Nigel Alcorn http://www.nigelalcorn.com Nigel Alcorn Tue, 04 Feb 2014 14:25:08 +0000 http://www.nigelalcorn.com en Meditation Aid http://www.nigelalcorn.com/Meditation-Aid http://www.nigelalcorn.com/following/nigelalcorn.com/Meditation-Aid Tue, 04 Feb 2014 14:25:08 +0000 Nigel Alcorn 4047689 I designed a personal health product to encourage meditation in an office environment. <img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/Meditation Aid 480wide.jpeg" width="480" height="319" width_o="480" height_o="319" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/Meditation Aid 480wide_o.jpeg" data-mid="39521913" border="0" align="left"/>Meditation Aid From research and personal experience I learned of the great value in meditation. Regular meditation can yield short and long term health benefits, such as reduced stress, lower blood pressure, and reduced fatigue. I chose to design for a stressed office worker who wanted to incorporate meditation into his busy work day. In a survey, I inquired about people's openness to, and experience with meditation. I was surprised at how many people expressed awareness of meditation's potential health benefits, and that many had tried meditation techniques as stress relief before. However, very few participants felt they achieved success in their meditation attempts. The responses gave me insight into what common difficulties people face when they first try meditation.<img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/Oscar-Nunez.jpg" width="300" height="225" width_o="300" height_o="225" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/Oscar-Nunez_o.jpg" data-mid="39491152" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/Frustration 180.jpeg" width="100" height="109" width_o="100" height_o="109" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/Frustration 180_o.jpeg" data-mid="39207082" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/BS 180.jpeg" width="100" height="129" width_o="100" height_o="129" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/BS 180_o.jpeg" data-mid="39207083" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/Time 180.jpeg" width="100" height="102" width_o="100" height_o="102" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/Time 180_o.jpeg" data-mid="39207080" border="0" align="left"/>Frustration"It's hard to focus. I just get sleepy and want to lay down."Skepticism"I don't feel like there's any benefit besides calming yourself."Time"I would like to [meditate] but there is not enough time in my schedule." In response to these problem areas, I defined three key objectives for designing a meditation aid product: Provide AssistanceClearing your mind is no easy task. Meditation experiences could be improved through simple mechanisms that help people focus.Show ProofThe rewards of meditation are not as obvious as working up a sweat at the gym. There may be ways to help people see the subtle but meaningful benefits with more immediacy.Create ValuePeople have time to do things that they value. If people were afforded a more gratifying experience in there meditation, it could be become a valuable daily practice. The final concept is a desktop visual meditation aid that would take biometric readings through video. <img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/Callout175_800.gif" width="714" height="504" width_o="714" height_o="504" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/Callout175_o.gif" data-mid="39599678" border="0" align="left"/> The clear bands emit a soft, slowly pulsating light, which functions as a breathing metronome. This feature also provides a visual focal point, much like how mandala are used in other forms of open-eye meditation. In these ways the device provides useful visual and rhythmic assistance. Utilizing new biometric video technology, it would be possible for the device to record the changes in your cardio and respiratory systems as you meditate. This short and long term data would be visualized in a mobile or web app, providing the user with real evidence of the health benefits of their meditation. The idea of a third-eye is commonly referred to in meditation. It is understood that this "third-eye" is actually the pineal gland, an small endocrine gland at the center of the brain, responsible for melatonin production. Its name is derived from it's pine cone shape. I used the same inspiration to give form to the meditation aid device. <img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/tim-_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/tim-_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/tim-_o.jpg" data-mid="40251837" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/App_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/App_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047689/App_o.jpg" data-mid="40251828" border="0" align="left"/> I designed a personal health product to encourage meditation in an office environment. Meditation Aid From research and personal experience I learned of the great... Query: After-School Program http://www.nigelalcorn.com/Query-After-School-Program http://www.nigelalcorn.com/following/nigelalcorn.com/Query-After-School-Program Tue, 04 Feb 2014 14:25:06 +0000 Nigel Alcorn 6750195 Developing an after-school program curriculum, I had the opportunity to explore aspects of community outreach and teaching as avenues for design. Query: After-School Program Given my background in industrial and product design, this was a highly amorphous design challenge with new and unfamiliar methodologies. I not only grew as a designer, working in a new domain, but I grew as a professional, through the formal writing and communications experience this project provided. <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Tinted 4_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Tinted 4_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Tinted 4_o.jpg" data-mid="39110605" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Tinted 6_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Tinted 6_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Tinted 6_o.jpg" data-mid="39110602" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Tinted 8_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Tinted 8_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Tinted 8_o.jpg" data-mid="39110600" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Tinted 12.5_800.jpg" width="800" height="617" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Tinted 12.5_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3305" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Tinted 12.5_o.jpg" data-mid="39508844" border="0" align="left"/> To better inform myself of how to proceed, I connected with the MGR Foundation's Pittsburgh branch who were exceptionally helpful and gracious in the counseling they gave me. Through several meetings with them I was able to identify a distinct category of their programming that would benefit from an additional concept: Environmental Justice. <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 1_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 1_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 