leah cohen-sapida / lecosa portfolio 2015
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ILLUMINATELIGHTING DESIGN
CAT CAVE & CAT NOOKUPCYCLED MATERIALS FOR PET PRODUCT DESIGN
READING RAMPSBOOKCASE DESIGN
IMBUE MAGNETIC TEA VESSEL DESIGN
ILLUMINATE
LIGHTING DESIGN1 WEEK PROJECT
The goal of this project was to Integrate the knowledge acquired through form studies to create a functional lighting unit.
CURVILINEAR FORM EXPLORATION
Focus was strictly on curvilinear forms and how they create, define and break up space. A strong use of Tension, dependent balance and the speeds at which the curves were formed constructed the implied space.
6 CURVILINEAR ELEMENTS
CUT PLAN
The curved planar form on the right drove my inspiration for this design. Repeating this form and arranging the copies in numerous configurations through paper and foam models aided in the refining of numerous concepts.
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
The curved planar form was copied 3 times and then notched together at an angle to create a star-like pattern visible from a top view. Materials used were fogged plastic and aluminum metal sheets for structure. The angle that the curved panels were initially at did not provide sufficient shade from the LED light emitted. The thin aluminum sheets were not strong enough to hold the shape of the rigid plastic. This lead me to edit my design and rethink my material choices.
PRELIMINARY WORKING MODEL
MATERIALS: FOGGED PLASTIC (SOURCED FROM CUTTING MATS) AND ALUMINUM SHEETS. LIGHT: PHILLIPS LED
FABRICATION
This product would be something that could be assembled and mass produced quite easily. Once the plastic and metal are adhered together and punched out into the shape it is then molded to be curved and notched together. The individual panels are modular and can be cut or molded to create a different design. They are also simple to manufacture. The only challenge I had with this project was getting the metal and the plastic to adhere with a clear and permanent adhesive. The use of heavier and higher quality material would greatly improve the function andlongevity of this product.
MATERIALS: FOGGED PLASTIC (SOURCED FROM A CUTTING MATS) AND 1/32” PERFORATED ALUMINUM SHEET
DESIGN LANGUAGE
This free standing lamp and shade was crafted from perforated metal; recycled plastic frosted place mats were used to help further defuse the light. This fixture symbolizes the relationship that is present in a healthy home dynamic.
The three pieces balance off one another giving equal support and contriving equality similar to a family. The warm white light symbolizes the love and comfort that is created in a home and the metal represents the strong foundation that is built between the connections of the family members. In essence this lamp is a metaphor for a balanced family.
LIGHTING: WARM WHITE PHILLIPS LED
FINAL DESIGN
AWARDED 2ND PLACE PSE /PHILLIPS SUSTAINABLE LIGHTING DESIGNCOMPETITION 09/06/14
Puget Sound Energy and Phillips Lighting team up every year to host their sustainable energy / lighting design competition. Having made this project earlier in the year and having it fit perfectly into the criteria of this design competition there were no changes that needed to be made to the design. I was awarded 2nd place for best design.
CAT CAVE &CAT NOOK
Combining sustainability awareness along withentrepreneurship; the goal of this project was to transform items of industrial waste into viable commercial products that were then sold for two weeks at Ideal, Bellingham WA.
UPCYCLED MATERIALS FOR PET PRODUCT DESIGNHOSTED BY IDEAL: CAREFULLY CURATED GOODS, BELLINGHAM WA6 WEEK PROJECT
Cat Cave and Nook are crafted using retired climbing rope. Climbers lives depend on this strong nylon rope which consists of a woven sheath encasing a twisted fiber core. Once the rope is damaged whether it be within the core to the smallest exterior imperfection, the rope much be retired. Cat Cave and Nook utilize the rigidity and comfort of this powerful rope by upcycling it into these cozy forms. The dome acts as a great enclosure for small cats or a place to store pet toys while the bed creates a great and easy-to-maintain napping space.
RECYCLED MATERIAL
CLIMBING ROPE SOURCED FROM THE ALPINE INSTITUTE, BELLINGHAM WA
MATERIALEXPLORATION / CONCEPTS
Initial concepts were for pet food rugs made from recycled climbing rope. After meeting with Ideal, the company that would be selling our products, the direction of my product shifted due to influences by their currentinventory and their advice on what the current pet market is looking for. Small pet bed designs were explored.
The intended design for this product was to be a two in one cat bed and cave. The shape is unique in that the tapering allows for the bottom of the vase- like, shaped basket to be inverted (pushed through) to create the bed. The image to the right is how the cave would look if you pushed the bottom straight up (the bed is essentially upside down in the right most image).
