Graduate Thesis Presentation

Fall 2011 Thesis Presentations

2011-11-30T12:46:00.001-05:00

Future Artifacts

Please join the Industrial Design Department in attending thesis presentations and exhibition showcasing new, emerging work by Graduating Industrial Design students from the class of 2011.

Arnold Chu // Intelligent Life Forms
Carla Jaspers // All People Considered
Christine Llewellyn // Tomorrow’s Aging
Chun Chun // Hong Kong Design
Jesse Trentadue // Plastic Fantastic
Jin Ah Roe // Design for Urban Nomadic Lifestyle
Lana Mina Popovic // Totality Within Dynamic Patterns

For more information, please call the Industrial Design Department at (718) 636-3631 or visit prattmid.blogspot.com.

Chun Chun

2011-10-09T23:51:00.000-04:00

chunchun_0387 [at] yahoo.com

Hong Kong Design

Continuing to remain and recreate our culture is most valuable for human society. A product that has a rich cultural reference has always inspired me. By exploring my native Hong Kong vernacular culture and lifestyle, I would like to define a new identity of Hong Kong design to showcase our uniqueness. However this thesis opportunity will not only benefit the local Hong Kong community, it also invites the others to distinguish the beauty of Hong Kong culture.

I was born and raised in Hong Kong. I came to USA to start my art and design education six years ago. I have been doing textile and jewelry design in my career.

Advisor: Henry Yoo

Jin Ah Roe

2011-10-09T23:08:00.000-04:00

jina1814 [at] gmail.com

Design for Urban Nomadic Lifestyle

Having lived in densely populated metropolises her entire life, Jin Ah wants her designs to address the needs of compact urban living. She is into practical design solutions that literally give people a breather.

South Korean born Jin Ah Roe received BFA in furniture and interior design. With a desire to further her learning, she came to Pratt, and ever-inspiring city of New York.

Advisor: Henry Yoo

Carla Jaspers

2011-10-08T23:35:00.000-04:00

carmjaspers [at] yahoo.com

All People Considered

Recognizing what connects us as consumers and human beings involves an understanding of the various contexts in which people exist, as well as how people interact with products and why. Deeper consideration of product adaptability in response to diverse user demands could lead to more inclusive product offerings which are relevant within multiple contexts. Through a new interpretation of universal design, and an exploration of creative and innovative product applications, the proposed design framework seeks to reform attitudes towards disability and aging, yielding work that resonates with within Industry and the marketplace.

This thesis presents an opportunity to contribute design concepts which generate enthusiasm across a broad spectrum of user groups, to improve the consumer experience for all, and to challenge perceptions of what products can be.

Carla Jaspers holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Ithaca College. With ten years of experience as an Occupational Therapist and Ergonomic Consultant, Carla's work is strongly influenced by the insight gained from her patients, through whom she witnessed the profound affects of both good & bad design; observing that Design has the ability to empower or injure; to delight or to alienate; to validate or invalidate. Having worked closely with those outside the mainstream consumer demographic to facilitate independence and functionality, her work focuses on design that engages a broader range of people, and considers dynamic user demands and abilities throughout the lifespan. Carla is currently a freelance designer for Omhu Inc. in New York City.

Advisor: Andrew Schloss

Jesse Trentadue

2011-10-08T22:02:00.001-04:00

jesse32 [at] gmail.com

Plastic Fantastic

As we eclipse peak oil and push further into the 21st century, industrialized societies will see a marked change in their relationship with plastic. Petrochemical polymers will no longer be suitable for disposable products and their reclamation systems will greatly expand as the cost of virgin material increases and our natural environment degrades. This thesis is an exploration into the near future when the plastic products around us take on new significance and value.

Jesse Trentadue strives to create delightful objects and experiences. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Jesse attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota where he earned bachelors degrees in biology and fine art.

Advisor: Andrew Schloss

Lana Mina Popovic

2011-10-08T15:48:00.001-04:00

lana975 [at] gmail.com

Totality Within Dynamic Patterns

The dynamic manifestation of physical phenomena in nature has an immediate and profound effect on human experience. The ever changing disposition of surface qualities on all organic forms, living and non-living, is a visual indicator of impermanent nature of life and of interdependent relationship between all phenomena. It is this very dynamic which contributes to the excitement, spontaneity and sophistication of nature’s grand design. Totality Within Dynamic Patterns presents an exploration into the energetic character of changing patterns while integrating human participation as means to initiate a holistic interplay of the two.

Lana Mina Popovic was born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1981. She came to the United States in 1999 for the purpose of expanding her horizons and pursuing higher education. She attended the University of Charleston in WV gaining her BA degree in Interior Design with minor in Leadership. Upon graduating she moved to New York City where she worked as the project manager at O’Neil Langan Architects, and later as an independent contractor at the interior design firm of Randall A. Ridless. In addition to her intellectual pursuits Lana has also spent most of her life engaging in various physical disciplines. For the past 5 years she focused primarily on internal and external cultivation of Chinese martial arts which had tremendous influence on forming her present personality and establishing her life’s philosophies.

Advisor: Henry Yoo

Christine Llewellyn

2011-10-08T15:39:00.000-04:00

christine.llewellyn [at] gmail.com

Tomorrow's Aging

By 2030 it is estimated that nearly a quarter of the U.S. population will be aged 65 and older. This demographic shift is a global phenomenon. As the world gets older and lifespans increase due to medical advancements, there will be an overwhelming need to develop innovative systems through which this population can maintain their quality of life for as long as possible.

Technology will revolutionize the aging experience. My thesis aims to explore the psychology and business of aging and design a system that will enhance and enrich the lives of future aging populations.

Christine Llewellyn received her bachelors degree in Psychology from Wesleyan University. Prior to Pratt, Christine obtained her M.B.A. from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and was a marketing manager at American Express specializing in product design and innovation.

Advisor: Andrew Schloss

Arnold Chu

2011-10-08T15:34:00.003-04:00

arnoldchu [at] gmail.com

Intelligent life forms

In the immediate future, our food supply is going to be a major concern. With an increase in food genetic modifications, scarcity and high cost of chemical free organics, and pollution generated by long distance food transportation, growing our own food in our own homes is a concept worth looking into.

For urban dwellers, space limitations and shapes of cityscapes make it extremely challenging to grow food in urban habitats. My thesis explores and creates ways to assist and enhance the practice of urban farming. With the use of design and technology, I hope to make growing food in an urban environment easier and more feasible.

Arnold Chu moved to New York from Hong Kong during his teen years. Passionate about technology, Arnold received his Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering from NYU Polytechnic and went on to working in the computer industry for over a decade. Bored with the routine of an engineer, he left the industry to experience life outside of the laboratory. Wandering in the big big world stirred his desire to create and inspired him to become an industrial designer. Arnold is fascinated with the idea of injecting life and intelligence to our surrounding through the use of science and technology.

Advisor: Henry Yoo

Sara McBeen

2011-04-17T14:56:00.000-04:00

Restoring Relevance : Explorations in value restoration

In this culture of abundance we have developed a devotion to inexpensive design and disposable goods that has skewed our definition of value and made our relationships with our objects impersonal and distant. This thesis calls for a shift in consciousness that brings back the idea of sustained relevance that has been traded in for the thrill of the latest and greatest new product. Burgeoning trends in areas like fixing and DIY call for a response by designers to re-imagine the objects and consider the opportunity for expression, character and dialog that can only be cultivated over time and duration of use. By celebrating wear and encouraging we can find personal expression through our objects that transcends their designed obsolescence and restores their relevance to us and to our lives.

Sara McBeen is a designer living and working in Brooklyn NY. She earned her BA in Fine Art in Northern California in 2002 and worked as studio assistant at Diana Crain Porcelains before moving to Brooklyn to pursue a Masters in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute. She is interested in design that grows in the cracks of human perceptions and becomes a catalyst for inspiring new directions in design and human behavior. Driven by her community environment as much as her material environment, she believes in using design as a tool for carving out an image of the kind of world she would like to live and take part in.

