1. a portfolio of design
contents
philosophy
product design
product design :fashion
environmental design
retail design
2. words
“ growing up, I had two favorite toys -- a box of Lego’s and a drawer full of Barbie clothes.
today, design is my passion and fashion is my greatest interest. ”
D e s i g n e n h a n c e s l i v e s . H i s l i f e . H e r l i f e . M y l i f e . Yo u r l i f e . A n d o u r l i v e s h a v e c h a n g e d .
Gone are the days where we walk through the front door, put our umbrellas in the umbrella stand, our coat on the coat rack, and our briefcase
on the floor between the umbrella stand and the coat rack. Contemporary culture is represented by an active, on-the-go lifestyle. We like the
option of wearing a different coat everyday, matching our handbag to our shoes that go with the outfit we bought for that job interview, and very
rarely do we leave our work at the office.
As our modern lives have changed to reflect dynamic human behavior, so should the way we interact with our everyday products and environ-
ments. To think linearly, we all know that the one-hundredth collision between your right hip and the console table can highlight the frustration
of two-hour stint in traffic. Just as this experience can escalate our current emotions, a more favorable interaction with our everyday objects
and spaces may ease our emotions while simultaneously creating attachments to those products as they adapt to the nuances of our modern
lives.
My portfolio work has teetered between interior architectural design and product design, with a common element of modularity. I’ve chosen the
concept of modularity as it demands at least some level of interaction. These kind of interactive experiences foster meaningful relationships be-
tween users and products and like any relationship, user-product relationships need to allow for growth and change and the modular elements
of a design allow that to happen. The more that relationship becomes dependable and reasonably flexible, the more value we place upon it and
the products, in effect, become more sustainable. As the relationship grows, an inevitable emotional attachment develops and users are less
likely to discard the item for a newer, trendier version, prolonging, if not saving, the object from obsolescence. While sustainability in design is
reliant upon responsible material choices and manufacturing processes, I believe that it is the alternative initiatives for sustainability that will
reach the broadest audience, and will ultimately become a realistic answer to the environmental consequences of a consumer society.
4. product: arco mailbox
dimensions: 10”w x 48”d x 30”h
material: stainless steel, plastic
5. product: modules wall tiles
dimensions: 7”w x 6”d x 7”h
material: recycled cardboard
6. p re s e n t a t i o n pr oduc t: m odul es
research
The study of modular storage...leads to the study of pattern...leads to the study of pattern and function in pursuit of interaction.
design
Sketched curves and extruded forms merge when cylindrical tubes are cut along a single curved plane in numerous study models.
produce
Modules are produced using an extrusion process. A die
is made with the face of the desired number of conjoined
circles. The material is pressed through the die producing
lengths of the form restricted only by the size of the manu-
facturing facility. The extrusions are then cut to 6” lengths.
Finally, the cubes are cut along a curved plane creating
one convex tile and one concave tile producing a single
set of Modules.
modules
7. p ro t o t y p e : pv c t u b i n g pr oduc t: m odul es
8. product: slide modular storage
panel: baltic birch ply, formica laminate
18”w x 1”d x 24”h
components: heat bent, laser cut acrylic
14”w x 5”d x 13”h
9. p re s e n t a t i o n pr oduc t: s l i de
Slide Modular Storage RESEARCH
design
The slide modular storage system is designed for interaction. The wall mounted systems adapts to any
environment with interchangeable components that function both as storage and display. The laminated
panel simply screws into any wall and the components can be paired to suit the individuals preferences,
behaviors, or lifestyle. The interchangeable components are made of laser cut, heat bent acrylic that Slide
effortlessly into the wall panel. Designed for simplicity and function the slide modular storage system
makes any environment more personal and attuned to the individual needs of the user.
Panel: Co m p o n e n ts:
Wine Rack Light Magazine Rack DVD Rack Bud Vase Stem Ware Rack
10. p ro t o t y p e : m df , a c ry l i c pr oduc t: s l i d e
11. product: vigne vases
dimensions: 1.5”w x 1.5”d x 7”h
material: anodized aluminum
13. fashion: a woven scarf
dimensions: 84”w x .235”d x 4.5”h
material: die cut wool, embroidery floss
14. p re s e n t a t i o n fas hi on: a w ov en s c ar f
a woven s c a r f
a woven scarf is casual and modern, fashionable in its own right. Designed for simplicity, of production, of
wear, and of handle, a woven scarf brings fashion to another level. A more personal level. A more sustain-
able level.
In our increasingly eco-conscious culture, fashion can no longer be dependent on seasonal trends and the
hottest new designer. a woven scarf challenges the idea of a seasonal garment by incorporating itself into a
user’s existing wardrobe while affording more than just neckwear. Wear it alone or in multiples as a graphic
fashion accessory, or weave your grandmother’s hand-knit scarf into a woven scarf for added warmth and a
modern juxtaposition of old and new.
available colors: die cut wool, embroidery floss
18. p ro d u c t l i n e : sold at handmade art fairs and online at etsy.com fas hi on: a w ov en s c ar f
19. m o du l e s w a l l tile s a s a re ta i l d i splay for a woven scar f. fas hi on: a w ov en s c ar f
De Vo s G aller y. M arq u e tte , Mi c h i g a n . Ap ri l 1 6 - May 2, 2008.
