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Sarah O’SellSophomore ID II, May 2013osells@students.wwu.eduhttp://www.behance.net/sarahosell

REDO Project GoalUse the form knowledge gained from the first few weeks of Sophomore ID II to redesign a project from Sophomore ID I by incorporating the following concepts;

- Proportions- Visual Contrast & Tension- Expression- Balance- Negative Space- Curves- Beauty and Function

Of the projects from Sophomore ID I, my polystyrene spatula could benefit most from form theory. Though the object is intriguing in its expression, not much thought went into creating a symbiotic functional beauty. The analysis on the following page highlights and critiques the various form elements for further design development. For definition, “blade” refers to the food handling portion, the part at the foreground of the bottom photo to the right, while “handle” is where the user holds the spatula, the arched receding portion.

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Polystyrene spatula design from Sophomore ID I

An

alysis 3

ProportionsOverall, the spatula has good comparative proportion in terms of spatula blade and handle size. For inherent proportions, there is a clear dominance in the length dimension, as well as the planar weight of the blade. Subdominance appears in the width dimension and pointed shape at the end of the handle. The thickness of the polystyrene creates a subordinate relationship in terms of perceived lines, while the middle piece connecting the handle to the blade is a subordinate form.

Negative SpaceThere are three negative spaces created within this object; beneath the arc of the spatula’s handle, the concave area of the spatula blade, and the slim wedge of air beneath the blade. Of these, the most exciting is the area beneath the blade, due to the tension it creates with the counter surface. Space was not something that was consciously thought of in this spatula’s creation. The spaces above the blade and beneath the handle both seem to dissolve quickly and do not engage the viewer.

ExpressionOne of my goals for this spatula was to capture the swift motion of a spatula in use. The dominant arc shape portrays the initial movement of the spatula from an airy, upward tilted position, downward into a pan. Points throughout the handle relate to the jabbing motion of scooping food with the concave scoop of the spatula blade.

Visual Contrast & TensionMuch of the beauty of this form comes from the repetition of a pointed, triangular element along the length axis. Though appealing, it does not challenge the eye visually in terms of a dynamic composition. Some tension is created with the cutouts and decidedly unbent tips at the joining point between the blade and handle, however it is reduced by the equal weight of thetriangular point of the smaller, joining handle element.

CurvesIn side profile, there is a very dominant parabolic curve in the handle, which is contrasted by a line with an upward direction in the blade. When the spatula is rotated with the planar side of the blade facing the viewer, the dynamic curves are lost to awkward angles and the spatula becomes uninteresting. The curves at this view are slight and static in terms of being a line which starts and stops with the convex ridge of the spatula blade near its connection with the handle.

Beauty and FunctionWith this spatula, my focus for the design was to create an object that captured my personal fascination in the beauty of cooking. A major part of that beauty is in the tools used. It was a conscious decision not to focus much on developing function, with the idea that I could create something more abstract and intriguing. The current design is fragile where durability is an important cook-ware factor. It is spacious and would require special storage, as well as appearing to be potentially pokey and cumbersome to use. Now I realize that beautiful form is a sidekick to function, that they are both necessary in creating a superior object over one that focuses on visual appeal or utility alone.

BalanceThe spatula rests on a counter at two touch points, creating dependent balance. Both points are brief, giving the spatula a lighter, more energetic feel, one that conveys the object is meant to be lifted up off the counter.

Flat-Pack Spatula ConceptThis improved spatula easily folds and snaps together from a flat piece of polypropylene plastic. It is ideal for storage conscious situations including home kitchen, picnic, and backpacking use.

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1. Unfolded, flat 2. Partially folded, color indication 3. Folded, snaps maintain form

Images left to right:Unfolds flat for backpack storage

Use as a picnic serverKitchen use for baked goods

Solu

tion

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Current Spatula MarketSpatulas for sale today consist primarily of high heat (400-450*F) resistant silicone or nylon coated designs, as well as plastic, metal, and wood. Most have similar form, however have different sized blades for varying functions, as shown in the images to the right.

Initial research was materials-based, since I was still inspired by my process from my Sophomore I spatula; using paper folding as inspiration for the form. My impression from holding various models was that:

- Wood feels very comfortable yet stable, and seems good for the handle since it does not touch food, resulting in possible stain. - Metal leaves a sleek and strong impression, yet feels cold. It might be good for the highly stressed connection point between handle and blade.- Plastic, silicone, and nylon give the idea of functionality. They appear to be the most popular spatula material for their dishwasher and non-stick pan safe qualities, meaning the would be good materials for the blade.

Extensive internet searches found the origami-inspired Bamboo Spoon by Michael Sholk. This is a neat idea, but ap-pears to be made for the sake of creating an origami spoon, not functionality. I decided to look into other alternative uses of origami for inspiration.

