W² WOOD BARREL
Project Intro:
This project aims to create a brand based on one German craft to re-brand it to be suitable for a world-wide audience. We transport heritage but at the same time to be innovative and to make it “modernized”. Our group picked the traditional wood barrel maker, modernized as a wood crafting creative group, W².
Project Type:
Branding, Reinvent tradition, Product design
Work time:
Sep. 2022—Oct. 2022
Team or Individual:
Team work
Goal
W² was founded to explore the potential new forms of wood. By connecting German craftsmanship and sustainability, W² looks to produce wood objects that advance our experience and expression.
Mission
W², as a creative group, believes that it is our duty to spread the sustainability message with design and craftsmanship. We combine wood and design to urge people to rethink essential natural elements that we took for granted.
NAME
LOGO
BRAND KEYWORDS
Morden
Nature
Wood
Sustainability
ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY ?
Numerous products tout their 'environmentally friendly' credentials, but we believe that merely advocating for environmental protection can become repetitive and may even alienate some individuals. Overexposure to such messages can sometimes lead to public indifference or annoyance
ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY?
(RE)BULID RELATIONSHIP
Instead, we aim to connect with both people and animals in a lighthearted manner. By fostering a genuine appreciation for the bond between animals and nature, we hope to inspire a profound respect for the environment and all its inhabitants
STUDY
To better understand German craftsmanship, we analyzed oak barrel production. After a close examination of each phase, we adapted the traditional design to align with our concept
DUCK HOUSE
A barrel for collecting rain water that surprises us with a duck parade to indicate the water level
WHAT WE CAN DO
We conceived a cistern design, preserving the oak barrel's functionality while embodying our environmental ethos. To amplify our message, we seek a universally resonant symbol to evoke a global emotional connection
WHY DUCK
Ducks are representation of life that cannot live without water. We hope people will rethink the relationship between nature through a friendly yet playful symbol: the duck family, to serve as a reminder for not only the water level but also the value of water.
SKETCH
CONCEPT
The oak barrel itself is used to store red wine, but due to the complicated process, most people do not need such a product. So we need a new "excuse" so that more people need to buy a product made of oak barrels. So we keep the structure of the oak barrel, but the function itself has changed - it can be used to recycle rainwater
DUCK IS COMING
The oak barrel itself is used to store red wine, but due to the complicated process, most people do not need such a product. So we need a new "excuse" so that more people need to buy a product made of oak barrels. So we keep the structure of the oak barrel, but the function itself has changed - it can be used to recycle rainwater
REUSE WATER
The recycled rainwater primarily nourishes garden plants. Embracing ducks' affinity for plants and water, we aspire for our users to reconnect with nature through vibrant greenery and reused rainwater
SIZE
Barrel :
Height: 110cm
Wide: 45cm
Thick: 1.5cm
Pool :
Height: 2cm
Wide: 60cm
Long: 60cm
Bridge :
Height: 4cm
Wide: 7cm
Long: 9cm
Duck (Baby) :
Height: 3cm
Wide: 3cm
Long: 4cm
Duck (Mom) :
Height: 5.5cm
Wide: 5.5cm
Long: 7cm
MAKING PROCESS
1, Cut 35 oaks of the size to form a cylinder.
2, Put on the first metal ring, and then make it shrink and strengthen by baking it on fire.
3, Next we put in two round pieces of wood at the bottom (with space between). Then put on the second ring and secure it with rivets.
4, Use rivets to fix the metal ring then finally add the ring on top to fix.
RIVETS
W² paid a lot of attention to detail. On the rivets on the hoop, W² used the logo to make a yin and yang pattern so W² can be identified by rivets.
RECYCLE MATERIAL TANK
In order to prevent the bucket from soaking in rainwater, which is difficult to clean and will grow a lot of bacteria, we use environmentally friendly water-proof materials to make the inner tank.
HOW IT WORK
There is a water level sensor inside the inner tank, which drives the motor at the bottom with the change in water level. Electric motor will drive ducks to swim into the pond.
Water Level Sensor
Motor
W² designed a total of one duck mother and six duck babies. They represent 3 and 2 litres of water respectively, for a total of 15 liters of water. The change of water level is judged by the number of ducks coming out.
