"Form ever follows function."
Louis Sullivan - Architect
If this quote is to be taken as true - and to many designer it is gospel - then what we see below may be designs of pure genius. I'm not sure how I first came across
Project Dream Ball, but it was featured on
Upon a Fold, and I think it's truly brilliant. In this instance the form serves as a function.
Following
Unplug Design's directions a simple cardboard container can be recycled into a plaything for children in countries receiving humanitarian aid, giving them vital supplies and a bit of fun - both of which are in short supply in many parts of the world. A simple idea which can bring big rewards.
Read more about it here.
I know for sure I saw Emily Pilloton, the founder and ED of
Project H Design on the Colbert Report (
watch it here). She was promoting a design solution to a problem common in developing countries, that is almost as ingenius.
The
Hippo Roller was designed by a South African 15 years ago to make transporting clean water, which sometimes may be miles away, as efficiently and as safely as possible. According to their website
The Hippo, with it's large drum capacity of 90 litres / 24 gallons, frees women and children from having to spend a large portion of every day dedicated to collecting water for their households. Far less effort is required to roll the heavy weight of water along the ground as opposed to carrying only one bucket on the head.
In both of these cases the form itself is serving multiple functions. Simple and sublime.
Read more about the Dream Ball here.
Read more about the Hippo Roller here.
