KUFidea

KUFidea is an idea generation method and the backbone of KUFstudios. The method is simple – just make a model a day of what ever you find interesting and see where it takes you. Each KUFstudios category has roots in KUFidea. KUFstudios’ founder Kia Utzon-Frank is doing talks and workshops on how to use this method in all sorts of fields, not only designing. Contact her to find out more.

This selection of models is from a three months long process of making a model a day leading up to Kia’s final show at RCA and resulted in the invention of KUFtwist and all the string structures in KUFstring. The models are shown in the order they were made.

The first ever model in KUFidea. A non-wearable ring constructed of strings. Image: Michael Bodiam.

2nd model. Making sculptures of A4 paper. This has turned into a series of spiral mobiles of different materials. Image: Michael Bodiam.

A diagram of how Kia gets ideas, starting from many inputs being developed into one single outcome. Image: Michael Bodiam.

Investigating surfaces and gradient in a laser welded steel grid. Image: Michael Bodiam.

A string diagram of how Kia gets ideas, starting from many inputs being developed into one single outcome. Image: Michael Bodiam.

Just playing around with string in a collapsible silver 'scaffolding'. Image: Michael Bodiam.

Playing around with paper. Photo: Michael Bodiam.

Paper gradient. Photo: Michael Bodiam.

String structure 1. Image: Michael Bodiam.

String structure 2. Image: Michael Bodiam.

Order to chaos. The model that led to the first ever KUFtwist model. Image: Michael Bodiam.

First ever KUFtwist model. Images: Michael Bodiam.

The second KUFtwist model, sparking the interest from InnovationRCA who gave Kia a fellowship for the invention. Images: Michael Bodiam.

All four sides of this box can be opened and closed. Photo: Michael Bodiam.

A ring of string (and 925 silver). Image: Michael Bodiam.

An object to fiddle with in your pocket. Photo: Michael Bodiam.

Pop-up string book evolved from the previous diagram models. Image: Michael Bodiam.

Instead of twisting the louvers, these combs roll them into columns. Photo: Michael Bodiam.

String structure. Image: Michael Bodiam.

Collapsible string structure. Photo: Michael Bodiam.

Collapsible order-to-chaos string structure. All four sides of this box can be opened and closed. Photo: Michael Bodiam.

Collapsible shelf held by string. Photo: Michael Bodiam.

Panels that can be closed and hidden away in a ceiling. Image: Michael Bodiam.

All four sides of this box can be opened and closed. Photo: Michael Bodiam.

Marble rubics cube (it has never been solved again...). Photo: Michael Bodiam.

Speckled painting of primary colours and simple goemetric shapes. Photo: Michael Bodiam.