Salman Afzal's blog

Empathetic Intervetion

It is very important for a designer to be empathetic towards problems that needs a solution.During my master's degree coursework, I was involved in a number a projects that required me to design a solution through an empathetic intervention. The best example in this case could be 'myPen' - an insulin pen injection, designed for the teenagers suffering from diabetes. Through the exercise, I was made aware of some facts and figures surrounding this disease and the methods that have been invented as a cure. The process involved looking at the problem and devising a solution by getting in touch with the patients and doctors. As a designer, I felt this as an eye opening experience. I was actually designing something that could bring a change. During the journey I interviewed young patients, enlisted myself in discussion groups and researched online. Blogging was the most effective way of finding out the dilemma among young patients. In the coming posts. I shall be posting sketches and other visuals that informed my understanding of the whole project.

The following exercises were done with Rachel Barker at University of New South Wales, to understand the relationship between a needle, injection and a teenager. The idea was to devise a management based solution that could discourage the practice of ignoring of forgetting  the intake of optimum insulin dosage whether at school, home or social event 

Christopher Bailey - An inspiring Design manager

 

Repubilika Saudade: Rugs

The design and construction of the rugs is inspired by the notion of ‘saudade’ and takes its visual information in form of popular visual pattern from Angola and Portugal. Incorporating the traditional and contemporary methods of construction, these rugs employ various layers of deconstruction and association with nostalgia. Wool being the primary material (from Portugal and Angola) is coupled with stem fibre weaving technique (Western Africa).The three generations of the occupants (client) is represented by the three methods of rug construction i.e., Weaving , felted wool coiling and popular pile knotting.

 

Project: Republika Saudae

Along with three other designers, I was assigned on a task to create an environment for a mixed cultural living space. 'Republika Saudade' is derived from Portuguese meaning a place to live (republika) and a feeling of nostalgia (saudade). Saudade - the mood was created through placing four signature objects designed in collaboration to sustain the unified appeal. It was exciting to employ architectural and interior design skills learnt at my previous work experiences. The inspiration for designs was constructed around the profile of the client, in our case an Afro- Portuguese family with cultural and hereditary links from Angola and Portugal. Following is a collection of sketches made for signature rugs and carpets. It also includes plans for the pent house .I shall be posting more pictures in the coming days to elaborate the designs in detail.

 

   

 

Mood Boards

It s always challenging to teach students how to create mood boards. And the most difficult part is when want your nod on their selected imagery for a particular mood. Some time back I came across a newspaper supplement that had previews for upcoming seasonal hues and moods. I thought it was very relevant in teaching people how to coordinate pattern and prints with colors and decor items. Following is a selection of a few moods included in the edition.I hope you can find it relevant to your understanding.

 

 

Rabiya's charm

Rabiya Mumtaz is a good friend and a former colleague when I was teaching at NCA lahore. A graphic designer by qualification, I have witnessed Rabiya in applying her reformed sense of aesthetics to wearable collections. She carved her niche by designing winter wear - a highly ignored space by most Pakistani fashion designers. Her portfolio includes numerous exhibitions at her studio and shared spaces throughout the country. One thing  noticeable in her collections is a silent domination of western inspired minimalism coupled with regional and traditional design application, and this perhaps accounts for the niche client for the brand.

The brand philosophy as stated by the designer:

'Charm by Rabiya Mumtaz is a label with a "less is more" and "feel good, look good" philosophy. The focus is on understated elegance, which takes style to another level altogether. However we do keep in mind current trends while designing a classic piece of garment - so it is not just today's disposable fashion, not is it a boring classic, but something fun and classic you will wear again and again.'

While I hope to see a web page for the brand in near future, you can access her collection at her facebook business page :

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Charm-by-Rabiya-Mumtaz-Studio/254552671236719

I would love to see these creations reach western market through online retail. I am very sure that Charm could easily find heaps of following in Australia and the middle eastern countries.

Great work Rabiya !!!

 

 

Look alikes !

While surfing the women's wear at David Jones CBD, I came across a few dresses having hand emboridery ('adda' - frame embroidery). I was really surprised and suspected they were probably produced in India or Bangladesh. After looking at the price tags ($ 50- 90) I wondered how much the manufacturers were actually paying the craft precincts (factories) ? My guess - probably not close enough to guarantee social welfare and security. Sad :(

 

'project RUN(A)WAY'

Project Run(a)way was part of my latest activity in the design research. Initially a product of a research assignment done with acclaimed Dr. Katherine Moline, project Run(a)way transformed into a full scale research analysis providing a basic structure to my proposed research question.

The assignment was a creative way to reflect on the irritant i.e., ethical issues witht in the design process (from production to marketing and retail). The two weeks activity witnessed documentation of the irritant through photography, collage, sketching and reflective practices. Taking design projects (done in Pakistan) in account, I was able to connect the documentation of the craft precincts with the high fashion  retail spots in Paddington (Sydney NSW).

The images below were constructed employing layers of mix media. Starting with basic sketching to photographing the punch tags and finally putting all together in Photoshop.It was supported by an abstract and detailed analysis of 5-8 graphics though deconstruction of the entire range of visual.

<More on Dr. Moline  http://www.cofa.unsw.edu.au/about-us/staff/129>

Project: The Hybrid Identity

As part of the Integrated studio course, I designed a pattern depicting the hybridization of the Australian and Pakistani culture. Among various case studies I was also able to interview an Australian Pakistani family, which provided me an insight in the expectations with reference to cultural representation and indigenous aesthitics driven projects. Taking inspiration from the historical references (e.g., Mohenjo Daro, architectural patterns etc from Pakistan and geographic & cultural textures from Australia) I was able to derive a formula that formed the foundation for a repetitive pattern. This pattern incorporated the vibrancy of the multi cultural Australian society and the essence of details present in the traditional arts & crafts of Pakistan.

 

NSW DSG 2013-14:The Wild Paradise

A collection of designs inspired by the amalgamation of African immigrant population in New South Wales.