Extra/ordinary Design Workshop and Exhibition, Zagreb, 28 March - 1 April 2011, organised by the School of Design, University of Zagreb, Croatian Designers Association in partnership with URIHO and the Association for Promoting Inclusion (UPI), funded by The British Council, Croatia
The Uriho Metalwork Team
Context
Uriho have a well-developed and well-equipped metal fabrication unit with highly skilled workers and leadership. Their portfolio centres on the production of wrought iron fences, gates and decorative garden furniture as well as metal frames for architectural structures. Our task was simple - to bring design skills and methodologies to the table. We wanted to exploit the possibilities that this mix of skills and equipment presented to us.
In the initial brainstorming session, we worked on paper modelling and sketching exercises. We quickly developed an understanding of what is possible when working at speed with the constraints of industry and the need to deliver the initial prototypes within the five day period of the workshop.
The team was split into two groups. One group looked at opportunities for 'clean' design whilst the other took cues from nature, deliberate mistakes and user input. Within these teams, individual projects started and prototyping got underway. We regularly shared ideas with each other, building and developing projects and allowing themes and threads between projects to be teased out.
The major theme uncovered was that of uniqueness. The products we designed were unique. The way they were manufactured presented opportunities for the skilled workers to create unique objects by changing small elements during the making process. The end products invited the users to personalise them.
