I could offer two examples of first world designers who might be making a
contribution to people in Africa, both starting from a humble view of what they
might achieve and well-briefed by an agency (the Intermediate Technology Group)
who have a good hands-on feel for what might work or be needed by people in
Africa.
My colleague Graham Whiteley, while he was an undergraduate student, produced a
series of designs for door furniture (hinges and fasteners) made from scrap
sheet metal and scrap rubber tyres. His design included a set of basic
production tools, which could be made at a regional level by somebody with good
blacksmithing skills, and the products themselves which could be made, using
the tools, from readily available scrap material by enterprising individuals at
a local level.
Graham's work included a set of samples of the full kit of tools and products
and a clear set of instructions, using line illustrations which are easy to
reproduce, for making tools and products.
Two other colleagues, Scott Hawkins and Gordon Young, have addressed a similar
problem - providing suitable training aids for craftspeople producing useful
products. They used 3-D CAD modelling to produce a simple animated video of how
to build a wheelbarrow. Interestingly, I believe that the local managers of the
project were pleased to have this prestigious new technology but were
disappointed that they couldn't get the craftsmen to give an assessment of it -
they were too busy discussing the wheelbarrow!
best wishes from Sheffield
Chris Rust
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