Saramcbeen[at]gmail.com

Advisor: Fred Blumlein

Stevenson Aung

2011-04-17T14:54:00.001-04:00

Inside Outside : Scales of Human Consciousness

Consciousness occurs across varying scales – from the self to the surrounding context. Reconciling these scales create an awareness and connection to larger realities and spiritual qualities. Through industrial design, systems design and interactive media, this thesis explores ways to create a sense of place and time through projects of varying scope and nature.

Stevenson Aung received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta and L’EDHEC Business School specializing in finance and international business. He has since developed an interdisciplinary approach to design with projects varying in scope and nature. He is fascinated with ideas that connect people across all scales of design. Aung is currently a candidate for the Master of Industrial Design degree from the Pratt Institute.

stevensonaung[at]gmail.com

Advisor: Bruce Hannah

Sushir J Kadidal

2011-04-17T14:54:00.000-04:00

Emerge: New Roots for Old Cities

The human race is in the midst of its largest migration in history; the culmination of centuries of human development, a time of incredible transformation and hope. Villages and country sides around the world are emptying out and people are pouring into cities at an incredible rate. While cities focus on the infrastructural and commercial growth it’s easy for them to forget what gave them their roots as the vibrant epicenters of education, religion, communication and political power and not just commerce – their public space.

Sushir Kadidal is a designer who is intrigued by the powerful connections between the various scales of design – architecture, transportation, furniture, print, and the systems that govern them. He’s led a dichotomous life having split his childhood between Bangalore, India, where he was born, and New York City where he spent most of his childhood. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Architecture from the School of Architecture, R.V.C.E., Bangalore, he practiced architecture in India. Although he quickly realized that it was time to move back to NY.

sjkadidal[at]gmail.com

Advisor: Andrew Schloss

Nicole Howell

2011-04-17T14:52:00.000-04:00

NYC-EAT

For the Impoverished and homeless , knowing how to sustain one's self or where your next meal is going to come from is a common question. This thesis takes a look at means for survival in New York City through food and street survival. Nyc-eat is a network that connects organizations and resources with the people that need them. Nyc-eat is a citywide initiative which allows organizations and individuals to take part in reducing food waste in order to reduce hunger.

Nicole is a born and raised New Yorker! Nicole obtained her Bachelors in Engineering at Rensselaer. After studying and working in the field she decided to develop her skills as an Industrial Designer. With the knowledge and training she's obtained at Pratt, she hopes to empower people and enrich lives through the world of design and human development.

howeln2[at]gmail.com

Advisor: Henry Yoo

Robert A Patrick

2011-04-17T14:50:00.000-04:00

My thesis is a design process to create meaningful personal connections among people. The products, environments and services I am creating are meant to establish and foster communication. My designs are responses to how life and society have left us alone in a connected world.

I was born in Los Angeles in the rainy season of 1981. With most of my family in the mid-west I spent much of my formidable years in the back of a 1978 Chevy Impala station wagon driving the interior of the United States, yet seldom crossing the Mississippi. I first came to New York to attend the Tisch School of the Arts. The City has been my home for a dozen years now. In that time I have worked in the photography, film / television production, and as a carpenter. Now I am an industrial designer working towards meaningful and scalable solutions for human-centered and sustainability issues.

rpatrick[at]me.com

Advisor: Fred Blumlein

Rowen Van Ingen

2011-04-17T14:48:00.000-04:00

Young children are naturally curious, playful and lighthearted. They are open-minded and impressionable; hands-on and involved. Kids candidly express themselves without reservation and readily forgive and forget. Effortlessly engaging each of their senses, they are eager to explore, unearth and investigate their surroundings. It is my goal to generate for seasoned adults opportunities that reactivate and provoke this lost sense of wonder and amazement toward the every day and recapture the charm that childhood holds.

A southern belle from Texas, Rowen grew up on her parent's farm where she spent her days exploring nature and riding horses. After receiving an architecture degree from Texas A&M, she dabbled in boutique hospitality design at a firm in Dallas. Increasingly unsatisfied, Rowen packed a few of her belongings and headed to Brooklyn in search of a more personal and tangible endeavor. She has found fulfillment in creating with her hands, relishing the nights spent in studio covered in saw dust and plaster spatters. She looks forward to heading back to the country.

rrrrowen[at]gmail.com

Advisor: Henry Yoo

Sara Dierck

2011-04-17T14:43:00.000-04:00

Designer Gets Used: Explorations into Collaborative and Participant Driven Design

What happens when a designer invites an end user to be a participant in the design process? Can design thinking and production become stronger through collaboration? This thesis examines the user/designer relationship from product development to final object, where each step is informed by users, whom I am renaming participants. Built on a backbone of participatory art practices and research into traditional methods of observation, this experimental process investigates the importance of finding personal identification in an object, as well as the value of listening to and learning with others.

Sara Dierck has always enjoyed working and making with others. Born and raised in Washington State, Sara Dierck received a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute, where she learned that collaboration and participatory art was fun and rewarding. After moving to Brooklyn in 2003, Sara discovered the possibilities of industrial design by seeing hints within her own interactive sculpture. Her time at Pratt has given Sara a belief in design's potential to initiate positive change, and create meaningful relationships between the objects, environments and people in our lives.

sara@saradierck.com
now.saradierck.com

Advisor: Fred Blumlein

Li-Rong Liao

2011-04-17T14:41:00.000-04:00

Structure and pattern are greatly applied in everything around us. It is also the essence of the beauty of Math. I firmly believe that Math can add so much to design, not merely to the form but also to the process and the logic behind. Therefore, the main thesis research is to study pattern and structure, through Mathematical analysis and calculation, in the hope of bringing the beauty of Math closer to our daily life.

With former training in Mathematics, Li-Rong's design is always inspired by the simplicity and beauty of Math. Born and raised in Taiwan, Li-Rong moved to New York in 2008. In New York, she found her lifelong interest in design. As an industrial designer, Li-Rong is pursuing the sense of fulfillment and happiness through the ability of transforming her inspirations and imagination into realistic design objects.

Liaolr[at]gmail.com

Advisor: Henry Yoo

David Kim + Michael Seto

2011-04-17T14:35:00.000-04:00

What does industrial design mean?

From designer to student, everyone in the field of industrial design has heard this question. As a discipline that has never been fully defined, we want to explore what it means today. In the past, industrial designer primarily meant being the Maker of Things, but now, the definition has expanded to include the Solver of Problems. The big reason for this change is the need to manage consequences. On the horizon lies change, and designers with a process in problem solving can take a large stake in this future.

With a background that merges art and business, David Kim has maintained Fortune 100 accounts, designed online social networks, managed a modern art museum, founded an experimental art/music/film festival, served as Creative Director for a non-profit organization, and started his own company. He finds inspiration in music, globalization, public space, technologies, and networks.

david[at]clickboompow.com

Fostered with a degree in Environmental Studies, a former career in project management, building planning, and construction, Mike Seto found a way to connect the pragmatic with the idealistic. Focused on enriching the bigger picture, the experience of a lifetime during his graduate studies taught him personal lessons through process, context, purpose, and crossing the lines of inspiration. His design education has empowered him to create positive and meaningful solutions in all his endeavors.

mps1123[at]gmail.com

Advisor: Andrew Schloss

Mike Jozewicz

2011-04-17T14:32:00.000-04:00

Quilted: Connecting Immigrants, Cultures and Public Space in New York City

The cultural diversity of New York City is unparalleled. Virtually every country in the world is represented in its immigrant population, some 176 languages are spoken in its public schools, and in neighborhoods such as Jackson Heights, Queens, the foreign-born population exceeds 60%. Immigrants from disparate cultures live side by side enriching street life with their native cultures, but have little opportunity to engage each other, yet alone shape the public realm, the common ground where they could connect. Using Jackson Heights as a case study, this thesis strives to connect different peoples, their cultures, their homes and public space.

