New Zealand Resourceful DIY

Contents N’z’lnd aesthetic Historical drivers Present day manifestation The future? Product definition statement

N’z’lnd aesthetic

Historical drivers

Present day manifestation

The future?

Product definition statement

What is the N’z’lnd aesthetic? The aesthetic of New Zealand translates a raw DIY attitude High level of resourcefulness Use of whatever material is at hand or readily available Creative associations - humour Plenty of character and attitude 1 Thomson, Jeff. Corrugated Iron Station Wagon, Te Papa. www.tpo.tepapa.govt.nz . Accessed 10/03/2008.

The aesthetic of New Zealand translates a raw DIY attitude

High level of resourcefulness

Use of whatever material is at hand or readily available

Creative associations - humour

Plenty of character and attitude

Historical drivers Polynesian settlers migrated south – many crops failed Maori culture – strong connection between object and maker 1 Smythe, Michael. Creative Continuum. www.betterby design.org.nz/. Accesed 10/03/2008.

Polynesian settlers migrated south – many crops failed

Maori culture – strong connection between object and maker

Historical drivers The New Zealand Company (Edward Gibbon Wakefield) “ industrious immigrants of the labouring class” “ carpenters, mechanics, navvies, sheperds, miners and domestic female servants” Self-sufficiency encouraged by land allocation Settlers imports limited to sea-chests and compact boat furnishing 1 New Zealand Company Poster, 1848. http://www.teara.govt..nz . Accessed 10/03/2008

The New Zealand Company (Edward Gibbon Wakefield)

“ industrious immigrants of the labouring class”

“ carpenters, mechanics, navvies, sheperds, miners and domestic female servants”

Self-sufficiency encouraged by land allocation

Settlers imports limited to sea-chests and compact boat furnishing

Historical drivers Government Policy Life under economic protectionism meant many components of imported items needed to be manufactured (copied) locally “ effective immediately, all imports of manufactured goods would cease”, Walter Nash, 1934 1 Smythe, Michael. Creative Continuum. www.betterby design.org.nz/. Accesed 10/03/2008.

Government Policy

Life under economic protectionism meant many components of imported items needed to be manufactured (copied) locally

“ effective immediately, all imports of manufactured goods would cease”, Walter Nash, 1934

Present day manifestation New Zealanders take pride in being resourceful DIYers Creates a unique ad-hoc style Form follows humour Communicates independence and individuality

New Zealanders take pride in being resourceful DIYers

Creates a unique ad-hoc style

Form follows humour

Communicates independence and individuality

Present day manifestation The DIY approach carries through to New Zealand Art and Design Orca Trubridge David Trubridge. www.davidtrubridge.com . Accessed 10/03/2008 Orca Promotion. www.orca.com . Accessed 10/03/08

The DIY approach carries through to New Zealand Art and Design

The Future Considerations Increased cheap imports, affordable “off-the-shelf” solutions Loss of need for DIY Cultural retention of characterised style Environmental factors Possibilities Increased availability of customisable kitset products to maintain the pride of DIY Products with an “I could have made that” aesthetic Emphasis on local sourcing Pipe Chair – Natasha Perkins. www.pokono.co.nz , retrieved 10-03-08

Considerations

Increased cheap imports, affordable “off-the-shelf” solutions

Loss of need for DIY

Cultural retention of characterised style

Environmental factors

Possibilities

Increased availability of customisable kitset products to maintain the pride of DIY

Products with an “I could have made that” aesthetic

Emphasis on local sourcing

Problem Statement New Zealand’s strong DIY culture is a source of individuality and national identity. This culture may, however, gradually be eroded through the increased availability of cheap imports and a lessened focus on hands-on practical activities. Is it possible to design a culturally relevant and useful product that effectively communicates and entrenches the DIY value set in a tangible form? Yes, it is. And we’ll show you how in our next presentation!

New Zealand’s strong DIY culture is a source of individuality and national identity.

This culture may, however, gradually be eroded through the increased availability of cheap imports and a lessened focus on hands-on practical activities.

Is it possible to design a culturally relevant and useful product that effectively communicates and entrenches the DIY value set in a tangible form?

Yes, it is. And we’ll show you how in our next presentation!