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ArtCenter's 3rd year product design class focuses on social and sustainability factors in design process. The project is currently on exhibit at ArtCenter Student Gallery. *This project is not related to the actual brand Bauhaus and Kaffeform and only used for educational purposes.

TIME

Summer 19

14 Weeks

INSTRUCTORS

Jonathan Abarbanel

Heidrun Mumper-Drumm

In celebration of the Bauhaus’ 100th anniversary, we ask:  

CAN WE STILL APPLY BAUHAUS' ETHOS TO OUR DESIGN NEEDS TODAY?

LOOK THROUGH THE FEATURES...
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN 2019 WITH BAUHAUS? (HOVER OVER IMAGES)

Climate change* - 50%

Natural source depletion*- 21%

GERMANY IS SUFFERING FROM DEFORESTATION 

*as Germany's biggest environmental problems

GERMANY IS SUFFERING FROM DEFORESTATION 

From coal & timber over extraction

(their biggest energy & export).

EXCESSIVE HIGH PRICES

& LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Classic and historical value reverse the purpose for universal design. 

Barcelona chair - $6230

EXCESSIVE HIGH PRICES

& LIMITED AVAILABILITY

BAUHAUS CHESS SET BY JOSEF HARTWIG: ORIGINAL PRODUCT TO REDESIGN 

First designed at the Bauhaus

School Workshop in 1923.

A modern chess set focusing

on one function: movement.

Naef Spiele is known for high craft wooden toys. 

They mass produces it for $368.82 with limited access.

.

PARTS

Pieces

Board

Box

Packaging               

Instruction               

DIMENSIONS
MATERIALS
PARTS

Maple (painted)

Maple (painted)

Maple (painted)

Corrugated boards

Paper (print)

Pieces

Kings & Queens

Board

Box

Board Packaging

Box Packaging

Instruction               

1" x 1" x 1"

1" x 1" x 2"

12" x 12" x 2 1/8"

15" x 4" x 2"

12" x 12" x 2 1/8"

15"x 4"x 2"

Letter

CURRENT USER PERSONA

ALAN 

30, Hong Kong

Art Collector

Background

High income, lives in modern & accessible area.

Values

Beauty, quality craftsmanship, and financial value.

Frustations

Availability, collector competitions, originality.

WHY THIS PRODUCT WAS CHOSEN

SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES

Uses virgin solid wood

 

Any imperfect materials are thrown out (wasteful) 

 

Contributes to Germany's deforestation problems.

BAUHAUS ISSUES

Highly priced for its scale

 

Treated like art / decor

Bauhaus' intention was to be functional & to reach mass users.

DESIGN CHALLENGE

Despite the issues, it uses single bio material, has low footprint & long lifespan. 

 

What else can we do to make it better?

LOOK THROUGH THE LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS..
BIGGEST FINDINGS

6.366 

OKALA SCORE*

*Measures a product's sustainable

impacts from first raw materials

to end of life.

Toxic process. Paint and industrial paper 

   uses toxic chemicals.

✓ Explosive + drilling is used for coal

   extractions. Paint is coal based. 

Inefficient heavy transports back and forth

   between Germany & Switzerland.

 

Unclear end of life design.

 

✓ High water usage & unused wood chips waste

   from logging.

A NEW DESIGN GOAL & DIRECTION

SUSTAINABILITY GOALS 

Remove paint & coal based materials / use

Reduce / remove virgin tree based materials / use

Reduce transport processes & impacts

BAUHAUS GOALS

☐Less is more: reduce volume / weight / surface

Encourage user to play 

& actually use the product

SOCIAL GOALS

Remove toxic processes that impact the workers

 

More attainable for everyone without compromising quality

ORIGINAL VALUES

TO KEEP

Heirloom quality. To be passed down / long lasting

Single natural material

Simple and modern

NEW USER PERSONA

JOY

36, Bonn

Historian, Mother of 2

Background

Medium income, lives in small city

Values

Product with a story, experience with family, price for quality.

Frustations

No time and cost for taking care of every product she has at home, limited space.

100 EARLY EXPLORATIONS..