‍Due to the limitations on polymer use, technical details on how the pedestal fan is manufactured, and what materials are being used is important, to ensure I design sustainably, and to provide the necessary functions, such as height adjustment, and an ability to set the fan speed, from off to high.

Gaining insights to the minimum necessities needed for the fan to work, and where concept ideation can take root.

From this visual research began, looking into different aesthetics and design directions. Determining three main areas of inspiration: contemporary Home, Contemporary Office and Sustainability, Biomimicry directions.

The home direction allowed me to look at materials I usually wouldn’t consider, such as cork, bamboo, or even wool for electrical insulation. Using simple shapes, to provide a simple aesthetic, that is easy to understand.

The office direction focused, primarily on the fan being a statement piece, to bring life to the otherwise mundane office lifestyle. As such the inspiration reflect a more minimalist professional aesthetic, that provided a new outlook on the standard pedal fan.

The sustainability design direction focused on sustainable materials such  as bamboo, aluminium, and manufacture board, in addition to natural patterning’s, such as the natural spiral and the aesthetic of the leaf.

The directional ethos’ of each visual board, is then used to inspire the Design, taking the relevant aspects of the mood board to trial out aesthetics, and forms, to find the design that best fits each direction and the functional requirements of the project.

The Home direction was inspired by a lamp shade and plant pot styling. Made of aluminium, both anodized and brushed. Brass accents to provide a warm look, and PLA for the base to minimums additional waste.

The office direction is inspired primarily by augmentation. By changing how the fan height is adjusted, the design has been provided a more intriguing look that subtly improves the office environment, without affecting the working speed.

The sustainability direction is primarily focused on good material and manufacture choices, to improve end of life sustainability and mitigate over consumption in producing the design. The design uses a screw lock to allow height adjustment, making it adjustable to any extent up to max height. Allowing users full control over the direction and speed of fan use. Using materials such as brass, bamboo and anodized aluminium.

These directions were then presented, and the contemporary office design was chosen to take further and refine. It was suggested that the office design is preferred, but that the form needed softening. As such I reformed the design with other designs during the ideation stage.

The design was then finalized, to include all materials, and manufacturing consideration, size measurements and internal placement. Ensuring internals fit and function correctly. Ensuring the technical detail is shown throughout.

This was then presented for approval to move towards CAD, creating the realistic images, the sustainability report and branding my project.

Within the sustainability report, I show the design considerations I have made. Justifying the decisions and providing evidence of best options for materials and manufacture methods. Charting any data, to understand the sustainability ramifications of my project. Ensuring all decisions are made effectively.