Curriculum Vitae 2019
Rajdeep Savenkar Product Designer
Hello I am a Industrial Design Graduate based in Mumbai, with a specialisation in Product Design, trained at the National Institute of Design. In the vast world of Product Design, I am personally intrigued by the exploration of forms and working with materials of all kinds. I believe in multiplying creative forces via collaboration to enhance the problem solving process.
sketchpenguy@gmail.com +91-9619 200 757
Education
Skills
2012 ICSE / Gokuldham High School & Junior College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Sketching Adobe Photoshop Adobe InDesign AutoCAD Rhinoceres 3D Keyshot Render RD Works
2014 SSC (PCMB) / S.S. & L.S. Patkar College of Arts and Science, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 2014 - 2019 Bachelor in Product Design / National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Work Experience
Languages
2015
2018 -19
Paid Internship for 6 weeks Product Ideation + Alternate Applications for current product range + Fully functional factory prototypes of concepts.
Sponsored Graduation Project for 12 months Tok Tok - Last Mile Mobility device for transporting 40 kilograms of load in Mountain Areas + Locally Sustainable Production Model using local materials and artisan employement. [from Selection of brief till Functional prototype] + Design introductory workshops with students + Bamboo bike souvenir models
Warmee Pvt.Ltd Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
La Design Pvt.Ltd / Echostream Design Studio Gangtok, Sikkim, India
English Hindi Marathi
Design Portfolio 2019 Rajdeep Savenkar | Product Design
Table of Contents
Leafa Tae Haego Aadhaar Swacch Sainik Tok Tok
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leafa A multifunctional gardening tool
Designed to improve the household gardening experience by merging many functions with the joy of aesthetic form
research findings in a world where almost everyone nurtures household plants like a member of their family, most don’t invest in gardening tools. the most common reasons are:
“full tool sets for a few plants ??”
“I’d would rather use my spoon and fork”
“these miniature version of garden tools dont work on potted plants”
design briefdesign an affordable gardening tool to maintain
household/ potted plants which performs the basic tasks of maintainence
design parameters key attributes for ideations
multifunctional form one form to fulfil various functions, adopting the form factors of basic gardening tools
x
use of single material a low cost attribute which adds to a product value
x
aesthetic form factor the beauty of an everyday object can highlight the joy of the task itself
ideations + prototypes
Shuffling concepts between sketches and low fidelity prototypes for ergonomic fit...
Narrowing down to one functional and aesthetic form with ambidextrous elements
final prototype : leafa
The cylindrical radius is an ergonomic fit in the palm
Sharp and curved front provides a digging and scooping tip
Inner edges can trim like scissors owing to flexibility of material
Front edges can scrape and level soil
Tae Haego Korean : tae ~ foot ; haego ~ sack
The Smart Kicking Bag designed for kick training with sensors for data readings
Research Findings
A cyclindrical heavy bag is suitable for practising only 2-3 kicks. Martial artists have no standalone equipment for practising or judging their kicks. The variety in kicks makes training with heavy bags limiting.
Design Brief
To design training equipment for kicking, allowing a martial artist to practise solo and keep tab on performance independently
Design Parameters Harness multiple kicks Useable by solo user Measuring+presenting performance data
Concept A resurfaced bag designed for different kicks + sensors
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App with timing and force readings from bag for performance data
Bag Design Parameters
should bear the higher force of kicks
CONCEPTUALIZATION
reduce injury by not obstructing accuracy kicks
allow practising clean bag design to kick combos reduce stitchwork and improve product life
Final Kickbag Design Kickbag suspended using chains Headpad for Axe kicks Velcro straps to hold HeadPads
Side-pads for turning kicks and spinning kicks Cylindrical body for side and front kicks
Inclined base for knee kicks and low kicks
Velcro Belt holds SidePads at adjustable heights
Kicking scenarios Sensor Housing - houses Accelerometer + Impact Sensor + Bluetooth Module +MotherBoard Metal Tube Core
Knee Strike
Axe Kick
Sand+Wood Shavings Foam Tubing Rexine Cover
High Sidekick
Low Sidekick Strapped SidePads can be split apart for scissor kicks and strapped below each other for double kicks.