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Clockwise from top left:IMUSA Three Piece Bamboo

Cooking Tools SetGood Cook Medium Flex Nylon

TurnerOrigami Bamboo Spoon by

Michael SholkKitchenAid Short Turner

Rese

arch

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Elisa Strozykis a German artisan who creates wooden textiles. They use wood as a surface which can be manipulated by touch. Construction con-sists of deconstructing wood into pieces, which are then arranged and attached to a textile base. I like how these challenge what a blanket can and should be, and that they encourage engagement. Blankets are things with the purpose of keeping someone warm, and aren’t usually valued for playful qualities. She has also discovered that the triangular shape is the most moveable, and that the isosceles is the most versatile triangle.

“The world around us is becoming increasingly immaterial, and highlighting surfaces that are desirable to touch can reconnect us with the material world and enhance the emotional value of an object... It is crucial to aim for a closer relationship between subject and object.”

Information: Dupon, Olivier. The New Artisans: Handmade Designs for Contemporary Living. London: Thames & Hudson, 2011. Print.

Issey Miyakeis a Japanese fashion designer who challenged himself with his 132.5 collection to produce a garment with a single sheet of fabric. This stems from the idea of a social responsibility for the environment. Miyake worked with a software engineer to develop a design program which developed both 2D and 3D cuts and folds at the same time. He created 10 pattens which fold flat when not in use. They are revolutionary in use of polyester from PET drinking bottles, which reduce carbon emissions by 80% versus traditional polyester production. The idea that these dress forms compact into a two dimensional piece is a direct take from the paper origins of origami, and something I want to incorporate into my design.

Information: Cameron, Kristi. “The Art of the Fold.” MetropolisMag.com. Metropolis Magazine, 15 Mar. 2011. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.

Progression of FormKeeping function in mind

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The initial origami form reflects original Sophomore ID I spatula What is a spatula? Something used to scoop other objects

Reproducing the form The original hand drawn pattern, then the revised Adobe Illustrator version Found strong material: Polypropylene

Cut pieces for moveability does not work. Improving comfort and grip on handle form by adding triangles to expand design

Idea

tion

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What is a handle? Something for a hand to control the spatula scoop motion An interesting yet stable form

Unsuccessful attempts to emulate silicone with Plastidip spray and Gesso Flat pack idea: Mandrill used to fasten

Marking out snap locations for assembly First snap experiment unsuccessful due to glue and snap type

Different snaps, glue, and color identification to ease assembly

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Evalu

ate

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REDO Project GoalUse the form knowledge gained from the first few weeks of Sophomore ID II to redesign a project from Sophomore ID I by incorporating the following concepts;

- Proportions- Visual Contrast & Tension- Expression- Balance- Negative Space- Curves- Beauty and Function

As compared in the image to the left, there is a huge increase in form knowledge from my original Sophomore ID I spatula to my current design for Sophomore ID II. There are various proportional relationships, with the fan movement created by the color as dominant, the spatula blade concave space subdominant, and the snaps being subordinate. Further relationships continue with the order the eye perceives each plane, as well as the distinct XYZ axis system which gives the spatula stability.

Visual contrast appears with the use of color and texture in the plastic of the spatula and snaps. Tension is created in the slight gap where the snaps meet, and draws the eye in.

The expression of this spatula versus the previous design is one that still captures the excitement of cooking, given the puzzle-assembly factor, but also one that achieves a more stable and tranquil stance.

Balance within this object appears to be independent from the photograph to the left, however the spatula transitionsbetween types of balance (dependent, independent, and precarious) throughout its assembly and use. This creates a dynamic interaction with the user.

Negative space is captured in the concave blade scooping area shown in the left image, as well as beneath the hand hold area, shown at right, designating that these are surface areas of importance.

Though made up of linear elements, there is a supporting curve created by the visual path of the viewer’s eye from the blade concavity to the top point, and following the color back to the base.

With this new spatula design, beauty is achieved with the function, in that it is a multi-use object that aids consumers with a primary issue; space. There is beauty in its playfulness, as well as in the repetition and variation of planes within the object. The dynamic form of concave and convex folds encourages interaction and touch, something which I hope to continue to achieve with future designs, described on the following pages.

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Expa

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Further Design & BrandingThe page to the left is from my sketchbook. There is the possibility of expanding the concept of flat pack utensils into a full dining set, increasing the utility of the idea. It would be called “ANGLE Foldware by Sarah O’Sell”, and would be sold as a packaged set with visual folding instructions. The package could potentially become the travel envelope or case for the pieces.

Current flat pack dining products include many dog water bowls. The company, FOZZILS is marketing dog bowls, as well as a basic dining set including a plate, bowl, and cup (image below). These also feature a snap-together design, however other than the novelty of a flat piece becoming three-dimen-sional, usable dinnerware, the form could use improvement. www.fozzils.com

This is something I would like to expand upon by creating more origami-based forms in my ANGLE Foldware series.