Isokon Donkey Project - Research Report

ISOKON DONKEY PROJECT Wiktoria Kijowska

BRIEF Design and manufacture to a high quality prototype stage, a specific furniture typology - the portable free-standing storage form - as typified by the Penguin Donkey, suitable for current lifestyles. The design must be able to be produced using the technology of CNC routing, although you may choose to make your donkey prototype using gigs, where necessary, and hand-routing machines.

ISOKON PENGUIN DONKEY This unique piece of furniture has been around for many decades and it is still valued today. With three different editions of it being made, different design problems as well as needs have been solved. I think that this piece of furniture might not be a necessity within an interior space, however once you have it you would not want to give it back. The extra storage space is useful and the flat top that is present on two of the donkeys can act as a ‘table top’ or a foot stool, creating more than one function for this piece.

WHAT IS THE ISOKON PENGUIN DONKEY? The Penguin Donkey was designed to hold the new type of paperbacks being published by Penguin, which for the first time made quality literature available to a wide public for the price of a pack of ten cigarettes.

At the time high-quality literature was only available as expensive hardback books.

The bookcase was named the ‘Penguin Donkey’ because its design resembles a pair of panniers sat on four legs. The panniers act as shelving to carry the books while the central slot is used to store newspapers and magazines.

Each one of the 3 donkey designs had a different idea in mind; the original donkey was designed so that the Penguin books would perfectly fit into it. The Mark 2 donkey was designed so that it could also be used a s a chairside table and store more penguin books. The newest one included passion for space, with reference to the functional aspects of design they strive to find solutions to everyday problems.

ISOKON PENGUIN DONKEY designed by: Egon Riss

1939

dimensions: 600L × 420W × 430H mm finish: birch

ISOKON PENGUIN DONKEY MARK 2 designed by: Ernest Race

DONKEY 3

1963

dimensions: 535L × 400W × 395H mm finish: white with cherry legs

dimensions: 600L × 350W × 410H mm designed by: Shin & Tomoko Azumi 2003 finish: birch with pale grey legs

ABOUT ISOKON The company was founded in 1931 by Jack Prichard and then later run by Chris McCourt, who engaged Isokon Plus.

Prichard wanted Isokon to make houses, flats furniture and fittings in units and the name Isokon is a contraction of ‘Isometric Unit Construction’.

Bauhaus exiles created pieces for ISOKON such as the Long Chair created by Marcel Bruer and Egon Riss’ famous Penguin Donkey.

The company mostly specialises in plywood furniture, creating pieces that cannot be compared to any other high quality company out there. They are one of a kind with, the Penguin Donkey proving this.

KEY PARTS OF THE DONKEY - THINGS THAT MY DESIGN MUST CONSIDER

From my ISOKON donkey analysis I have identified key aspects of their design that they all have and should be included in my donkey design to make it successful and fit in with the brief. The key points are:

- no space within it can be wasted - functional - easy to pick up (handles) - made out of plywood/ MDF - limited size (ideally no bigger than 600 x 420 x 430) - flat top

MIND MAP

ARTS and crafts STORAGE IDEAS

Target market

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS/ STUDENTS My donkey design will be aimed at those interested in art and design. As this area is so broad it could be used by anyone, no matter on their age, however I am going to focus on young professionals/ students.

The donkey is a small storage unit, which could easily fit in a home office, bedroom or even small student dorm.

Art and design students posses a lot of arts and crafts objects that can become hard to keep tidy and in an organised way. Creating a donkey with compartments dedicated for a variety of objects could help them keep more organised. This would also improve their accessibility to those objects as they would be out on display and easy to find.

SKETCHES The first step during the designing process was to sketch out some ideas. I have started off with looking back on the original ISOKON designs, and see how these could influence my own. Once I had a rough idea of what I wanted to store within my donkeys I have divided this into different categories; architecture, design, and fashion/textiles. This has helped me to list the things that each of the people interested in these subjects would store and need. When these lists were completed I could make one list of all the things that were repeated and all of them needed. This process helped me to narrow down the things that needed to be stored within my donkey.

Having a clear list of things that needed to be stored within it, enabled me to design enough compartments to store all of them in and make it organised.

MODELLING Creating 1:10 scale models was the next step. Since donkeys have a complex shape in a way that each side of them is different, completing small scale models gave me a better understand of what they would look like compared to if I was going to draw them. Once my favourite design has been selected, I have created a 1:1 cardboard model to figure out whether the sizes were accurate and other aspects of my design that needed to be changed or improved.

