Avinash Rajagopal

Indian WC - The traditional Indian squatting wc has seen very little design intervention, especially in terms of ease of use for older or heavier people. This squatting wc, developed for India’s top sanitaryware brand, Parryware, has angled footrests which makes it much more comfortable to use. An ergonomics study conducted by me suggested the angle of the footrests and the overall dimensions. The product is slated for launch in 2006.

Nature and Form - An exercise in abstraction of natural forms, that involves research into natural geometry and structure as inspiration for formal exploration. The natural form chosen was that of the water lily, nymphaea rubra. The form attempts to convey the elegant and delicate essence of the water lily, while exposing the underlying structure of the golden spiral.

Classroom Projects - BENDEX: This classroom project looked into ease of domestic cleaning in India. A user survey revealed that people preferred traditional cleaning and dusting methods with a broom and mop, but that cleaning in hard-to-reach places was the main problem area. Bendex is a flexible extender that can be attached to any existing broom or mop and can help clean under furniture, ceilings, and in every nook and cranny. INDIAN TEA MAKER: Chai Maker is a commercial tea maker that makes Indian tea using fresh ingredients instead of premixes. The product can be configured to make different traditional flavours of Indian tea (Chai). It is designed to be installed in public places or in stalls to give people a taste of home-brewn tea and to introduce Chai to those unfamiliar with it.

Inspired by Cologne 06 competition entry - A long strip of quilted foam has been knotted on itself six times, to create the fun lounge furniture that is Knot a Chair. It is accompanied by two padded mats which fill its centre and can be tied into fat and comfortable triangular cushions. Knot a Chair fosters togetherness and offers comfortable floor level seating with endless opportunities for sleeping, lounging, reclining, or even jumping up and down! Knot-a-chair was entered for the Inspired by Cologne 06 competition, at the cologne furniture fair 2006.