Industrial Design

CCA Libraries Object Collection

In collaboration with Mara Holt Skov, industrial design faculty, CCA libraries have assembled an Object Collection for use in the classroom.  The intent is to create a collection of iconic objects representing a range of trends in design history, giving students an opportunity to study all the qualities of the objects: weight, materiality, ergonomic factors, etc.

The collection is still being developed.  Currently there are two themed collections available for use:

Machine Art: based on the 1934 Machine Art exhibition at MoMA

This collection shows how industrially produced forms and materials have defined modern, machine age aesthetics.  Items include:

• Industrial units: machines and machine parts:
  • Springs of various sizes
  • Self-aligning ball bearings
  • Lock Washers
  • Spring Washers
  • Saw blades
  • Drill bits
  • Pulley
  • other hardware
• Scientific instruments:
  • Vernier caliper
  • Outside caliper
  • Slide caliper
  • Brass plumb bob
• Household and office equipment:
  • Flush valve, Scovil Mfg. Co.
  • Master lock padlock
  • Kwikset hall and closet door knob
• Kitchenware:
  • Stainless steel bowl

Blobjects: Based on the 2005 exhibition Blobjects & Beyond: The New Fluidity in Design at the San Jose Museum

  Items include:

• Candeloo rechargeable Lamps, 2003
• iMac desktop mouse, ca. 1998
• Ty Nant Bottle, 2001
• Bulles d’Eclat, 2002
• Oliblocks, 2000
• Logitech Cordless MouseMan Optical, 1999
• Tooth Brush Handles, ca. 2004
• Orca Mini stapler, 2000