Front Kick
Spin Kick
Adjustable Pads greatly reduce chances of injuries due to unobstructed movement of foot after impact.
Aadhaar
Hindi : aadhaar ~ support
Redesigned auxillary crutch focused on enhancing performance and appeal of mobility for the physically challenged
Research findings with long time crutch users helped identify 2 aspects of currently used crutch to develop upon
Stigma + Pain Points A behaviour trait common is the visual attention in the negative way the crutches attracts.
Shoulder pad wears out and puts pressure directly on armpits and shoulder joint
Handle bar is narrow in width with uncomfortable grip position for controlling the crutch
Users often don’t appreciate these awkward situations of pity and negative energy. A strong visual impression can help lighten the situation for the user and shift the attention from the handicap to the uniqueness of the crutch itself.
Puck often slips on wet surfaces due to the small contact patch. It is also the most replaced component due to constant wear and tear
Conceptualising various forms and functionalities for a working prototype
Working Prototype
Structure Ideations angled curved underarm with padding
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Puck Ideations
=
unobstructed arch handle
stress ball base with support flaps + height adjustability
Curved shoulder support grips the underarm and distributes the pressure adjointed to the body instead of pressurizing the shoulder joint
The final prototype is a sleek, lightweight and safer crutch wiith product graphics
Arched hand bar is more suited for natural grip and allows users to choose wrist angle of their comfort
The structure is lightweight owing to lesser material whilst looking sturdy and reliable due to the unibody profile Height adjustable strut with subtle graphic element maintains a lean yet interesting look Stress sensitive puck design has a wider contact patch with relation to stress applied, providing much more grip irrespective of surface conditions
Swacch Sainik
Hindi : swacch~cleanliness ; sainik~warrior
A group system research project about Indian Waste Management aimed at studying the complex elements of the wicked system to suggest improvements. Our research looked closely at understanding the informal sector of Ragpickers and provided solutions revolving around uplifting their livelihood along with regenerating value to the collected waste within the system.
Research with different stakeholders in the system of waste
AMC Waste Collection Failing efforts from the municipal body to promote segregation of waste. Segregated waste ends up in the same landfill due to lack of municipal infrastructure to treat recyclables.
Pirana Landfill Visiting the Pirana Landfill outside ahmedabad city limits to identify the ever-increasing scale and hazards of waste disposal along with the scavenging practices.
Ragpickers Stepping into a ragpickers shoes to try to earn 100 rupees in one day by collecting and cashing in recyclables gave us insights about the experience and struggles of being a ragpicker.
Small Reusable businesses Low income entrepreneurs often rely on collecting and reusing resources to earn daily bread
Municipal Sweepers Unsegregated collection of waste by smaller worker groups from streetside, who support the ragpickers silently.
Plastic Sorting Industries Understanding the effort which goes into recycling several material with chemical variations.
Segregation Industries Studying the separation of biodegradable materials from a small amount of disposed waste for production of manure.
Paryavaran Mitra An NGO hiring ex-ragpickers to collect and sort recylables from contracted sources. This is the only initiative at formalising the ragpicking sector.
The direct proportionality between value for product and product life cycle explains the importance of resource management. Ways to extend product life other than recycling include upcycling, reusing, repurposing and repairing.
The need to combat the massive rate of waste generation globally is urgent. India has one of the highest plastic recycling rates and it has done so with the support of ragpickers and kabadiwalas (local collectors).
