Split
Split is my major project from my Design for Industry BA at Northumbria University, it was a fourteen week long project that I did on my own.
MY ROLE
Bachelors Design for Industry Student
METHODS USED
Research, Testing, Modelmaking, CAD Modelling, Branding, Design Iteration, Design Delivery
The Brief
The brief I set myself was to design a product or service that enables inner city surfers to travel more, in a safer way and with greater ease.
Research
Primary & Secondary Methods
Growing up in a city and understanding my experience of travelling with surfboards, this project jumped out at me to create a simple solution for inner city dwellers dreaming of travelling more and being able to surf as much as possible.
To gain further insight into the difficulties and awkwardness of travelling with surfboards, I set about travelling with my own, photographing each step I took. I assessed which steps were most difficult or awkward to get around.
The Design
Design Development
I used sketching to initially generate ideas for how the board would come apart and be put together. This aided me in visualising and understanding what was possible to achieve, allowing me to move on in my model-making process.
I created various small models, testing mechanisms that could be potentially successful in bringing the board together. This enabled me to figure out what would work best on full scale, such as knowing that using a cut line with such a narrow angle would be too difficult.
Making Process
Creating the ‘Split’ surfboard was a demanding task that required my full focus and time. Throughout the process, I gained valuable insights into manufacturing, costing, and using various machinery, with the guidance of university workshop technicians.
​
I started by mastering AKU surfboard shaping software to design the board and create templates. After sourcing and gluing balsa wood, I shaped it using hand planes and sanders, preparing the board to incorporate all necessary components for assembly and disassembly.
Final Model
Construction of the board is simple, and can be easily done right by the beach. Pushing together the three parts with the carbon fibre rods, using the stainless steel toggle latches holds it together, creating a strong and sturdy surfboard. These images display the process.