My concept for others people and maybe even manufacturers would be to turn a broken or worn mini fridge into a storage container like I did. This prolongs its life and also because a functional household item. It does not even have to be just a video game center. Turning it on its back and putting a cover over it to turn it into an outdoor cooler for Barbecues is another idea. Once you get tired of it as one function it could be turned into another and another.
The C2C Metabolism that I used was the Technical Metabolism. The Technical Metabolism influenced my concept because I thought about how my product went or has the potential to go through several product cycles and maintain value and function through the different changes. The principle from Quinn's reading that guided my concept was use waste as a resource. Even though I was not going to throw my fridge away, a lot of people would have. If someone has a broken mini fridge than this is a substitute to just throwing it in a landfill. You can use a broken mini fridge for many different things.
The C2CAD reading talked about how a designer needs to think about the "functional, aesthetic, and economical needs". My concept hits all 3 of those points. It is functional because it takes care of storage needs and hides messy or unattractive items. It takes care of aesthetic needs because each individual owner can decorate it or add covers to their choosing; they can make it into anything they want it to be. It meets economical needs because it can be reused and turned into other functional items as each cycle ends.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that you like to take things that you already have and turn them into something new or refurbish them which I think is great! However, I do not know how I feel about turning a mini refrigerator into a storage unit. As for myself I take very good care of my appliances but as for others they may not. I think this concept could definitely work out, however I was wondering if this concept would be more of a do it yourself or would you actually return the mini refrigerator to it's manufacture and they turn it into a storage unit for you?
It actually looks a lot cooler than it sounds. I mean you can cover it with whatever you want to cover it with. you could even add wood and textured wall paper to make it look a lot nicer. I figured that a manufacturer could do it when they receive old ones or even request them. Also this is something people could do themselves. I feel like there are no rules in this case.
ReplyDeleteInteresting concept this week! I am wondering how this is actually upcycling though. How is this making the product more valuable?
ReplyDeleteIt is up-cycling because a person who now has no use for a mini fridge in its current form could convert it into a product that they do need. A storage unit or cooler with a table top on it is more valuable to them than its current form.
DeleteHi Laura,
ReplyDeleteThis was a very cost effective way of creating storage space for your husband's game collection! As college students, we certainly love things that save us more and get the job done! You mentioned turning the fridge on its back as a cooler, but I find with most mini fridges have an exposed backside with metal piping or things of that nature that can be extremely sharp and dangerous. How do you propose to overcome this challenge? To better suit economical needs such as doubling as an game/DVD storage unit or cooler, would you suggest factorys inserting additional trays of various lengths for various functions?
I wouldn't really ask that the manufacturer do anything different, they would have no reason to. The back can easily be covered with a piece of plexi glass or wood to prevent sharp parts from being touchable while lifting or moving.
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