3D Design Studies (BA Hons), Birmingham Institute of Art and Design

This week Birmingham City University’s Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) celebrates the work of its 3D Design Studies (BA Hons) graduates, through its annual Degree Show, located at the Gosta Green building, Birmingham city centre.

The 3D Design Studies programme focuses on three disciplines; Interior Design, Interior Product Design and Product Design. ARTS THREAD takes a look at some of the high class work on show.

Arguably the most eye catching Interior project was Dagmara Gawarkiewicz’s, Manga Fusion. Dagmara’s aim was to create a space outside of the Internet, where fans of manga and anime get the opportunity to socialise and share their passion. Manga Fusion comprises of two unique elements, entertainment and educational. The space will hold a bar, exhibition area, library, small cinema and of course seating. Immersion was the key inspiration; Dagmara has used the sharp, ‘rapidly moving’ manga lines as the basis for her ‘chaotic and distorted’ final design.

Catherine Mone’s Interior project, Homeless at Heart, aims to break down the barriers, to ‘inform, motivate and educate society.’ Her proposal is providing a pop-up soup kitchen for the general public, not just the homeless, as she believes; ‘we are all homeless at heart.’

Inspiration for her design comes from, ‘the layers which fog the true image of a person’s persona.’ Catherine uses predominately cardboard to create her space, representative of the cardboard lifestyle of the homeless and she decorates the walls with ‘interesting and controversial’ slogans to initiate thoughts and conversation. By understanding the homeless, the first stage in helping them is complete.‘Relax the mind, renew the body, revive the soul.’

Alvin Yew Fook, Liew’s Destination Spa is targeted at our fast living society and raising awareness of the health issues our lifestyles promote. Located off the flawless shores of Malaysia, this unique spa retreat is calming – even to look at. Boasting a core treatment centre across four levels which descend towards the seabed, as well as 20 accommodation chalets, each containing their own rooftop garden. With its proven power in relaxation, inspiration is taken from the water, its ripples, bubbles and waves, with added Chinese influences. 

In the Interior Product sector Perrine Bernard’s, A wonderful Kid Life, children’s coat rack demonstrates how playful and quirky design can be. Its purpose is twofold, to allow children to learn and to play simultaneously. Detachable arms and foam shapes provide entertainment and encourage creativity, whilst the latter also teaches children about shapes and colours. The design is intended to evolve with the child to provide longevity. Perrine has carefully considered the assembly process, designing holes that prevent twisting of arms when supporting clothes, and screws that are brightly coloured to work as part of the design.

TransPack designed by James Crowther of Product Design is ‘A modular travel bag and phone app that improves the modern air travel experience.’ Aimed at the third of passengers who are flying economy on business, TransPack is designed around a modular system. Twelve robust clips provide a fully customisable travel case, easily clipped on and off, allowing quicker access and with a lever lock to prevent theft. The pack comes with a range of modular add-ons to suit each individual’s needs. Comfort padding for example, designed to protect laptops, quickly doubles up as a pillow if required.

CPR Life Saver by Alex Samuels of Product Design is a ‘low cost rapid response device to save heart attack victims.’ Alex had found alarming statistics that proved the desperate need for such a device. The life saver can be easily wall mounted and provides assistance in eradicating common CPR delivery mistakes. Ergonomically designed handles and visual aids help with correct positioning and a compression pad prevents further hurt to the victim. Depth and rate bleep indicators ensure correct compression speed and depth is achieved.

Habibur Rahman’s Product design project is a unique Filter Pump, designed for emergency relief, in essence, a water purification system. Aimed to work as a relief product for disaster zones and third world countries, this filter pump is designed to purify up to 1,000 litres of water. It uses a pump action system for speed and efficiency and carries easily detached cartridges and filters for changing and washing, as and when necessary. Habibur plans to manufacture the product predominantly through injection moulding and extrusion methods, which can be easily mass produced.

dagmara.gawarkiewicz@gmail.com
cat_mone@hotmmail.com
alvin8611@hotmail.com
perrine.bernard@laposte.net
jgcrowther@gmail.com
19alex89@live.co.uk
h_rahman_7@hotmail.co.uk