The Floyd Leg

The Floyd Leg was an interesting project I came across recently:

The main idea is captioned in the phrase "Create a table from any flat surface."

Basically the idea is that you buy a set of four of these steel legs which can be clamped onto any flat material to create a table. It started out as a kickstarter project where it raised over $250,000 when it's goal was only $18,000.

They are now on sale on the website for $189 for a set of four (to make one table).

The idea of using these legs to make a table with a piece of old wood that you have in the house is one that I like. It gives the freedom to have a table in your house which is chosen and made by you. I believe this adds value to the table, compared to one just bought from a shop. It's personal.

I for one would like a set. The whole idea is great and could be an insight into a future life where everything is reused and recycled. Not only that, but a furtwhere your furniture is designed and made you.




















For more information have a browse here: http://www.thefloydleg.com/

Open Design

Design and Technology
Roy Shearer and Paul Smith
28/02/14


Defining open design is not an easy task, with many differing opinions on what the term means. To me, open design is allowing others to freely see, use and adapt a design you have produced.

Enzo Mari is considered to be one of the first designers who wanted to distribute his plans freely. He wanted everyone to be able to make their own furniture by starting with the design he came up with. 

Ronen Kadushin produces furniture that's laser cut. Although it is still open design, it is not as widely available due to the process required to make it. 

Arduino is a great example of successful open design - even though the plans are released people really value the Arduino brand.

Local motors - open on input and output is tied to a garage. Solid works files available for all the parts of their automotive design. 

Roy mentioned that the instructions provided with the design are the most important part; as poor instructions do not allow the person to understand and use the design. This restricts the user and is detrimental to their design development.

Roy talked about an Instructable he made with shelves made of wood and old bottles. It is an interesting concept and I like the idea of using items, that would normally just be thrown out, to make useful furniture. It is similar to my next blog post which is going to be about the Floyd Leg.

Open Design is certainly and interesting concept. Releasing designs for anyone to use is certainly something I will consider in the future, depending on what the project I am working on is. Sites like Instructables are really useful platforms for sharing ideas and designs, creating a real community of creativity.