Whatwasitagain Workout Computer and Soundperfume

Sourcing of various sized punch bag structures to recover, leather work and construction under the direction of head designer. Chain curtain construction and electronic knitwear sample development.

In 2012 I was accepted on to an Erasmus placement utilising my textile design and hand making skills at the Bless Paris and Bless Berlin Atelier. I took part in Soundperfume  & Retrospective Home under the direction of Désirée Heiss and Ines Kaag. The re-imagining of clothing, objects and the shift to focus on how wearers and viewers interact was hugely influential to me as a designer. The playful, explorative aspect to the items they designed allowed wearers and people experiencing the spaces they designed to fully immerse themselves. Fabricating these objects and environments led me to further work within display and object making, applying this broader understanding of fashion.

The curtain was gradually assembled over 3 months in the Paris Atelier under direction from Désirée Heiss, winding throughout the downstairs shop and up the staircase to the Atelier. Later the curtain was showcased in exhibitions and design events around the world.

Workout Computer was an object designed to offer a more balanced live-work ratio than the typical routine of many office workers spending their days in front of a screen, then later visiting a gym to keep fit and remedy the associated aches of sitting for too long. Some punch bag letters sit on the table while others are freestanding, some are suspended between the ceiling and floor. Others need to be kicked or trodden on whilst others are within arms reach.

Throughout the exhibition showcasing the punchbag computer visitors were invited to try out the keyboard and type their own messages. One punching pad allowed everyone to print out what they've typed, while also posting to a dedicated Twitter feed.

Year: 2011-2012

Fabrication: Heather Ridley-Moran

Design: Bless