Kitchen Motion Studies

Kitchen Motion Studies
Historically, the kitchen has transformed from a space of labour into a space that leans more towards sociability, where entertainment and pleasure take centre stage and is implemented into design. The contemporary kitchen, in some cases has become more ‘ornamental’, built to demonstrate social status and is less about its utilitarian purpose. With lockdowns and working from home becoming the new norm, how has this redefined the use of our kitchens? It does feel like the kitchen has gained a lot more significance – a form of revival. A space to test and experiment, a creative laboratory.
 
Time and motion studies were conducted by Frank & Lilian Gilbreth in the early 1900s in order to increase efficiencies and productivity in the workplace. Sensors would be tied around factory workers wrists to track and analyse their movement paths and motions. This method was also implemented in the domestic environment to make housewives work in the kitchen more efficient.
 
 
Motion efficiency study by Frank Gilbreth, c. 1914. Collection: National Museum of American History
 
 

Inspired by these studies, below are chronophotographic montages made to capture some of the up-close daily actions our hands perform in the kitchen. Pouring, pinching, sautéing, whisking to name a few. These are not necessarily to look at efficiencies but rather the qualities of these movements.

 
 
 
Pouring, chronophotographic montage. Raimana Jones, 2021
 
 
 
 
Chopping, chronophotographic montage. Raimana Jones, 2021
 
 
 
 
Can-opening, chronophotographic montage. Raimana Jones, 2021
 
 
 
 
Pinching, chronophotographic montage. Raimana Jones, 2021
 
 
 
 

Sautéing, chronophotographic montage. Raimana Jones, 2021

 

 

 

 

Siving, chronophotographic montage. Raimana Jones, 2021

 
 
 
 
  
 

Grating, chronophotographic montage. Raimana Jones, 2021

 
 
 
 
 

Squeezing, chronophotographic montage. Raimana Jones, 2021

 
 
 
 
Whisking, chronophotographic montage. Raimana Jones, 2021
 
 
 
 
Egg-breaking, chronophotographic montage. Raimana Jones, 2021
 
Designing Through Materials: A Theoretical Framework

To be a good designer is to possess knowledge of materials, both practically and theoretically. Materials play a pivotal role in our design process, taking a prominent position in our work. In this article, we aim to share a theoretical design template that has been developed through years of practicing design through...

Designing Through Materials: A Theoretical Framework
Selected
Kitchen Motion Studies

Historically, the kitchen has transformed from a space of labour into a space that leans more towards sociability, where entertainment and pleasure take centre stage and is implemented into design. The contemporary kitchen, in some cases has become more ‘ornamental’, built to demonstrate social status and is less about its utilitarian...

Kitchen Motion Studies
Designing Through Materials: A Practical Framework

Being a good designer entails possessing a comprehensive understanding of materials, encompassing both their theoretical underpinnings and practical applications. Materials play a pivotal role in my design practice, taking a central position in my creative process. The purpose of this article is to present a framework that delves into the...

Designing Through Materials: A Practical Framework
Designer's Guide for COVID-19: Hand Sanatising

A series of COVID-19 architectural diagrams inspired by Ernst Neufert's book, Architects' Data . These were intended to lighten the mood during the start of the 2020 global pandemic. Note: All dimensions are in millimetres. Sources are mainly around NZ regulations and guidelines, some are from other sources from other parts of the world.  Please refer to covid19.govt.nz for official information on...

Designer's Guide for COVID-19: Hand Sanatising
Designer's Guide for COVID-19: Overstocked Toilet Paper

A series of COVID-19 architectural diagrams inspired by Ernst Neufert's book, Architects' Data . These were intended to lighten the mood during the start of the 2020 global pandemic. Note: All dimensions are in millimetres. Sources are mainly around NZ regulations and guidelines, some are from other sources from other parts of the world.  Please refer to covid19.govt.nz for official information on...

Designer's Guide for COVID-19: Overstocked Toilet Paper
Designer's Guide for COVID-19: Physical Distancing

A series of COVID-19 architectural diagrams inspired by Ernst Neufert's book, Architects' Data . These were intended to lighten the mood during the start of the 2020 global pandemic. Note: All dimensions are in millimetres. Sources are mainly around NZ regulations and guidelines, some are from other sources from other parts of the world.  Please refer to covid19.govt.nz for official information...

Designer's Guide for COVID-19: Physical Distancing
The Making of The Terraced Concrete Bowl

The past can be a great source of inspiration. I was looking at some of the world-renowned historical concrete architecture for inspiration for my new design project. There was a noticeable terraced geometry that I found common in both the Pantheon ceiling (126 AD) and in some of the architecture...

The Making of The Terraced Concrete Bowl
The Story of Our Rimu

Rimu, also known as ‘red pine’, is one of New Zealand’s most popular native timbers. Māori used this wood to build canoes, tools and weapons and its gum was applied for medical purposes. In the early 20th Century, post-European settlement, rimu trees were extensively milled, valued both in the housing industry...

The Story of Our Rimu
Designer/Maker: Celebrating The Messiness of Process 2019 - The Talks

  The Bauhaus, the renowned school of design in Germany valued a cross-disciplinary approach to design and a process that required using ones intuition through physically engaging with materials - designing through making. Some of the most internationally recognised design outcomes have emerged with these foundations. Instilling these principles is what sparked the...

Designer/Maker: Celebrating The Messiness of Process 2019 - The Talks
Making A Cabriolet Leg

Making a Cabriolet Leg involves a great deal of learning, as it serves as an exercise in proportions and the creation of beautiful three-dimensional curves. The process can be broken down into four parts: drawing the leg profile, cutting the template, three-dimensional shaping, and carving. Tools & materials: Marking gauge...

Making A Cabriolet Leg
Digital Fabrication Projects 2016 - 2019

Digital Fabrication was an undergraduate elective paper that provided Art & Design students with the opportunity to explore various digital fabrication technologies, including laser cutting, CNC routing, and 3D printing. The focus of the course was on technical resolution and iterative making. During the course, students were advised to maintain...

Digital Fabrication Projects 2016 - 2019
Urban Acupuncture: Regenerative Solutions for Southern Grey Lynn

The studio paper explored a design method called urban acupuncture and proposed to apply its principles to a neighbourhood in the southern side of Grey Lynn, Auckland. Urban acupuncture, as explained in Sola Morales' book "A Matter of Things," offered a perspective on how small-scale interventions could have significant impacts on the...

Urban Acupuncture: Regenerative Solutions for Southern Grey Lynn
Twelve Intervals

  'Twelve Intervals' was a collaborative with artist Shannon Novak, for the Headland Sculpture on the Gulf 2016. View of the sculpture from the ferry  This sculpture explores an interactive threshold – how bodies transition from one point to another. In between, there is motion, physical engagement and a playfulness of colours and...

Twelve Intervals
Urbis Design Day 2017

The first edition of our furniture collection at Urbis Design Day 2017.       

Urbis Design Day 2017