The goal was to explore the history of industrial design through a specific set of products. I decided to curate a selection of objects with handles through the ages.
Inspired by VR museum experiences, I wanted to create my own virtual exhibition of my timeline: the Handle Museum. It is a first person experience that can be played on a computer or in a VR headset.
Modeling the Museum
I created a model and texture for each chosen product from scratch in Blender, and a basic room to show them off. Then, the models were transferred to Unreal Engine.
ROMAN AMPHORA, 200 - 100 BCE
Constructed with ceramic and resin, amphoras were used to transport liquid.
THE DAVID VASES, 1351 CE
Made of porcelain, cobalt paint, and glaze.
JASPERWARE VASE, 1770s
The work of Josiah Wedgewood, a composite stoneware that was a cheap alternative to porcelain.
TEAPOT, 1879
From Christopher Dresser, one of his many exploration of nickel teapots.
ELECTRIC KETTLE, 1909
From Peter Behrens, one of the first electric kettles. Made with cast iron and brass.
TEAPOT, 1924
From Marianne Brandt, a Bauhaus metalworker. Made of brass.
NORMANDIE PITCHER, 1935
From Peter Muller-Munk, a chrome plated brass pitcher inspired by smokestacks.
DINNERWARE, 1942
From Eva Zeisel, a ceramic piece created with modern techniques and traditional materials.
HOOVER IRON, 1953
From Henry Dreyfuss, made of plastic and iron. Designed so that the controls can be used while holding the handle.
CYLINDA SERVICE, 1967
From Arne Jacobsen, in stainless steel. A work that places form before function.
HELLER STACKING DINNERWARE, 1971
From the Vignellis, made of melamine plastic. These cups are simple, durable, and stackable.
9093 KETTLE, 1985
From Michael Graves. Stainless steel and plastic, this kettle was one of Alessi's best-selling products.
The Handle Museum
The balance of ergonomics, technological advancement, and aesthetic is apparent in every avenue of design. This gallery represents the extremes of form vs. function through the design of handles. When metalworking procedures improved, design turned sleek. When plastics were introduced, design turned simple. The visual shape of each handle is unique, forcing different interactions.
