Insect Wing Pen ballpoint pen by Alex T Schulz

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DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

ATS : The "Insect Wing Pen" was designed also as part of a collection inspired by the formation of life on earth. The pen is inspired by the element air, in detail: first life in air. The pen borrows elements of an insect`s body plan and becomes a desktop accessory.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

ATS : The main focus on this project was on the one hand to create something that on the one hand resembles something known from the past, like the classic feather pen, but on the other hand to offer something fresh and a a new angle. Fitting to its bionic theme, the design comes as light and breezy.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

ATS : I would be happy if any company is eventually interested and wants to pick up the design, in order to go forward to production stage.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

ATS : The project was part of a collection and was designed during half a year.

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

ATS : The project was part of a collection designed for an exhibition and the theme of the collection was "The Formation of Life on Earth".

DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

ATS : As the project was made for an exhibition, it was not a commercial project. I am open if any company shows interest in the project and would be happy to make it a production stage project.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

ATS : On the on hand, the "Insect Wing Pen" was part of an exhibition, on the other hand, the concept was floating in my mind for quite a while. It was a good opportunity to bring it to life.

DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

ATS : As the design is inspired by bionic forms, the project surely was inspired by nature and sure was only possible because of the other designers pioneering this field for years.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

ATS : Hard to say, basically I hope everyone who likes design and also likes to have things that stay for longer with someone. Surely someone who likes to write and have this pen as a desktop accessory.

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

ATS : Eventually it is the tripod, but maybe the concept is as a whole different because of its poetic approach. Apart from its bionic inspired design, the project also has a symbolic meaning: like words or letters fly from one to another, the pen symbolizes that. Maybe that is a criterium.

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

ATS : The name is rather simple, as it is direct: "Insect Wing Pen".

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

ATS : The formal evolution took place on the computer with 3d software. Analysis of the forms was also done on the computer. The project was printed 3d then by a company, where also in common exertion the models were reworked by hand. Afterwards the paintwork was applied.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

ATS : Eventually the tripod is the unique aspect, when considering both elements. Regarding just the pen, surely the "Insect Wing" is the defining form factor.

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

ATS : As the design was a 3d printed, I worked together with a company with expertise in this field, also when it came to the manual postwork.

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

ATS : Technology was surely important, as the project was developed digitally then tested in different variations by 3d printing also as well the final prototype.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

ATS : This design is rather inspired by historic feather pens and the importance this item had then as a desktop item rather than being a store-away item. Second, the research went also into bionic design and when it came to the materials, the reducing of weight played an important role.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

ATS : As mentioned before, the reduction of weight was a thing to adjust and modified the design some times. Also the writing mine system had to be chosen. I aimed for a simple replaceable system, by inserting the mine from the writing end of the the pen. So the pen is formed by one part and remains simple.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

ATS : Of course I knew the A`design Award and this year I have decided to take a chance and participate, which I am ver grateful now. I would like to thank the competition`s organizers for their support and patience, and most of all, for offering us the chance to participate.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

ATS : I have learned that a creation process takes patience and eventually is never over ;-).

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

ATS : I hope all questions regarding the project have been answered.