FABRICATION
2 15 inch diameter plastic bowls were glued together to create a spherical shape. This served as the mold for the baskets. A gluing process was engineered to ensure each basket looked identical shape-wise. Because the mold was spherical I had to brainstorm how to remove the mold from the basket. The two gluing processes allowed for strength and flexibility.
MATERIALS:RECYCLED CLIMBING ROPE 2P10 GLUE SILICONE CAULKING
STORE DISPLAY
The display was setup 3 days before the opening event. All inventory was brought in, priced and counted. 20 products were made; 10 Cat Caves and 10 Cat Nooks. Opening night I nearly sold out; after the two week selling period only 2 Cat Nooks were left. The results of this sale served as a good test for marketability.
HOSTED AT IDEAL: CAREFULLY CURATED GOODS, BELLINGHAM WA SOLD FOR 2 WEEKS
FINAL DESIGN
SPARKED INTEREST BY LOCALS IN BELLINGHAM WA TO BE MANUFACTURED AND SOLD ON THE MARKET
A couple starting their own pet product business Expressed interest toward my design as well as another designer’s design. Our designs were sought out of the 15 products presented by other designers at this show. We have plans to develop the intended design for this product further once they have finished up with acurrent project.
READING RAMPS
The goal was to design and construct a creative and unique furniture solution for a community non-profit organization, while taking in account the organization’s current needs to help drive the design. The furniture was then given to that organization as a gift.
BOOKCASE DESIGN PLYWOOD DONATED: MT. BAKER PLYWOOD, BELLINGHAM WADESIGN DONATED TO: A LOVING SPACE PRESCHOOL6 WEEK PROJECT
A Loving Space Preschool was the organization that I designed for. Initially I visited many non-profit organizations before settling on one. This preschool was unique in it’s methods of teaching which really moved me. They had a small space that needed a lot of convertible as well as movable storage. Their library corner was over-filled with books. The current shelf that they had displayed the books poorly and made many unaccessible to the children because they were stored too high.
RESEARCH
From my initial research of the space I developed numerous pages of ideas of products that would compliment the space well. The second meeting I shared my initial ideas with the staff. I went back to the drawing board with their critique in mind to develop concepts for a book display/shelf. I kept in touch with the staff through out most of the design process. I was given free reign on design, trusting that I could integrate my ideas well in their space.
These are the Initial explorations of form and concepts for a bookshelf that would be more easily accessible to the children as well as a shelf that displayed and celebrated the books. These scale models gave an idea of how they would fit in the reading room. All measurements were scaled from those taken at the preschool.
SKETCH MODELS
CUT PLAN / FABRICATION
For this design I had to figure out the mathematics of it. The sizing and angle of every piece had to be calculated so that the shelf would be parallel with a wall as well as parallel with the floor; each shelf also angled slightly downward. The front panels of the bookcase were designed with slots so that the shelving pieces could friction fit together. Little hardware was needed for this design. The combination of glue and friction fitting pieces allowed for a sturdy and clean design.
The alternating slants of the shelves mimic that of the slanting of a marble run; this in turn, allowed the books to seem as though they were popping out to the viewer (“read me”, “see me over here”...). The hand-dyed para-cord on the sides of the shelf allowed for the books in the back that were being stored to not fall as the books got stacked higher or as the shelf was being moved. It was also used to intrigue tactile senses.
FINAL DESIGN
The casters were lockable as to prevent injury. The design was minimal in color; it was the book’s jobs to tie in the youthfulness of this design. Orange was integrated to add playfulness; the space this was going to harmonize with had orange in every room except the reading room.
DONATING TO “A LOVING SPACESCHOOL”
Shelby, the owner of A Loving Space Preschool, was delighted to see the final design of her bookshelf. “It really makes the books pop out at you! The kids can access all the books easily, this is great!”
IMBUE
WWU IDSA Board is in charge of running the annual WWU IDSA Student Chapter fundraiser. We worked with these students to conceptualize a product that would be sold locally to raise funds for the chapter. Me and two other board members refined the final design. I personally managed the project schedule, student teams and the venue set up to make sure 130 vessels were built and our efforts were well presented by the opening deadline.
MAGNETIC TEA INFUSINGVESSEL DESIGN WWU IDSA FUNDRAISER WWU IDSA PRESIDENT / PROJECT LEADERCO-DESIGNER5 WEEK PROJECT
BRAINSTORM
CONCEPTS RELATED TO TIME
We started off with a series of meetings which involved sketching and discussing a diverse collection of ideas.