I have began by creating models based on the original donkeys (especially versions 2 and 3). These turned out to be very blocky and square which was not what I wanted to create. I have also played around with some aspects of the design that donkey 1 has which is the small gab in the middle of it which is later used to store magazines. Completing this particular model has allowed me to learn that the gap between the two panels that create the legs is extremely important as it decides whether the product will be stable or not; which in this case it wasn’t.

To ‘soften’ the look of the blocky designs I have added handles going through the top panel. The panel with the handles would also act as the legs, but this design proved to be unsuccessful as there was not enough space in the side compartments. After these few experimental ideas, I knew I wanted my donkey design to be round, with curves and not have any sharp edges; I did not want it to be blocky. I have kept the two panels to act as the legs as well as back panels as I thought the angled look was aesthetically pleasing. Within the donkey, I have created compartments big enough to store both A4 and A5 sheets. In addition, I wanted to create a space where the user would be able to slot papers in within the bungee elastics. The same bungee elastics could be used on the side of the donkey to utilise this space.

Another compartment that I tried to create is one with the dowels acting as hooks where the user would be able to hang objects such as scissors. This would help the user to keep their belongings in a more organised way. After feedback received, this idea proved to be too specific and therefore would not be used in my further developments. To utilise the space on the other side of the donkey, I have come up with a pouch idea; which could possibly be detachable to enable the user to have a choice.

A previous problem that was identified was the gap in between the two panels. To find a way in which this space could be used, I have tried to create a compartment between them, however this created problems, such as ones that questioned how much space would actually be created this way and the accessibility of it.

I have also done the opposite of the previous design and tried to create storage in between the two panels from above (being inspired by the design of donkey 1). This design was also unsuccessful as it meant that there wouldn’t be a lot of flat space left on the top and the accessibility of the compartment was also an issue. Within the models on this page, I have experimented with the storage solutions that could be found on the side panels. Some of them (such as the box attached to the side) made the donkey feel bulky and others made it seem organised while also adding different materials and textures to it (the bungee elastic panel).

By adding new plywood panels to the donkey to create more compartments, the design became ‘heavy’ looking and lost it’s original form of being curvaceous and simple. I have also played around with the fabric detachable compartment to which elastic could be added so that it would snap to the side panel (opening and closing mechanism). From the feedback received I have been advised to play around with different shapes of the side panels to see what effect they had on the overall appearance. Some of them didn’t allow enough room for the handle and some made the overall size of the donkey too big. Creating a 1:1 model would help to find out more about the scale of each of the compartments.

1:1 MODEL - VERSION 1

The sizing of this 1:1 model proved to be accurate and worked well in terms of the things that needed to be fit inside of them. There was enough space for the user to put in A4 as well as A5 sheets and any other art and design related products. There was however, some excess space in the compartments for A4 and A5 which meant that I could shorten the length of the donkey to make it more compact. From the feedback received I have found out that the shape of the side panels needs to be changed as they resemble too much the donkey’s body shape.

side panel - shape development I have created a variety of different side panel shapes that I could then work from and develop into a more refined ideas. I wanted to stick with the idea of rounded edges as this shape would link in with the shapes of all of my other components.

Moving away from the shape of an animal’s body was difficult as any rounded shape with two legs looked like that, but once I have elongated the body of it, it started to take better shape which played well with the inside compartments.

To get a better understanding in 3D of what this new side panel shape would look like I have created another 1:1 scale model. From completing this I have found out that this shapes worked well with all of the other measurements and that there was enough space for a handle which was an important aspect of the design for an easy transport. The rounded edges of the side panel needed to be refined so that they were all more cohesive (i.e. ensure that their radii were similar which later has been done in Solidworks).

side panel - bungee elastic position development The side panel storage idea is a key aspect of my design, therefore it was important for me to figure out a correct way to place the bungee elastic on them.

The first design was to just have the elastics going through the panels in a straight line, however after I tested it out there were some problems with it. The gap in the panel that is aimed at rolled up pieces, meant that the piece would have to go through both of the elastics which could potentially be an inconvenience. The same idea goes for the other panel with more elastic bungees where they stationary is supposed to slide in. Changing the position of the elastics to make them into a cross shape would create more support for the objects that are slotted in and would also improve the overall aesthetic of the side panels.

1:1 model - version 2

This 1:1 model is of my final design. Within it I have included the panels with the elastics to see how they would look with the rest of my design. I have also changed the overall length of the donkey as a development of my first 1:1 model. The interior design of it stayed the same, however I have shortened the length of the A4 compartment, therefore shortening the whole length of the donkey.

Creating this final 1:1 model helped me to finalise my design and figure out what aspects of it need a careful consideration when completing the Solidworks model.

HANDLE DEVELOPMEnt

My donkey needs to be easy to transport therefore a handle is an essential aspect of its design.

