Margaret "Chase" Allread
Issue Based Design
Unplugged
When objects speak, are we listening? Unplugged was the design that I chose to prototype for my senior thesis. Through research and observation, I discovered an opportunity to create more meaningful objects by using products as mediums to convey messages to consumers. The underlying message of Unplugged is "do not try to do today's job with yesterday's tools." We are now a society that has become more productive without the confinement of office walls. Many employees work from home or even for themselves. Unplugged is a coffee table/work station that provides users with a tool to do the jobs of today. A storage bin, retractable leaf, and seat/lap tray come together to create this multifunctional design for the future. Can you hear it now?
Solutions​
The Hide
The Hide is a seating system designed for a collaborative project between Impact Consulting and HFI Brands. Not only is its structure suggestive of current lifestyles, but it is also demonstrative of how people communicate within their environments. Inspired by the brand language created with Barclay Butera’s use of animal prints, The Hide transforms textile patterning into a 3-d form. The system acts as a coffee table, ottoman, or seating according to the user’s preferences. This multi-functional aspect adds value to the consumer purchasing at the middle price point. The Barclay Butera line is currently sold at a premium price point, so the issue that I was asked to resolve was to design for the middle price point while still maintaining the brand language of the line.
Bobra
Whether you’re Bob or Barbara, everyone enjoys having a personal area for their items while getting ready to take on the world. Who has time to look for things while in a rush? Bobra, the personal corner storage unit, helps one stay organized by eliminating cluster-prone shelves and ledges. Drawers swing outward to expose each product’s permanent place. Bobra’s structure makes staying organized an effortless motion. The other sides include a full length mirror and a curved panel of frosted acrylic that features a cut pattern for tie or scarf storage. The cut pattern is an easily customizable feature. The pie-shaped structure with casters allows for positioning of the piece into any corner. Perfect for the consumer who believes in the out-of-sight, out-of-mind organizational method.
The Diner
A diner is usually a place where breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served. In this situation, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner happen to be the name of its three resident goldfish. The tank itself will be constructed with quarter inch glass and a hidden filtration system. The outer layer will consist of silicone and a solid wood top for the mounting of the light. Since one of the most appealing aspects of an aquarium is the illumination it provides, I have chosen to have a lamp profile cut-out on its faces. This project, driven by the concept of pet furniture, is an attempt to connect the product to its user through the means of aquatic life. Another aspect of the piece that helps to solidify these relationships is that it fits into home decor. Whatever you do, just don’t order the fish and chips.
