Day 1: Form II begins...

Its a difficult task teaching and learning something as abstract and intuitive as 'Form'. My logic-wired brain always searches for set principles and definitions to such questions as what is form, how do you know what 'form' suits whom, how does one READ form, and if there is a form for Universal appeal...to name a few!


The first day of our Form II course began with a simple assignment of sketching 20 joineries from our surrounding. The first most obvious thought in my mind was where can i find a joinery which is interesting enough to sustain my interest in the exercise. My eyes set on an aluminium bottle (interestingly left by the faculty...by accident or design??!!) with a Carabiner which have become so popular these days. The form of the screw on cap itself is quite interesting- the way vertical surfaces merge with rounded base of the loop in the middle.


Question: Why would one put a screw-on cap on a bottle meant for outdoor/trekking purpose...i would imagine a much easier outlet for water such as one in a sipper bottle.


My area of interest however was the hinge of the Carabiner itself...the way the thin rod flattens and widens at one end to slide into a groove on the other end fixed together by a rivet. Roaming around the campus, i for the first time observed the latch mechanism installed on the back of the doors at the entrance of the department. They are used to fix the door to the wall once its open. I must have passed it a hundred times before but noticed this only today..a classic case of looking but not 'seeing'!


Other details sketched included the joinery for the bent steel tube frame used for our convocation panels, sharpener, earphones, paper-clip, bag buckle, laptop power cord and battery charger. in all these products, we realize like many times before that god is in the details. Even something as innocuous as a sharpener has fascinating detail. Another fascinating piece of equipment is the buckle on the bag...a male and female part sliding to create a a simple and effective way of fastening.


I'm calling it a buckle for lack of a better name....


Question: What is the "buckle" really called... Google has failed me :(


Throughout the exercise, i struggled with expressing the detail and intent in my sketches. Sketching as a medium of communication and a tool for thinking are paramount for an industrial design...something i need to improve on, drastically!!


Next day we head out into the field to observe and select products of our choice... with some interesting form characteristics. Looking forward to the exercise...Carpe Diem!!