Efficiency in Design

Welcome to my Efficiency in Design blog. The focus of this blog will be to explore ways in which designers can use the concept of efficiency to not only enhance individual designs but also to reduce waste, cost, time, and effort. I feel it necessary to add an immediate disclaimer to this site by telling you all that I am employed by Aaron R. Thomas design in Costa Mesa, CA. In fact it was this company that led me on my quest for greater efficiency in design.
Above is an example of an efficient solution that we came up with for some retail displays in several flagship stores for Mulberry USA. The client wanted a large chain made of gold rings to hang their purses on in retail windows. We came up with a design that not only impresses because of the high quality but is also practical in cost, re-use, and shipping. Instead of going with the clients direction to use large metal rings we chose to use acrylic because of it's flexibility, weight, durability, and strength. We created a jig to bend each ring after heating them in the oven and sanded grooves in them to dictate where they rest before painting them with an automotive paint and clear coat. The beauty of this design is that each ring can be easily pulled apart and assembled in an array of formations. These rings also cost less to ship because of their light weight and they can be repainted for different looks and seasons. Although the finished design looks both simple and beautiful a lot of thought went in to the design.
I invite all viewers to submit to me any examples of efficient designs and hopefully with a collaborative effort we can gather a community centered around efficient design.