1_o.jpg" data-mid="39097331" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 2_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 2_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 2_o.jpg" data-mid="39097338" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 4_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 4_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 4_o.jpg" data-mid="39097347" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 6_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 6_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 6_o.jpg" data-mid="39097351" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 8_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 8_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 8_o.jpg" data-mid="39097355" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 10_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 10_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 10_o.jpg" data-mid="39097360" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 12_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 12_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Query 12_o.jpg" data-mid="39097367" border="0" align="left"/> Throughout the semester I was able to use this valuable relationship to observe current MGR programming, administer surveys to students, and get insight into the curriculum development process. <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Survey1 390.jpeg" width="390" height="505" width_o="390" height_o="505" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Survey1 390_o.jpeg" data-mid="39147504" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Survey2 390.jpeg" width="390" height="505" width_o="390" height_o="505" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750195/Survey2 390_o.jpeg" data-mid="39147502" border="0" align="left"/> Developing an after-school program curriculum, I had the opportunity to explore aspects of community outreach and teaching as avenues for design. Query:... Chrysler 300: Ladies' Stun-Gun http://www.nigelalcorn.com/Chrysler-300-Ladies-Stun-Gun http://www.nigelalcorn.com/following/nigelalcorn.com/Chrysler-300-Ladies-Stun-Gun Fri, 15 Nov 2013 10:59:23 +0000 Nigel Alcorn 6750230 As companion product to the 2013 Chrysler 300, I designed a self defense tool for the kind of confident young woman that drives this commanding vehicle. Chrysler 300: Ladies' Stun-Gun <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Collage-09_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Collage-09_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Collage-09_o.jpg" data-mid="38920306" border="0" align="left"/> Although the Chrysler 300 is often considered a masculine car, for its imposing stance and muscular geometry, I regularly see young women behind the wheel as well. I thought focusing on this niche persona would make for an interesting and personally expansive design process. <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Sammi300.jpg" width="300" height="300" width_o="300" height_o="300" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Sammi300_o.jpg" data-mid="38920373" border="0" align="left"/>This is Steph, a fiercely independent young woman. She takes pride in doing things herself and being a little tough at heart. She fully embraces her confidence and beauty. Armed with her Chrysler 300 stun-gun, she's never intimidated by a poorly lit parking lot. It's form lends itself to a strong thrust, if ever needed, and the other 99% of the time is simply a comforting and attractive accessory that she carries with pride. Designing a stun-gun with Steph in mind, it was important that the form exude power and strength, but remain sexy and refined; a juxtaposition of traits that initially drew her to the Chrysler 300. Closely analyzing the form language of the 2013 Chrysler 300, I identified the distinctive qualities that give the car its unique stance and affect. I was most intrigued by the use of gestural hard lines to join the car's broad planar surfaces. This quality compliments the car's stern silhouette in an elegant and refined way. It was these formal traits that I wanted to highlight most in my companion product. <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Side_800.jpg" width="800" height="273" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Side_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2550" height_o="872" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Side_o.jpg" data-mid="38955243" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Back_800.jpg" width="800" height="273" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Back_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2550" height_o="872" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Back_o.jpg" data-mid="38955244" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Angle_800.jpg" width="800" height="273" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Angle_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2550" height_o="872" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Angle_o.jpg" data-mid="38955245" border="0" align="left"/> I used sketching mainly to explore different shapes and silhouettes in rapid succession. I did most of my later stage iteration through foam models. Capturing the subtle sculptural qualities of the Chrysler 300 became a much more natural process when I shifted my focus to physical modeling. <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Sketches_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Sketches_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1771" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Sketches_o.jpg" data-mid="38956571" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Top Models_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Top Models_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1771" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Top Models_o.jpg" data-mid="38956577" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Angle Models_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Angle Models_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1771" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750230/Angle Models_o.jpg" data-mid="38956573" border="0" align="left"/> As companion product to the 2013 Chrysler 300, I designed a self defense tool for the kind of confident young woman that drives this commanding vehicle. Chrysler... OkiToki http://www.nigelalcorn.com/OkiToki http://www.nigelalcorn.com/following/nigelalcorn.com/OkiToki Fri, 15 Nov 2013 10:51:49 +0000 Nigel Alcorn 6750190 Parents and young children understand time in fundamentally different ways. Acknowledging this, OkiToki provides a new way for young families to time manage in a fun and educational way. OkiToki <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario1-01_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario1-01_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario1-01_o.jpg" data-mid="39479898" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario2-01_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario2-01_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario2-01_o.jpg" data-mid="39479885" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario3-01_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario3-01_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario3-01_o.jpg" data-mid="39479875" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario4-01_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario4-01_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario4-01_o.jpg" data-mid="39479868" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario5-01_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario5-01_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario5-01_o.jpg" data-mid="39479859" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario6-01_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario6-01_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3300" height_o="2550" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/Scenario6-01_o.jpg" data-mid="39479837" border="0" align="left"/> BackgroundWhen prompted to design a product that would improve communication between young children and their parents, I found focus in the area of time telling and time management. My interest in this topic came from my personal experience. I remember in elementary school I knew I was running late in the morning by the cartoons I was watching, not by the time on the clock. I was on time if I left the house around the middle of the second Hey Arnold episode. If I was still in front of the TV when the Rugrats came on, I was running late, meaning it might be a stressful exit. I worked on this project during my junior year spring semester spent at Nagoya Zokei University of Art and Design in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Although I speak conversational Japanese, these months were not without the feelings of confusion and vulnerability that language and cultural barriers create. These sensations are comparable to the kind of anxiety provoking experiences young children have when coping with an entire world full of new and unusual things and behaviors. I think being in this position afforded me a deeper level of empathy for young children, and informed the design of the OkiToki concept greatly. <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-001_800.jpg" width="800" height="1203" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-001_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2000" height_o="3008" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-001_o.jpg" data-mid="40314180" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-002_800.jpg" width="800" height="1203" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-002_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2000" height_o="3008" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-002_o.jpg" data-mid="40314188" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-003_800.jpg" width="800" height="1203" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-003_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2000" height_o="3008" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-003_o.jpg" data-mid="40314194" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-004_800.jpg" width="800" height="1203" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-004_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2000" height_o="3008" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-004_o.jpg" data-mid="40314196" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-005_800.jpg" width="800" height="1203" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-005_o.jpg" width_o="1329" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-005_o.jpg" data-mid="40314197" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-006_800.jpg" width="800" height="1175" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-006_o.jpg" width_o="1361" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750190/OkiTokiSketch-006_o.jpg" data-mid="40314201" border="0" align="left"/> Parents and young children understand time in fundamentally different ways. Acknowledging this, OkiToki provides a new way for young families to time manage in a... Furniture http://www.nigelalcorn.com/Furniture http://www.nigelalcorn.com/following/nigelalcorn.com/Furniture Fri, 15 Nov 2013 10:49:51 +0000 Nigel Alcorn 6750167 I love making furniture. It's a design practice that's rich with aesthetic, ergonomic, and technical challenges. Bistro TableThis table was inspired by my appreciation of tea time. I have fond memories of enjoying afternoon tea with my mom when I would get home from school. These days I like having an afternoon espresso together with a friend. I like the notion that, "it's a moment in the day." <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/Collage-05_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/Collage-05_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/Collage-05_o.jpg" data-mid="38921390" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table edge_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table edge_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1773" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table edge_o.jpg" data-mid="39591480" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table feet_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table feet_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1773" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table feet_o.jpg" data-mid="39591485" border="0" align="left"/> I find the ritual of drinking coffee or tea is best enjoyed with good conversation. Thinking about this I designed an intimately sized table that seats 2-3. I always thought the neutral color palette of coffee and tea drinks and their paraphernalia to be complimented by vibrant colors. I used a light blue laminate for the tabletop that is tasteful and modern. The tripod pedestal base is made from solid walnut. The tabletop has a plywood core with walnut edging and high pressure laminate on the top and bottom sides. The base is attached to the tabletop with threaded inserts for easy disassembly. <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-001_800.jpg" width="800" height="602" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-001_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2444" height_o="1840" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-001_o.jpg" data-mid="38717261" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-008_800.JPG" width="800" height="600" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-008_800_2x.JPG" width_o="3264" height_o="2448" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-008_o.JPG" data-mid="38717217" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-006_800.JPG" width="800" height="600" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-006_800_2x.JPG" width_o="3264" height_o="2448" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-006_o.JPG" data-mid="38717229" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-007_800.JPG" width="800" height="600" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-007_800_2x.JPG" width_o="3264" height_o="2448" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-007_o.JPG" data-mid="38717222" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-011_800.JPG" width="800" height="600" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-011_800_2x.JPG" width_o="3264" height_o="2448" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/table-011_o.JPG" data-mid="38717204" border="0" align="left"/> Boot