Design Museum

I learnt about an exhibition in Design Museum with particular focus on the future of design. The name of the exhibition itself is interesting: "Future was/is here". The middle part was converting between two words using illuminating lights.
I spent my entire Sunday afternoon in this exhibition and whilst it was only covering one floor of the museum, it was so content reach and amazing that it took me long time reading all about different aspects of the exhibition.

I am going to write about some of the exhibited projects which are related to my RSA project:'Future Packaging'

First exhibited project was about Opendesk. It was about visualising and feeling the data that you can download from the Internet and print them and use them as your furniture at home. Here is a summary of their work from designboom.com:

'opendesk is a collection of open source furniture, available on a non-traditional online marketplace, where all designs are digital files that can be downloaded for free through the creative commons licence. the brand approaches the creative community through the web, giving them the ability to acquire original work and have it produced by craftsmen in their area, or manufacture it personally. access to a CNC-machine allows for self-assembly, and opendesk’s growing network of local fabricators around the world are equipped with the knowledge and tools to make each product correctly and efficeintly. because the furniture originates from files, users can select the form in which they’d like to receive their table, stool, or desk and the degree in which they would want to be involved in the making process.'
Source: designboom.com

Second interesting project was done by Puma. This was around using biodegradable plastics and it can be something I can use for my future packaging concept. Here is what they shared about this work:

'After research showed that 57% of Puma’s environmental impact is related to the production of raw materials, the company looked at increasing the number of sustainable materials they use. InCycle collection is entirely biodegradable / recyclable and 100% Cradle-to-Cradle (approach to return modelled objects to the ecosystem) certified.
Well, looking from the very first sight, that is a great idea. It is all being made of materials being comprised of organic fibres without any toxic chemicals, i.e. we’re saving the planet and wear only ‘the natural’ recyclable products on our feet.'
Source: wordpress.com

I was also inspired by the cycle hiring scheme, which made me think about how packaging can be hired by consumers. This is what design museum signpost described about hiring schemes principles. 

'Transport hire scheme:
system such as London's Barclays Cycle Hire scheme demonstrate how leasing models can be very effective as part of an urban mass transit system. Lunched in Summer 2010, the scheme saw a rapid take up with a major expansion planned for 2014. scheme such as ZipVan and ZipCar have also demonstrated that similar principles can be successfully applied to vehicles as well as cycles.'
Source: Design Museum signpost

One other amazing project on display was Mo.Mo. This project demonstrated  how consumers would be able to see the products and information inside the packaging without virtual reality and just by augmented reality which is now more popular. Also this concept  would work when it comes to decide what part of packaging needs to be recycled and what part can be reused. 

 'Mo.Mo:
The Mo.Mo is a concept for a wearable molecule scanner connected to an intelligent system that tells you which of your belongings have materials that could be transformed into something new . It works as a part of a service that enable you to reinvent your possessions, rather than replace them.
The augmented reality app installed on the tablet computer can be used to give an indication of how material identification could work. By holding the tablet above the mobile phone an exploded view of the object appears listing the types and quantities of material contained in the object. this information could then be used to help decide which of our old or under used or possessions we could recycle to make produce new projects.'
Source: Design Museum signpost

 

Wandular was another concept that I came across. It is like a chip attached to the smartphone which makes such devices sustainable and enables longer use of the device. This concept can be potentially used in my 'Future Packaging'.
 
'Wandular

Like many new ideas WandULar was born out of a mixture of love and frustration. A love of technology and what it enables us to do, but a frustration with the current model of technological development. WandULar is an investigation into how we might overcome obsolescence in consumer electronics and see if its possible to develop a devices that evolves with you over your lifetime, ageing stylishly and staying up to date thanks to cloud downloads and hardware plugins. We wanted to explore a different vision to the one current espoused by the consumer electronics industry and help suspend disbelief about what is possible. And we've found that by rethinking how technology is ‘made’ and lengthening its lifespan it can have new emotional, sustainable, and financial benefits to people and business alike'

Source: lookupproject.org 

There was also a popular customised doll making website, Makies. The dolls are fully customised and made for each customer's taste. Head is more customisable with options for eyes, hair, nose, mouth whilst body has less features that can be customised. It showed me that customisation of packaging can play significant role to the success of the product. 

'Makies:
They are uniqze postable action dolls with face and features designed by their owners. using the Makies website or mobile app, customehave the power of choose not only what the face of their doll looks like-the eye, nose, jaw, smile, hair-but also what clothes it wears. With no age or gender stereotyping, Makies allow anyone to creat a unique toy in a style of their choosing.'
Source: Design Museum signpost

This is a diagram which illustrated a questionnaire about 3D printing and customized products.

I also saw a textile printer which I haven't seen before.  When I think about future, I imagine a 3D printer that makes textile by weaving very narrow material.

'TC-2 digital loom
design and developed by
Tronrud Engineering
This is a computer controlled hand loom specially developed for the designer/artist, ideal for rapid prototyping, customised designs, technical weaves and the production of high end textiles. the loom is a sketchpad for ideas and concepts, whether these are fine art or functional textiles.'
Source: Design Museum signpost

Near the exit gate of the exhibition I had a chance to see how some early versions of 3D Printers work. Also a very nice and motivated guy talked me through different 3D printers.  He showed me the cartridges for one of the 3D Printers, which are the skein of plastics.