2022
Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design
Duration: three months
Design Ecologies, Industrial design, Design research, Concept development, Physical prototyping, Breaking consumption patterns through design, Design task with ecoliteracy principles
Reduced Dimension (line)
Eco. principle: Making the invisible visible
Dimension: Space
Through reverse engineering, the classic wire hanger gets reduced to the aesthetic minimum of a line. The actual use of material becomes visible in the dimension of length, which reveals alternative affordances.
Enforced Disorder
Eco. principle: Making the invisible visible
Dimension: Time
The aim is to draw attention to the masses of unused clothes in our closets. After a while, the hanger folds and the clothes fall down on the floor. The forgotten resources become visible and force you to act.
Extracted
Eco. principle: Anticipating unintended consequences
Dimension: Space
This hanger looks like an ordinary hanger, but appearances are deceptive. The sturdy metal wire has been extracted in areas where it is not necessary, which makes it collapsible.
Extended
Eco. principle: Making the invisible visible
Dimension: Relation
By stretching one element of the classical hanger form, new solutions are opened up. The change can make new spaces useful, make hidden dependencies visible, or be used as a symbolic force.
Inflated
Eco. principle: Anticipating unintended consequences
Dimension: Space
Pockets in clothing can be inflated and can serve as a hanger. This makes the air we need visible. No additional object should be needed anymore, so that the hanger itself becomes invisible.
Concept Development
A combination of reduced dimension and extraction focuses on using wire only at essential parts, allowing the shape to simplify and disentangle into a different shape.
Design Testing & Point of Sale
Prototypes were tested with users in different contexts. The analysis of the POS also revealed space and resource inefficiencies in mass sales environments.
Transition Process
The hanger can be manufactured in one continuous line/cord and transported in a highly compact, space-saving manner. It can be easily assembled by the user.
Exhibition
The concept was presented at an exhibition and introduced to the public. Feedback was gathered, and details for improvement were discussed.