BenchI designed this indoor bench to live in an entrance way or foyer. Its height and seating geometry make it a good place to sit down and pull on your boots. It can also act as a setee for two, maybe at the foot of a bed or in front of a big window. <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/Collage-01_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/Collage-01_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2973" height_o="1977" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/Collage-01_o.jpg" data-mid="38921395" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench angle_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench angle_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1773" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench angle_o.jpg" data-mid="39591469" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench back_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench back_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1773" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench back_o.jpg" data-mid="39591473" border="0" align="left"/> I set out wanting to design a piece that had a robust frame structure with distinct seating and back panels. It was important to me that the piece look strong, but also have an element of intrigue. The frame structure creates an interesting path that wraps around the bench, the components joined with bridal and lap joints. The visual absence of vertical supports at the back corners, and cross member supports under the seat panel are curious and distinctive details. The frame is white oak and the panels are wenge. <img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-001_800.JPG" width="800" height="600" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-001_800_2x.JPG" width_o="3264" height_o="2448" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-001_o.JPG" data-mid="38717280" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-003_800.JPG" width="800" height="600" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-003_800_2x.JPG" width_o="3264" height_o="2448" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-003_o.JPG" data-mid="38717275" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-004_800.jpg" width="800" height="601" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-004_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2448" height_o="1840" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-004_o.jpg" data-mid="38717270" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-005_800.JPG" width="800" height="600" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-005_800_2x.JPG" width_o="3264" height_o="2448" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-005_o.JPG" data-mid="38717269" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-006_800.JPG" width="800" height="600" data-hi-res="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-006_800_2x.JPG" width_o="3264" height_o="2448" src_o="http://payload222.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/6750167/bench-006_o.JPG" data-mid="38717266" border="0" align="left"/> I love making furniture. It's a design practice that's rich with aesthetic, ergonomic, and technical challenges. Bistro TableThis table was inspired by my... Forms and Communication http://www.nigelalcorn.com/Forms-and-Communication http://www.nigelalcorn.com/following/nigelalcorn.com/Forms-and-Communication Sat, 08 Sep 2012 22:13:21 +0000 Nigel Alcorn 4047672 My formal design education has afforded me many opportunities to explore the semantics of form and gain powerful skills in craft and communication. Forms and Communication A desk top storage piece made of wenge and white oak. To form the trough I did a cove cut on the table saw. It's fun and rewarding to take on advanced operations in the model shop. <img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Desk_Organizer-03_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Desk_Organizer-03_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Desk_Organizer-03_o.jpg" data-mid="39105294" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Desk_Organizer-02_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Desk_Organizer-02_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Desk_Organizer-02_o.jpg" data-mid="39105291" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Desk_Organizer-01_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Desk_Organizer-01_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Desk_Organizer-01_o.jpg" data-mid="39105289" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/IMG_1070_800.jpg" width="800" height="530" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/IMG_1070_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2448" height_o="1624" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/IMG_1070_o.jpg" data-mid="39105543" border="0" align="left"/> A fallen sycamore branch formed into an object that would spark interest and invite physical interaction. It was formed with a small knife and sandpaper, and finished with a polyurethane coating. <img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_05_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_05_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_05_o.jpg" data-mid="38973677" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_04_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_04_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_04_o.jpg" data-mid="38973680" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_03_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_03_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_03_o.jpg" data-mid="38973682" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_02_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_02_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_02_o.jpg" data-mid="38973687" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_01_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_01_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_Stick_01_o.jpg" data-mid="38973691" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/IMG_1063_800.jpg" width="800" height="599" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/IMG_1063_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/IMG_1063_o.jpg" data-mid="38977213" border="0" align="left"/> Presentation slides of my findings and guidelines for designing an in-car tool keeping solution for car