Wine-Rack Donkey Project Booklet By Nicola Murphy
Introduction. Being tasked to design and manufacture a Donkey, in the style of the original Isokon ones. They have a specific language which would need to be portrayed throughout the design. Designing it with potability in mind, with easy transportation of the items stored. The design must be able to be produced using the technology of CNC routing.
About Isokon. Isokon, founded in the 1930s, by Jack Pritchard as a vision for modern living. Being apart of the Bauhaus movement, designers such as Walter Gropius became a designer at Isokon, and in turn he popularised the brand. With each Donkey being designed by a different designer there are all different, but all with the same use. The first one being designed to hold the iconic 80 penguin books, whereas the 3rd one was designed to hold more modern items such as DVDs and Books.
Trip to Isokon. The trip to Isokon gave an insight into the manufacturing processes, as well getting in depth knowledge about the donkeys from the people who make them. Learning about the techniques they use to manufacture the Donkey’s to a high standard. Learning that Isokon are about truth to process and material, keeping the joinery simple and exposing the joints is important. Seeing the donkeys allowed me to visualise the Donkey in sizing, which gave a true understanding about how small they are in comparison to a chair or a dining table.
Scenario. Directing towards the consumption of wine, especially as the research showed that the UK, is a nation of red wine drinkers. Especially, as they only have one Donkey that is aimed towards the storage of alcohol; but not specifically towards the storage of wine. The user of this particular Donkey would be someone who likes to drink wine on an occasional basis, or situation where they might be inclined to have people round.
Research. After researching into wine, in particularly red wine. Focusing on the storage, and how it is drunk. A key feature of red wine, is for it to be stored at room temperature, where the temperature needs to be kept consistent. Wine varies in the amount of space it takes up, as wine comes in different sized bottles. Starting at the smallest of 70mm in diameter for a standard Bordeaux bottle up to 101mm diameter for a 1.5L magnum Bordeaux Bottle. I decided that my Donkey would only be able to hold Standard Bottles as these are more likely to be capped and re opened on another occasion. Looking at different techniques that have been used, to store glasses as well as bottles of wine, that vary in simple styles to more lavish designs.
1.5 L Magnum Bordeaux Bottle of Wine 750ml Standard Bordeaux Bottle of Wine
Large Red Wine Glass
342.9 mm
Large White Wine Glass
300 mm
230 mm
101 mm
70 mm
90 mm
220 mm
80 mm
Development. Using the research into wine, how it is drunk and the sizing of the items gave me an idea of the best way of designing the Donkey. Giving easy access to the user, when taking a glass or bottle. Continually developing new concepts, throughout the research stage, using a variety of 2D and 3D modelling techniques. The development of the 1:10 models allowed to visual ideas and see what works well and what did not work so well. The 1.1 sized models, allowed me to see the size and shape of the Donkey, and how the Donkey will hold the bottles and glasses.
Changing the position of how the glasses will hang, and how the bottles will sit, and still have magazine/ book storage, allowed the reduction of wasted space.
After feedback, it was important that the shape of the Donkey, became more elegant and less bulky. With more influence from the shape of a wine bottle.
The Outcome.
Product Details. The Donkey will be able to hold up to 3 standard bottles of wine, which are stood upright on one the side. The Donkey can also hold up to 4 large red wine glasses, which are hung upside down from the bases on a racking system, the table protects the glasses. Materials and Finishes: The Donkey will be fully made from 9mm plywood, which will be lacquered finish to give it a smooth finish. The finishing technique will also bring the colour out.
Manufacture.
The CNC machine, was used to cut out the panels. This meant that panels would slot together with a high level of accuracy, with minimal faults. Using methods of manufacture such as domino joints, whereby a new woodworking skills had to be learned.
Once the whole unit had been joined, the bottle holders could be made. After changing the design slightly due to complications within the design. A simplified design was made.
Final Prototype.
Evaluation. During the manufacture I learned a lot of key skills which can be taken forward in any further projects, in particularly about the CNC machine and the domino machine. During the trip to Isokon, a key feature that I noticed was the quality of finish of the Donkeys and the time taken to get to that level of finish. This was something that I wanted implement in my own Donkey. Another key skill that I learned during this project was time management, in particularly making sure that I kept on schedule and optimising the time allocated in the workshops. When showing the Donkey to people to gain their opinions on it, they said that it is really nice to hold. However, one suggestion that could be made is to have the weight evenly distributed, rather than just having it on one side.