The Darwinian Gale and the era of consequences

"Radiant Light Film is a multi-layer reflective film. The material is a combination of precise layers of polymer materials with different reflective qualities. Colours shift and shimmer with changes in viewing angle, light source and environment. It can be used for a multitude of decorative and technical applications for designers, packaging engineers, architectural displays and product engineers. The film can be embossed, die-cut, sheer slit, precision cut, surface treated, dyed, coated with adhesive and printed. It is engineered to obtain unprecedented levels of reflective vibrancy. Radiant Films can be combined with suitable colour substrates to produce various vibrant colours in both reflection and transmission."

I have been thinking more and more about the social aspect, the new social network that is crafting etc, the key themes for me are:

- Community
- Interaction
- Learning
- Confidence

In the current financial climate, people feel the need to be thrifty, creative, and are looking for personal, face-to-face interaction.

Can my artefact be developed into something people create together, perhaps from a kit or instructions online?

Flexible Molded LEDs

I have found another LED material, that looks like neon, but it is flexible and durable silicone...

Today was the first week back after the long summer break.

Feedback from tutorial:

- define the elements of my question
- craft lists to create the product
- questionnaire
- have some skills really been lost?
- investigate the crafting movement further
- investigate the revolt again technology
- research into the awareness of craft skills

How can craft skills survive in a constantly changing technological environment?

How the appreciation of craft skills become the new social network?

I now have a sample of LED tape and lots of helpful responses from suppliers. They even sent me a power supply.

The sketch modelling I did was useful and I have found the LED is infact extremely flexible.

Return from summer checklist is completed, I am ready for Wednesday, slightly daunted by the exhibition on 20th especially considering I will be on holiday th whole week before.

Sketches are on the computer now, with a layout containing how my idea has evolved. I have taken photos of my models, and the question at the moment is:

How can we mix new technologies and anciet crafting skills to create designs that arouse the ever-more demanding customer?

Priorities

Create further iteration of artefact using actual LED tape, that functions. Then test with an external party, I have been given a contact at iGuzzini.

Exposed

A slightly awkward start to the morning, but we did eventually get our tickets and make our way to the 4th floor of the Tate Modern to see Exposed - Voyeurism, Surveillance and the Camera.



This exhibition was absolutely fascinating, it attempted to unravel our relationship our relationships with cameras. The first room disaplayed large modern photos of people caught unawares in New York by Philip-Lorca diCorcia alongside tiny old photographs from Horace Engle, who captured his subjects sitting on the trams during the late 1800s at a time when unposed scenes were far from the norm.

I also loved the photos taken through windows, the photographer wrote to the participants and asked them to appear at their window at a certain time on a certain day if they agreed to take part in the project.

"JRC Reflex produces stretch, retroreflective textile trimmings using a Micro glass beads technology. It is the glass microspheres embedded in a polyurethane layer that reflect light back to its source. There is a range of textile trimmings, in any colour, were visibility meets high safety requirements or produces flashy stylistic effects. It can be applied in multiple techniques: heat bonding, hot melt, etc." 

I have collected up the ribbon that they use in packaging, its a type of woven plastic strip and I think it has the same kind of feel as what the LED tape might be like. So I have tried the idea of weaving a shade and kintting a torch, where the woven structure itself would emit light.

Make, Mend, Be Thrifty

I have had a wonderful month this month for inspiration.  I have gone to some amazing exhibitions and have seen and spoken to a huge variety of real crafts people.  I have also been involved in workshops, observed and spoken with a number of people who enjoy being involved in designing and making their own clothes, jewellery and general arts. 

My ideas on my project have jumped about a bit, I know that my main area of research is still craft and its affect on society.  I have been concentrating on combining the old and the new to create products that allow consumers to interact together in a way reminiscent of times gone by.  

 There's currently a real movement to reuse, recycle, make, mend and be thrifty.  From my online research using google insights and trends, there have been increased searches for how to sew, knit and make.  

People are also looking for classes to learn these traditional skills.  

Popular programs on television like the BBC's Mastercrafts and Channel 4's Kirsty's Homemade Home have returned for further series's after viewers started a variety of campaigns on social networking sites.  

My internet research led me to briefing consider my question to be more connected to the internet than I now feel it needs be.  

My research has show a real trend to spend time with friends and family, save money, customise, be creative, all things that are expected during periods of financial strife.  

I then broke my question down in the following way, to really think further about the key components:

The creative engineering lecture I went to also really helped me think about the obvious in a more coherent way.  All this led to a great thought suddenly in the middle of the night, which was basically a way of knitting or weaving using LED tape, making a fun, innovative, portable lighting kit for camping, garden parties, picnics or festivals.  

LED tape is virtually maintenance free, high energy efficiency, longer lifespan, waterproof, can be cut, eco-friendly, intensely bright, portable, can be joined.  

The kit would be for families and friends to make together as a fun, creative, unique and eco-friendly experience. 

We have been asked to complete a return from summer checklist and I there here is a best place as any to go through this.  

In no more than one sentence for each, outline three key achievements that have emerged as a result of your project research and testing over the past three months. 

I have learnt new skills

I have found a way to combine the new and the old

Created my first artefacts

How many times have you tested your artefact?

I have tested my artefact a few times now, with people in the crafting industry and also a lecturer of product design as well as a lecturer in the narrative environments.  

In no more than two sentences for each, describe any significant problems that you have encountered and explain ho you overcame them.  

I have struggled to come up with an idea, it is just a case of finding out about new materials and knowing a lost skill that could be used to create a new product.  

In one sentence define the most important thing that you have learnt so far.  

You can't force creativity

List your priorities for the next month

Second iteration of artefact

Thorough testing

How do these priorities inform your need to prepare for the Interim Artefact Exhibition to be held on 20 Ocotber?

I would like to have something substantial to show at the exhibition to make the most of all the possible feedback I can get from fellow students and course tutors.  I have a lot going on in the my head at the moment and although a lot of it is here in my blog I feel more needs to be recorded and I need to summarise and display everything at my exhibition to ensure the whole story so far is understood. 

I have used card to start trying things out for the LED tape idea, as my samples have not arrived yet, used 2 different methods and you get a nice effect, but not sure card has the correct movement range and texture.

Still messing around with different questions

How can we mix new technologies and ancient crafting skills to create designs that arouse the ever-more demanding customer?

How can traditional crafting skills survive in the digital age?

How can the development of new technologies ensure lost crafts are re-awoken?

How can the lost skills of ancient craftsmen be combined with new technologies to produce exciting sustainable designs for the ever-more demanding consumer? 

I have researched online into what people have done with LED tape, no one has done what I am suggestng.

I have emailed a number of companies for prices, samples and advice.

I have also ordered some cheap blue LED tape from eBay to play with.