Alessi & Slowfood Bread Basket Contest
February 2008
8 weeks
(200 hours)
Alessi Brief
- Conveys the values of Alessi brand
- Compliance with functionality.
Slow food Brief
- Respect backing traditions
- Comunicate backing traditions.
ALESSI & SLOW FOOD
Alessi is an Italian manufacturer of design objects, founded by Giovanni Alessi in 1921. Alessi is one of the major companies operating in the industrial design sector with products for the professional and domestic sector.
Slow Food is an organization that promotes local food and traditional cooking. Founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy in 1986, it strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourages farming of plants, seeds and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem.
Artificial VS Natural
Why Slow Food is interested in bread?
1) Good. Flavor and aroma thanks to natural choice of raw materials and production methods.
2) Clean. Respect the environment with sustainable farming, processing, marketing and consumption. Agro–industrial production should protect ecosystems, biodiversity, health of consumers and producers.
3) Fair. Social justice and respectful of man and his rights generate balanced global economies with sympathy, solidarity and respect for cultural diversities and traditions
Food is Culture
Why Slow Food is interested in design?
The main idea is to convey the values and thinking of slow food not only with food but also with all the tools involved with food. Food is culture because involve all aspects of life.
Competitive Strategy
Alessi Market
With differentiation Alessi tries to distinguish its products from other competitors within the same sector. Differentiation occurs with the distinctive characteristics of the product, with new technologies and thanks to added values. The final perception is of a unique product.
Differenziation
Alessi a design oriented company
Different design from different designers. Different languages, manufacturing, aestetic, comunications. Differentiation is at the center of Alessi strategy.
Manufacturing
Alessi specialized in inox manufacturing
Status: wire, rod, sheet.
Manufacturing: sheet metal pressing, lasercutting, welding, polishing
Use Analysis
User observation
Bread baskets are often used in conjunction with linen or cotton napkins which are meant to keep the container clean and keep the bread fresh. For the freshness of the bread it is often stored in bags made of these materials and when it is placed on the table, it is tried to keep it fresh until consumption by keeping it covered inside the basket.
Sketching
Idea
The main idea is to create a steel bread basket on which a linen napkin is placed that can be closed to preserve the freshness of the bread. In this way the two functions of mise an place and the preservation of bread coincide in a single object.
Sketching
Idea
The main idea is to create a steel bread basket on which a linen napkin is placed that can be closed to preserve the freshness of the bread. In this way the two functions of mise an place and the preservation of bread coincide in a single object.
Concept
How is made?
The basket consists of three parts:
1) A laser-cut steel cylindrical shape base with a magnetic adhesive tape inside.
2) A linen sack with two magnetic tapes inserted inside.
3) A laser cut steel cylindrical shape ring with a magnetic adhesive tape inside.
Concept
How does it work?
1) During the use the circular ring of the basket is placed at the base and the linen bag is open.
2) After use the external ring is lifted up.
3) Rotating the ring, the bag is closed for the “candy” effect.
4) The ring rotate until the sack is completely closed, fitting into the base.
Finishing
How many legs?
The minimum number of points through which a top passes is 3. The minimalist look we wanted to give to the bread basket led to the choice of 3 legs.
What about details?
Realization
Metal sheet and linen bag
After drawing and flattening, the stainless steel sheet was laser cut and bent to size. At the same time, the linen bag was made (thanks to the collaboration of a seamstress). At a later stage, the magnetic tape was attached to the inside of the basket and inside the ring, and the same tape was inserted into the two pockets of the linen bag. Frame and bag were then connected ‘magnetically’. This allows an easy assembly and disassembly in anticipation of cleaning: the steel part in the dishwasher, the fabric part in the washing machine (the magnetic tape stays where it is because it is washable).
Final Product
During the use
When the bread basket is used, the outer ring is placed at the base and the linen bag is completely open.
Final Product
Closing operation
When it’s no longer in use, in order to store the basket and keep the bread fresh the outer ring is lifted up and rotating it creates the ‘candy’ effect.
Final Product
Closed
When the fabric completely closes the basket, the outer ring will reach the locking position at the top.
All artworks © Massimo Burberi - All right reserved