enthusiasts. <img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/1_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/1_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="2061" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/1_o.jpg" data-mid="40824520" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/2_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/2_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="2061" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/2_o.jpg" data-mid="40824525" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/3_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/3_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="2061" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/3_o.jpg" data-mid="40824533" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/4_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/4_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="2061" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/4_o.jpg" data-mid="40824538" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/5_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/5_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="2061" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/5_o.jpg" data-mid="40824546" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/6_800.jpg" width="800" height="618" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/6_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="2061" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/6_o.jpg" data-mid="40824550" border="0" align="left"/> A conceptual fire extinguisher that would be at home in a book store. I took inspiration from geometric book forms and writing tools. <img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-01_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-01_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-01_o.jpg" data-mid="39508334" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-02_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-02_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-02_o.jpg" data-mid="39508338" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-03_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-03_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-03_o.jpg" data-mid="39508342" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-04_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-04_800_2x.jpg" width_o="3008" height_o="2000" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-04_o.jpg" data-mid="39508350" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-05_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-05_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2926" height_o="1945" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Fire-05_o.jpg" data-mid="39508360" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/img001_800.jpg" width="800" height="517" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/img001_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1725" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/img001_o.jpg" data-mid="39508377" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/img007_800.jpg" width="800" height="517" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/img007_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1725" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/img007_o.jpg" data-mid="39508439" border="0" align="left"/> A vessel that celebrates the formal qualities of three found rocks. It is vacuformed from a wooden plug, turned on a lathe. <img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Rotoform-02_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Rotoform-02_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1773" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Rotoform-02_o.jpg" data-mid="38974200" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Rotoform-01_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Rotoform-01_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1773" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Rotoform-01_o.jpg" data-mid="38974197" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Rotoform-03_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Rotoform-03_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1773" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Rotoform-03_o.jpg" data-mid="38974202" border="0" align="left"/> A small wooden stool inspired by "The Book of Five Rings," a samurai manifesto. It is made of poplar, with all friction-fit joinery. <img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Stool 4_800.jpg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Stool 4_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1773" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Stool 4_o.jpg" data-mid="39015625" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Stool 1_800.jpeg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Stool 1_800_2x.jpeg" width_o="2667" height_o="1773" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Stool 1_o.jpeg" data-mid="38974313" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Stool 2_800.jpeg" width="800" height="531" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Stool 2_800_2x.jpeg" width_o="2667" height_o="1773" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Stool 2_o.jpeg" data-mid="38974311" border="0" align="left"/> "Flowform" salad tongs. They are hard maple, and the first things I ever made out of wood. My parents use them to serve salad every night at dinner. The olive oil patina is coming along. <img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Tongs-02_800.jpg" width="800" height="535" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Tongs-02_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1785" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Tongs-02_o.jpg" data-mid="38974949" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Tongs-01_800.jpg" width="800" height="535" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Tongs-01_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1785" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Tongs-01_o.jpg" data-mid="38974951" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Tongs-03_800.jpg" width="800" height="535" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Tongs-03_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1785" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Tongs-03_o.jpg" data-mid="38974953" border="0" align="left"/> Illustrations of mechanical processes and how things work. <img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Clutch_800.jpg" width="800" height="517" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Clutch_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1725" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Clutch_o.jpg" data-mid="38975688" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_mold_800.jpg" width="800" height="615" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_mold_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="2051" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Alcorn_Nigel_mold_o.jpg" data-mid="38975685" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Nigel Alcorn EDM_800.jpg" width="800" height="523" data-hi-res="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Nigel Alcorn EDM_800_2x.jpg" width_o="2667" height_o="1746" src_o="http://payload87.cargocollective.com/1/8/281101/4047672/Nigel Alcorn EDM_o.jpg" data-mid="38975686" border="0" align="left"/> My formal design education has afforded me many opportunities to explore the semantics of form and gain powerful skills in craft and communication. Forms and...