On the 17th of October 2007, I visited M.A.D.E. The Materials and Design Exchange. Its a physical resource library with around 200 different materials to touch, feel and investigate.  By being able to hands on with material allows me as a designer to have a real feel for what the product could be and the limits of the material. If your in London I would recommend checking it out. You need to register via the website, and e-mail in advance to let them know your visiting, but its all FREE!

The guys and gals at the materials institute seemed more than welcome to have any question thrown at them. The more challenging the better for them. I hope to be working closely with the “material people” in the future.

Reading MADE, the magazine from the inssuite. While we wait until we are shown where the materials resource center is.

D30. Shock absorbend material. In putty and padding form.

 A two part injection molding.

A super-light carbon nose cone. From a F1 Car.

There is a huge arrange of synthetic and natural materials available.

Our first project for my 4th year is to create a new sandal for Pentland Brand. We had a briefing from Pentalnd to create an eco-street uni sex sandal. The brief was really left open, I started my research by investigating into the existing market, new materials and current market trends.

Pentland: Overview of Sandals and the footware market.

DISCOVRING HIDDEN PLEASURES IN TECHNOLGOY RELATEDRODUCTS.

An ethnographic study investigating ‘late majorities’ experiences and interactions, with technology-related products in relation to Lionel Tigers framework of pleasure.

I have been working on my dissertation, and have left my theme and topic quite open. I have attached my PDF submission. Watch this space for insights into my ethnography.

The full 3 page dissertation proposal submission.

This is my new desk, the photo was taken with my new Nokia 6120, and uploaded straight to my blog. Isn’t that geeky!