Northwards Design Studio

H1N1 & Data Stream

2009

Open Design for TEN XYZ at 100% Design

Introduction
TEN XYZ saw TEN work with digital manufacturing technologies to present perspective on sustainable issues within the design industry.

Chris designed a series of appendages to work with existing objects that may have been discarded or broken in an attempt to extend their functioning lives. The digital files were then available for download for members of the public to use and adapt for their own needs.

The concept was for to introduce members of the public to the idea to online 'manufacturing-on-demand' resources such as Ponoko and Shapeways (who also supported the project) to fix and adapt objects, rather than purchasing mass-manufactured replacements.

TEN XYZ won a Blueprint / 100% Design Silver Award for Best Stand.

Design
H1N1 is a broken, but functioning, USB key attached to a rapid prototyped Stainless Steel ring. The rings form is developed from images of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. The size of the USB key made a ring the obvious choice,and with the H1N1 virus so a topical at at the time, the metaphorical links between the subjects helped the design progress quite quickly.

At the time, the printing of stainless steel was a relatively new phenomenon on the shapeways website. The aim was to make an object that was precious, and quite complex, with the feel of an investment cast. A physical a reminder to back up your data and beware of viruses.

USB keys are ubiquitous, but eventually break from over usage. Data Stream revitalises a USB key that was used solely for moving information from laptop to desktop. USB ports are hidden behind the screen of the 24 inch iMac, so it is easy to leave a USB key in the machine.

Data is all around us, moving in waves, penetrating us yet invisible. In this object, as well as tackling the idea of personal problem solving using digital fabricaiton, I wanted to make information visible. Laser sintered 1's and 0's (manufacured using shapeways) represent the binary code, bits and bytes that are held within the USB key, and turns it into a scultural desktop object when not in use. A physical reminder to remember your data.


download the .STL file of the H1N1 Ring for free under a creative commons licence.



H1N1 Ring by Chris Jackson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 3.0 New Zealand License. Based on a work at www.northwards-design.co.uk.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at www.northwards-design.co.uk.


download the .STL file of Data Stream for free under a creative commons licence.



Data Stream by Chris Jackson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 3.0 New Zealand License. Based on a work at www.northwards-design.co.uk.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at www.northwards-design.co.uk.