I spoke with Emma about my project. We talked about the slip cast bowl for containing sourdough. I wanted to know how to cut the groove into the edge of the bowl that holds the edge of the cloth cover. Emma suggested I still try to incorporate the groove into the bowl, which would cut down on manufacturing time. To do the groove, I could cut it into the MDF and add holes all the way around the rim to allow air to be sucked out when I vac form it. Hopefully the plastic will be flexible enough to allow the MDF master to come out.

The groove detail is very important, because it creates a relationship between the bowl and the lid that might not appear obvious at first, but which the user will discover and use over time.

The slip cast is too thick at the moment. I left the clay in for 25 minutes, next time I will try 15 min. Emma said that with a dry mould, she leaves her slip in for 6 min.

Emma thought maybe the bowl was too small, but I think it's important that it limits the amount of starter that the user can store, because in my research I found that people tend to keep too much starter, which results in them not feeding it enough. Maybe it could be a little larger though.

I mentioned that I looked into how the three products might nest together, and how I felt that it wasn't going in the right direction and Emma agreed. The bowl is in constant use so it doesn't make sense for it to nest with the other tools, but perhaps the dough scraper and lame could be 'nested' in the way they are stored in a drawer, or are 'unified' in their aesthetic, form or material qualities.

This morning I spoke with Nic about the cultural probe. He's also interested in using a cultural probe. His topic is looking at designing a particular style of bike, and doesn't have a specific user in mind. One of his ideas for getting participants is to hang around at motorbike parks at 5pm when work finishes, and hand out a business card to riders. I've been wondering how I'll get participants and maybe I could do something similar... 

We also talked about the different materials contained within the cultural probe. He might use a disposable camera, cards with specific imagery that the user can comment on. I do not want to use a disposable camera because my project is about avoiding waste, so I will need to find a way to get the user to use their phone or own camera...

I took my final tools to Wellington Potters Association, to speak with Konny who was on my glazing workshop and who makes sourdough. She said:

• I like the idea of processing the starter - taking the bowl out of the fridge, feeding it and keeping the lid on to allow the starter to breathe
• The wearing away of the logo is a really cool idea
• I like the organic shape, it is very pleasing. The wood has a nice feel
• I like the aspect of sustainability: repairing instead of replacing
• I could use an even smaller bowl, because I only keep a small amount of starter. Although it is a good size for building the starter up
• I'd be worried about the odours entering the starter through the linen when the bowl is stored in the fridge

I practiced my end of year presentation with Charlie and Zoe. It was 14:40 long. Some notes:

• Too much secondary research
• Remove "6 initially..." on Slow Design principles page
• Highlight what's important in findings
• Make initial concept full page
• Put tools onto one page when talking about the final, shade others while talking about one
  • Could put GIFs of three tools form development on one page (remove mould GIF), so  the GIFs would end on the final tool, showing how the three work together as a family
• Emphasis on product development rather than research
• Remove some quotes?

I combined my research/concept and finalised design presentations and timed the whole presentation. It finished at 11 min without the video or technical specs. I took some notes as I was presenting on things that I could think about:

• How did I decide on which areas of the sourdough process to focus my design on?
• Do I need to show some research on downshifting?
• I need to add some text onto my finalised design slide
• With the examples of Slow Design (Cook's Canvas etc.) I should relate them back to my objectives, showing how these examples cultivate rich experiences, facilitate contemplation etc.
• On the primary research page, I should say I chose to focus on baking sourdough because it is a process that is inherently slow and slows people down
• Change the photo of the sourdough starter

I spoke with Emma about the details about my project. It feels like I'm getting close to the end, but there's still a bit to do.

I need to try vacuum bag the polystyrene 'mycelium' to try emulate the compressed look of mycelium.

I should explore the makers mark as an approach to branding. Maybe the mark could be on the screw heads, and it gets worn off as the user uses the tool and makes it their own. I don't have to use real materials for every piece of the tool, and in some cases (like the fasteners) I might have to 3D print my own.

Emma suggested I incorporated more form language from my lame into my scraper, which would tie the tools together as a family better. I could also incorporate more form language from my bowl into my scraper, and consider how the tools would fit together into the packaging.