Mike is a designer who is interested in a broad spectrum of scales, from a lighting fixture to a university campus master plan. He was born in Poland, raised in the Piedmont of North Carolina and studied in St. Louis, MO, where he received a BS of Architecture from Washington University. He worked in the fields of residential and sustainable institutional architecture in coastal North Carolina and San Francisco before moving to Brooklyn to pursue a Masters of Industrial Design at the Pratt Institute.

mikejozewicz[at]yahoo.com

Advisor: Andrew Schloss

Donell Hutson

2011-04-17T14:28:00.000-04:00

Superheroes: Science and Technology

Modern science and engineering continues to push the limits of human ability. There are a myriad of materials, objects and devices currently in development that are blurring the line between fantasy and reality. Superheroes: Science and Technology, is a proposal for a science exhibit that examines the history and future of human technological innovation, while exploring its relationship with the superheroes we all know and love.

Donell Hutson is an Industrial Designer and illustrator from Brooklyn, NY. He attended Hamilton College, where he received a bachelor's degree in Fine Art and Hispanic studies. Hutson's many interests range from music and sports, to fine art and animation. All of these areas help to inform his design work. He currently pursues a Masters of Industrial Design degree at Pratt institute.

donell.hutson[at]gmail.com

Thesis Advisor: Bruce Hannah

Ivey Lian

2011-04-17T14:25:00.000-04:00

Conscious Living: Cultivating Moments of Mindfulness

“Conscious Living: Cultivating Moments of Mindfulness” seeks to awaken our senses to the beauty of the present moment. It creates interactions that bring attention to the senses by exploring the importance of intention, the awareness of breath, and the cultivation of love for oneself. In these ways, “Conscious Living: Cultivating Moments of Mindfulness” celebrates the unexpected vibrancy of everyday life that reveals itself subtly and gracefully before us when we take the time to look.

Ivey Lian is a designer passionate about translating the beauty of ordinary life. She was born in Taiwan, grew up in Richmond, and received her BA in Media Arts and Design at James Madison University. Ivey began her career in San Francisco, working in both the for-profit and non-profit worlds as a graphic and interaction designer. In 2007, she headed back to the East Coast to pursue her Masters of Industrial Design degree at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where she lives and works today.

ivey.lu[at]gmail.com

Advisor: Fred Blumlein

Jason Hu

2011-04-17T14:23:00.000-04:00

Contraception, Man

In the last century, medical and scientific advancements have created an explosion of contraceptive methods of unprecedented effectiveness, reliability, and availability. These tools are deeply entwined in our modern lives, relationships, in our very bodies, and they have done much to advance the interests of women, men, children, and the world at large. Yet contraception remains under-acknowledged and perceived as a woman’s concern. As male contraceptive research proceeds through phase three clinical trials, we must re-evaluate the role of men in contraceptive practice, the way medical devices shape our social conceptions, and re-envision a better, healthier, more balanced future.

Jason Hu grew up in Northern California and studied bioengineering at the University of California, Berkeley in a previous life. Now, he is a designer who likes to solve problems, particularly when they engage his analytical thinking capacities and allow him to have a genuine and positive social impact. He is currently a part of the Forge Design Collective.

Thesis Advisor: Fred Blumlein

Lara Knutson

2011-04-17T14:20:00.000-04:00

Lara Knutson is an Industrial Designer and an Architect in New York. She received a bachelors degree in Architecture from Pratt Institute. Lara's jewelry is sold at the MoMA Design Stores in New York and Japan, as well as the The Future Perfect in Brooklyn and Manhattan and other stores around the world. Her piece titled "soft glass" is in the permanent collection at the Corning Museum of Glass.

Lara[at]laraknutson.com

Advisor: Bruce Hannah

Andrea Harpole

2011-04-17T14:16:00.000-04:00

Organic Form and Universal Design in Tableware

The use and handling of tableware presents challenges for any person. The challenges are unique for each individual depending on variables such as age, size, strength, and also injuries or disabilities. The design of products can address loss of function caused by disability and it can also ease the use of products for the general population. This thesis will examine the use of organic forms to improve ergonomics in tableware.

Andrea has always been interested in nature and wilderness, athletics and motion.
Her undergraduate studies were in European history and culture at Scripps College in Claremont, CA and she has completed master’s degrees in library and information science at Simmons College in Boston, MA and ergonomics and biomechanics at New York University.

andrea_harpole[at]yahoo[dot]com

Advisor: Bruce Hannah

Sahar Ghaher + Ashley Thorfinnson

2011-04-17T14:13:00.000-04:00

Designing Hope: Investigating Financial Models for Socially-Minded Design

As designers, Sahar and Ashley are passionate about improving the world around them and aim to devote their studies, careers and lives to this end. Their thesis, entitled “Designing Hope: Investigating Financial Models for Socially-Minded Design” explores a series of case studies for funding humanitarian design. They partnered with NGOs, community-based organizations and companies to collaboratively develop solutions for the communities they serve. Their thesis aims to create a new path and show successful examples of how "design for the greater good" can be a viable career as well as a life's passion.

Sahar Ghaheri is a designer who grew up in Pittsburgh. She received a BFA in Photography from Washington University in St. Louis and continued her studies at the Design Skolen Kolding in Denmark. Sahar has worked at El Boutique Creative group, a Kuwait-based design firm and held an internship at Karim Rashid in New York. Her experiences thus far have cemented her beliefs in sustainability and socially conscious design. Sahar is an Intern for Change at the Center for Sustainable Design Studies, and was a fellow at the Buckmister Fuller Institute in 2010.

saharghaheri[at]gmail.com

Ashley Thorfinnson is a designer who grew up in Minnesota and moved eastward to study at Dartmouth College. As an active member of New York's design community, Ashley is a member of Project H, an Intern at Pratt's Center for Sustainable Design Studies and a 2010 Buckminster Fuller Institute Fellow. Approaching design from a background in environmental studies and art, she is passionate about the idea of creating products, systems, and solutions that affect change on numerous scales through careful consideration of aesthetics, materiality, and intent.

athorfy[at]gmail.com

Advisor: Fred Blumlien

Blain Kennedy

2011-04-17T13:30:00.000-04:00

Designing sleep

Falling asleep is a skill that we all learned as babies. If a baby does not get enough sleep when she needs it then difficulties arise, not only for her parents but also in her cognitive and emotional development. By examining everything from tricks learned from parents to reflexes that lie deep in our genetic memory I have found keys to help babies sooth themselves.

Blain Kennedy was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He is interested in the changing ways the human race communicates with itself about itself; how it often tragically fails at it, and then redeems itself with an exquisite piece of jewelry, or music, or pie. He earned a BA in Communications. After careers in public radio and interactive advertising, he is pursuing a Master's degree in Industrial Design at Pratt Institute. His 23 month old daughter sleeps like a champ.

blainkennedy[at]hotmail[dot]com

Advisor: Bruce Hannah

Catherine Merrick

2011-04-17T13:26:00.000-04:00

Catherine Merrick is a designer from Las Vegas with a passionate interest in experimental use of materials and processes. Her work has been featured in Dwell Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Design Sponge, Moco Loco, Craft:, Apartment Therapy, Core77, Inhabitat and Treehugger. Her Quartz line of crystal tableware has just been put into production by the German crystal company Nachtmann.

catherinemerrick[at]gmail.com

Advisor: Bruce Hannah

Dana Oxiles

2011-04-17T13:19:00.000-04:00

Quiet design

Design should feel normal and effortless. The objective of quiet design is finding small ways to make everyday products more useful and meaningful without causing disruption. It is an attempt to address environmental, social and health-related issues in a subtle yet effective manner.

