RUUMY
MULTIFUNCTIONAL MODULAR TEXTILE PIECES THAT CAN BE COMBINED TO FORM ROOM DIVIDERS, HOME DECOR PANELS, CABINETS OR EVEN GARMENTSThe project
Ruumy is a range of modular furniture with a design that can be combined to form room dividers, home decor panels, cabinets or even garments, and allows fast and easy packing. The design allows the wardrobe to transform into a garment, a bag or home decor. Carefully made of soft material, Ruumy is a modular cabinet in the shape of a puzzle with up to 10 highly functional end uses. The first aim is to help frequent movers to keep and easily transport some of their furniture.
Simina Filat (Romania)
SIMINA FILAT DESIGN is the brand name of a designer with a solid background not only in Economics and Business, but also in Design and Fashion studies. Over time, she has produced several hundred models, some of which have gone viral.
Min Hong (France)
NOVUM design studio, based in Paris, co-founded by two architects: Min Hong and Eliza Culea. This Parisian studio aims to reintroduce a tactile, poetic dimension to design. Min Hong has experience in scenography (Moroccan Pavilion, Venice Biennale 2014).
Dr. Emil IVANESCU (Romania)
DR. EMIL IVANESCU graduated in Architecture at University Ion Mincu, Bucharest and holds a PhD from the same institution, where he also works, and he is the President of the Order of Architects, in Bucharest. Dr.Emil leads working groups of architects at the University and Order of Architects. He has twice been the Lead Author/Main Curator at “La Bienale di Venezia” and his developments of all types of products in the fields of design, architecture and art installations are remarkable.
STORYTELLING
THE BIRTH OF THE PROJECT:
The main question was “How can children develop a healthy level of body-awareness and social sensitivity in a technology-mediated life full of computers and digital devices?” Based on our research, and our own observations, children mostly interact with digital devices that allow them to play, learn, and communicate through a screen. This has many consequences creating issues in the wellbeing of the children, ranging from psychological, physical to social aspects. The solution for enhancing the wellbeing of this generation should not be neglecting the existence of digital technologies, on the contrary, finding ways to make them co-exist with the physical world which we perceive and experience through our body. By connecting the safe and comforting character of textiles with the dynamic properties of contemporary, digital technologies and can we create a balance between the screenbased and physical play?
THE CREATIVE PROCESS:
The project followed an experimental design path combining elements from soma-aesthetic approach with user-centered design methods in which the outcome took form during the co-design process by involving the user in the very early phases of idea generation through using mock-ups and semifinished prototypes to explore bodily interactions. Our prototype “Worm-e” was inspired by the findings of these co-design processes and observations on how children play and move their body.
THE COLLABORATION:
Due to the fact that we are based in three different countries, we conducted our work remotely by using the digital communication tools to get in contact. We met frequently and remotely produced different parts of the prototype, which then put together in one place to finalize it. The collaboration was very fruitful. The prototype was not the only result of it, but we learned from each other and we enjoyed working together, which we think it would continue after this project as well. Also, we have submitted and are going to publish our shared work in two academic conferences.
THE FUTURE:
In order to bring the prototype to the market we’d need to first test the features more extensively with the target group (children). For this, we want to start with smaller pilot-groups like museums, classrooms, family focus groups, etc. Based on the tests we can develop the prototype further to achieve a market standard and to explore possibilities to make it reach different target groups. It would need several iterations like this. Also, we need to make sure to comply with safety regulations for children’s toys. In parallel we should work on optimizing the technology we use in the prototype, creating our custom-made microcontroller for the project based on the final developed features. We would need to take care of the sustainable and ethical aspects of the project, materials, use, disposal. And last but not least, we’d need to find a business partner or expertise as currently we don’t have that role covered in our team.
THE MESSAGE:
This project was a collective work. Every piece of it was thought and designed all together. What makes this project special is that the three designers caring about the wellbeing of our children put their collective creative power into a project.