claragaggero.com

RCA Interdisciplinary DESIGN COMPETITION “blackberry for Body and Life”

admin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:29:45 +0000

As part of my yearlong research project with the Helen Hamlyn Centre and Blackberry, I organised and designed a month long interdisciplinary design challenge with 30 students from the Royal College of Art’s Fashion, Textiles, Vehicle Design and Innovation Design Engineering Departments.The exhibition showcased the incredible results of the month long challenge, which explores how fashion and technology can improve communication.The design proposals include:PenPen - a new type of digital writing pen that connects the analogue and digital worldsWisp – turning sign language into text through the fingertipsSur.face – a personal, visual interface using textiles in the home for long distance video callingBlack-out – a relationship tool to combat technology addictionAid – a diagnostic electronic toothbrush that communicates healthcare problems to the userThe event is supported by Research in Motion, designers and maker of the BlackBerry smartphone and kindly hosted by the Italian Cultural Institute, London.Curator: Clara GaggeroExhibition design: Chiara Bello and Emilia SerraProject Director: Rama Gheerawo

Blackberry for Body and Life from colinrossphoto on Vimeo.

Out of the Box – Samsung & RCA Helen Hamlyn Centre

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:26:24 +0000

Good design should be for everyone.

Out of the Box is the result of a year long research project lead by Clara Gaggero and Adrian Westaway of Vitamins Design in collaboration with the Helen Hamlyn Center and Samsung Design Europe.

Out of the Box is a simple yet effective solution for cell phone users who have difficulties with learning to use their new handset. For older people, this experience can be particularly frustrating as they apply analogue modes of learning to the digital experience - looking in the box for help that simply is not there.

The Book:

Most phones come with flimsy manuals with complicated language and jargon. These books, which can live on a bookshelf actually contain the phone.

Each page reveals the elements of the phone in the right order, helping the user to set up the sim card, the battery and even slide the case onto the phone.

The second book is the main manual – the phone actually slots into this and becomes the center of attention.

Arrows point to the exact locations the user should press, avoiding confusion and eliminating the feeling of being lost in a menu.

The Cards:

Phones have become over complicated and many users are afraid to break them or get lost in menus - so they don’t explore and learn all the things they can do.

A set of cards represents every function inside the phone which users can flick through and discover.

The phone is supplied empty, and users add the functions they want by tapping a card onto the screen.

Cards can be carried in your wallet so functions can be accessed on the move.

To encourage learning, the back of the card explains what the function does, and how to reach it using the menus.

The Map:

Last but not least

To encourage users to explore and familiarize themselves with their phones a map was created, which guides users through the meandering labyrinth of menus.

Users tests showed that people were quickly discovering and getting interested in new areas of their phone previously buried under layers of menus.

Project in collaboration with Adrian Westaway.

Graphic Design: Jaakko Tuomivara

6th Dimension common room – Villiers High School, London.

admin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:59:25 +0000

Following the success of Platforum Playground, Clara Gaggero was invited to design the new sixth form common room for Villiers High School. The space comprises three areas: a concentration area in which to study individually, a collaboration area in which to work in groups, and a contemplation area to relax and unwind in. In addition, there is an outdoor extention – complete with AstroTurf, deckchairs and wifi – where students can study and socialise in the open air.

The new area of the school opens on the 3^rd of September.

Platforum Playground – Villiers High School, London.

admin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:38:29 +0000

Platforum Playground was the result of intense workshops with the students and staff at Villiers High School which explored their dreams, needs and aspirations in terms of communal space at the school. The playground was deemed a phenomenal success by pupils and staff alike by reducing incidents of violence at the school.

Platforum Playground statistics: 1,300 students; 35 nationalities; 1,750 sqm; £15 budget per sqm; 12 days to build; 300 sqm of green paint; 40m of climbing wall; 16 builders; 3 teachers; 1 crane.

Design Council case study article

“There are no more broken noses” – Futurelab article

Photos by Adrian Westaway.

Constant Stream – Royal College of Art, London.

admin — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:59:59 +0000

Constant Stream was a digital exhibition of contemporary Chinese art. Clara Gaggero designed show space and organised the build.Exhibit article

Energy Crisis Game – Ludic Group, London.

admin — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:02:46 +0000

Energy Crysis is a boardgame by Ludic Group. Clara Gaggero, in collaboration with Kofi Asante curated the graphic identity of the various game components. Below the front image on the box.

22CC Creative Learning Space – BBC, Manchester.

admin — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:49:57 +0000

The new BBC Media City in Salford, has given the chance to reinterpret and update the current creative learning spaces, using the latest developments in social science, education, technology and architecture.22CC is a futuristic environment that inspires and supports learning by enabling the students to interact both with nature and technology.

My Life for Beauty digital make-up, London.

admin — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:57:15 +0000

“My Life for Beauty” is a make-up made of light, a wearable installation that blend fashion and technology. It is aimed at smart, multitasking, contemporary women. Through understanding women’s needs and dreams, it aims to enrich lives with beauty, efficacy and allure.

Notte visible scent, London.

admin — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 18:12:53 +0000

Notte is visible scent.Notte mixes fragrance with a UV liquid and applies them on your skin with an innovative rolling stamp. Perfume becomes branded and recognisable when worn under ultraviolet lights! A working prototype has been built and the project is currently under development.

flora paper bouquet – doi-tung, thailand.

admin — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:36:56 +0000

Thailand is the land of magnificent flowers, where people cultivate the value of decoration as a rediscovered function of the product. Flora is inspired by the Siamese delicacy and aim to bring in you green a touch of Thai colours and shapes.Flora is a kit of 6 flowers made of paper and balsa wood with the bottom end of the stems covered in seeds and nutritive ingredients to support their germination. The stems end in spikes to easily plant them into the ground and design your customised flower-bed.