Dana is an industrial design hopeful with a degree in Psychology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. She studied ceramics and fashion before entering Pratt and worked as an educator in both Hawaii and Japan.

doxiles[at]pratt.edu

Advisor: Henry Yoo

Fall 2010 Thesis Presentations, Friday December 10th

2010-12-06T00:43:00.000-05:00

Please join us for presentations by this semester's Masters of Industrial Design candidates, Esin Arsan, Nina D'Amario and Lin Zhang. Presentations will be give in Pratt Studios, 4th Floor, room 43, with a reception and exhibit to follow from 4:30-6 pm in the Julian Curran Design Center Gallery.

Fall 2010 Graduate Thesis Presentations

2010-12-01T19:07:00.000-05:00

Esin Arsan
Chronic Wellness

Advancements in medicine enable us to live longer, but the proportion of our lives spent in ill health has actually increased. We are doing better, but feeling worse. Even if we receive the best medical care, symptoms and routines concerning our treatment plan cause stress and discomfort to our daily lives. "Chronic Wellness" looks at ways to improve patient experience and simplify self-management of chronic diseases by integrating fun, familiarity and empathy into the medical devices that we are expected to use on a regular basis. The focus of the project is the younger age group: children and adolescents living with chronic diseases. By creating opportunities for people to embrace their situation from the beginning of their journey with their lifelong conditions, design has the power to improve compliance, make chronic diseases less disabling for individuals, and change the way people experience pain by replacing negative emotions with positive ones.

Bio
Esin Arsan is a designer who grew up in Ankara, Turkey. In 2008, she moved to New York to pursue a Master's degree in Industrial Design. Prior to attending Pratt, she lived and studied in Italy and Turkey. She holds a BFA with highest honors in Interior Architecture from Bilkent University. Esin is a Fulbright Scholar and the recipient of the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship. She loves to travel and discover homes away from home, and aspires to be helpful to life.

esin.arsan[at]gmail[dot]com
http://www.esinarsan.com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah

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Nina D'Amario
Forcelines

The objects in my thesis represent my interest in kinetics. I am fascinated by the oloid, a geometric form, and have used it to explore color theory and motion tracking. I have also employed the principle of tension/compression to build a series of kites which have unique aerodynamic properties.

Bio
Originally from Massachusetts, I have a background in languages and graphic design. My focus is now on a life-long interest in making things. Upon graduations, I hope to establish a line of objects which raise awareness and funds for local and global education initiatives.

ninadamario[at]gmail[dot]com

Advisor
Henry Yoo

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Lin Zhang
Poetic Aging

Aging is the accumulations of changes in an organism or object over time. Aging in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. Looking at aging as both inspiration and destination, my thesis deals with the perception of time, self, and our connection with others. I'm interested in the psychological transformation during aging and how changing can be designed into product as a visual cue to trigger that transformation. By going back and forth between aging in humans and aging in nature, simple metaphors were adopted and translated into drawing, playing and designing.

Bio
Lin Zhang spent her first 22 years in China. At the age of 18 she found Industrial Design as the perfect way of marrying her passion for both art and physics. After graduation from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, she came to Pratt looking for different design experiences and culture nutrients. Lin loves sketching, working, sometimes thinking with her hands. Her belief in balance, synthesis and poetry is rooted in her inherited eastern philosophy, and emerges through her design.

zhanglin_1213[at]hotmail[dot]com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah

2010-04-25T16:03:00.001-04:00

Click to enlarge the image.

Spring 2010 Graduate Thesis Presentations

2010-04-09T18:35:00.000-04:00

In alphabetical order:

Beth Amtmann
Sanctuary: Safe Spaces for Teen Girls' Individual Expression

The teenage years: we can all relate; we have all (somehow) gotten through them. These are years of emotional and hormonal roller coasters, of intense relationships, of peer pressure and questionable decision-making, and of exploration and a fight for independence. However, the ability to be true to oneself early can positively affect the choices you make and the paths you take in life. ‘Sanctuary’ is about inspiring NYC teen girls to create their own space where they can be and express themselves freely, in the safety of their homes, although many share small spaces with family members.

Bio
Born and raised in Baltimore MD, Beth loves working to address the needs of people. A Girl Scout since age seven, she grew up sharing her love of engineering, materials, art, and discovery with those around her. After graduating from UMD in 2003, Beth worked as an Event Planner and a Furniture Designer in Washington, DC before relocating to Brooklyn to study at Pratt Institute.

ehamtmann[at]hotmail[dot]com

Advisor
Fred Blumline
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Ayça Çakmaklı
A Good Design = A Good Mate

Imagine you can design your own mate. What kind of characteristics would you give him or her? Now imagine you can design your own product. What kind of characteristics would you give that product? Are there similar traits you would give to both such as beauty, trustworthiness and excitement? I suspect that between your two lists there will be several overlaps. Companies realize that there is an abundance of choice, which is why each strives to come up with the right equation to steal consumer's hearts. I argue that the traits consumer's want in a good design are the same traits they want in a good mate.

Bio
Ayça Çakmaklı is a designer from Istanbul, Turkey. After receiving her undergraduate degree in political science and visual arts she worked internationally on several multi media projects that dealt with cultural and political issues. After realizing she could make a more meaningful impact on the world through design, she decided to move to New York and study at Pratt.

cakmakli[at]gmail[dot]com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah
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Vanessa Chew
Elemental Form: Scratching Beneath the Surface

It wasn't love at first sight. We met in the 90's, had fun and parted ways. It wasn't until after college that I started to fall in love with hip hop - listening to artists like The Roots, Mos Def, Blackalicious, Zion-I, and Hieroglyphics. But hip hop is more than music. It is a culture, community, and a way of life. Blending my love and respect for hip hop with design, this study looks beyond the surface, materials and graphics to explore form as an expression of its elements.

Bio
Believing that life is about growth and learning, Vanessa ventured to New York in search of a career that utilizes her natural abilities and interests. Prior to Pratt she worked in HR and IT. Vanessa has a B.S. in Managerial Economics and minor in Computer Science from UC Davis.

vanessa[at]vanessachew[dot]com
http://www.vanessachew.com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah
---

Hayyim Danzig
Design & Synesthesia

A lucky few people's brains produce synesthesia, or joined sensation, from the things they see, hear, taste, smell, touch, and know. Synesthetes hear colors, see music, taste textures, and much more. I explored these strange but wonderful experiences to find ways that they may enrich our lives, specifically our music and art. What would a Kandinsky sound like, or a Charles Mingus number look like? I have begun to design a system that would allow a musical performance to be seen just as it is heard, and I have started with the bass guitar.

Bio
Hayyim Danzig has performed as a bassist in one hundred cities on five continents, and now lives in Bronx, NY. He received an Honors BA in psychology from Yeshiva University and is now completing his MID at Pratt Institute. Hayyim is interested in music, exhibitory, and product design.

hayyimdanzig[at]gmail[dot]com
www.hayyimdanzig.com

Advisor
Fred Blumlein
---

Evan Dewhirst
Body By Numbers: The Power of Personal Data

You wake up in the morning and go about your daily ritual. Bathroom, shower, a bite to eat, and its off to work. The routine remains the same, but what has changed are the products surrounding you: the shirt you pull on, and even your underwear. These products that come into intimate contact with your body are constantly tracking your health. Your toilet still removes waste just as efficiently as ever, but before it does, it records copious amounts of information about your nutritional habits. Personal tracking is a powerful tool for generating personal insight and a positive change in habits.

Bio
Evan Dewhirst has an ardent curiosity about the natural world, which he considers a major source of inspiration for his work. He hopes to distinguish himself based on an ability to generate insights from observation and thereby develop elegant but organic solutions to complex problems. Whether working on furniture or consumer goods, he draws on a breadth of disciplines and experience to generate unique designs. He earned an A.B. in both Biology and Visual Arts from Bowdoin College and he is now completing a Master’s degree in Industrial Design at the Pratt Institute.

evandewhirst[at]gmail[dot]com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah
---

Tawny Hixson
Forget Me Not: Evoking Connection Through Design

Objects often have personal meaning and value as a result of who and what they remind us of. The way they look, the way they feel, and what memory we associate with the object, all contribute to this meaning. For this reason objects can act as a bridge, connecting us to the distant or unreachable. Through designing products sensitive to this unspoken dialogue, each forget me not object brings you closer to someone, reminding you of the connection you have to others.

