Downloadable design

Design tools for users to shape their own furniture.

type
client project for Droog
year
2011
team
Alexander Rulkens, Tal Erez, Mario Minale
role
design and implement web-based design tools for products
result
Presented during Droog exhibition the Milan Furniture Fair 2011
Box-o-rama for sale in Droog store (including editor)

About the project

Droog is a conceptual Dutch design company that pushes the boundaries of the field. In this project they explored the possibilities of digital manufacturing. Three of products developed by independent designers were to be customized by the end-user. We at studio:ludens were asked to develop online design tools to help the user do so.

Box-o-rama

Designer Tal Erez wanted Box-o-rama to offer users complete freedom to arrange the boxes in any way. No base, no grid, no templates. My challenge was to create an enormous solution space in which everything that was designable was also producible.

Through a mix of smart algorithms I was able to turn any bunch of boxes into a sound design. Designs will have support where needed, while allowing for aesthetic touches like small overhangs.

A prototype of Box-o-rama exhibited at the Milan Design Fair 2011.

Façades & Functions

A straight-forward interface to arrange spaces on a template. The real-time isometric preview gives a sense of the final design.

Whereas the Wannabe Wardrobe preview was aiming for realism, this preview would hide too much information. Its abstraction of the actual design allows the user to accurately see the dimensions and layout.

Left:
technical drawing of one possible design.

Right:
prototype of Façades & Functions at Milan Design Fair 2011.

Wannabe wardrobe

A straight-forward interface to arrange spaces on a template. The real-time isometric preview gives a sense of the final design.

Whereas the Wannabe Wardrobe preview was aiming for realism, this preview would hide too much information. Its abstraction of the actual design allows the user to accurately see the dimensions and layout.

Left:
technical drawing of one possible design.

Right:
prototype of Wannabe wardrobe at Milan Design Fair 2011.