Yet ragpickers are one of the most underpriveleged, neglected and exploited sector of society. Keeping them as main stakeholders, we studied their contribution and role in the chain of recyling, whilst looking for opportunities of livelihood improvement. The following gigamap shows the elaborate journey of materials and origins of waste. It shows the role of each stakeholder in the creation of waste and the undervalued role of ragpickers, who revalue the recyclable materials.
DEMAND
MARKETING
INNOVATION
RESEARCH DESIGN ENGINEERING PROTOTYPING
20
USER
ADVERTISING
Household Society
PERSONAL BINS
SOURCES
Institutes
Market Mall Street
CLEANERS Schools Business
70 % 8% 7% 4% 6% 5%
Organic Paper Plastic Metal Glass Miscellanneous
50 % 13 % 20 % 3% 4% 10 %
Organic Paper Plastic Metal Glass Miscellanneous
40 % 20 % 20 % 4% 4% 12 %
Organic Paper Plastic Metal Glass Miscellanneous
15
Value based breakbown of a PET bottle in the recycling chain
4.75
MARKET
3.8
USER BEHAVIOUR MAPPING
NEED
INFLUENCE
Family + Friends Society Media Celebrities Possesions
LUXURY
TREND
Customisation
Reward and Punishment System Social Media Tradition / Culture Peer Pressure Convenience / Availability Zero Option Sense of Responsibility Respect
The exploitation of co-dependent cycle between supply and demand is leading to the never ending wastage of resources. Waste generated could be recycled and processed to use as source material hence completing the cradle to cradle cycle. A circular economy could be structured around the segregation and recycling processes.
Brand Ownership Image
TYPES
PROCESSING
Cardboard, Corrogated sheet, Paper. Construction, Brick, Concrete. Food Waste, Agricultural, Gardening. Electronic Waste. Metal. Textile. Wood.
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DUMPERS
MUNICIPAL CORPOATION AMC 12000 4000 1200 20 155
Workers Tonnes Tonnes / day Construction Waste Locations of C&D Treartment Rupees / Tonne of C&D
WHAT’S GOING ON ? Foccusing only on collection and dumping No efforts on at source segregation No occupaional education of workers Over relying on post treatments of waste Not envolving private and small organisation
Process of breaking down the products into smaller pieces. Sorting is done based on colour and material
0.15
The residents in vicinity. Roads through the area. Cities air get polluted
Pollutes the water table waterbodies, river. Nearby villages residents consume the contaminated water
KABADIWALAS / RECYCLABLE COLLECTORS
SWAACH SAINIK / CLEANLINESS WARRIOR Ragpickers are the key element in the entire system of waste collection, segregation and recycling. They are involved with all the major stakeholders in the process. Estimated total of approx 30000 ragpickers, 70% are women in Ahmedabad city. Mostly between the age of 8 - 40 years the Swaach Sainik collect waste from every corner of the society. From every roadside bins,
Door to Door Society Based Buy + Collect + Sort + Sell Provides loans to loyal Some exploits them. Give instant money. Sustain the ragpicking & recycling business. Intermediate stakeholders between recycling plants and source
0.75
buying melting pellet making packing selling
RECYCLING
RECYCLING F
turned into pelleted or granules. Excess amount of energy is used
They collect wastes, carry to their homes, segregate and then sell them to the kabadiwalas.
80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
PIRANA - THE LANDFILL Situated - 1980 100 Million tonnes 65% Mud 300 Ragpickers
RAGPICKER FOR A DAY
INSIGHTS
Environmental Conditions Worst working conditions for the Ragpickers High Amount of methane gas. Heavy dust particles in the air. Constant Toxic waste inhaled. Unstable loose ground Constantly burning, high risk of burns and injuries Many infected dogs, equally territorial for food waste
We went out as a Ragpicker to physically empathize on how it feels to be a ragpicker. With a challange to earn 400 rupees a day we searched around different parts of Ahmedabad. We walked for several hours picking paper and plastic. Gaining rich insights on various problems faced by a ragpicker.
