The Boot Kidz — Cement

Transparent Concrete

Karen Henry Cement Concrete Design Engineering Materials Optics Short Article Transparent

Transparent Concrete Welcome Welcome to Bootkidz, a small design company based in London. This article has information on the interesting material called "Transparent Concrete". Translucent Concrete The most common way to create translucent concrete is by mixing pieces of broken optical fibre, as used by telecommunications companies, into a concrete mixer - its not that simple though - since the optic fibres need to be arranged in a special way to create the pathways for the light to be transmitted from one side of the concrete block to the other side. Two companies make this translucent concrete: Italcementi - based...

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Design Consideration for Bootkidz Cement Boots

Karen Henry 2008 Boots Cement Design Wellies Wellington Boots

Design Consideration for Bootkidz Cement Boots

The cement boots are a modern design consideration as cement is a contemporary material used in the manufacture of many design orientated art pieces. Each Wellington Boot is made by using real Wellington Boots. Dyed cement is poured into the boots. A rod slightly larger than the stands metal rods is inserted into the wet cement - this will allow the metal rods of the stands to be inserted. Two weeks later the boots are ready.    

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Prototyping the cement boots

Karen Henry 2006 2007 2008 Boots Cement Design Legs Prototyping Stability Stands Sturdy Wellies

Prototyping the cement boots

Cement Boots Many prototypes of the cement wellington boots were made. This photo shows the cement boots in the rain in the garden. Different cement dyes were used to colour the cement.  Cement dye was mixed into real Wellington boots and then the boots were removed. Real Wellington boots were used as molds to hold the cement whilst drying. Metal cylinders were placed in the cement to hold the legs of the Bootkidz coat stands. Since the cement is quite heavy - it gives the clothes stand good stability.  

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Welcome

Karen Henry 2005 2D 3D Art Boots Cement Child Children Clothes stands Coat Stands Colourful Concrete Design Fashion Fun Home Mannequins Models Visual merchandising Welcome Wireframe

Welcome

Welcome to the Boot Kidz Blog. Design of 'The Boot Kidz' The Boot Kidz were designed by furniture designer Karen Henry in 2005. The original ideas for Lucy were sketched on paper. This included a red wavy design for the hair and a patterned outfitted blue dress. It was decided to make Lucy more iconic and focus on the form and rather than features. A small bend in the knee to emphasise that Lucy is a playful and fun character. The shapes and lines are important After the design was sketched, initial miniature prototypes of the designs were made with...

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