Tanmay J.
Industrial Designer
Academic Project | Original Design Solution
February - April 2016
Fire Extinguisher for Zombie Apocalypse
Product Design for the Entertainment Industry
Extinguisher Z is a re-designed, re-imagined fire extinguisher for a world plagued by Zombie Apocalypse. Rising to meet the unique needs and challenges of this disastrous scenario, Extinguisher Z evolves into an Advanced Rescue-Services Tool that complements traditional fire fighting with boundary-breaching and close combat abilities.
Design Objective
- TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT -
- by channeling inspiration in unconventional ways
- using an improbable, challenging scenario
Zombie Apocalypse 101
A popular theme like zombie apocalypse essentially pivots about the following concepts.
- A pathological pandemic that turns humans (and sometimes other living beings) into lifeless, mindless beings, with cannibalistic tendencies.
- The contagious triggers for zombification are primarily through being bit or scratched by infected individuals.
Zombies in Popular Media?
Movies, TV shows, Video Games, Comic Books, Toys+Collectibles
THE PROBLEM. THE NEED.
Understanding the Obstacles - Thematic Scenarios (Fictional) and Real World Connections.
- FOUR scenarios are key to understanding the basics necessary for Concept Development.
- These scenarios are commonly observed and a recurring theme in Popular Media.
Z-Apocalypse Scenarios!
- To really stretch the boundaries of imagination and creativity by redesigning an unlikely product for an unlikely scenario.
- To challenge myself with a mundane object, that is highly essential, yet largely overlooked. An artifact that hasn't been done to death for the themes of Zombie Apocalypse.
Industrial Design Goal!
- Using the design goal, researching the imaginary context of Zombie Apocalypse for User Needs Evaluation and a Task Analysis for arriving at the most apt scenario and context of usage in that world.
- They key roles as illustrated below, would be to in scenarios of prevention, detection avoidance, survival measures and close combat, as well as the traditional role of fire fighting.
Z-Apocalypse Context
Fire Extinguishers in Popular Media?
Through Movies, TV shows, and Video Games, Fire Extinguishers are primarily shown to serve THREE functions.
THE INSPIRATION. THE IDEAS.
Concept Sketches
Concept Design Considerations
THE SOLUTION.
The inspiration board, concept sketches and basic cutout models (for scale reference) helped arrive at the final solution. Concurrently, a 3D CAD model was being developed to inform the decisions of form refinement as well as concept viability.
Several design features conceptualized for this solution pushed the envelope in executing a ground-breaking product.
Extinguisher Regulations
Safety, Labels and CMF
- Extinguishers have to comply to mandatory safety standards through their manufacturing, sale, and functionality. Reliability and performance are ensured with the regulations in place.
- The label is extremely important and cannot be tampered with. The regulatory bodies govern the content.
- The colors tend to be loosely regulated; whereas the materials, finishes, and form factor are not regulated and may have creative freedom.
[CMF (Color, Material, Finish) decision details COMING SOON... Stay tuned for additional information]
Multiple Realities
At this stage, with the help of successful concept design, Product Development can be pursued at either end of the spectrum for real-life products. A practical use can be found just as much in the functional application of the product concept, as it can in the interpretation of the concept into an entertainment / educational tool.