Space problem - More space more money. Carrying problem Physical problem - Hand and back ache. Territorial - Everyone has their own territory. Dogs - Suspect one with a huge sac and attack. Scan for waste - See what we wanted to see Image in Society - Society has made image about Ragpickers. Material Target - Collect which has more value. Drinking water - Totally exhausted waliking around
WATER BODIES
buying sorting shredding washing drying packaging selling
0.52
0.38
Health Issues Loan SLaves Security Family Stability Territory Society Welfare Hierarchy
AIR
Cap cost - 0.25 Bottle cost - 2.5 Water Treatment - 0.25 Labour - 3.5
Lable cost - 0.25 Carton - 0.50 Packaging - 0.70
Cost - 1.25 - 4.25
USER BEHAVIOUR MAPPING
PRODUCING
Bottle and Water
Packaging
Convenience Necessity Status factor
2.5
PACKAGING
PARYAMITRA MITRA This NGO focuses on improving the economic, social and physical well-being of ragpickers of Ahmedabad. They have successfully replaced the middlemen in the process being able to provide maximum value for the ragpicker’s waste. Currently they have 250 of them working under this organisation, 90% of them being women.
EXTRACTION OF RAW MATERIALS
RAW MATERIALS
Deep diving
We studied the ragpicking society closely and mapped the common patterns in their lives, to understand their way of living and livelihood, which were co-related. We also mapped their relation with the consumers.
Based on all the data collected and mapped, the loopholes and failures of the waste management system became clear. These would be held as possible intervention areas for uplifting both: the ragpicking community and the efficiency of waste management.
In this system, the lack of incentives to be a part of the system and properly value our materials after use was missing. The major solution was to acknowlege the contributing role of ragpickers and rebrand them as a “Warriors of Cleanliness� or Swacch Sainik (in Hindi) to build respect and help improve their performance with municipal employement and equipment.
IOT in waste by geotagging discarded products
Effective formalisation of the informal sectors
The current basic issues of social status, territorial conflict,unstable economy etc, can be effectively met by formalising the waste pickers as a part of the municipal system for door-to-door collection and segregation of waste.
Every product will have a unique code embed in it. Every dustbin will have a sensor which will scan the code on the product and upload it on the collective cloud on the internet. The product will be trackable in every stage of the process.
Free coupon vending dustbin
Charging Premium for recyclables
In order to achieve a behaviour change in the user, a rewad factor needs to be established which gives them an incentive to put waste in the dustbin. A bin which vends coupons everytime a recyclable goes inside. The coupon can get a free beverage/discount.
All the shops and restaurants have to charge a premium on purchase of every recyclable item. On return of the empty and cleaned recyclable item, the premium amount will be given back.
Uncycled / Recycled Handicrafts
Cash deposit as Bonus
Vocational training can be given to the wastepickers who already have material knowledge and help them co-create with the local craftsmen. The upcycled craft products will be sold online on bulk orders.
Everytime a wastepicker sells waste at the waste collection point apart from the hard cash some amount of bonus cash will also be deposited in his Bank account as savings.
List of Solutions Suggested
Last Mile Mobility device designed for transporting loads upto 40 kg in mountain cities & villages Project Sponsored by La Design, Gangtok
Understanding Mountain Mobility
Single thread connnectivity of regions
Destinations above and below the road
In contrast to the network of mobility in the plains, mountain settlements are connected to each other by minimum road threads, i.e highways branching into smaller roads like a tap root system. The inclined terrain limits the roads, which cannot reach every desired location. This expands the last mile from the closest road contact to the houses. Furthermore, emerging infrastructure growth in mountain cities has led to multi-storeyed housing, stretching last mile across each level of the building. Pain points of last mile connectivity
On the mountainous last mile, transportation of goods is challenging due to variety of conditions and obstructions, which also makes it unsafe.
This makes livelihood more difficult for the locals, factoring the extra cost and total dependance on hired labour for transporting every heavy purchase.
