Spare the Back, Spoil the Artist

 It's no secret that creating art can be painful. It can be awkward and ungainly, crooked and cramped. Even with the luxury of a studio space in my home, I find myself shuffling between computer, drafting table, kitchen table and the lazy boy. Why? Because I suffer from chronic back pain - and art school isn't helping! 

In the documentary, Objectified, Dan Formosa tells us that by designing for the extremes, we also service the middle. If I could improve the space I use to make art, in a way that is accessible to active people with healthy backs, this would allow me to design something that was functional for a large range of people. 

The problems: Space. Mobility - the less I walk, the longer I can work. Multi-functionality - I need to be able to paint, make comics and work digitally. I also need something that can be put on a coffee table, a computer desk, or even in my lap.  I took to heart Marc Newsom's advise to disregard current references - I didn't want my form to be based on defunct ideas and old expectations. 

The Solution: Three surfaces connected with double hinges to allow them to be flipped like a pad of paper. This could be rested in my lap or supported on a table by a supplied lightweight frame that could be sourced from sustainable materials.  

              Three interchangeable surfaces intended to stack vertically, with or without the frame.

Plane 1:  Tech

Assembled - three joined planes atop the frame

 A blue ring denotes the wireless charging pad embedded in the 24 inch by 36 inch surface. This could be rubberised to prevent phones from slipping  when using the frame. The frame provides a 35 degree angle. Different frames could be created at alternative pitches.

 I have created a cut out for an iPad Pro 11 inch model, but this could easily switched out for a similar plane with a different cut out for alternative models. The plane below supports the iPad. There is a home for the pen to charge in situ. With the frame wired for power or aiding in managing power cords, the iPad could charge whilst in use. I envisioned this surface as being whiteboard friendly for note taking.  

A cup holder hold runs through all three planes. The 7cm diameter accommodates most tapering single walled hot or cold beverage cups, but the rimmed receptacle could either hold smaller cups or be used for paint water. A cut-through allows access to the tray for wet media use. 

Plane 2: Lightbox

Flipping the tech plane to the back of the pack allows for use of a lightbox plane. Light tape on a thin white surface, topped by a durable translucent glass or plastic product makes this plane a functional non-digital drawing space. An on/off/ dim button is in the top left corner.
The edges of the top and side of the planes have been left straight to allow for t-square use. The bottom edge is scooped to be comfortably nestled against the body when being used on the lap. 

Further - the act and ritual of flipping over a 'new page' helps mentally switch from one project or exercise to another, and is familiar, comforting and intuitive. 

Plane 3: Paint

Using acrylics in school has led to a mess. An inset tray and a water receptacle solve this issue. The tray is removable for easy cleaning. A dowel at the top allows for paper towel or a rag to be hung down the length of the tray. Palette knives can then be scraped on the wrapped dowel, and brushes can be ran down the material - the textured surface underneath would help to remove residual paint or dry the brush. Place the tray and cup on the right side solves the issue of my current drafting table where I must cross my work to access rags and water, potentially damaging the art work. 

Sustainability & Longevity: This design was intended to be modular - a hinge system means that planes could be replaced and recycled as it was damaged/ broke down. This isn't planned obsolescence - but an acknowledgement that artists are hard on equipment and our tools change. It is my hope that this design would be, like Hella Jongerius envisioned in the Objectified documentary, a part of the family - cared for and well-loved.