Tosika is a recent graduate from RMIT Universities Industrial Design Program (Melbourne, Australia). His final year project, Modus Operandi (Mode of Operation) looks at the redevelopment of council approved ‘skate-safe’ zones within the CBD. Enjoy and please take the time to share your thoughts and feedback.
Highlights
- “Keep on thinking”
- “…if I had to pick one industry I would have to say sportswear and equipment design.”
- “I like the idea that a skatepark can create personal challenges for individuals as well as provide a place for social entertainment.”
1. Tosika, Welcome to Design Droplets. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me, could you please give me a quick introduction on yourself.
I’ve lived and studied in Melbourne for most of my life. I actually feel quite lucky to be in Melbourne because there is so much going on in the design industry. I’m exposed to so many different scenes, styles, and cultures. It’s definitely something that helps me develop ideas and progress as a designer. I’ve just finished my bachelor of design (Industrial Design) at RMIT University this year. My Background is in interior design and graphic design, which I had studied a few years prior. Industrial design offers a nice middle ground where I can blend different skills together to create products for all types of people.
2. Can you tell me a bit about your final project?
My project is called Modus Operandi (Mode of Operation). ‘Rookie Re-vert’ and ‘The Barrel’ are both urban skate obstacles designed for street skateboarders, rollerbladers and BMX cyclists. This project involves the redevelopment of council approved ‘skate-safe’ zones within the CBD. These sculptural installations are designed to reduce the amount of damage caused to street furniture by drawing skaters away from sensitive sites and unsafe locations.
New skateparks keep popping up in suburban areas these days; so skateboarding and other similar types of activities are definitely growing in popularity. Its great to see that local councils are approving sites and are starting to get involved in these types of projects.
Rookie Re-vert is the first half of the project where the users were able to get involved and help develop the product. Local skateboarders had an influential role throughout the design process. They shared their experiences and contributed valuable information to each design phase.
The Barrel is an installation that was inspired by the skate and surf culture of the 1960s and 70’s. The curved apex was designed to feel like you were surfing through a large barrel wave. Each surface was sculpted specifically to appeal to different riders with varying abilities. Now beginners, intermediate, and experienced riders have the opportunity to hone their skills at a safe and comfortable pace.
3. Which part of the design industry do you hope to venture into?
Thats a hard one because I have a tendency to cross between a few different fields. But if I had to pick one industry I would have to say sportswear and equipment design. In 2007 I started up a street-wear label called IXX Escha Clothing. It’s a mix between boutique fashion and skate-wear. I enjoy collaborating with other local artists and designers to create a unique style. At the moment, the clothing is available at a few different boutiques and outlets around Melbourne. It’s something I intend to push out to other cities around Australia. If I had the chance to branch out I think I would have to venture into sporting equipment and other hardware for extreme sporting activities. It’s a pretty fast passed industry, but I like to keep busy.
4. What would your dream project be, if you could design for anyone or design anything and put it into production?
I would like to travel overseas and build a large indoor skatepark. I guess you could call that a cross between product and interior design. Either way, I think it would be a really interesting project to be involved in especially if it involved a team of designers. I like the idea that a skatepark can create personal challenges for individuals as well as provide a place for social entertainment. So I guess it’s not just about the about the product itself, but what others could potentially do with the product.
5. Tosika, thanks for taking the time to talk with us here at Design Droplets. Do you have any final thoughts to share with Design Droplets readers?
Thanks to all those who helped me with this year long project.
To everybody else – Keep on thinking.
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Tosika,
You may interested in submitting this or any other of your designs into the IDEA Competition.
The IDEA® (International Design Excellence Awards) program, sponsored by IDSA and Fast Company, is the premier international competition honoring design excellence in products, ecodesign, interaction design, packaging, strategy, research and concepts.
For 2010, IDEA has partnered with The Henry Ford. Winning and finalist submissions will become part of the Museum’s permanent collection.
Visit http://www.idsa.org/idea for more details. Deadline for entries is JAN.25.2010.