Zinc Concepts

Zinc is a very easily worked material meaning it's so easy for it to take any form, shape and size.

To contrast it's already historical background, it should be a centrepiece in the home rather than a subtle standing.

These were my first few concepts (developed from last week) but it's still not the ones i want them to be. `

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I realised zinc is such a difficult material to design with. Maybe it is because of previous influence of the capabilities of the metal - always being an additive to others to protect and serve, rather taking the lead.

Another disadvantage is that there haven't been any developments in producing nor manufacturing with zinc.

Useful site - ZincWorld

Interesting fact one - zinc is a mediocre heat conductor. Would be a disadvantage to it being a light shade.

The design should obviously be something notable and highly noticable - simply to enhance and makeup for the lack of attention the material has received in its lifetime. Although considered being rich man's silver in the old ages, it was never a major contributor to anyone's household.

Interesting fact two - brass is not toxic?
Since zinc alloys aren't toxic, even when zinc is a major component such as in zinc-silver, is it possible to design for zinc as an alloyed matter?

Zinc?

Zinc - interesting material, vast in amount, easy to obtain, yet is going to be very very hard to design for.

Despite all the things its been used for and by - galvanised steel, protective coating, die casting etc etc, it has never stood out on its own before. It's most likely been an element in brass, hot dipped in or simply die casted for car engine parts. It isn't considered naturally toxic, but an excess of it will do so to the human body. So at the time being, it can't be taken as either the best or worst of materials...

It doesn't have any distinct features such as a difference colour or texture to forcefully and simultaneously successfully making a zinc product stand out from other metals such as silver or steel. However, a major stand out its is incredible versatility in manufacturing and production from sheets for roofing to liquid for hotdipping and then to rods and piping.

Putting these aside, because of zinc's minute chance of toxidity, it becomes quite hard to push it as a household product whether itd be a lightshade or a fruitbowl. Because of its eventual corrosive state, and not being able to have a protective coat over it, the chance of corrosion, no matter how long or little it may take, there will be rusting, corrosion and hence toxidity!

• So now to design something that can put aside toxidity, rusting and corrosion. . .