BALANCE

TAPE DISPENSER

An exploration of the fundamentals of design

ITS ALL IN THE

FUNDAMENTALS
One of the core parts of my design education, like many others, was form
study work. We were taught about hierarchy, contrast, curvature, volume,
negative space, etc, and created forms until these principles were ingrained
into how we thought.

PRINCIPLES
1. Dominant, subdominant, and subordinate form
2. Volume, plane, and line
3, Fast, static, and neutral curves
4. Thick and thin
6. Contrasting axes
7. Contrasting negative space
8. Contrasting, color, texture, and material

WHY SHOULD A TAPE DISPENSER

BE BORING?
Focusing on these core principles, I set out to create a tape dispenser that
would expand the bounds of what this basic desk item looks and functions
like. My goal was to create a product that could be proudly displayed on a
desk, one that was both fully functional and fully beautiful.

INSPIRATION

Sitting in my kitchen one day, I found out that I could balance my teacup on
the bottom ridge. This made me think of balancing wine bottle holders, and
the next moment I broke out my sketchbook and thought of a balancing tape
dispenser. I ended up choosing this idea for its uniqueness and simplicity.

BALANCED
Balance is a fully functional tape
dispenser made of rosewood and
aluminum. It sits securely on its base
and falls just before the tape roll runs
out, indicating a new roll is needed.

HOW IT WORKS
Tape rips on toothed
aluminum edge

Flap keeps tape

from sliding off

To change rolls, simply

Lift and twist tape off of
aluminum arm

Tape rolls securely

on aluminum arm

THE FUNDAMENTALS
Reverse curve

Circle
Straight line

Warm, dark rosewood

Solid
Neutral curve

Cold, light aluminum

Plane

Line