitions, numerous books on design and is regularly included in critical design discourse. Josh Owen Craig R. Benson Chair for Innovation Associate Professor of Industrial Design Academic Coordinator, Study Abroad Program in Milan, Italy School of Design + Media Philadelphia University School House Lane & Henry Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19144-5497 Tel: +1 215 951 2883 Fax: +1 215 951 6865 Email: owenj@philau.edu Web: www.philau.edu/ind
Jason Lempieri A self-described catalyst, Jason Lempieri investigates subversion, history and memory in his work. He designs from the perspective that form follows meaning. He is the founder of RethinkTANK, a multi-disciplinary design and research studio that takes a macro approach to design issues. Lempieri teaches as an Adjunct Professor in the Architecture and Industrial Design Departments at Philadelphia University, and as a Senior Lecturer in the Industrial Design and Foundations Departments at the University of the Arts. Prior to forming RethinkTANK, he worked in several Philadelphia
architecture firms. He recently completed a sustainable, LEED renovation of his home and studio, which was featured on Planet Green’s Renovation Nation, and recognized in Philadelphia Magazine and by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. Jason Lempieri Adjunct Professor of Industrial Design School of Design + Media Philadelphia University School House Lane & Henry Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19144-5497 Tel: +1 215 951 2253 Fax: +1 215 951 6865 Email: lempierij@philau.edu Web: www.philau.edu/ind
Kikkerland Design Inc. Jan van der Lande, President, Kikkerland Design Inc. Laura Kellner, Communications, Kikkerland Design Inc. David Kucharsky, Senior Designer, Kikkerland Design Inc. Jay Lee, Senior Designer, Kikkerland Design Inc. ICFF Exhibition Design: Jan Habraken and Thomas Buchheim with Kikkerland Design Inc. Sponsored by:
A special thanks to: Nathaniel Popkin