Bio
Shortly after graduating from Western Washington University with a BA in Fine Arts and a concentration in Photography, Tawny moved to Brooklyn. Being a transplant of the west coast, she is always seeking new ways to feel connected to distant loved ones. She values making pickles from scratch with her grandmother and her fancy gold watch from Japan. Tawny has exhibited at Brooklyn Designs, IMM Cologne and the New York Auto Show.

hi[at]tawnyhixson[dot]com
www.tawnyhixson.com

Advisor
Andrew Schloss
---

Cindy Juette
Traditional Principles, Progressive Design: Aesthetic Sensitivity for More Distinctive Automotive Styling

Traditional Principles, Progressive Design discusses the importance of aesthetic sensitivity and sophistication in automotive styling. A series of established visual principles, principles at the root of Pratt's industrial design curriculum, have been utilized by artists and designers to generate beauty for centuries. This academic study shows how a renewed sensitivity to such concepts would help generate more distinctive character for the automotive future.

Bio
Cindy Juette has been balancing her academic development at Pratt Institute with a full-time position as a graphic and structural design conceptualist for International Paper’s Point-of-Purchase display division. She intends to bring her professional experiences coupled with her new found knowledge of three-dimensional form and aesthetics to a progressive design position in the automotive industry.

ckjuette[at]hotmail[dot]com

Advisor
Andrew Schloss
---

Richard Karsten
Beyond Color: Achromatic Phenomena

"Beyond Color: Achromatic Phenomena," is a book exploring the visual phenomena that influence the way we see and feel about surfaces and objects that surround us. Simply put, achromatic phenomena are those attributes outside of color that affect the way something appears. Fundamental examples are luster, gloss, transparency, luminosity and iridescence. This is an exploration of how we see surfaces and objects in art, design and nature as demonstrated by inspired photography and visual experiments.

www.achromaticphenomena.com

Bio
In his career, Richard Karsten has been bringing brands to life through a proven process that balances strategic thinking, creativity and practical implementation. He has led powerful design and branding programs integrating graphic and industrial design for clients large and small. Richard owns and operates Karsten Creative LLC and holds a BFA from Parsons School of Design.

richard[at]karstencreative[dot]com
www.karstencreative.com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah
---

Heléne Harley Kenny
Action|Reaction: Let’s Get Physical

In the growing industry of Interactive Design, many aspects of the physical world are hidden; so much of it is based in digital technology. Interactions can be much more powerful and magical when experienced though the tactile environment. By utilizing analog technology in Tangible Interactive Design, Action|REaction generates playful experiences, stimulates the body and mind, and creates a sense of wonder. Experiencing the spectacle of immediate surroundings allows the individual to understand the interrelated structure of reality and the integral part he or she plays in it.

Bio
Heléne Harley Kenny is a designer that explores the limits of our expectations. This ex-gymnast grew up in Washington DC and moved West to earn her BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley, CA. Since then she has lived in Brooklyn, NY working in architecture and exhibit design. For the past two years, Heléne has been obsessed with interactive design and reactive environments that move along with her.

helenekenny[at]yahoo[dot]com

Advisor
Lucia N. DeRespinis
---

Joshua Newman
Cooking Your Life: Engendering Patience through Slow Life Design

As a result of the current pervasive technology and accelerating pace of life, there is an increased desire for convenience and instant gratification. Although not readily apparent, there are drastic consequences for this lifestyle choice. Examples include obesity, technological dependence, financial instability and psychological depression. As a reaction, an exploration began of people leading self-sufficient and humble, yet happy and healthy lives. The stories and findings were incorporated into a new design paradigm. Emphasis was placed on a product’s lasting effects to a person's health, well-being, and patience. Design opportunity was found exploring the visceral connection (or lack thereof) between food and its effect on everyday life.

Bio
A New Englander at heart, Joshua majored in Physics and Sculptural Art at Hamilton College, although neither career path tickled his fancy. Josh soon found a love for craft while working in upstate New York combining his passions into design. Joshua continually looks forward to cooking a good meal and making people smile.

newman.joshua[at]gmail[dot]com

Advisor
Hyukjae (Henry) Yoo
---

Binsei Numao
Rain Play

Rain turns a good day bad. It makes gray clouds in the sky and within us and gets everything wet. Parents protect their kids from the rain and shelter them from getting wet. Kids, however, enjoy the experiences of such a "bad" day. They are fun seekers and their curiosity never dries out. This project takes a look at rain from this angle and encourages us to think about rain in a different way.

Bio
Binsei earned his bachelor's degree in commerce in Japan where he was born and raised. He left for the U.S. in search of a deeper understanding of himself and his own culture when he was 24 years old. He is currently working towards his master's degree in Industrial Design at Pratt Institute.

binseiny[at]gmail[dot]com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah
---

Heidi Patterson
Meaning in Motion: How Objects Can Encourage Charitable Acts

A designer cannot guarantee the meaningfulness of an object. The designer however is the first person to make the decisions that can lead to a more meaningful experience. From the moment a designer decides what materials to use, or what form the object should have, or how the object will be obtained he is deciding whether or not an object has the possibility to be meaningful. Meaning in Motion explores gift exchange as a means of creating an experience for the recipient of a gift that can encourage future gifting to those in need.

Bio
Heidi earned a BA in Economics with a minor in General Business. She has spent over 10 years working with children which included owning her own preschool before pursuing a Master's degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute.

hpatterson01[at]gmail[dot]com

Advisor
Fred Blumlein
---

Michael Roopenian
Outside In

Productivity is an expectation in any office setting, yet the monotonous environment provided often speaks otherwise to our human sensitivities. Dull, overly functional environments starve our brains of the stimulation needed to sustain focus and mental wellbeing over long periods of time. Natural settings on the other hand, expertly
achieve this passive type of stimulation in a way that is tuned into our innate human attractions and preferences. This project attempts to redesign the elements of the office using this sensory experience of nature as a guide for rekindling this interaction with our senses.

Bio
Raised off the coast of Maine in Acadia National Park, Michael spent his childhood hiking, exploring, and rejecting the latest toys in preference of a pencil and paper. After receiving his B.A. in sculpture from Kenyon College, he worked with artists, interior designers and on commissioned public art before moving to Brooklyn to attend Pratt. His work has been featured at the IMM Cologne, and design blogs Swiss Miss and Yanko Design.

mroopenian[at]gmail[dot]com
www.michaelroopenian.com

Advisor
Fred Blumlein
---

Glorimar Santiago
Sustainability in the Caribbean: A Permaculture Study Center in Corozal, PR

This thesis adopts concepts of radical sustainability in its premise: the understanding that a true definition for sustainability must include socio-economic, cultural, spiritual and ecological dimensions. Eco village and transitional methods will be applied to an environmental Study Center to be located in Corozal, Puerto Rico, called Permalab. This thesis presents a preliminary design for this site including six apartments for visitors, rainwater collection system, constructed wetlands for the treatment of greywater and a roof garden. Its aim is to be a natural sanctuary and an example to current and future generations; a space where human ingenuity and the creative forces of nature are joined.

Bio
Worked as a restaurant, furniture and lighting designer for the last ten years. Before and throughout that, dabbled in all kinds of platforms, from interface design to exhibits. Out of school, started own co., Gora Designs, and was a jewelry and tabletop designer. Also designed exhibits for the Government of P.R., made ceramic waves in surfing country and aluminum bras for the Italians, and ended up in California, where the focus changed to environmental and sustainable design. Hoping to improve the world through design, starting with the built environment.
Bachelors In Science- Industrial Psychology, University of Central Florida
Pratt Institute- MID 2010

glorimar[at]thinkgreentank[dot]com

Advisor
Fred Blumlein
---

Lys Hunter Schwartz
Tools for the Good Life

Tools for the Good Life examines how ritual can inspire and inform the design of products. Rituals bring consciousness and balance to experience; two key factors in improving quality of life. Focusing on our relationships to ourselves, each other and our environment, these products generate awareness and facilitate meaningful interactions. The designs demonstrate how products and product experience can enhance our daily routines, adding quality through intention, information and direction.

