Jason
http://z3333692.blogspot.com/
Krista
http://kristamav.blogspot.com/
Jimmy
http://www.z3332715.blogspot.com/
Santi
http://z3330189.blogspot.com/
Ben
http://bjcyc.blogspot.com/
Great work guys (and Krista), looks great!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Experience Enrichment- Rationale
Not unlike standard gym fitness and cardiovascular equipment, dumbbells (handheld weights, often varying in weight) I find have an overly simple, outdate, industrial and purely functional look. As it is often built straight out of solid metals such as steel, the unforgiving surface often provokes calluses and other kinds of skin damage to the hand. In addition to this dumbbells are an eyesore even when they are not in use, often being kicked beneath a bed as people visit.
I felt an alternate design was required, and I looked to a sculptural design style. It would be beneficial to the market gym products in putting an end to the dumbbells incredibly unattractive aesthetic, as well as opening up opportunities to better the ergonomics as well.
The redesign of the dumbbell is improvement in many ways. In accordance to the primary goal of the redesign, the sleek silver modern finish on the metal enhances the natural beauty of the dumbbells organic shape as well as giving it a contemporary feel, allowing it to blend into the atmosphere of the modern household and/or gym. The interesting choice of shape in the dumbbell creates a talking point amongst friends and guests who encounter it; its presence is compatible with a kitchen, lobby, bedroom, bathroom or living room setting as while it is non-functional it acts as an artistic centrepiece.
The deceptively heavy weight encourages a more casual approach to weight training by using its small stature and size to subconsciously convince the user into a positive frame of mind, of being able to use the weight with ease and thus benefit. The standard dumbbell is designed and constructed perfectly symmetrically (prior to optional tampering when adjusting for a heavy or lighter weight in customizable weights) and therefore balance was no issue in need of a solution.
From the moment I first set my eyes on gym weights as a designer, I knew the age of heavy industrial weights were over. The trend of redesigning fitness equipment paves the way for the future of a public gym’s aesthetics, a more attractive exercise space, and thus potentially a more health conscious population.
The setting of the modern gym boasts to advances of design such as organically shaped treadmills. The days of heavy industrial weights are over.
I felt an alternate design was required, and I looked to a sculptural design style. It would be beneficial to the market gym products in putting an end to the dumbbells incredibly unattractive aesthetic, as well as opening up opportunities to better the ergonomics as well.
The redesign of the dumbbell is improvement in many ways. In accordance to the primary goal of the redesign, the sleek silver modern finish on the metal enhances the natural beauty of the dumbbells organic shape as well as giving it a contemporary feel, allowing it to blend into the atmosphere of the modern household and/or gym. The interesting choice of shape in the dumbbell creates a talking point amongst friends and guests who encounter it; its presence is compatible with a kitchen, lobby, bedroom, bathroom or living room setting as while it is non-functional it acts as an artistic centrepiece.
The deceptively heavy weight encourages a more casual approach to weight training by using its small stature and size to subconsciously convince the user into a positive frame of mind, of being able to use the weight with ease and thus benefit. The standard dumbbell is designed and constructed perfectly symmetrically (prior to optional tampering when adjusting for a heavy or lighter weight in customizable weights) and therefore balance was no issue in need of a solution.
From the moment I first set my eyes on gym weights as a designer, I knew the age of heavy industrial weights were over. The trend of redesigning fitness equipment paves the way for the future of a public gym’s aesthetics, a more attractive exercise space, and thus potentially a more health conscious population.
The setting of the modern gym boasts to advances of design such as organically shaped treadmills. The days of heavy industrial weights are over.
