The Boot Kidz — Short Article

50,000 Followers!

Karen Henry Bootkidz Facebook News Short Article

50,000 Followers!

Amazing! we have 50,000 followers on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/bootkidz

Read more →


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...

Read more →


Coat Stand History

Karen Henry Coat stands Design Furniture Design History Short Article

Coat Stand History

Coat stands have their own fashion trends. The Thonet coat stand, made of bent wood is a 150-year design. The bentwood coat stand has its origins with the first bentwood furniture including the famous coffee shop "Chair 14" by Michael Thonet (1796 - 1871). Michael Thonet furniture making of chairs evolved into making coat stands out of bent wood using the same processes. Thonet's first independent commission in 1849, was the Bentwood Coat Stand for the Cafe Daum in Vienna. A timeless design with classic, quintessential Thonet style. Designed to hold coats, hats and umbrellas.  There have been many attempts by designers to redesign...

Read more →


What is wrought iron?

Karen Henry Article Casting design Information materials Metal Short Article Wrought iron

What is wrought iron? Wrought iron is a purer iron with lower carbon content. The roughness of wrought iron gives the metal its unique antique-style. Wrought iron is tough, malleable, ductile and can be easily welded.  How is wrought iron made? Wrought iron was traditionally made in a bloomery furnace.  About Wrought Iron Wrought iron is commercially pure iron - with a very low carbon content. This is in contrast to steel, an alloy - another popular coat stand material (see steel coat stands) which has a higher carbon content. Steel = 2% carbon + iron. Wrought iron is a fibrous material....

Read more →


3D Software and Hardware Tools

Karen Henry 3D Design Short Article

Just a few short thoughts on 3D.  3D software tools are different to 2D tools. 2D includes tools such as photo editing and image editing software. 3D Software 3D software is used to make 3D products in virtual reality. Examples of this software include: AutoCAD 3DS Max - 3D Animation/Designing Software SketchUp - from Google Blender - Blender is free and open source software, available to download from Blender.org Once you have a 3D files you can either use this to make real-world products or visualise real-world products. 3D designs created in a 3D software package such as AutoCAD, 3D Max, Blender, or other...

Read more →