Concept : A mobility device allowing one to carry goods across last mile in mountain scenario Local Concept Parameters Reduced connectivity leads to reduced resources and production techniques. These limitations helped dictate the use of local resources and craftsmanship. Portability and Repairable mechanisms are advocates of convenience in mobility. Lightweight and high tensile strength material was critical for the task.
x Adaptable x Light
Final Product : Tok Tok Beyond all complex ideations and several prototypes, the most feasible product stood out to be the simplest at it’s core. Tok Tok embodies all the parameters whilst remaining visually interesting. The name is an onomatopoeia of itself when it’s carried downstairs + pays homage to Gangtok, place of it’s origin.
Tok Tok is build using heat bended cane crafted by local bamboo artisans. Minimal frame + strapwork keeps it lightweight and it’s production process easy without compromising strength.
Tok Tok can hold upto 40 kilograms of weight with variable volumes. The cross straps hold most volumes like sacks, cyclinders, cartons, buckets. This mechanism is inspired from the local porters who use a single rope to fasten objects of different volumes.
Tok Tok can be folded and detached from the wheelbase for low storage space. Every component is collapsible to save space.
Tok Tok can be used in an alternate mode like a backpack by disengaging the wheelbase in 3 steps for unrideable terrain. This can prove essential for landslide prone areas + river crossings.
Extended Vision
The potential impact of a mobility product like Tok Tok can benefit various sectors for the mountain economy Food Industry
Due to the increase in tourist inflow in Sikkim, there are a lot of pop up food stalls on the road and during festival events. Tok Tok will facilitate custom made mobile food stalls to increase their productivity.
Health Sector
Most of the homes in Sikkim do not have access to roads and most of the time patients have to be carried physically to the nearest road, especially in rural areas. Tok Tok can be specially developed to cater to this last mile problem.
Shopping
Delivery Services
Tok Tok will make the shopping experience easier and productive in market areas of all mountain cities.
Sikkim is also now a part of the digital boom where e-commerce sites like amazon, flipkart and lots of local food delivery services on the rise. Tok Tok will tie up with these delivery serivce industry.
Local Industries
Tourism
The brand will cater to local industries like the Temi Tea sector where carrying the tea to the warehouse is a major logistic problem.
With the increase of tourists coming to Sikkim with lots of luggage, there is a need to cater to their last mile needs in hospitality sector.
Agriculture
Since Sikkim is the first organic state and a lot of the organic produce is in huge demand, Tok Tok will cater to the last mile needs of every farmer in Sikkim.
Construction
With less stress on labour for transporting raw materials, Tok Tok allows users to freely develop real estate away from the main. This could result in a healthier infrastructure pattern with ample of breathing space in future mountain cities.
Additional Projects A concise compilation of projects developed between 2015 - 2018
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CHAKRA BATTERY CHARGER
DIY water turbine combined with set of gears and motor to provide Battery backup for Campers and HIkers
BAMBOO BIKE SCALE MODELS
A re-imagined bike design set exploring form languages using Bamboo’s properties
#WEEKLYDESIGNCHALLENGE
Concept sketches for weekly product ideas challenging functionality and fun factor of products
MOJARI DESIGN FOR MEN
Outcome of a speculative design exercise with RISD faculty Paulo Cardini for Global Futures Lab along with a Short Film titled “2052 - A Love Story”
BICYCLE FRAME DESIGN
A redesign with speculative materials to create striking form factor
RE-FORMED CREATURES
Concept designs of creatures reimagined to explore forms types for living creatures
The world of products is expanding and exploring rapidly. As a believer of energy harvesting within everything, the choices to create and shape future objects of purpose are more important now than ever. A grand reward lies in every form that functions and every function that is experienced. Let’s collaborate and contribute to a marvelous future. Thank you for your time and attention.
Would love to exchange thoughts and experiences? Shoot an email at sketchpenguy@gmail.com