Plans for Prototype 3

The last prototype failed, but it was good because I figured out a better direction to move in that is a better way to represent my project. For the next prototype I’m revisiting my pod idea from over break, but looking at ways of making it portable. It will be a system of collapsable hoops, that will nest into each other accordion style.

thumbnails:
 

half scale:

Prototyping Round 2: Failing Miserably….

Last week the prototype was a simple, one layer test of the project in that it was just a sack that put the user into fetal position. A lot of the criticism revolved around the fact that the sack was too reminiscent of S&M with the straps to force the user into a certain position.

For this round I built a quarter scale prototype to test internal structure as well as make a sack without the unintentional S&M references. First I started out by constructing an internal structure out of cardboard and ribbon:
1) Sketching

2) The front portion put together

3) I used one of my mother’s spare dolls as the test model, and built the support around the doll

4) Then I made the sack part of the prototype

5) A video of it all coming together….

 

This prototype failed on all levels. I realized it’s going to be much more difficult to build such a complicated internal structure that can be incorporated into the sack, and still maintain a certain ease of use and portability. Back to sketching phase…

Prototyping Round 1…Putting it together

This was a first attempt at making a womb sack/bag (haven’t refined the wording…). All I could find in my parents’ house was an old Popples sleeping bag, which is child size, so I attached an old sweatshirt for now.

1) Sewing the strap with the claw clasp onto the hood of the sweathshirt

 2) with the sleeping bag

3) Pinning the bag onto the sweatshirt

 4) All attached

5) D-rings on the knee strap

6) Attached hood to knee

7) Final position, side view

Exhibition Project Concept

 

First, some conceptual sketches of the final product I plan to implement for the thesis exhibition. The portable womb bag/sack provides a safe environment for the user, which shields them from the realties and expectation of adulthood. 

New project Goals:

1. Address the negative consequences of the self-esteem movement
2. Express the impact it has had on me and my peers
3. Add to the current, or spark new dialogue about children and self-esteem

This project is intended to be satirical, and to make certain commentary about the millennial generation, not to create a product that would necessarily be used in real life.

Week 03 Progress Report Presentation

The second week of school ended up be more of an analytical week than expected, and I was forced to revisit not only the goals of my project, but my research as well. I have finalized a concept and I’m begun implementation of prototypes on a smaller scale. Below is a link to this weeks presentation:

Week 03 Presentation

Rough Ideas…

So I’m looking at protective gear, objects that already exist (see the diagram from previous post), and exploring how they can be translated into the language of designer objects. The challenge is converting the familiar into absurd, abstract pieces….here’s what I started with (keep in mind these are jumping off points, and future prototypes will develop from these ideas):

1) The unisex cod piece/girdle….this contraption is meant to be worn as a way of protecting the groin/stomach area. 

 

Feedback from the first presentation suggested that the products didn’t actually protect in any way, or actually address areas where we feel the ego. However, I think this product protects areas that humans feel insecure about, thus contributing to ego/self-esteem issues (in this case women’s stomachs, hence the girdle, or penis size for men, hence the oversized cup). Therefore this technically still falls into protective gear for the ego because it protects areas that have a direct effect on how we feel about ourselves (self-esteem).

2) the inflatable helmet (inflate to whatever size wearer feels is necessary)

 

This product protects and maintains a big head…as with the first one, it is still a very obvious, non-subtle commentary…like I said works in progress, rough ideas that are the start of an iterative cycle

Second Semester Kick-Off Presentation

I’ll go through and post some relevant things, like documentation of prototyping, conceptual advancements, etc….

Here is the link to my presentation

Sorting through it

I’m finally in a more concise, focused, coherent place with my concept and have finally figured out what I want my project to convey. I’ve gone from an array of behavioral issues, and pinpointed the cause of the behaviors themself: insecurity. Millennials’ egos have become over-inflated as a way of overcompensating for insecurities they have about self-worth, due to years of empty praise and undeserving ego-boosting to create and preserve false self-esteem. Whatever products I make for thesis must combat this insecurity, but do so under the guise of something else, a high-end designer object.

However, I’m still having some creative issues. The ego and self-esteem are intangible, amorphous feelings, and I’m not quite sure yet what those feelings look like in physical form. I started with the whole body, and considered parts that need protection, what the existing gear looks like, and how it functions.

 

I’ve narrowed the areas of interest to the head, chest & groin (for now), and I’ve been sketching, going first to the obvious things, and then attempting to move past that. The resulting products must be merged and brought into the language of high end fashion to serve a dual functionality to project an image of material wealth & therefore subsequent importance, while providing security for the ego….

Moving along

I’m assuming those of you who actually read my blog have determined at this point that this process called thesis has taken me on quite a journey during winter break.

Having shifted focus from the behaviors themselves, to why they are socially detrimental has shed new light on my project, and ultimately given me a new perspective on the topic. I went back to the beginning (iterative cycle anyone?) and reanalyzed Noam Toran and Dunne & Raby, not what they did, but HOW they did.  What do their projects accomplish? What is the deeper message? 

Once I had pulled my precedents apart by breaking each project down into its most simple parts, I retackled my topic, this time thinking about the meaning of objects. I started thinking about what the objects represent, and what are the neurosis of the millennial generation? As per a recommendation from my advisor I also started to consider prosthetics and psychotherapy.

link to full size file  explain_diagram

Now I had to play with the idea of what is secure? Whatever I make has to interpret the psychological shortcomings of the millennial generation in a physical format. I wrote down  several methods or objects that are used to secure something. From there I went with a harness (ties into the idea of fetishism…maybe too literally) idea, and started sketching a harness that could be used to secure the ego. This round of sketching went from hiking harnesses, to protective aspects of superheroes costumes (over inflated egos…it seemed fitting), and protective chest gear for sports and sparring. Eventually I came up with the idea of creating protective gear for the ego, that could be worn, turning ego protection into a wearable object, much like what millennials do already with their designer safety shields. 

Sketches below

More sketches to come…

Pod Project

This untitled project is a mixed media art piece that comments on the inability of sheltered, millennial narcissists to cope with the realities of adulthood and the job place. 

Essentially the pod is used to protect and shelter the user by providing a womb-like environment where the user can escape the pressures of life in a safe space. Because the millennial ego is fragile, yet over inflated, they [the millennials] cannot handle criticism, nor being denied something they feel entitled to. To prevent confrontation and tantrums, employers may provide their employees with the pods to keep workers happy, unthreatened, less insecure, more productive, better rested, and promote job loyalty.

The diagram above shows how the pod will force the user into fetal position, which is the natural womb position, and also physiologically a safe position. It also displays some of the design issues to keep in mind when constructing the structure, which may or may not something audience can interact with. (shape and concept sketches to come soon)

This concept was based on several articles I have read regarding millennial behavior in the workplace, where employers talked about the downside of hiring millennials, admitting that in order to maintain a professional working environment they have learned how to accommodate the millennials. However, I believe that is extremely negative as this generation has had adults cater to them constantly since a very young age.