Module 1; Ideation

WEEK ONE MEASURING SPACE

EXPLORING SKIN AND BONE NICOLE TAN; 641433

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NICOLE TAN

Subject: Lightweight nylon kite that can be

partially dismantled

Materials: Nylon sheet, plastic ‘caps’, wooden

rods, thread

Manufacturer: Daiso Industries (Australia)

Design: Lightweight skin and bone structure,

triangular

Evaluation:

The kite is an example of a skin and bone

structure which utilises tension to provide

strength and stability. The ‘bone’ in this instance

are the wooden rods that form a frame which

the nylon ‘skin’ encloses. This is essential for the

functioning of the kite as it allows for wind and

air to be captured by the tensile skin which

pushes the kite upwards.

The string attached to the kite acts as an

anchor as well as a steering mechanism for

moving the kite.

From the kite’s structure, we can gather that the

skin and bone system is strong and stable. It is

able to manipulate the air whilst using minimal

materials to remain lightweight and hence is an

effective design and construction system.

INTRODUCTION

Description of how the object was measured:

My measured drawings were done to a 1:5 scale similar to the drawings

done by Ulrik Nordam of the garden chair and Claus Bech-Danielson of

the office chair in ‘300 years of Industrial Design’. This method was

followed because dimensions of the kite were too large to trace to fit

onto a piece of paper. Thus, I used a ruler to measure the actual

dimensions of the kite and its components and converted the values

according to the 1:5 scale. I used the ‘backbone’ of the kite as a

reference point to which the other edges were measured against to

maintain the accuracy of my measurements and drawings.

I also followed the drawing conventions present in the measured

drawings in ‘300 years of Industrial Design’. For example, internal

components of the system were represented as dotted lines whilst

external edges were drawn as solid lines.

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Plan drawing of nylon kite

USE OF THREAD TO FORM A ‘POCKET’

INTERNAL ROD

USE OF THREAD TO AFFIX DECORATIVE RIBBONS

EXTERNAL ROD

PLASTIC CAPS

TASK 1.1 MEASURED DRAWINGS

Elevation drawing of nylon kite (view from base of the kite)

WOODEN ROD IN LATERAL DIRECTION PLASTIC CAPS WHICH HOLD EXTERNAL WOODEN ROD IN PLACE

Section of nylon kite

HOLE WHERE KITE STRING GOES

WOODEN ROD INSIDE VERTICAL BACKBONE OF KITE

DECORATIVE RIBBONS

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As ‘300 years of Industrial Design’ explains, the choice of materials is

extremely significant and especially nowadays, we deal largely with cheap synthetic materials (like ones used to make this kite). However, it is also important to understand that good design involves being considerate and understanding how things are used hence I explored the concept of wind logic of the kite through the following sketches.

Analytical sketches of wind logic in relation to the kite’s structure

TASK 1.2 ANALYTICAL SKETCHES VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS STUDENT JOURNAL

NICOLE TAN