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(non)ordinary

Name
Inesa Malafej
Education degree
Master
Subject area
Design
Institute
Architecture and Design
Year
2015
What is it that makes an item "special" for the user? How can you find design solutions that will create a coherent plot by connecting items through questioning the stereotype, aesthetics, functional or cultural aspect? Three tabletop items - a lamp, a pencil case and a tea cup are connected by the designing process. Form is a determining feature for the function where simplicity of each solution determines the aesthetics of the collection. 
“a maker plots a structure to achieve coherence; coherence supposes an interaction among parts that generates resonance. We call such things non-ordinary."
Robert D. Austin
3 itmes

I have chosen to work on three different items that have a common feature they are all tabletop items. They are not connected by means of design or materials, but do look united when seen together. By choosing the same developing process for each of the items I could instill some common features for all of them - each piece has a small functional feature that has an aesthetic solution.all

A tea cup that operate as a hybrid between a cup and a pot. It would be used on a daily basis for a quick preparation of the tea for oneself. The shape of the cup would please the user because of its sculptural appearance and fine detailing.

tea cups

A pencil case that is made out of wood feels natural and pleasing because of the natural pattern of the wood structure. The cylindrical shape ressembles the classic appearance of the item and unfolds the functions well in displaying the content.

pencil case

A table lamp that is assembled out of two simple shapes: a bowl and a curved stick. It has an additional feature: stick functions for few minutes when removed from the bowl. The overall sculptural appearance of the shape gives an impression of simple solution that does not contain any unnecessary detailing.

table lamp2

Engineering part of the lamp was developed by Frank Hübner.​

The cup was developed in collaboration with Rosenthal.

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