In today’s world it’s not uncommon to find innovation that aims to make daily life as comfortable as possible. Katerina Komprani, designer of The Uncomfortable, explores exactly the opposite: what if life was designed to be inconvenient?
Tell us a little bit about yourself? What got you started started on Shapeways?
I began my creative project The Uncomfortable just after I dropped out from my Masters in Industrial Design and Interactive Systems. No wonder my objects are obscure! I found out about Shapeways through an ad and back then I had no idea what 3D printing was. Some years ago, my project received a lot of exposure and I decided to invest in 3D printing one of my objects. Holding the physical object in my hands was a really good feeling!
Can you tell us about your creative process? What, and who inspires you to take your ideas and turn them into a collection?
To make an Uncomfortable object I follow a process and some basic rules. I pick an object that is simple and recognisable, analyse the user interaction step by step and then sabotage one little thing. My rules are that the object has to remain recognisable, uncomfortable to use and preferably, not completely useless.
I love the work of Jacques Carelman, his impossible objects have been featured in Don Norman’s book “The design of everyday things”.
What are your creation dream(s) for the future? Is there one thing you have not yet done that you are hoping to make possible with 3D printing?
I have not yet tried out the ceramic material, I have a new design of an uncomfortable teapot and I would love one day to torture myself making some tea in it!
Love your ideas!