Bio
This San Francisco native moved to New York City nearly 8 years ago where she attended NYU's Gallatin School. After completing a Masters in Industrial Design at Pratt, she will continue to explore, learn and find ways to make everyday a little bit better.

lys[at]lyshunter[dot]com
www.lyshunter.com

Advisor
Andrew Schloss
---

Kathleen Scully
Approaching Color: Exercises & Application

Kathleen Scully provides a series of exercises which any designer can practice to gain experience using color on three-dimensional design. The exercises offer a way of approaching color through a series of studies that with daily practice- just as a musician would practice scales or a scientist would experiment, one will have a better understanding of color's power and gain confidence to utilize color to one's heart content. With a holistic knowledge of color any designer can come to their own conclusions about the colors they choose.

Bio
Ms. Scully moved to New York City at age eighteen to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology. After almost ten years in the fashion industry she wanted to make a greater impact in the world of design and a lesser impact on the environment. For the past three years she has been studying in the Master's of Industrial Design program at Pratt Institute, where she has been able to hone her holistic approach to design. She aspires to be ambidextrous and practices daily while brushing her teeth with her left hand.

msscullyhere[at]gmail[dot]com

Advisor
Andrew Schloss
---

David Steinvurzel
Design & Decay

The demand for cleaner energy, sustainable manufacturing practices, and biodegradable goods, puts nature, and its million years of evolution, in the spotlight as a source of design efficiency. To study nature solely for its beauty and abundance in growth does not create a whole picture. The lifecycle is kept in check and heavily balanced by the processes of decay. Our inherent repulsion of decay gives it an unsavory stigma, but it too can be a source of inspiration. Products can take on new meaning, function, and beauty by applying the function
and aesthetics of decay.

Bio
David treats design as a puzzle, using his multiple backgrounds to flush out apt and meaningful solutions. After graduating from Tufts University with a dual degree in economics and fine art, David went on to work in architecture, furniture, and food photography. He enjoys wearing many hats of the design process, especially ones with large feathers.

david.steinvurzel[at]gmail[dot]com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah
---

Ann Stepanek
Looking on The Brightside

It is believed that the manner in which we internalize stress is the key to whether it affects us positively or negatively. If we feel we have the tools to overcome the stressor it feels like a motivator. If not it feels like an obstacle. This exploration looks into possible ways that existing relaxation techniques and tools can be enhanced. With forms inspired by nature, these design solutions are geared toward women and ultimately aim to bring peace-of-mind through self-awareness, play, and a more positive outlook on the benefits of stress.

Bio
Ann received her BA in Design Studies and Art History from Connecticut College in 2003. After graduation Ann relocated to New York where she spent four years working at The Metropolitan Museum of Art before she decided to pursue her graduate studies at Pratt Institute.

astep15[at]gmail[dot]com
www.annstepanekdesign.com

Advisor
Andrew Schloss
---

Minos Tzouflas
Figuring out the Details

Details are what distinguish a great design from all the others. They are also what make objects unique, functional and valuable to the owners. The ability to customize a product yourself and make it even more unique can also create an emotional bond for the owner. This applies to all products and I think that motorcycles are a great example where the details reflect the craftsman and owner alike. In this thesis, I examined the details of a custom Harley-Davidson by designing and learning to build a motorcycle of my own.

Bio
I graduated from Occidental College in '04 with a degree in Chemistry. After a few years and a few jobs (not necessarily related to chemistry), I found industrial design and Pratt. I hope to continue designing and building prototypes in whatever industry I work and will continue to build my own motorcycles.

m.tzouflas[at]gmail[dot]com

Advisor
Henry Yoo
---

Meredith Zuchman
Get Lit: Adventures in Wearable Light

The Experience of light is unavoidable. It is witnessed each day as the sun rises, moves across the sky, and eventually sets leaving us in its shadow. Through the course of this daily journey, the ephemeral qualities of light are absorbed into our psyche affecting our perception of the world and our own beings. Get Lit captures these lighting effects, recreating them in wearable items that influence the wearer's emotional state and accentuates their image, lending character and drama to their daily adventures.

Bio
Meredith is graduating with a Master's Degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute in May 2010. Prior to this she worked as a jewelry designer and gallery associate. With an eye for trends and styling, her most recent endeavor involves fashion, technology, and wearable design. Meredith is passionate about reading magazines, wearing great shoes, and one day being as lovable as her yellow lab.

mzuchman[at]yahoo[dot]com

Advisor
Andrew Schloss
---

Fall 2009 graduate thesis presentation

2009-12-02T09:45:00.000-05:00

Friday, December 11th

Pratt Studios, Room 43

1:00pm - 4:30pm

Presentation Order

Su Ng

2009-11-29T23:03:00.000-05:00

Design from Disorder

Nature has long been an inspiration for scientists and artists alike. Nature’s forms show a cascade of complex rhythms and details. They have been quantified using fractal geometry, a relatively new branch of mathematics described by Benoit Mandelbrot in the mid-1970’s. The study of fractals provides an understanding of the order underlying chaotic systems. This project explores how it can be applied to design.

Bio

Su received a B.S. in Business Management from the University at Buffalo. Prior to attending Pratt, she worked for several years in the IT industry and college administration.

su_m_ng[at]yahoo[dot]com

Advisor
Henry Yoo

Andrew L. Garrison

2009-11-29T19:16:00.000-05:00

Living with Stuff

Ideas for thinking about the meaning of things

I believe that we have a real opportunity to do concrete good in the lives both of individuals and of people in general by trying to improve the emotional and aesthetic impact of the objects in their lives, and that our material lives are enriched by those things in which we find special meaning. By addressing items that have this sort of value, I explore the factors that make objects meaningful to people and discuss ways to use design thinking to facilitate important connections between people and things.

Bio

Andrew Garrison graduated from Yale in 2001 with a B.A. in philosophy and then spent several years doing things that didn’t matter. He entered Pratt in 2006 and since then his work has been shown at ICFF and featured in the New York Times.

ninetek[at]earthlink[dot]net

Advisors
Bruce Hannah and Lucia DeRespinis

Ingrid Fetell

2009-11-28T23:53:00.000-05:00

Aesthetics of Joy

Balloons, polka dots, hula hoops, candy, parades — why do certain things make so many people, regardless of age, gender, or culture, feel happy? What is it about these things that makes us feel joy, not just once but over and over again?

Aesthetics of Joy explores the intersection between design and positive emotion. The project draws on insights from neuroscience and evolutionary psychology to explain the universal, hardwired triggers of joy, and suggest ways that designers can evoke these in their work. These "aesthetics of joy" can be applied to the design of objects, spaces, and experiences to enhance our emotional health and well-being and create more moments of spontaneous delight in the world.

www.aestheticsofjoy.com

Bio
Ingrid gets her joy from simple pleasures, like sunshine, ice cream, and neuroscience. She has worked as a brand and innovation strategist in New York, DC, and Sydney, and received a BA in English/Creative Writing in 2002 from Princeton University. She is currently working on developing Aesthetics of Joy into a book.

ingridfetell[at]gmail[dot]com
www.ingridfetell.com

Advisor
Fred Blumlein

Diana Thomas Freeland

2009-11-28T23:50:00.000-05:00

Working Well Wherever
Tools for the Wireless Nomad

Unleashed by powerful new technologies, people are moving out of traditional offices and working wherever they please, from local cafés to restaurant/bars. Indeed, technology is propelling the growth of wireless nomads who not only work independently in their local communities but are also teaming up into coworking communities all around the world. This thesis explores multi-functioning objects in the context of mobile work and how people can be comfortable and productive working from anywhere.

