Newspaper Clamp for Architect
Newspaper Clamp for Architect from Laura Read
Newspaper Clamp for Architect

I was paired with an architect who acted as my client in a 3 week design project. My architect was designing a building that printed newspapers onto recycled plastic and he wanted there to be higher level of human interaction in the process. So he had the idea that after the newspapers were printed they were picked up by a clamp and transported around the building and then outside where the public would be able to take a newspaper as they walked past. My job was to design the clamp that held onto the newspaper as it moved around the production line. The clamp had to hold onto the newspaper tightly as it moved around but be able to release it easily as someone walked past to take it.

The architecture client chose concept 2 so I developed it further as he wanted a more organic shape that would create more interest. I used the cmyk colours because throughout his project he had been designing in these throughout his project (due to the connotations to printing) and considered that they become a primary aesthetic to the overall building.
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Concept 1: The clamp closes tightly to transport the newspaper around the production line but as it reaches the exit to the outside it is mechanically released into it's half state. This hold the newspaper in place using a compression spring mechanism but is weak enough so that someone can pull the newspaper out of the clamp as they walk past.
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Concept 2: The whole clamp is contained within the guiding rail and is firmly shut so is holding the newspaper in place. As a person comes to collect a newspaper, they will pull down in the newspaper which will help to pull the clamp down with it. Once the clamp has reached the bottom of the housing a torsion spring will cause it to spring open, releasing the newspaper and a tension spring will pull the empty clamp back into the housing.
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Concept 3: The clamp closes tightly to transport the newspaper around the production line but as it reaches the exit to the outside it is mechanically released. This hold the newspaper in place using a suction pad which has been suctioned onto the newspaper when it was fully closed. With a sharp tug the newspaper should be able to be pulled out of the open clamp.
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Newspaper Clamp for Architect

I was paired with an architect who acted as my client in a 3 week design project. My architect was designing a building that printed newspapers onto recycled plastic and he wanted there to be higher level of human interaction in the process. So he had the idea that after the newspapers were printed they were picked up by a clamp and transported around the building and then outside where the public would be able to take a newspaper as they walked past. My job was to design the clamp that held onto the newspaper as it moved around the production line. The clamp had to hold onto the newspaper tightly as it moved around but be able to release it easily as someone walked past to take it.

Laura Read
Student at University of Nottingham London, United Kingdom