👀Brief 02 example: fēnfā
By Dan Balint
fēnfā (Chinese for 'distribute') is a flatpack, post-able candle crafting kit which acts as a stand when not in use. It represents an alternative to consuming single use candles which are mass produced, often from paraffin based wax. It is made from sustainably sourced card and shipped with 100% natural Soy wax which can be grown and produced in the UK.
Inspiration
My inspiration for this project came from a presentation I delivered prior to receiving this brief which was focused around our psychological desire to consume materialistic goods. One of my key take-aways from this research, was that through consumption, or obtaining of goods, a chemical release of dopamine is triggered in the brain, essentially rewarding us for amassing 'stuff'. Coincidentally, the same dopamine release can be triggered through craft, that is, the creation of our own goods.
I wanted to take this insight, and find a way of triggeering this psychological stimulation through making something that users could obtain and turn into something new themselves. I also wanted to explore products that had been made with common sheet materials, such as paper and card, and how manufacturers were using these materials to create smart solutions for example in functional packaging.
I quickly came up with the idea of making a flatpack candle mould, as wax is readily available at many craft stores, and is a material that does not require any specialist equipment to melt and form. This makes it suitable for distributed design infrastructures, as the consumable material required is widely accessible.
Research
To research the market landscape, I looked at Yankee Candle, an American giant who make and sell 200 Million candles per year.
In particular, I was interested in their supply chain, from the extraction of resources to the eventual sale in a store.
Below is a visual analysis of their supply chain.
I then researched the potential supply chain my own product to be produced at scale using a more environmentally aware approach.
Material Experimentation
During this project, I was eager to experiment with the use of DIY recycled plastics. Using a blender, toastie grill and waste PLA from the 3D printing lab, we developed swatches of our own material.
Subsequent tests (specifically line and heat bending) on this material determined that it would not be suitable for use as part of my candle moulding process.
I began to experiment with card, creating geometric origami type forms
I was happy with how these shapes came out, however I realised that due to the internal tab system used to hold the volumes together, any moulding that took place would leave an imprint on the candle produced.
To overcome this issue, I experimented with applying the tabs onto the exterior of the form, and using split pins to hold them in place.
Prototype 01 ready for testing
Leaking after the first wax pour...
Despite the leaks in the initial mould, after about half an hour setting in the freezer, I was able to obtain a pretty decent candle with clean(ish) geometric lines and planes.
In order to overcome the leaks, I experimented further by trying to develop my own bio-plastic laminant for the card I was using. The material was made of agar, glycerol and water.
Unfortunately this was another failure in material experimentation, as during the setting process, the bioplastic did not stick to the card due to the lack of adhesive. To progress, I used regular plastic laminate to cover the card, and experimented this way to prevent molton wax from seeping through the card. This was a success but some small amounts still escaped through tiny holes on the corners of each face. To overcome this, I brushed a few layers of molton wax over these holes and allowed this to set in the fridge, before pouring in the full amount of wax for the candle. This was a success and allowed me to fill the mould with no leaks whatsoever.
Laminated net shape
Second candle made with added ink in an ombré effect
CAD Files
The above DXF file would be cut out of laminated card using a laser cutter, or drag knife.
Red indicates cut through lines
Blue indicated kiss cut lines
Instructions
View Fenfa Stop Motion.mp4 @ Wikifactory
Pack Shots
Appendix
Potential for the project
I think the potential for this project lies in the mental stimulation someone may get through the crafting element of this kit. I think to further improve on this, the mould could be designed in such a way that the user is able to customise the shape of the candle produced, to create a unique and personal experience. I also think there is the potential to expand further on the idea of distributed design in my future works, as clearly it is a much more resource efficient way of delivering products, and it brings with it a new and exciting set of design parameters.
Resources Used:
www.Materiom.org
Structural packaging: design your own boxes and 3-D forms / by Paul Jackson
Instructables- Plastic Milkshake: https://www.instructables.com/id/Plastic-Smoothie-DIY-Plastic-Recycling/
Additional Reading:
Creativity, Brain and Art: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4041074/
The Dopamine Seeking Reward Loop - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-wise/201802/the-dopamine-seeking-reward-loop
Emotional Design - Don Norman
Emotionally Durable Design - Jonothan Chapman
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