Why Dual Functionality is B*****ks (Part 1)

Anyone who knows me will also know that, when it comes to product design, I have a pet hate - 'dual functionality'. For those who are not familiar with the term, this means a product that has two uses i.e. a pen that is also a torch, or a spoon that is also a fork. Now I'm all for a product 'with a clever twist', but if that means instead of doing one job well, it does two jobs averagely, that's just a bit s**t isn't it?!

A case study in point:

The Futon (or Sofa Bed)

Now when I went to university and wanted a new double bed. Somebody said to me "Get yourself one of those 'Footons' Rik, they're from Japan, great space saving device. You get a bed and a sofa - two for one!". Sounded idyllic I thought, so I toddled off to my local Argos and bought the best one they had (glass panels and everything - god bless the student loans!). I was the envy of my student friends and my bedroom was the central hub for late night drinking. It was ace... for about a week! And then it started creaking and I noticed the springs in my back at night. Within a month it was so uncomfortable to sleep on I returned to my single bed in the corner. In fact, it soon became a crap sofa as well, adorned with more cushions than people.

Tell me if I'm wrong, but is the Futon / Sofa Bed just a bad joke for those who have friends round to stay?! "Oh, we've set the bed up in the spare room, great little thing, only £100 from Ikea". Yer, I know why you don't sleep on it!! So I rest my case, if you want a bed, buy a bed, if you want a sofa, buy a sofa - there is no middle ground... unless you're evil or a fan of the floor!

Rik x

Use the Pattern... Good in knit I am

Randomly, I came across these little beauties the other day. They have nothing to do with kitchenware, but I'm posting them anyway because I love them!

The wife (Helen), says she will knit me one, and if she enjoys it, she'll do the lot. I am a very lucky man! I've asked her to start with Yoda (below), he has to be the coolest bit of 'knit'ware I've ever seen! What an awesome cloak.

Anyway, kudos to Lucy Ravenscar for inventing the patterns. Check out her website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/lucyravenscar?ref=seller_info

Design of the Week (No.1)

Hello again reader(s), figured it'd be nice to kick start this blog with a bit of inspiration. Weekly I plan to throw up a pretty picture of a piece of design that I love and tell you why. So here goes:
Stir-ring my Imagination this week is:


(No.1) The Alessi Magic Bunny

This little kitchen widget is a favourite of mine. It's a toothpick holder that is cleverly disguised as a rabbit in a hat. Pull the bunny out of the hat and the toothpicks inside fan out, ace! It makes me smile every time I use it and looks great on your dining table - particularly when you've got friends round. Fun and functional, just how I like it :-)

Hello reader!


Who am I? Well, I'm Rik, I'm 29, I live in the UK and I'm a professional product designer. This is my first blog and hopefully an opportunity to share with you a bit of me. A few interesting facts before we begin:


1. I was born in Kenya, Africa. My parents worked there for three years during the early eighties. As a baby, I only lived there a year of my life, but hold the place dear to my heart. 


2. I'm a Northerner, living in the South. I've been an Essex boy for nearly 5 years now, but have yet to pick up the local 'twang'. Most people think I'm from Yorkshire, but I grew up in Lancashire, in Lytham St.Annes.


3. I have a wife. She is nice.


4. I'm into Art, Sport, Music, Culture, Wildlife and Food. And boy do I love my food (not in a fat way - I just eat everything!). My mum was a cookery teacher (also known as 'food technician') so I've always had a healthy and expansive diet.


5. I'm quite good at poetry despite the fact that English was never one of my strongest subjects at school (I am Kenyan born after all... lame excuse). 


So what do I hope to share with you reader? Well, put simple, I have a passion for Kitchenware. It's what I do - I design it. I'm hoping to launch my own range of products in the near future and want a place to share my inspirations and thoughts. Not everything I post will be directly linked to kitchen paraphernalia, if I see something arty that I like, I'll post it. If I see something that makes sense, I'll share it. 


Let's see how we get on!


Rik x