PROJECT FRAMES
PROMPTS
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.
