- No sleek design.
- No factors that scream streamlined beast that will take me as far as I please (in distance or way of envy).
It's not exactly the prettiest bicycle out there, is it? My justifications for choosing this bicycle design as
a favourite lies beyond aesthetics. As important as a physically pleasing design is, one that satisfies the
design brief is just as important.
The Hoima Bicycle was a project undertaken by Industrial Designer, Jason Morris. His objective was to
design a bicycle for the people of Hoima (a small rural town in Uganda) and acquire a company to produce it.
What I find fascinating about the design brief is the fact that it required Morris to redesign an existing product to a design brief where the product's purpose is slightly different to what it conventionally is in our society.
In North America and Europe a bicycle is used for recreation and exercise, but in other countries that lack the privledges that we do, it's a critical means of transporting goods . Bicycle manufacturers don't
design bikes for the population in developing countries - so rather than focusing on flashy functions targeted at recreation: bicycle gearing, streamlined frames and what not, the main focus is transportation.
In terms of aesthetics, not much can be done with the limit on finances. However, the simplicity of the bicycle with its constant cylindrical-lightweight frame conveys a sense of cost efficiency and reliability, a much needed visual in order to win over a manufacturing company. Whether or not cost had anything to do with it, I feel the simplicity of the bicycle is essential for developing countries, who may not have ever interacted with a bicycle. The style of the bicycle is in keeping with the 'Boda Boda', the bicycles often utilised by the more prosperous Ugandians (but too bulky for efficient transportation). This renders the design as one of familiarity to the Ugandians, attracting their usage. Visual wise, the rear wheel seems to radiate an imbalance in the design, but the 20 inch rear wheel has been moved back, increasing its wheelbase 10 inches which allows for a more distributed load between the two wheels and provides more area for loads.
I think designing products with a design brief that challenges the typical uses of a product is what keeps industrial design innovative. The Hoima Bicycle Project, to me, is a perfect example of how products are tailored to suit or aid us in our environment, which i believe is the essence of industrial design, thus my favourite design.
Resources:
http://idsandbox.blogspot.com/search/label/hoima
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeQRi_IxZJg
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Cynthia Tang
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I really like this design in the fact that it has been specifically tailored for that market. It is also a big change from other, bulkier cargo bikes which when you aren't carrying anything you're left with a large cumbersome vehicle to manoeuvre around.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen these Dutch cargo bikes? http://bakfiets.nl/eng/ they are a bit more aesthetically pleasing but with a HUGE price tag.
Sam F
Interesting. CargoLight seems to be the less builkier option, but not too fond of the Dutch cargo bikes, they still seem extremely bulky with the pre-attatched cargo compartment.
ReplyDeleteCynthia Tang