Bio
Undergraduate dual degree in Electronic Media, Arts and Communication and Management Information Systems Worked in the Information Technology Industry for 3 years before coming to Pratt. Favorite spot to mobile work is Lab247 (a brownstone basement in Stuyvesant, Brooklyn).

Thesis Advisor
Fred Blumlein

Jennie Maneri

2009-11-20T09:21:00.001-05:00

Collected

Over the past ten years I have amassed many idiosyncratic collections. These objects are a narrative for the places I have travelled, my interests, and memories. Throughout my home, these collections are displayed on shelves and tabletops sparking interesting conversations and an exchange of stories with my friends. This thesis explores systems for collectors to display and share their treasured objects both virtually and physically.

Bio

Jennie received a BFA in Art History from Savannah College of Art and Design in 1999. Since moving back to New York in 2000, Jennie has worked as a graphic designer. She has exhibited at Brooklyn Designs, ICFF and currently has her International Notebook Collection on display at The City Reliquary Museum in Brooklyn.

jennie.maneri[at]gmail[dot]com

Advisor

Fred Blumlein

Alexandra B. Pulver

2009-11-20T09:16:00.000-05:00

POP UP LUNCH

Taking it to the Streets

60% of working Americans don’t take a break for lunch; they eat at their desks while continuing to work. It’s time to bring lunching back. As part of my thesis, I am exploring various means of un-tethering urban workers from the social isolation of their computer screens at lunchtime. My exploration has led me to the streets – public spaces that can serve as more than just pathways – and to mobile tools that can help make taking a lunch break a more fun, social and accessible reality.

www.popuplunch.com

Bio
Graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Communication ('99). Dabbled in advertising, new product innovation and baking before pursuing my Master's degree at Pratt Institute.

alexandra.pulver[at]gmail[dot]com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah

Azusa Hirota

2009-11-20T09:09:00.000-05:00

Happy Mail
tactile, emotional, and delicious way to connect

Happy Mail is a new type of communication tool intended to promote more tactile and emotional communication in this digital age. Bringing in the goodness of handwritten letters and personal gifts in cozy felted objects, happy mailers strive to bring people close by making each interaction memorable and meaningful.

Bio
Born and raised in Japan, Azusa moved to the United States at the age of 14. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design from Virginia Commonwealth University, and has been working towards her Master's in Industrial Design at Pratt Institute since 2007.

azusahirota[at]gmail[dot]com

Advisor

Henry Yoo

Vanessa Marie Robinson

2009-11-20T08:50:00.000-05:00

for the LOVE of bikes

fueling the urban cycling revolution

In our auto-centric country, bicycles have generally been an afterthought. As many cities around the world are experiencing a bicycle renaissance - this thesis presents ways that city dwellers can integrate the bicycle into a sustainable, practical and stylish lifestyle.

www.fortheloveofbikes.com

Bio
Born and raised in Washington D.C. by an American architect and French interior designer, Vanessa loves her bicycles. Cycling has been a passion - both as sport and utility - ever since she began commuting by bike year-round as a university student in Montreal. Upon moving to Brooklyn in 2001 Vanessa raced road and track bikes before pursuing her Masters in Industrial Design at Pratt Institute.

contact[at]vanessamarierobinson[dot]com
www.vanessamarierobinson.com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah

Spring 2009 Presentations

2009-04-06T20:55:00.000-04:00

In alphabetical order...

Jobe Bobee
A Toy for Me.
Leave me alone, I just want to play

What is the future of today’s products, and were does inspiration come from? In my case, I was interested in “body modification” because of its beauty and its interactive quality. It is a direction that embraces a heightened physical awareness; a natural complement to our technological development and detachment. My process led me to a system of parts with movements that added up to more than a sum of their parts. I created a magic moment, where a simple mechanism surprises us with the culmination of a cycle; my discovery is life through movement.

Bio
I was born and raised outside of Detroit. I got my undergraduate degree in ceramics and jewelry design at the University of Michigan. I am interested in fashion, legos, biology and traveling. I hope to change the way people interact with products by making them aware of their bodies and the world around them.
jobebobee(at)gmail(dot)com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah
--

Yvette Chaparro
Families of Objects: Morphology and Modularity in Industrial Design

The use of Modularity and Morphology in Industrial Design allows for variations in form. When physical transformational tools are applied to the same module in different ways – depending on the parameters and requirements of typologies–the resulting elements are objects that relate to each other through visual relationships. This is a family of objects.

I believe that through the process of designing families of objects, one can start to understand the different concepts and their application, therefore, it is a possible tool for teaching Design while experimenting and discovering.

Bio
Born in Washington, D.C., Yvette, lived in Bogotá, Colombia since she was seven until graduating from the Universidad Javeriana as an Industrial Designer. In NYC from 1998, she has worked as a designer, directed a documentary: “designers on design” and worked towards her MID part-time at Pratt. She intends to continue researching and practicing design.
yvette.chaparro(at)me(dot)com

Advisor
Fred Blumlein
--

Kristina Drury
Tithe: listening to those with needs

In America we take basic needs (food, water, shelter, clothing and medical care) for granted, while in many parts of the world these needs become daily challenges. Yet in our own community, the basic needs of our homeless are not being met. By listening and working directly with the community, the needs of the homeless are not only the items required to physically survive but also the elements of emotional (psychological) survival. Through the use of design, this thesis will concentrate on basic need challenges of the homeless community while incorporating ways to provide respect, comfort and empowerment to also address their psychological needs.

Bio
Born and raised in Canada, Kristina considers herself a passionate social and environmental designer. After studying Architecture at McGill and now Industrial Design, Kristina plans to apply her experiences and enthusiasm to need-based design, the type of problem solving that betters lives by providing basic needs and improving society.
kristina_drury(at)hotmail(dot)com
www.coroflot.com/k_drury

Advisor
Bruce Hannah
--

Joseph Eberle
Living Streets;
Enduring Products for Pedestrians

Traditional streets primarily accommodate autos, where pedestrians, bicyclists, or other users compete for the limited space remaining. Living streets are public environments that function for multiple users by reorienting the space for the pace of pedestrians. Joseph’s thesis focuses on the materials and furnishings for these living, urban streets. His thesis examines durability within the intersection of material, style and environment. The result is a set of graceful products that are created to last.

Bio
Raised by artists, Joseph has been creative since his earliest days. Along the way to today Joseph earned a degree in Urban Planning and worked as a Construction Project Manager with the City of New York. Now, Joseph’s inventive nature is flourishing as a friendly craftsman of industrial designs.
joseph.eberle(at)gmail(dot)com

Advisor
Henry Yoo/ Lucia DeRespinis
--

Brian Kerr
Cupcake: An Exploration into Sound, Software and Interactivity

Cupcake is a physical interface for musicians who perform with computers. This project is a culmination of Brian's interests in music, software, and design.

Bio
Brian Kerr received his BFA in Painting from the University of New Hampshire in 2003. After graduation he moved to Boston and worked as a freelance designer in several architecture firms for three years. In 2006 he moved to Brooklyn, NY to study industrial design at Pratt Institute.

bkerr79(at)gmail(dot)com
www.brianjkerr.com

Advisor
Henry Yoo
--

Il-Rae Kim
3D Signage in Public spaces

This thesis focuses on the continued experiment of observing the reactions of the public to new designs. I will take an existing public sign, and develop new design. Through the knowledge that I gain in the process of developing the existing street sign, I will show how to create a new one. The point of these experiments is to minimize the discrepancy between how someone perceives something and what that something actually means. I compared the advantages and disadvantages of maps and directional signs, and with the findings of the comparisons I developed my new design.

vince_newyork(at)hotmail(dot)com
www.ilraekim.com

Advisor
Fred Blumlein
--

Emily Jane Potter
"Dieringer Defense" Projection from a Female Perspective

When you ride a motorcycle you need to be protected from head to toe with gear that will potentially save you from serious injury in the event of a crash. The clothing you wear is the only thing between you and the pavement, and at speeds similar to cars it’s important you are protected. My thesis focuses on protective gear designed specifically for women riders, harnessing the precision and attention to detail that embody motorcycle design by applying it to the most important part of the vehicle.