I have created a sheet that included a variety of different sized handle holes which then could be tested by potential users. This helped me to better understand the aspect of ergonomics and ensured that the size of the handle hole of my donkey would be comfortable for a wide range of consumers.

1.

2.

3.

Even though creating the different sized hole handles on one piece of paper was a good initial idea, to get better test I have printed out the shape of the panel with different sized handles. By doing this I was able to get people to test out what it they would feel like with the curvature of the panels.

The final handle dimensions: 30mm x 90 mm

manufacturE

- side panels have been cut out using the CNC - the base of my donkey has been made using the method of lamination using aeroply - to join all of the pieces together I have used domino joints with PVA glue

EVALUATION OF MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING METHODS PLYWOOD

This is a material that is easy to cut, machine and finish. Its appearance is aesthetically pleasing, therefore does not need painting, but instead can just be covered in wax/ varnish. The visible side grain also adds to its overall appearance.

CNC MANUFACTURING

It gave very accurate results, however the CAD drawings needed to be completed before hand. The CAD needed to have all of the correct measurements and shapes to ensure that the components were cut out correctly. It was important to check that all of the lines are connected and the radii are set as any small missed out details would be clearly visible in the cut out shape.

LAMINTING

This method of manufacture was key for my design as the base of my donkey is rounded. The process of laminating was simple, however it was important that the mould shape was accurate. The mould needed to be correctly sanded down to ensure that the final laminate will be smooth. Excess material also needed to be considered when cutting up sheets of aeroply as they would later need to be cut off to achieve smooth, even edges.

DOMINO JOINTS

These joints are durable and strong, however difficult to make them accurate. The measuring out and lining up process proved to be challenging. Ensuring that the holes for the joints are lined up in both parts is difficult and needs to be checked multiple times before the holes have been cut.

FINAL DESIGN The design donkey has been designed to act as a small plywood storage unit in which the user is able to store their most needed arts and design products.

It includes sections dedicated to A4 and A5 sheets, shelf which is high enough for paint pots and glue sticks as well as a rounded base compartment in which the user can store objects such as pens, rulers and tapes.

Additional storage is created on the side panels with the use of bungee elastic. On one of the side panels the user is able to store rolled up objects such as magazines or cutting mats and on the other objects such as stationary and notes.

The side panels extend above the flat top to provide the user with two handles for easier transportation of the donkey. The flat top acts as a surface on which the user can complete some quick work or use as additional storage space.

The rounded base links well with the shape of the side panels and continues the curvaceousness of the whole product.

FRONT

side

500

plan

450

all measurements in mm 560

EVALUATION

WHAT WENT WELL AND WHAT DID I LEARN? - Throughout this project I was able to keep to a strict time plan, especially when the parts of my donkey needed to be cut using the CNC before Christmas. I was able to organise my time well and complete all of the tasks on time.

- During this project I have learnt how to quickly create accurate 1:10 models to test out my ideas. I have learnt that modelling is an important part of the process as it allows you to better understand your ideas and gives you an opportunity to test them out as if they are not going to work as a small scale model they will not work in a 1:1 scale as well.

- In addition, I have improved my Solidoworks skills during the process of creating my CAD drawings needed for the CNC machine. In order for some of my donkey components to be accurately cut I needed to ensure that all of my CAD drawings have been created accurately and are the right size.

-During the manufacturing stage of this project I have learnt how to use the domino jointer as I decided to join all of my pieces together using the domino joints.

WHAT WERE THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND THE SOLUTIONS TO THEM? - Developing the side panel shapes after I have received feedback that it looks like a ‘donkey’s body’ was difficult as all of the new shapes I’ve come up with looked similar and resembled the shape of an animal’s body. However, instead of doing paper cut outs, I have tried to use Solidworks to play around with different shapes and radii sizes and doing this has helped me to solve this problem.

- Creating accurate holes for the domino joints proved to be difficult. Ensuring that the holes in both pieces that go together line up was difficult and some of them did not match up perfectly. This meant that I had to sand down the dominoes in order for the two pieces to fit correctly.

- Since some of the domino joints weren’t 100% accurate, lining up all of the pieces during the gluing process was a challenge. The sliding of some of the pieces with glue already on them meant that the glue spread on areas that would later be visible. To fix this problem I have cleaned off the still wet glue with a cloth and sanded off the remaining parts that were left to dry.

FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS To further improve my donkey, I would possibly think of a way in which the curved base of it could become more organised. In this design the user can just ‘throw’ things into it, however this method can become messy after a while, therefore coming up with a new part or a way in which this compartment would stay more organised would be beneficial for the user. In addition, I would improve the way in which it has been manufactured and tried to be more accurate with the domino joints to ensure all of the parts join together in the right places.

2019