habits and behavioural change

From looking at the act of ironing, I have been creating prototypes based on behavioural habits and familiar methods of interaction. A common method of ironing is using hair straighteners I adopted this trait into to an alternative ironing form. I also have been experimenting with using the iron in a more casual way, such as how we use a computer mouse, encouraging a more informal attitude as opposed to having to stand up.

Handheld Habits

I am currently looking at at how our behaviour impacts the products we use, along with how our habits can either enhance or damage hand held appliances.  A common trait in hand held appliances is wrapping the cord around the unit, resulting in damage.

Chair Bodging

In September, myself and three of my friends went chair bodging in Gloucestershire for six days. It was good fun, and involved the use of a pole lathe, shaving horse and various niche hand tools. The wood used for the legs and bracing is ash, and the seat is poplar. I decided to make a variation of an armchair, and with some resistance came to terms with the fact it was never going to be perfect.

Paul Hayden greenwood courses

its been a while...

During summer I spent 5 weeks travelling around Thailand and Vietnam. Heres some things that caught my eye.

Metal Spinning in Milan

I reckon the best thing I saw at Milan was this man metal spinning. We stumbled across this man in in a workshop in Zona Tortona, the process was really mesmerising. He kindly spun a small brass vessel and gave it to me, the vast amount of tools he had to achieve different effects was really impressive. He produced quite intricate decorative pieces in this workshop, for example pieces for churches.

Bronze Casting

Here are a couple of photos of bronze casting that I watched some fine art students do in the workshop a couple of weeks ago. It is such a mesmerising and thorough process, that I can't wait to have a go at!

Continental Tyres

Our current project is a promotional product for Continental Tyres. They require us to focus on safety, and family. We have taken the family orintated values of the brand and applied this to swimming, through the creation of a swim kit for families that makes the experience of getting changed slighty less stressful and more organised. I have currently been experimenting with casting rubber in the workshop, until I have some snaps of this heres a few images of the Continental factory in Hannover which I was lucky enough to visit!

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/automobile/general/home/index_en.html