We compiled the ideas and refined a final design; materials were chosen and the manufacturing processes were hashed out so that student groups could execute manufacturing efficiently while not compromising quality. Thedrawings in the image on the left were done by a student. 130 units were manufactured in 2 weeks
DESIGN SELECTED / FABRICATION
I worked with the gallery owner and another student to set up the venue for the opening night . We worked together to arrange the space so that it complimented our product and it’s brand. A TV was set up to showcase the video I helped make which visualizes the use of our product. The posters were laid out to map the stages of our work as well as bring awareness about WWU IDSA and how the raised funds would support our student chapter.
GALLERY SETUP
OPENING SHOW
The Imbue product nearly sold out opening night. We were approached by two manufacturers who were interested in seeing this product make it to the market.
HOSTED: MINDPORT,BELLINGHAM WA
KICKSTARTER /JOINT BUSINESS
The three of us who lead the design of this project, from the beginning, have teamed up with a company locally here in Bellingham WA. to launch this design on Kickstarter. We recently worked on refining the visual imagery of this product to clearly illustrate how this product works. We are still making improvements in the material and look of the initial design.
COMPANY: LINQUISITIVE
HOW IT WORKS
Our initial design was made from a paragon jar, a white oak lid, 20 small magnets, and upholstery fabric. Each material was tested to insure they met their purpose to enhance the over quality of this product.
MAGNETICALLY REDEFINED
The strainer is integrated into the lid. Its ability to magnetize to the lid provides a unique brewing experience which it also caters to your brewing preferences. This in turn makes the parts of this product easier to wash.
CATERS TO THE USER
In order to start steeping, the Imbue must be flipped to engage the strainer with water. This allows for ease in steeping your tea to your desired strength. When done steeping, simply flip the Imbue upright to disengage the steeping process.
The lid also serves as a tray to catch any of the excess water from the left overs of the infused tea. The sleeve was crafted from two layers of fabric. A strong upholstery fabric makes up the outside of the sleeve, while suede was sewn into the inside of the sleeve due to the grip capabilities on glass.
DOWN TO EVERY DETAIL
PORTABLE
Imbue has a sleek and minimal design which caters to most styles. It is compact and easily portable. It also fits well in most cup holders. Keep an eye out for Imbue once it launches on Kickstarter!
SKILLS
ABOUT
My hobbies are dance, hiking, photography and video / computer games.
Thank you!
To see more of my work you can find me at my website: lecosadesign.com.
Leah Cohen-Sapida2020 Mill Ave. #101Bellingham WA, 98225(206) [email protected]
EDUCATIONWestern Washington University Bachelors of Science in Industrial Design Expected graduation date June 2016Bellingham, WA
Presidential Scholars Award 2011President of WWU IDSA Student Chapter 2014-2015Imbue Co-designed, manufactured and sold a tea vessel for the WWU IDSA Student Chapter fundraiser. This product nearly sold out and gained interests of multiple manufactures for further production. Currently is being formed into a KickstarterCat Cave Designed, manufactured and sold a pet product out of recycled materials. This gained further interest by a manufacturer to produce at a grander scale.
Volunteer WorkTheater/Dance Starred as the lead in the professional production of the play BFE in Seattle, WA with the SIS Productions Company. Also assistant directed and was a counselor for various summer theater productions and camps for Seattle Children’s Theater in Seatte, WABodyWorks Trainer: Valley Medical Center, Renton, WA Co-lead a 10 week free nutrition and physical health class with my senior project mentor, substituted for classes when she was gone as well as created additional lesson plans of m y own for my 20 minute segments during each classEnglish Camp Teacher: Maghar, Israel Created and taught English lessons to 5-13 year old Arabic speaking children for 3 weeks. Also acted as a camp counselor during the day for the hours that were not scheduled for English. We also took the group of kids to two theme parks. I also helped lead the art and creative movement hour. I assisted the art teacher with lesson plan making, set up and clean up of the art room for the daily events. Temple B’nai Torah Leader (Bellevue, WA): Communications VP Voice between the board and the members, secretary during board meetings, Facebook leader, flier maker, and promoter for events. Also the liaison between the Temple Board and the North West Regional Board
SKILLSModel MakingSolidworksKeyShotCatiaPhotoshopIllustrator InDesignDreamweaverNXT Robot Coding Hand/Computer rendering
Microsoft OfficeQuick and eager learnerHighly effective in a teamStrong Independently Strong leadershipPublic speakingPeople person Good judge of characterActing/ Modeling/DanceSurvival training