Comments on: Pyromaniacs Hide

By: Summit

Summit — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:33:23 +0000

I had suspected through the project that the Discovery Channel might try to gloss over the role of outside people (like me) in their project, as the focus was really more on their own team. They did indeed diminish outside roles after the final editing, so the NASCAR-style self-credits keep any ambiguity out of any arguments that may arise over just who did what.

By: Summit

Summit — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:09:44 +0000

The jackets were a problem – they’re bulky and they bind and limit the benefits of a form-fitting product. Even with them, the host of the show suggested that the weight of the pack (a significant load) was very evenly distributed about his torso and hips, unlike the point-loading that one feels with conventional packs.

By: Summit

Summit — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:07:44 +0000

We used a scanning site in LA for this version, though there are many 3D scan sites popping up in malls and universities – the fashion industry is driving this, and many see a day when the process is as convenient as a passport photo (so you can order clothing via avatar from their sites). The hosts of the show wore standard dance lycra for the scan, but really nothing fancy. The overall cost is considered low in this case, since we’re comparing it to a conventional firefighter’s outfit. True – against a mass-produced product, it would likely be significantly more expensive, apples-to-apples. So, at the moment, it works best only for limited-run or high complexity products such as this. But it’s really not about mass-production at all – this represents a challenge to some of the methods (and limitations) associated with mass-production. Again, it’s a concept, but we’re seeing more products that take steps in this direction every so often.

By: john q

john q — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:48:33 +0000

what about those jackets that firefighters wear? will the spray thingy on this work with that?
pretty cool design though

By: sunny

sunny — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:45:02 +0000

good!

By: MadCow

MadCow — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:16:11 +0000

whats with all the negativity? i for one say this is badass industrial design at its finest…. sure it maybe too expensive to create now, but so was the first firefighter equipment when it started… if it becomes the norm, im sure the production process can be used for other things which will offset the cost… not like we going to see this in production tomorrow… i think ideas like this can spur more creativity and inspiration for future ideas… at least its not another iCrap from korea…

By: MargotG

MargotG — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:18:57 +0000

Not so, VoReason. The scanning can be done with relatively simple equipment: I could set it up in my house with commodity components. This is part of the beauty of Scott’s design approaches. The Prototype This folks made it look like ideas came from them. Television….
So I’m happy that he got to put his name on it to get at least part of the credit he deserves. He’s a brilliant designer.

By: VoReason

VoReason — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:01:42 +0000

Woops, forgot to include why it is too expensive. The article says they are comparable but they are not taking in to account how they placed the host in a reflective white suit and body scanned him to mold him exactly. The equipment to do this means that only a select few facilities would be able to do it and they would surly charge premium prices as demand rose.

By: VoReason

VoReason — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 02:58:18 +0000

This was created on prototype this. Its a good design, but way too flashy because it was for TV. Also way to expensive a process to make as each is a custom job for the wearer and there is no easy way to mass produce without loosing comfort.

By: Carl

Carl — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:23:21 +0000

i am all for saving lives, but what are all the words on it for. why the hell would the designer sign this?