Bio
I’m from a small town in the North Cascade Mountains. After finishing my undergraduate degree in Textiles Design from Western Washington University in Bellingham I headed for the East coast. I grew up trying to be really good at extreme sports, so naturally I aspire to work as a designer in that field.

wwejpd(at)gmail(dot)com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah
--

Omid Sadri
Packaging that Cares

Today’s “super size” culture has led to many concerns in our eating habits. Present packaging is challenged by the ever growing issue of over consumption and its impact on health. Today’s on the go lifestyle demands food packagings that simplify, inform and enrich user experience. This thesis explores package interaction and its role in its impact on eating habits. Through exploration of new forms of packaging that create unique experiences and heighten awareness of consumption, the definition of trust and honesty in food packaging is redefined.

Bio
Iranian born Omid Sadri received his B.S. in Mechanical engineering from NJIT and worked as an engineer before he followed his passion for graphic arts and design. While freelancing as an illustrator and graphic designer, Omid operated a confectionary retail business in New York City. In 2006, he decided to further pursue his passion for creative problem solving and began his graduate degree in industrial design at Pratt Institute.
Sadri.omid(at)gmail(dot)com
www.omidsadri.com
www.coroflot.com/cy2008rus

Advisor
Henry Yoo/ Lucia DeRespinis
--

Allison Schlegel
From Me To We: Social Experiments In Industrial Design

As an Industrial Designer, I believe it is important to examine the social contexts in which we live and for which we design today. How does our work affect the way human beings inter-relate? Many products designed to facilitate socializing actually isolate us more. This thesis explores the need to change a mindset that has endured since the Industrial Revolution when efficiency became a prominent design standard. Fostering human interaction must become part of the contemporary standard if we want ideas like sustainability and eco-friendly design to reach their full potential, and can help counter-balance a tendency towards isolation today.

Bio
Allison got her BA in art and literature at the University of Vermont, and the Glasgow School of Art, in Scotland. Moving to NYC in 1998, she worked as a carpenter for the design department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art while completing the bulk of her MID at Pratt.

aschlegel(at)nyc(dot)rr(dot)com

Advisor
Fred Blumlein
--

Simon Spagnoletti
Growing Air

Our homes are slowly poisoning us. According to the EPA, the air inside is “more polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.” Almost everything we surround ourselves with leaches a wide array of toxic chemicals; prolonged exposure to these chemicals can have effects ranging from respiratory irritation to cancer. To make matters worse, we are all spending more and more of our time indoors. Growing Air brings some small measure of relief through a mix of old and new materials, with a little help from the common houseplant.

Bio
Simon has lived most of his life in New York, with a few stints in Australia. He wishes he still had the accent.

simon.spagnoletti(at)gmail(dot)com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah
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Kaspar T. Spurgeon-Heinrici
Hot Skateboarding: Designing Color in Motion

Establishing visual relationships between color and motion that can be incorporated into modern product design is the goal of this thesis project. Surfaces were designed that exhibit a color shift when in motion. A theory for designing color hierarchies that correspond to the motion hierarchy of the object(s) involved is proposed. It is shown that color placed on a human body can affect the way that one moves and behaves. These concepts of integrating color design with motion considerations are then implemented in the design of functional products for skateboarding.

Bio
After a life spent as a competitive ski racer it has been hard to slow my physical momentum. I moved around the world and the states working in art galleries and as a custom ski boot fitter. My love of fine art and tinkering with my gear came together when I discovered industrial design.
kasparspurgeon(at)hotmail(dot)com
www.designforspeed.blogspot.com

Advisor
Fred Blumlein
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Ian van Voorst
Seeing for Yourself

2009 marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s use of the telescope to view the night sky. What Galileo saw sparked a revolution in science, belief, and culture. Today, the night sky is disappearing behind a veil of pollution and reflected light from human activity, while evermore stimulating visual mediums compete for our attention. Tonight a select minority will still take a telescope outside, find a celestial object, and drink in light that has been traveling for millions of years. They want to see for themselves, and Ian wants to use design to help them.

Bio
Ian grew up in a family involved in art and design. In his under- graduate studies his interest in visual and spatial form took a surprising turn to the field of dance, leading to a career as a performer with several choreographers including Victoria Uris and Wil Swanson. Insights from dance into the body and abstract structure formed a useful basis for the study of design.

As a ten-year-old graduating from summer camp, Ian was given a specially-created award: “Most Interested”. Ian is still interested in everything, and true enthrallment – with the universe, our culture, our bodies – is the basis for Ian’s design approach.

ian(at)van-voorst(dot)com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah
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Yu-Chieh Wang (Amanda)
Office Break- Have a seat

My project focuses on office environments in New York. The main goal of my thesis is to create good working environments in this highly-populated area. With the introduction of multinational immigrants to New York, the city became an international commercial center. With its new status as a global commercial hub, the population of New York increased rapidly. Under this intensive number of people, more needs from their work environment are required. After research, I discovered that sometimes an office worker wants more than a company offer, the design address workers immediate needs in their working space.

Bio
Studied industrial design in Taiwan from 2000-2004, and started another industrial design trip in New York.
u8931002(at)gmail(dot)com

Advisor
Lucia DeRespinis
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Michael Weaker
Cozy
The home should be a place of calm, happiness, and emotional comfort. Specifically, the home should be cozy. Objects meant for the home should be given an aesthetic that creates a friendly and inviting emotional relationship between the object and the user. All aspects of aesthetic – shape, color, material, texture, etc. – must be considered in order to achieve this emotional bond. The Platypus Chair, Franklin Lamp, Bilu Teapot, and Bill-O Toy represent the practical application of a design language developed to create the “cozy home.”

Bio
Michael holds a Bachelors Degree of Mechanical Engineering and a Minor Degree in Fine Art from the University of Maryland. He designed explorer robots at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. With the desire to add art and emotion to his creations, Michael turned to the field of Industrial Design.

info(at)michaelweaker(dot)com
www.michaelweaker.com

Advisor
Bruce Hannah
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Marti Zabell
“Hey, Look What I Made!”- Self-Customization in the Style of Craft and DIY Design

In today’s society of mass-produced products, the designer and the manufacturer are really the only ones that can tell the true story of the “making” process. This thesis seeks to answer this one question: What if the consumer could customize products with his or her own hands? It takes an in-depth look at both the craft and DIY design movements and puts their independent ideals towards product design. It takes traditional handmade techniques that we learn as children, and turns them into products that can be customized, so that one can say “Hey, Look What I Made!”

Martha Stewart, you’ve got some competition.

BIO
Since living in New York, Marti’s design pursuits have ranged from designing for theatre, film, photography, and most recently: children and baby products. She holds a prior degree in fashion design from FIT and a degree in film and theatre from Hunter College. Marti comes from generations of creative crafty people, and will continue that legacy.
martizabell(at)gmail(dot)com
www.coroflot.com/martizabell

Advisor
Fred Blumlein
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Melissa Zook
Tactile Response: A New Way To Play

We all process the world differently through our senses. I am specifically drawn to haptics, the sense of touch. My thesis focuses on a small group- children with Sensory Processing Disorder who have Autism and/or other special needs. These children taught me how to play and learn in a new way. My research led me to develop toys and objects that targeted specific haptic needs that have not been met by the design world yet. My designs were made for these children, but in the end, I learned that play is universal.

Bio
Growing up on a farm, Melissa learned to use her creativity at an early age in all aspects of life. After receiving her BFA in Photography at RISD, she shared as an artist and educator until she decided to take her ideas to the masses. Her passion for helping others and unearthing simple solutions has carried over into her design.
melissa.zook(at)gmail(dot)com

Advisor
Lucia DeRespinis / Bruce Hannah