Posts (page 2)

We had a bit of a brain storm to come up with some products which could be developed to translate the ideals that we have discovered about the DIY style.
We have decided that it would be quite possible to have a product which represents another aspect of NZ culture at the same time as representing the DIY/ resourceful aesthetic.

Product generation

This is the second of our two panels - thought we would practice what we preach and construct a board with many essential element of ad hoc DIYing.

Mood board 2

This post contains a link to our presentation, as hosted on Slideshare.com. I tried to embed a widget, which worked, but I couldn't format the shape of the widget, so all you get is a long thin box which means you can't see the whole presentation! Widget schmidget!

Please click on the link below, and then navigate through the slides.

New Zealand Style Presentation

Here we have the first of out two presentation panels  - we have  gathered together images which tell the story of the DIY culture in NZ, focusing on the origins of this cultural phenomena. This panel explains how it has developed from necessity through to becoming a strong suit of ours and the birth of many ground breaking innovations.

DIY history mood board copy

After doing the research to date I think it is becoming clear that what distinguishes kiwi ingenuity is the way that we use resources at hand in a inventive way to solve problems, often not creating the most aesthetically pleasing solution but always  conveying a satisfying  resourcefulness and often a outcome with plenty of character to make you smile.

As area for inspiration we can research is around our own houses and the houses of friends and family to locate great examples to ad hoc solutions to problems by other people.

The diesel mechanic that owned my car before me installed this beautiful piece of equipment for electric windows - that is all the windows except the drivers doo (you can reach that one no problems).

DSC03581

DSC03579

An outdoor table some keen NZ'er has thrown together almost entirely with full and half rounds.

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This is an elegant  solution  for a lockable cabinet  which appealed to me -  I think the cabinet was a kit set wardrobe , the lock a bar and padlocks:

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Sir William Hamilton - Enables boats to travel in shallow rivers with the first water jet system.

1954 - William's first jetboat was a 3.6 meter (12 foot) plywood hull with a 100 E Ford engine, and the jet a centrifugal type pump.

Sir William Chronology

This is a brief collection of examples of the No. 8 Wire/DIY/"Can Do" attitude that is so celebrated in New Zealand.

These are initial thoughts, to be edited and extended.

John Britten. Built his own award winning motorcycle, pretty much by himself, in his garage. See http://www.britten.co.nz/history/history.html

Bert Munroe, "The World's Fastest Indian". Herbert James Munro set the under-1000 cc world motorcycle land speed record—which still stands—in 1967 at Bonneville Salt Flats with a self-modified Indian motorcycle. His effort to set the record is the basis of the motion picture The World's Fastest Indian (2005), starring Anthony Hopkins.

http://www.indianmotorbikes.com/features/munro/munro.htm

Junkyard sculpture. Heaps of people make sculpture out of assorted scrap, mostly metals and corrugated iron

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Letterboxes. It is quite common to see people using an old microwave or vacuum cleaner as their letter box. Why pay money for a cheap and nasty plastic alternative when you have something that will do the job perfectly that would otherwise just be thrown away?

Possums are regarded as pests in New Zealand. The Naked Possum in Golden Bay, South Island, makes lamps, cushions, nipple warmers, and all sorts of other assorted goodies out of Possum furs.

We have identified traditions, cultural phenomena and historical practices which first come to mind when thinking about the NZ culture:

Traditions

• Outdoor eating
• Beach weddings
• Hungi/Umu
• Family camping
• Outdoor games

• Swimming in the surf
• Dark films
• Dark fashion
• Natural Modernism
• Long Drops
• Thrill Seeking
• Swan dry pattern

From this list we highlighted the particular areas which we find interesting and with potential for product development with knowledge built in about the NZ culture.
The areas we focussed on are

beach outings - our beaches are unique, and we have created a unique way of enjoying them, for example the west coast beaches near Auckland tend to involve a long hall across HOT black sand before getting to your destination.

dark fashion - Our top fashion houses have generally lead us to trends of subdued or dark themes, an enquiry into this phenomena could have an interesting outcome.

Adventuring - We like to escape into the wilderness which creates a whole plethora of design possibility.

DIY/resourcefulness - A unique trait that New Zealanders are proud to herald. Driven by pride and frugality we will often look to solve problems our selves with what ever comes to hand.

We have chosen to take this area further with an inquiry into where and why this attitude came about and what area a product could communicate this phenomena.

Len Lye is one of New Zealand's most celebrated artists. His international reputation stands primarily on his achievements as a film-maker and kinetic sculptor.

"an idea hit me that seemed like a complete revelation. It was to compose motion, just as musicians compose sound. [ The idea ] was to lead me far, far away from wanting to excel in...traditional art."

Len Lye: Biography

CIMG1120 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

"Design Mobel has evolved into a successful business with a firm belief in the virtues of personalising the sleep experience through customised sleep technologies"

They have award winning sustainable practice strategies and have successfully expanded internationally

Design Mobel - Bed Designs