20. p ro d u c t a n d p acka g i n g fas hi on: a w ov en s c ar f
21. fashion: elle evening bag
dimensions: 14”w x 1”d x 6”h
material: panel, 3d printed abs plastic
shell, molded leather
22. p re s e n t a t i o n fas hi on: el l e
E lle
evening bag
A night out.. crowded bars, loud music, and the min-
gling of public and private space. And we do it in 4 inch
heels, carrying a cosmopolitan and a purse containing
all of our essentials for the night.
Step 1 Se
: lect your essen- As individuals, we have our own ideas of personal style,
ti l .
as and within that single notion is a range of styles relative
the social environment. Jeans and a T-shirt at a dive
Cab Fare bar, a chic cocktail dress at the opening of the new-
Credit Card est downtown restaurant. But our essentials remain.
Cell Phone The mass customizing capabilities of the Elle bag chal-
Lipstick lenges users to thoughtfully consider their lifestyle and
Personal Space actions while making their individual design choices
by committing to products that are normally driven by
Users selected entries are used changing trends and brand names.
to determine structure and layout
of interior panels.
Just as our thoughts and actions are divided by the
hemispheres of our brain into left and right “brained”
decisions, so to is our interaction with the Elle Bag. The
two hemispheres of the evening bag separate our ac-
tions into those of a logical and personal nature, which
is further indicated by the different colored interior pan-
els. User product interaction, becomes second nature,
thus allowing full awareness of present thoughts and
actions.
23. c o n c e p t e v o l u ti o n th ro u g h ske tch models fas hi on: el l e
24. technical drawing fas hi on: el l e
elle evening bag: exploded view
a: exterior shell, left
b: interior panel, left
c: removable mirror
a
d: interior panel, right
e: exterior shell, left
f: pivot pins
b
c
d
e
f
25. p ro t o t y p e : high d e n s i ty mo d e l i n g fo a m fas hi on: el l e
3d p ri n te d a b s p l a s ti c
27. environments: modular interiors public seating
dimensions: bench, 7’w x 3’d x 3’h
chair, 3’w x 3’d x 3’h
material: plastic
28. p re s e n t a t i o n env i r onm ents : m odul ar i nter i or s
Modular Interiors
Public Seating
Each piece of a Modular Interiors environment stands
alone on a single platform, giving the user the choice to
use it on its own, or connect it to other components to cre-
ate a private environment within a larger, often impersonal
public space.
Inspired by a remote control, the form of this piece came
from the layer of remote control buttons held within. A single
surface of rubber molded into a pattern of geometric shapes.
Each button serves a different purpose in the entertaining
experience, just as each piece of the Modular Interiors group
serves a different function within it’s environment. The con-
cept of the piece, it’s modularity, was derived from the pos-
sessor of the remote control’s desire and ability to control
their environment with ease, comfort, and convenience.
34. retail: elan storage and display
dimensions: 2.5’w x 3’d x 6’h
material: acrylic, stainless steel
35. p re s e n t a t i o n r etai l : el an
elan retail storage. storage meets display. display meets fashion.
A retail shopper is seduced by a window display featuring the season’s latest
fashions. The window display exhibits a clean presentation of product, but in
the retail space, she struggles to locate the items on cluttered store floors. The
Elan Storage and Display system eliminates this stress, creating an environ-
ment within the store that is as clean and alluring as the storefront.
Inspired by the concept of window shopping, the Elan Storage and Display
system, provides an interesting view of product, and semantic solution to stor-
age. Stylized silhouettes of clothing items mark both the front and back of
each unit providing the consumer with clear indication of the contents of each
unit. Searching for the perfect top becomes as carefree as window shopping
n
ela
36. p ro t o t y p e : ac r y l i c , a l u m i n u m r etai l : el an
1” = 1 ’ -0 ”
37. retail: v.i.p retail fixtures
dimensions: 14”w x 5” x 6”h
material: anodized aluminum
38. p re s e n t a t i o n r etai l : v. i . p .
Fashion is an outward expression of the self. With that defini-
tion, and the uniqueness that is human personality and behav-
ior, no two persons will have the same sense of style. Similar
tastes, undoubtedly, but never the same idea of personal ex-
pression. Cluttered racks of identical garments in retail stores
do no justice to such expression of the self. The VIP storage
and display fixture, conversely, highlights this concept.
Each ergonomically designed fixture holds only four identical
garments. A computer- chip is installed in each fixture indicat-
ing the current inventory for the featured product. Consumers
are able to immediately recognize value in the products, value
that is inherent, not merely marked by a particular brand.
V IP a lue n r o d u ct r e t a i l f i x tu re s
