TOM DIGRE - Product Design

Andy

"Andy" is a fun exercise in designing a cheese grater from a tomato can. The cap serves as a drawer that collects the grated cheese, and the outer shell is shaped to prevent the grated cheese from falling out of the sides. The design is intentionally playful and simple, utilising a tomato can. One side of the can is bent, and the ripples on the cap are curved organically. A handle, originally used to open the can, is modified to pull the drawer open.

The Baobab Tree

The baobab tree is a conceptual artificial tree designed to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air through an automated process. It releases clean, cool air while consuming a minimal amount of energy generated by solar panels at the top of the tree.

This design is minimalistic and can be scaled in size and quantity, with the primary goal of placement in public spaces or city centres where CO2 concentrations are high.

How It Works:

Fans in the tree force air through panels coated with Amine. As the air passes, the Amine absorbs CO2, cooling the air as it travels through the "trunk" and exits at the tree's base.

Sensors are positioned at both the entrance and exit of the panel container to monitor the amount of CO2 entering and leaving with the air. When the difference in CO2 levels becomes low, the doors to the container close, and a water spray is activated. When the water comes into contact with the Amine panels, the CO2 is released and collected in a container with algae. Alternatively, it can be compressed and used in other industries, such as agriculture, or pumped back into the ground.

*Shortlisted for the Lexus 2020 Design Award

Bike Design study

This design exercise is aimed at redesigning bikes. Since they were created, the design of the fork, handlebars, and headset has not changed. However, this area can improve the bike immensely, reduce drag, and simplify production, among other things. My concept is to try to challenge the traditional bike design by making the fork and the handlebars one unit that attaches to the frame with a single bolt, which allows for more flexibility regarding the design and removes constraints in bike design.

As for the gears, it is a CVT-based gear system which consists of an input gear, or the crank, made of carbon fibre blades with teeth at the end of each blade, and a driving gear at the back, which consists of 2 cone-shaped pulleys where the belt is sandwiched between them and pressed by a spring instead of oil in cars.

How it works:

When there is no resistance, such as when going downhill, the blades relax to their full radius, pulling the belt between the two pulleys until it reaches the lowest point, where a small gear operates as the first gear. When resistance occurs, such as when going uphill, the blades twist to create a smaller radius. This loosens the belt and allows the spring to push the cones together, forming a higher gear ratio at the back. To prevent the blades from collapsing onto each other and causing the teeth to jam in the belt, the blades are designed with extrusions that maintain a constant gap between them during twisting.

Corinthia cheese grater

Corinthia is an electric cheese grater inspired by Roman columns, designed to efficiently grate hard cheese shells, such as Parmesan, reducing waste.

It consists of two parts: a glass jar that holds the cheese and features a heavy stainless-steel weight to push the cheese into the grater. This jar can be separated from the other half and stored in the fridge. The second half contains the motor and battery, which can be detached from the glass jar and placed on the charger until the next use.

IRSP Radiator

Tree leaves inspire the design. Its minimal and dynamic shape fits most modern spaces. The digital controller is seamlessly integrated into the radiator. The bathroom radiator features slightly larger holes to accommodate towel placement.

Forest Fire Prevention Concept

It is a complementary system designed to be installed in forests as a grid, serving as the first line of defence against forest fires.

How It Works:

It consists of fire-resistant bags filled with fire-retardant materials. These bags are equipped with sensors powered by solar energy. When a fire is detected, the sensors trigger the release of the contents in a grid formation to contain the fire. Additionally, the system sends a signal to the fire department, providing them with the exact location of the grid and enabling a rapid response for fire prevention.

Jellyfish lamp

The lamp is designed with inspiration from natural forms and materials, showcasing a minimalist aesthetic. It features a glass shade that is crafted by blowing glass into a sphere, which is then placed on top of a cylinder with the same diameter as the final base, allowing it to collapse naturally as it cools. The base can be made of marble or wood, while the switch and the bezel surrounding the light are crafted from aluminium.

Perletti

This concept simplifies the umbrella design by incorporating a cylinder that holds water when the umbrella folds inside it. This space can also showcase a pattern.

Rundo

Rundo is a cutlery set that elevates the eating experience. The name refers to its rounded handles, which provide a practical and tactile eating experience.

The set design provides an excellent grip and a unique feel due to its form, size, and balance in the hand. The rounded handle fork is easy to rotate because the triangular-shaped prongs make gripping foods like tomatoes or olives much easier.

The spoon bowl features a flat bottom, making it easy to place on any surface, and its inner side fits the fork well when used together for spaghetti. The rounded handle of the knife makes it comfortable and easy to hold, similar to that of chopping knives.

Rundo has its own stand for uniform placement and works as a stand when changing the plates.

*Shortlisted for the Parmigiano Reggiano® Design Challenge with Alessi and Kartell 2021

Stone Lamp

The Stone Flashlight is a versatile concept designed for indoor and outdoor use, as well as for use as a flashlight or work lamp. The lamp can be placed on a shelf and wirelessly charged. A magnet in the lamp helps keep it on the tray while it charges and allows it to attach to metal surfaces if needed. The intensity of the light can be controlled by touching the back of the stone, and its shape makes it convenient to carry in pockets.