Assignment
#5 POST Find something you encounter in real life, a retail product online, or an art piece that we haven’t looked at yet - that inflates
#6 MAKE and POST Inflatable Explorations: additional explorations of simple flat-patterned inflatables
Real Life Examples
Inflatable Bonnet Hair Dryer
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I have one of these inflatable hair bonnets (the version above is sold by Glow by Daye) that is super useful but don’t have this type of hair dryer nozzle or at least can’t find it at the moment
https://youtu.be/h0qCqUng-hM?si=dGHXjflIawmqTq6D
- I think I bought it about 12 years ago and it’s still such a good idea for getting an even dry similar to the hood at the salon
- Some downsides were it was quite loud and could get really hot on the headbut that’s also up to your hair dryer and settings
- It’s compact and easy to store and works with various tools and hair dryers you already have so can use for travel.
- I think the headshape on most aren’t adjustable so that might be something where some might have a drawstring to adjust. Also the hose connecting the bonnet to the hair dryer has restraints so it can curl.
Research & Inspiration
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Started a youtube playlist of different general inflatable related videos in addition to flat pattenered examples. I always love to watch a how it’s made video.
https://youtu.be/_asrhvc4dPg?si=jHL3qlJ9yf9i4ETN
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Started a pinterest board for inspiration
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I gravitated to a lot of puffer like materials, 90s/00s aesthetic, balloon, bubble, pool inflatables in my inspiration
- Reading
- I’m reading this book Nuts and Bolts by Roma Agrawal that devotes a chapter to what the author has picked as “seven small inventions that changed the world (in a big way). It has a whole chapter on pumps that was good inspiration, but I’ve used it as a reference for a lot of the ideas around string, magnets, and wheels for cables last week since each of those 3 have a chapter each devoted to examples the origins.
Inflatable Explorations
- Some themes I wanted explore for inflatables were:
- finding inspiration that could work with my thesis in terms of creating new musical interfaces or stage/costume design
- experimenting with found materials or ones that combine with fiber or food and biological design in combination with bioprinting and biofabrication and extending from ideas I explored in other bioart and design itp classes
Mylar Exploration
- For my first heat-sealed mylar attempt I decided to free form a round shape that was not quite a heart and I kept a hole open for the straw but it ended up being too large so that more and more air came out and it lots it couldn’t hold a shape when inflated
This heart came out quite well the second time with me intentionally making a wider tab for the heart, I also made it more round and when it’s to the side it looks kind of like a lima bean shape
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PRdK8ATNV_00kgc--GvDhNfUcGgqyUQ3/view?usp=drive_link](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PRdK8ATNV_00kgc--GvDhNfUcGgqyUQ3/view?usp=drive_link)
I wanted to add some dimples for a more rectangular shape I did bit too much on the right side but it did do the effect I expected. I wanted to test sealing off with an iron and no tools and the heart stayed inflated pretty well with me quickly ironing and then cutting off a pointy edge
