Knotle

In designing new products, we often create massive amounts of waste, not just in the materials, but CO2 and other greenhouse gas productions from machinery, shipping, packaging, etc. 

This class was focused on how we might reconsider what is "waste" and what is "material" by reusing or repurposing materials considered to be "waste" into an object for resting, or put more simply, a chair.

An additional component of this assignment was that at least one automated processing component must be used in the ultimate production. This was so that we could envision how this project might potentially be scaled up for actual production in the market.

In both of my materials I saw a great potential for adaptation and reuse. There were many old track hurdles from the 90s that were either broken or rusty, and my coach was willing to give them away. A few years prior, my grandma's friend was moving from her house into an apartment, as didn't have space to store all her yarn, much of which she had aquired at flash bi-annual sales. I gratefully received whatever yarn she could no longer store, which amounted to 7 large boxes of a various assortment of fluffy, frizzy, and even sparkly yarns. I have done my best to work my way through that stash, but could not possibly work quickly enough by hand to get through all of it. However, this was the perfect opportunity to put that yarn to use, as I would be using a table-top knitting machine to aid me in my production.

I felt these materials provided the perfect composition for a chair. The solid, metal framework of the hurdle provided structure and stability, enough to support the weight of a human. The yarn in contrast provided a soft, fluid cushion that was comfortable enough that a person would want to sit in it.