Storage Review

1.

My name is Katie Larson and I am an Industrial Design student at Rhode Island School of Design. I am really interested in the crafter culture that has developed and this semester I am developing a line of products for crafts people like you.

I created some concept sketches that I would like to share with you and get your feedback. To better understand what I am trying to accomplish, I included a design brief below.

DESIGN BRIEF:

Currently, there are very few products that cater to the crafters’ needs and are attractive and inspiring. Working at home, crafters find it difficult to deal with clutter without a designated workspace. The majority of crafters lack workspace, making it difficult to keep organized and focused. Since their living space often doubles as their workspace, I want to create a smooth transition from one to the other that is personalized to their lifestyle.

I will create a storage system that blends with the home, is seamless with everyday life, and diminishes anything obtrusive or distracting. Organization will allow the crafter’s business to run more efficiently. A system that reduces clutter will allow the crafter to store, sort, organize, and disguise tools and materials when they are not in use. This system will also allow the crafter to display beautiful objects that inspire them and add a personal touch to the space. Crafters need a structured, professional, personal, and flexible system to make crafting more efficient and enjoyable while also enhancing the creative environment.

This is a 'craft station'; it is a customizable armoir that contains supplies and displays inspiring objects. When closed, the decorative door panels are showcased and are customizable to blend with your decor. When in use, the doors open to display your materials in organized units. A drawer also can be pulled out to create an extra work surface and a movable unit can also come out for better access to storage below while the unit is in use.

1. What do you think about a larger piece of furniture like this that stores your materials and acts as a showpiece furniture in your living space?

What do you think about a larger piece of furniture like this that stores your materials and acts as a showpiece furniture in your living space?

Choose how ever many units you will need, or add more later. These wall containers have doors that can open up to the side or bottom to display all supplies and tools. Some can hold removable boxes that you can take to your work surface. These units can be arranged anyway you choose and can be used as shelf space to display beautiful items you don't want to hide. These containers have a dimensional front becoming art when they are closed.

2. What do you like or dislike about the wall unit?

What do you like or dislike about the wall unit?

This material-focused unit can house yarn, fabric, and paper. Shelving pulls out to display fabric and paper stored flat and compartmentalized shelves cradle steins of yarn. A canvas door with a perforated pattern covers the front of this piece allowing air to flow through and musty odors out. This stretched canvas front adds texture and interest to the home while providing the appropriate place for your hard-to-store items.

3. Do you think this would be a valuable piece of furniture to have?
Would it be useful?

Do you think this would be a valuable piece of furniture to have? Would it be useful?

This system allows you to see all materials when you want to and disguise them beautifully when they should be out of sight. This tower, filled with clear bins, allows for customization of bin size and type. Remove a bin to take with you or role the whole unit to where it is needed. When crafting is done, simply pull down the front panel, like a window blind, for a cleaner, less cluttered look. This fabric panel can be customized with different fabrics to blend with your home.

4. Is the mobility of this piece important to you?
What changes would you like to see?

Is the mobility of this piece important to you? What changes would you like to see?

Keep everything together in an exciting way while separating your materials in these individual compartment pods. Carry the whole unit to your workspace, or locate particular items by glancing through the pod windows. Grab the compartment you need and it opens up to display its contents. On the go? Pull the pods that you need and slip them into the crafter's travel bag. Put back the compartments when your done by snapping them into place.

5. Is this kind of mobility useful?
What could make it more efficient?

Is this kind of mobility useful? What could make it more efficient?

1.

1. What do you think about a larger piece of furniture like this that stores your materials and acts as a showpiece furniture in your living space?

2. What do you like or dislike about the wall unit?

3. Do you think this would be a valuable piece of furniture to have? Would it be useful?

4. Is the mobility of this piece important to you? What changes would you like to see?

5. Is this kind of mobility useful? What could make it more efficient?

3. Do you think this would be a valuable piece of furniture to have?
Would it be useful?

4. Is the mobility of this piece important to you?
What changes would you like to see?

5. Is this kind of mobility useful?
What could make it more efficient?